Mia Joy Villanueva, College Scholar

“Yes, it takes time. But every little bit helps“, shared Mia Joy Villanueva as she is on her final year in college through the help of the Tapulanga Foundation scholarship grant.

Mia is a graduating student of Carlos Hilado Memorial State College, Talisay City taking up Bachelor in Science in Education (Secondary level), majoring in English and currently having her Pre – Service Training as a teacher at E.B. Magalona National High School. Her mother, Marivic , who is a housewife and her father Orlando , who is a sugarcane farm laborer, inspired her so much in fighting the challenges of life. Despite their poor financial status in life, she did well during her elementary to high school and until now in her college years. This four- year scholarship grant was awarded to her under the Rafe Totengco College Scholarship grant, when she graduated at SFAS in 2009.

According to her, the scholarship grant has formed her not just a student but as a true person being responsible of the things that God has given to her. She is very blessed because of the FREE tuition and miscellaneous fees, school uniform, school supplies, eye check-ups and yearly Christmas parties for all Tapulanga Foundation scholars that she has enjoyed so much. But more of it is the chance of making her parents and the foundation proud of her. And now that her graduation is approaching, words are not enough to express how grateful she is in receiving all the opportunities that Tapulanga Foundation has given to her and it will really be a dream come true not only for her but for her parents as well as she will the first college graduate in her family.

“I am so thankful to the Tapulanga Foundation because they have supported me since elementary until college. I can really say now that the Foundation makes students‘ dream come true."

She is very excited as she will be applying for a teaching position in her alma mater, St. Francis of Assisi School this 2013.  It's now her turn to help not only her parents and siblings but also the children/students of St. Francis of Assisi School of Silay City and be a living witness of how beneficial the scholarship Tapulanga Foundation is giving to the scholars IF valued well!

Labor of Love

Lisa Marker (left), a resident of Belgium who is now in the Philippines visiting, together with her mother, Mrs. Marilyn Reyes-Marker (second to the right), who resides in Denmark, visited St. Francis of Assisi School last December 21, 2012.  Lisa shared her passion for photography as she captured the beautiful faces of the children in all levels as each class was having a Christmas party. Click this link to see her photos:  The Happy Faces of SFAS Kids.

They also attended the Tapulanga Foundation's Christmas party for the 5th - 8th graders held the next day at McDonald's and Lopue's East.  You can view her photos also at TF's fan page. (TF Scholars' Christmas Party (by Lisa Marker)).

In photo as well is Ms. Margie Ledesma-Abello (right), the daughter of the Ledesma owners of the school, and mother of Micmic and Robin Abello, founders of Tapulanga Foundation and JR Abello, Vice Principal and teacher in SFAS.

Thank you Lisa for the wonderful pictures of our kids!

TF Medical Mission 2012

Tapulanga Foundation, Inc. held its annual Medical Mission despite of the typhoon last December 26, 2012 at Our Lady of Nativity Chapel, Hda.Tinihaban, Silay City. It was attended by adults ages 40-50 and kids ages 0-12. Free consultation and medicines were provided for to all plus deworming for ages 2 to 10. 

The medical team this year was composed not only of our Vice President, Dra. Jo-an Ledesma-Millonado who does the yearly check-ups to the children but we had other volunteer doctors:  Dr. Fritz Gerard Flores, an orthopedic, Dra. Monace Sandalo, an anesthesiologist, Dra. Michelle Flores, an OB gynecologist and Dra. Regina Tan- Buenaflor, a pediatrician.  

Mrs. Marissa Guadalupe, the school's nurse volunteered as well as she took the blood pressure and administered blood sugar test to the adults.  

Likewise, 3 generations of the Ledesma family joined the mission by administering the deworming medicine to the children and giving out the medicines and loot bags.

Para Kay Toto

Top–billed SIDE A Band rendered a benefit concert last December 1, 2012 at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum, Bacolod City embracing its national campaign “Para Kay Toto“(Toto is a common nickname among Ilonggo kids).  The campaign was set on stage as an advocate in promoting awareness to free children from the abused world.  Tapulanga Foundation was one of its beneficiaries, together with the Real Life Foundation, Kalipay Negrense and Bantay Bata 163.

The event was founded by Mr. Joey Benin, a former SIDE A band member, and his wife, Bing Ledesma-Benin, who is from Negros, and organized by the Para Sa Kabataang Pilipino Movement whose vision is to help children and participated by various celebrities.

Some of the teachers and staff of St. Francis of Assisi School of Silay City set aside their school works and proudly delivered their spirit of volunteerism during the said concert. It was reunited by more than 100 volunteers from different sectors to give free service to Para Kay Toto.

SFAS students-scholars joined and sang on stage with the SIDE A Band during the finale and they gave out thank you cards to the audience.

Thank you to all who came and had a great time singing old and new time hits and at the same time, being a part of providing children with a brighter tomorrow!

Good Sight = Good Education

After several screenings to determine their vision correction needs, new set of SFAS teachers ( Ms. Yvette Jaranilla , Ms. Louren Purisima, Sir Jomar Eguid, Ms. Luzel Estrobo, Ms. Catrina Deriada and Ms. Cindy Dumdumaya ) and students (Miguel Lavilla, Ajay Gonzales, Nicole Monge, Reymart Navarette and Justine Duyo)  were given FREE EYEGLASSES this school year 2012-2013. This has been a project of the Tapulanga Foundation for many years already to provide a better sight to those who need it the most.

Since it started, the program has seen that providing eyeglasses to the students did not only make them see better but had other good effects such as boosting their self – confidence, increasing their class participation and better performance in school.

“By the time my eyeglass was given to me, I was very happy. It is because it helped me a lot. I am very thankful because I can now see writings clearly." - Justine Duyo , Grade 9 student 

“The eyeglass has been very helpful to me especially in my studies. I could clearly read now the writings on the board even if it is far. I am very happy and thankful for it. “ – Miguel Lavilla, Grade 9 student

“Thank you for the eyeglass because I can see things far from me. Thank you also for the school for helping me with my eye problem.” – Ajay Gonzales, Grade 5 student

“I am very thankful that in this institution, not only is the education of the children their concern but also the teachers, especially for those of us who have difficulty in reading and seeing things clearly. Thank you for my eyeglass. “ – Ms. Catrina Deriada , Grade 4 Adviser 

“Thank you for the Tapulanga Foundation because they have given me an eyeglass which I can use everyday especially when I am doing paper works.” -  Ms. Louren Purisima, Science & Social Studies Teacher 

Eat. Share. Love. 2012 Benefit Dinner

A BIG thanks to all who supported the 4th annual benefit dinner of Tapulanga Foundation, Inc. held in L'Fisher Hotel last November 16, 2012.  La Proa Halls 1 and 2 were filled with more than 200 people; everyone enjoyed the buffet dinner and at the center of the hall, the silent auction of over 100 items was displayed.  Congratulations to Matthew Ledesma for winning the raffle prize of a Kindle HD Fire.

The chorale and dancers of St. Francis of Assisi School of Silay City, of whom mostly are scholars of Tapulanga Foundation, showcased their talent during the evening.

Not only did we have more attendees this year, thanks to all the generous sponsors and donors, we were able to double sponsorships this year both in cash and in kind donations. We raised a total of Php305,500 to include the raffle and dinner tickets.

The menu for the evening was Potato Italian Salad, Lasagna, Beef Steak Tagalog, Chicken Teppanyaki, Pan Fried Fish Fillet with Tarragon Herb Butter, Buttered Mixed Vegetables and Chocolate Cake.

Thank you to all our sponsors:  Gold - L'Fisher Hotel, Hawaiian Philippine Company, Mandala Centering Place, Philippine Sugar Corporation and Tinihaban Agricultural Corporation; Silver - Ayala North Point, C2 of Universal Robina Corporation, Calea Pastries and Coffee, Dynamic Builders Construction, Gerard Dacles Photography at the Wedding and Events Gallery, Hon. Mayor Jose "Oti" Montelibano and the People of Silay City, Mr. Roberto Abello, Orix Metro Leasing & Finance Corporation, Standard Insurance Company, SVG Schuurmans & Van Ginneken Philippines, The Mercantile Insurance and anonymous donors; Table - Associacion de Hacenderos de Silay-Saravia, Crown Agri-Trading Corporation, Datalink Technologies Inc., Magallanes Shell Service Station, Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Pedrosa, Mr. and Mrs. Jiel Arcillas, Mr. and Mrs. Ricky Yanson, PJL Auto Center, Prudential Guarantee and Twin Shell Service Station; Minor - Hotel Pagcor Bacolod, Bellicimo Enterprises, Betty Bantug Benitez Foundation, SWIP Travel, The GiggleBugs Gift & Party Shop, ACTS Food Corporation, Anton and Gino Lopez, Jojo and Rolyn Ponce, Hon. Vice Mayor Mark Golez and Trinkets.

Thank you as well to all our silent auction donors:  21 Restaurant, 27^th Bascon, Aboy’s Restaurant, Ann Co Cakes, Art Energy, Azatri Souvenirs, Bacolod 18^th Street Palapala, Café 1925, Café Uma, Chicken House, Corazon Chiofalo, Deco’s Original La Paz Batchoy, Felicia’s Café and Restaurant, Grill Guru, Hacienda Crafts Company, Heart Warmers, Heirlooms Pacifica, Janice Ragona, Joey Ledesma, Jojo Regollo, Joy Barreiro, J’s Fine Jewelry, June Abello, Juvy Intal, Kamiseta (Robinson’s), Kiculo, Livewell Spa, Lizzie Ledesma, L’Kaisei Japanese Restaurant, Lopue’s East Centre, Mafi Segovia, Margie Abello, Miren Desserts and Café, Nature’s Village Resort Hotel and Restaurant, Negros Grace Pharmacy (Silay City branch), Negros Saturn Marketing, Nickelodeon, Octagon Computer Superstore, Papel Handicrafts, Pinky Lizares, Play Studio, Reeds & Weeds, Sarabia Optical (Robinson’s), Spa Natura, The Handmade Gallery, The Sugarland Hotel, The Suites of Calle Nueva, The Travel Lounge, Ting Cristales and Trattoria Uma. 

The BIG Task of Parenthood

The parents of the high school scholars of Tapulanga Foundation stopped for half a day from work  last October 20, 2012 to have some time of reflection, prayer and inputs on parenting.

This was facilitated by SFAS teachers and Campus Ministry directors, Sir Jomar Eguid and Sir Leonard Guinabo who talked about parenting.  Some parents were given the chance to share their experiences as parents as well.

One of the touching moments that made them cry was when the parents read the letters from their sons and daughters.

PERFECT ! It’s realization time.  The recollection made us realize how to become a good parents , good models to our child. It made me think about the things I haven’t done to my children.  – Mrs. Roxanne Artillo

I appreciate so much the effort of the teachers that encouraged us parents to become better parents .  – Mr. Noel Delos Santos

I don't regret that I attended the Parents Recollection. It reminded me of my great responsibility as a parent. I’ve also realized my “ kakulangan” to my children.  - Mrs. Hazel Bacaoco