Gawad Kalinga Canada unveils new anti-poverty partners

Richard Te announces $40,000 surprise donation from Placido Cipriano to GK Canada as Alfredo Pacis listens. PHOTOS BY MARISA ROQUE

TORONTO, Ontario—The Canadian branch of a renowned anti-poverty organization in the Philippines unveiled a tripartite partnership for sustainable development at a recent meeting of donors and supporters.

Officials of Gawad Kalinga Canada (GKC) also gave an update on the organization’s Typhoon Haiyan rebuilding efforts and unveiled its partnership with Gawad Kalinga Philippines (GKP) and Cuso International, during a November 28 gathering at One King West Hotel.

Jose Querubin, GKC vice-chairman, who opened the gathering, stated that the group’s work has “now come full circle.”

Philippine Consul General Rosalita Prospero thanked GK Canada, Filipino Canadians and the Canadian government for their speedy response to “rebuild homes, communities, and lives, showing solidarity in giving support in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan.”

“You are not only providing a roof over their heads, but you are providing hope for a new beginning, a new security, a new chance to restore their dreams for the future,” added Prospero.

Joanne Cheng of Luminus Financial hands $2,500 surprise donation to GK Canada.

GKP executive director Luis Oquinena, visiting from the Philippines, spoke of communities regaining dignity and connections in spite of different divisive factors.  “It is good to work together, to create wider impact and disrupt the status quo,” he said.

Shaped by climate, conflict

“Our country is being shaped by climate and conflict.  We have to adapt to a new normal–a few weeks ago we had Typhoon Lando, and now we are experiencing drought.  We have to incorporate climate change in everything we do,” he added.

A video documenting the turnover of homes built by GKP and its partners to their new owners was shown. Happy residents voiced t thanks to the donors and the GK workers and added that now that they have homes, they would welcome livelihood projects that would help them feed themselves.

Oquinena related a trip he and some GKP team members made in January to Mamasapano in Mindanao after the massacre.  “There were close to a thousand displaced Muslim families in the evacuation center going hungry.  So we started to cook for them, and one evacuee said ‘We trust you because you care for us.’  The issue is about trust.”

Alice Herrera and emcedes Lyra Zagala and Rafael Fabregas.

Oquinena continued: “Gawad Kalinga is a choice–the choice of the good we can create.  If I have a message for the Philippine community here, is to build on that trust, turn around and have a meaningful journey and demonstrate that we are indeed a nation.”

Third partner

Cuso International, the third partner with GKC and GKP in the tripartite alliance, presented its approach through a video from Evelyn Guindon, CEO of Cuso, and a live message from Nefertiti Saleh, Cuso manager for Programs, Partners and Outreach.

Volunteer organization Cuso will partner with GKP and GKC through a recently launched program called The Voice, funded primarily by the government of Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Development.  “Working together to build capacity of individuals, communities and organizations is the most effective way to reduce poverty,” shared Saleh.

Cuso places value in “investing in strategic alliances (valuing) the importance of getting members of the Filipino diaspora to give back to their country of heritage and to international development,” said Guindon.

Plaques of appreciation

Alfredo Pacis, Consul General Prospero and Luis Oquinena presented plaques of appreciation to GKC donors.  The presentation was capped by two surprise donations, $2500 from Luminus Financial represented by Joanna Cheng and $40,000 from Fernando Cipriano, represented by Richard Te.

GKC honored the following donors, namely:  AC Tristar, Aurora Narciso, Balikatan Montreal, Canadian Multicultural Council, Alex Chiu Golf Tournament, Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians, Cora Lopez, Filipino-Canadian Real Estate Association, Filipino Renal Nurses Association in Ontario, Japan Canadian Cultural Center, Korean Canadian Cultural Association of Metro Toronto, One King West, Novotel Vaughan, Philippine Independence Day Council, Rubi Talavera, 7 Enoteca, Sunlife Financial, T&T Supermarket, and Unite Here Local 75.

The College of the Holy Spirit North America Foundation received a plaque of recognition for volunteer work with GKC.  Other volunteer awardees were Maripi Leynes, Odette Montelibano, and Cheryl Cantonjos.

Commended for their longstanding volunteer work with GKC were Ester Toribio, Elvie Tan, Agnes Manasan, Rex Manasan, Francis Rementilla, Alice Herrera, Jose Querubin, and Jimmy Nagallo were

Lyra Zagala and Rafael Fabregas emceed the proceedings.

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