We're hiring --- Communications and Development Associate

We're hiring! We're looking for a creative, hard-working and task-oriented person to help with our communications and development work.

About Tapulanga Foundation

Tapulanga Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit charitable organization that helps provide educational and healthcare assistance to farm communities in Silay City and neighboring areas.

Established in 2001 and based in Silay City (Philippines), the main project of the foundation is providing educational scholarships for students of St. Francis of Assisi School located just outside Silay City, Negros Occidental.

Position: Communications and Development Associate

Will report to the Executive Director of Friends of Tapulanga (USA)

Responsibilities:

This position has four specific areas of responsibility:

• Outreach communications 
• Research 
• Administrative support 
• Donor relations & donor management. 

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferably in Communications 
• Excellent writing, editing and proof-reading skills 
• Detail-oriented and have a strong commitment to quality work 
• Proficient with using online communication and social media tools 
• Comfortable working with MS Office and Database experience a plus 
• Ability to take initiative and work independently 

Please send resume to Mic Golez at mgolez@tapulanga.org.

Our Visit to St. Francis of Assisi School

We visited St. Francis of Assisi School during one of their special Sportsfest days and the campus was bursting with energy and activity!

We had the chance to tour an area of the school, in the thick of celebrating their 50th anniversary.  Everywhere one looked, the eyes were met by the colors of extolling the joys of knowledge and learning.  We were surrounded by the sounds exuberance:  from the cheers in the basketball court; and field for the athletes, the laughter in the play ground and in classrooms, to the excited murmurs in the hallways full of young scholars challenging each other around Scrabble and Chess boards.

Although the sweetest sound of the visit was hands down by a heartfelt song rendition by 6-year old Rodney after meeting him and 9-year old April. The chance to meet these two lovely boys was an inspiring gift during our trip to Negros for the holidays.

Henry Ford once said, "Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger”. That lovely hour was definitely one those experiences. We left to catch a flight, hearts full, with a mutual promise to return, and a fortified commitment to help nourish the young minds that thrive there- so that their series of experiences continue to grow.

- Albert and Christine Santos are Tapulanga Foundation donors. They chose to help Rodney Davo III, a first grader, and April Bernasol, a third grader, go to school during the 75 Scholars in 30 Days Challenge launched by the foundation last April 1, 2014.  They visited the school last January 7, 2015 to meet their scholars.

Medical Mission 2014

The day after Christmas, Tapulanga Foundation held its annual medical mission at Our Lady of the Nativity Chapel in Hacienda Tinihaban I, Silay City.

The chapel was filled with more than 140 children -- from infants cradled by mothers to 18-year-olds, who received free check-ups and prescription from our doctors: Dra. Jo-an Ledesma-Millonado, Dr. Mike Gonzales, Dra. Len Ledesma-Gonzales, Dr. Ted Gonzales, and Dra. Vicky Benedicto-Gonzales.

Besides free medicine, free deworming was also given to children aged two to ten years old.

We would like to thank our nurse volunteers -- Ms. Marissa Guadalupe, Ms. Shiela Aspa, Jelaine Estardo, and Aeriel Guadalupe.

And to all who have helped us, through every possible way, a very big thanks to you for making this year's Medical Mission a success.

For more photos, please click here.

MassKara in Manila

The Masskara Festival has always been a high-anticipated event in the City of Smiles, Bacolod.  Last October 18, 2014, Tapulanga Foundation brought the festival to Manila, giving Manileños a taste of the Masskara festivities.

“MassKara in Manila” was held in Strumm’s, Bel-air Village, Makati.  Guests enjoyed a sumptuous buffet dinner consisting of potato and tuna croquettes, buttered vegetables, Yang Chow fried rice, crispy pata, spicy beef casserole, pasta marinara, leche flan and, of course, Bacolod City’s famous blend of chicken inasal.  Talented young musicians, Clara and Sarah Benin, serenaded the guests during dinner.  Our masters of ceremonies, Dr. Jo-an Ledesma-Millonado and Dr. Rachel Saban-Leelin, got the crowd revved up with a Last Group Standing Tapulanga Trivia Game.  The guests were then given the ultimate MassKara experience with exhilarating and exciting performances by the Buganda Drum Beaters, Poi dancers Firechill and Kazee, singer Dr. Marienella Francisco-Mallari and the Speed Dance Company.  Finally, the guests sang and danced the night away with our live band performers, In Heat and Mulatto.

Proceeds of this fund raising dinner party will go to Tapulanga Foundation’s college scholarship program.

To all who supported MassKara in Manila, we would like to express our sincerest gratitude.  Madamo guid nga salamat!!!

For more photos, please click here.

Christmas Giving 2014 for our Scholars, Teachers and Staff

In celebrating the spirit of Christmas, Tapulanga Foundation gathered all the scholars for the Christmas Giving 2014 at the St. Francis of Assisi School in Silay City and Campuestuhan Highland Resort last December 18-19, 2014.

Scholars from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 9 enjoyed a party at school with free cotton candy and ice cream and had fun playing games at the SFAS covered court and Edgardo Ledesma Hall on December 18, 2014.

All the scholars received eco-bags with lots of goodies such as toys, Noche Buena groceries, slippers, and more. Snacks were also served for everyone.

Our Grade 10 scholars had a great time out together with our college scholars at the Campuestuhan Highland Resort the next day. Each earned a free ride on Campuestuhan’s Sky Bike or Zipline.

All teachers and staff also received ham and dishwashing liquid last December 17, 2014.

Thank you to all the generous people who helped make possible Tapulanga Foundation’s Christmas Giving program this year. You have brought BIG smiles to the children, teachers and staff and their families!

For more photos please click here.

Photo Credits to Jaco Paz of ABMC4, University of St. La Salle- Bacolod.

Eat.Share.Love. 2014

Once again, the Tapulanga Foundation hosted its annual fundraiser last November 21, 2014!

Eat Share Love is on its 6th year and has attracted more than 200 people, young and old alike. This charity event was held at the La Proa Halls of L’Fisher Hotel, Bacolod City.

The fundraiser started its registration at 5:30 PM and opened its doors to guests at 6 PM.

As a token of gratitude for all those who came, Tapulanga Foundation prepared a photo booth for everyone to enjoy before the activity starts.

The event commenced first with the dinner and these include palatable dishes from L’fisher such as Italian potato salad, baked meat lasagna, angus beef belly pot roast, chicken relleno, fish fillet in basil cream sauce and buttered mixed vegetables; as well as chocolate eclairs and blueberry cheesecake for dessert.

At dinner, guests were entertained by The Guitar Club and the Grade 4 Students of St. Francis of Assisi School in Silay, most of whom are scholars of Tapulanga Foundation, and a live acoustic performance by Miss Angelica Prado.

Attendees got to enjoy not only dinner and entertainment, but also had the chance to bid for toys, lamps, accessories, bags, skin care products and gift certificates from hotels, restaurants, boutiques and many more.

Proceeds of the fundraising event will go directly to our college scholarship program. 

To everyone who came, helped, donated, and sponsored Eat Share Love 2014, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Please visit our Facebook page to view more photos or you may click here.

Photo credits to Mr. Felix Querubin and Jaco Paz of University of St. La Salle - Bacolod Yearbook Office.

Happy Halloween for Tapulanga!

Every year, the Barrientos brothers, Diego and Andro, and their friends and even young at heart parents go all out for Halloween. This year they decided to collect candies for a cause and remembered their Tapulanga scholars, Reign and Ian.

They asked Anton, Tyler, Lucas, Mayur, Kody, Kabir, Lucas, Anton and another Lucas to bring toys, books and candies or anything they wish to share. And all came with these gifts and their scary faces!

After almost two hours of pillaging for candies, they brought home their loot and shared with Tapulanga!

Thank you very much Andre, Luis, Lucas, Kabir, Anton, Tyler, Lucas, Kody, Diego, Lucas, Mayur and Andro! May other kids follow what you have done!