Thursday, December 29, 2011

PUSONG PINOY'S CDO RELIEF PROJECT 1


We completed our Cagayan de Oro (CDO) Relief Project in a matter of days raising over P120,000.  Thanks to all our amazing heroes and superheroes who stepped up to help those affected by Typhoon Sendong by sending in monetary donations.

A big thanks to an outstanding Pusong Pinoy hero, EDWIN RODRIGUEZ of Quezon City, and his company, RCS LOGISTICS PHILIPPINES, INC., for partnering with Pusong Pinoy to ensure the success of this project.  Edwin did not think twice when Donna Rosario, founder of Pusong Pinoy, personally asked for his assistance in the immediate delivery of goods to the evacuation center.  He did not only offer his company's services, but he personally volunteered to go to CDO to deliver the goods on behalf of Pusong Pinoy.

On December 29, 2011, just 12 days after they communicated, Edwin took a flight from Manila to CDO. He went to the evacuation center and handed over thousands of slippers, bottled water, shampoos and bars of soap to the officials of the Philippine Red Cross CDO Chapter.  Present during this handover were Philippines Red Cross Headquarters Chairwoman MYRA BALANDRA and Vice-Chair DR. MODESTO C. BABAYLAN.  Pusong Pinoy salutes the Philippines Red Cross for their work at CDO in this time of crisis. 


THANK YOU, EDWIN & RCS LOGISTICS PHILS INC.!   As a long time HERO and supporter of Pusong Pinoy, Edwin knows that we value transparency, so he took a lot of photos to show how your donations were used and where exactly they were donated.  To see more photos, please visit our Facebook page (keyword: pusongpinoy.org)

You are truly amazing, Edwin!  Click HERE to read about another PP project with Edwin which raised PhP100,000 for our food drive. 

Thursday, December 22, 2011

PUSONG PINOY BOOKS WOW THE CHILDREN OF BURGOS, LA UNION

BY PHILIPPINES CORE TEAM LEADER NINGNING DOBLE


I am so excited!  I want to share with all of you several touching moments that I have experienced today! I think I have told some of you that while carrying out research on education reform I undertook a survey on the performance and impact of Project ABC in Burgos.

Project ABC is a program which aims to improve basic education in Burgos, through implementing a reading program. I visited 6 of 8 public elementary schools in Burgos, La Union to conduct the survey. And guess what? Of all the activities of Project ABC– and there are many activities for teachers, parents and students– those that created the most impact are the books donated by Pusong Pinoy for the children of Burgos on November 2009!

How did Project ABC use the books donated by Pusong Pinoy? Well, I guess it was hard work for the teachers and volunteers from the Municipal Hall of Burgos. The book donations for Project ABC were counted, sorted, leveled, accessioned, and divided for the eight public elementary schools. They were put in plastic bins, then distributed to the schools. Books stayed in each school for 3 weeks and were then rotated to the next school. In each school, the books are put in a corner, with one reading corner for each grade.

When I asked parents and teachers how they use the nice books in the reading corner, I was simply amazed when I heard the compliments. I had goose bumps while listening to their stories. The books we donated are being read over and over again by the children of Burgos. THEY JUST LOVE THEM!

Many of the books are now old and dilapidated. This is great news for Pusong Pinoy! Books are there to be used. The more dilapidated our book donations become, is evidence of how frequently they are being used by the kids!

That's why our latest donation, which was turned over today, is really appreciated by the teachers and parents. Now, they have more books to lend and to be read to the kids! They need all the books that they can lay their hands on! To them, this is not the time to stop… the kids are now enjoying the world of reading!

Just to let you know, here are some of the things they said about the transportable library program of Project ABC carrying Pusong Pinoy’s books. We could say that these can be considered as some of the “impact indicators” of our program- these are signs that the books are being used well.

1. The kids greet recess or lunch break excitedly every day. This is their, “Drop Everything and Read” (DEAR) time, when they can visit the reading corner and choose a book to read there, or take it home for the night. Mind you, some kids choose the same book over and over again! Reading recognition is enhanced with the repetition of words. The more often children see a word, the more likely that they won’t forget its meaning and spelling.

2. When the kids get home, they read the books on their own, or with their parents, siblings or even cousins. That's one book benefitting several kids at once!

3. With kids whose parents cannot read or write, the kids take the books home and read to their parents! Isn't that amazing? Our kids are reading to their "nanays" and "tatays". This literally brought tears to my eyes. The parents sit with them with proud tears in their eyes. Their kids are finally doing what they have always dreamed to do themselves– read! Now they feel that all their hard work to send their kids to school is really worth it.

4. Now, teachers find it easier to teach reading. Why? Because NOW, the kids WANT to learn how to read! Guys, we did it! We struck that cord in their little minds! They want to read! woohooo!

5. Some kids take the same book home over and over. They just can’t put the books that they love the most down. To them, they have fallen in love with the book. This is probably the reason why some books are now missing. The kids simply don’t have the heart to return them.

6. I only received one complaint from a teacher about the reading program. The teacher said: "Ma'am, why do the books stay for too short a time in our school? The kids have not yet finished reading them but after three weeks they're rotated to the next school" Still good news! That means, the kids want to read them ALL!

7. When the kids were asked where the nice books were - they all pointed in the same direction. They all knew where the book haven was! It is indeed their favorite part of the room. These kids have never experienced running their little fingers on smooth, colorful and exciting pages. Many of the smaller kids do not even recognize letters yet. They simply browse with wide eyes, as they make their own interpretations of the stories behind the illustrations. With these books, the little ones are being exposed to letters and words in a fun and engaging way. Pretty soon, they will memorize how these letters look. After all, reading starts with the alphabet.

These are just some of the wonderful things I heard today about the impact made by the transportable library program of Project ABC. This was made possible by Pusong Pinoy’s book donation to Burgos. I am not exaggerating when I tell these stories. I experienced the same reaction in every school that we visited.

I just can’t help but tell all the HEROES who donated books to this worthwhile cause and the SUPERHEROES who gathered books and made sure they were delivered to the intended recipients. Just want to let you know – WE ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK! We are not only doing the right things- we are doing things right! If we can make readers out of the Burgos kids, we can make them achievers for life!!! And who’s going to stop us from making readers out of the other marginalized children in the Philippines?

Thank you all for doing the book drives unceasingly… the program sure is working!

In the name of Pusong Pinoy,
TL Storm (Ningning Doble) 

*Click HERE to read more about PROJECT ABC in Burgos, La Union.  For book donations, please email pusongpinoyorg@gmail.com.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

PP HERO JUDITH'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AT LITTLE LIGHTS

PP Hero JUDITH MILANO-MADAMBA of Los Angeles, California celebrated her birthday with the kids of Little Lights Ministry in Pasig during her visit to the Philippines.  RUSSELL RUFINO and his dad along with CHASTA NECHVATAL who are also from California joined her at Little Lights in this special occasion.  A hundred kids attended the celebration and they were surprised by Chasta with a tahiti dance performance.  Pusong Pinoy would like to thank Judith for sharing her blessings with the kids of Little Lights Ministry! 

Pastor Joseph and his wife, Jeanette, were very grateful to Judith for sharing her birthday to the kids of Little Lights.  They stated, "Judith, Chasta, Rusell Rufino and Dad, you have given so much delight to this humble community and surely they will never forget the love you have extended to them. Our heartfelt thanks to all of you who came - to Ms. Chasta who made the children happy with her surprise tahiti dance presentation and most specially to you "Judith" for lovingly sharing your blessed day. Happy Birthday and wishing you God's wonderful blessings!  To Pusong Pinoy - Thank you for keeping Little Lights in your mind and hearts.  We love you all!"

Little Lights Ministry planted its humble beginnings at Sitio Tawi-Tawi along the riverbanks of the Pasig-Cainta boundary where drug dealing, drinking sprees, gambling, and street brawls are a way of life. Out of this concern, Little Lights was born. As the ministry continued its mission, they came across out-of-school and never-schooled children, which led them to start "Learning Lessons," a progressive Montessori-type learning system for ages 2 to 15 years.  Little Lights currently serves to more than 1,000 underprivileged Filipino children and their love ones to have a better way of life.  Deeply inspired and motivated by the works of Little Lights Ministry, Pusong Pinoy has been sponsoring their feeding and learning program since 2010.

PUSONG PINOY'S CHRISTMAS DONATION TO LITTLE LIGHTS MINISTRY


On December 18, 2012. Pusong Pinoy team led by PP Core Team Leader JOCEL TANEDO ESTOQUE and Team Leaders CLAUDETTE TANEDO, JENNY SORIANO OLIVA, and LANCE ROMEL BUCOY traveled to Pasig City to bring Christmas donations to the children of Little Lights Ministry.  Little Lights currently serves more than 1,000 underprivileged Filipino children, which includes out-of-school and never-schooled children.  Since 2010, Pusong Pinoy has been supporting Little Lights Ministry's literacy and feeding programs. 

During this Christmas celebration, the children and their families were treated with a nice meal (fried chicken, rice, macaroni salad, and dessert) donated by ICONS, a long-time supporter of Pusong Pinoy.   It was a fun-filled event with singing and gift distributions. We are truly grateful to all Pusong Pinoy Heroes who stepped up once again and donated the following items to make sure that the children and their families of Little Lights Ministry enjoy the holidays:
250 apples
500 ramen noodles
250 kilos of rice (5 sacks of rice)
250 cans of sardines

Each child received
1 apple
2 ramen noodles
1 kilo of rice
1 can of sardines

Pusong Pinoy believes that good nutrition is important for good learning.  The following items were also donated to Little Lights Ministry for their feeding program. 

5 sacks of rice (50 kilos/sack)
300 Pusong Pinoy notebooks
20 pails of biscuits
50 cans of evaporated milk
200 coloring notebooks
25 kilos of macaroni
25 kilos of bihon
20 kilos of powdered juice drink


A message from Pastor Joseph and his wife, Jeanette:"At this point we would like to bless highly those who endeavor to make our Little Lights happy and for all the wonderful support extended to our Ministry for the furtherance of our missions.  Thanks to PUSONG PINOY for being such a great partner and for steadfastly laboring to seek ways and means that the advocacy for our less priviledge brethren here in the Philippines be a continious work.  Special thanks to ICONS for sponsoring the food and for your steadfast support to our ministry and PRIME

Your commitment and concern to this ministry will cause God's face to shine upon you. As it is written; He hath disperse to the poor, your light will shine like noonday, your horn will be exalted with honor.  May the Lord Christ Jesus daily load you all with His graces, benefits and favors!
Maraming Salamat Po!"

Click HERE to read more about at our projects at Little Lights Ministry.


Thursday, December 8, 2011

PROJECT PAMASKO NG PUSONG PINOY III
(PP's Christmas Gift-Giving Project)



In the aftermath of two powerful typhoons that recently devastated the Philippines, it is critical to restore hope and spread joy in the hearts of thousands of disadvantaged kids this Christmas season.

With great fervor, we officially launch our 3rd annual Christmas Project, "PAMASKO NG PUSONG PINOY III".   We are hoping to provide gifts to over 3,000 disadvantaged kids and 650 financially- challenged families this Christmas season.  Please help us make their holiday season a meaningful one!


  DONATE ONLINE






 MAIL YOUR DONATION

Please make check payable to:
PUSONG PINOY
P.O. Box 546, Chino Hills, CA 92612



IN-KIND DONATION
For in-kind donation, please email us at
pusongpinoyorg@gmail.com




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CLICK BELOW TO SEE OUR CHRISTMAS PROJECTS THE PAST YEARS:

PAMASKO NG PUSONG PINOY I (2009)

PAMASKO NG PUSONG PINOY II (2010)


2011 PROJECT PPP III RECIPIENTS

DAMASCUS FOUNDATION (Bulacan)
EPHESUS HOME OF ABUSED CHILDREN (Bulacan)
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI OF SILAY CITY (Negros Occidental)
PARISH SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PSAC) (Batangas)
CENTRAL SCHOOL OF LUBAO (Pampanga)
VALDEZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Pampanga)
LITTLE LIGHTS MINISTRY (Pasig-Cainta)
BOLNOK LEARNING CENTER  (Palawan)
DE LA SALLE LIPA HILARIAN SCHOLARS (Batangas)

Saturday, December 3, 2011

FILMS CHARITY HIKE 2011 IN HONG KONG
FOR THE BENEFIT OF PUSONG PINOY


Pusong Pinoy is honored to be the beneficiary of the

FILIPINO MOUNTAINEERS SOCIETY
CHARITY HIKE 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011 
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Meeting Place: Jollibee Central, Hong Kong
  
 This event is organized by FILMS in partnership with AM1044 Metro Plus Radio, Pinoy Tayo Sanman (PTS), Hong Kong News, Jollibee, and One Journey International Magazine.

HIKING SPECIFICATIONS:
Starting Point: Pok Fu Lam Reservoir
End Point : Victoria Peak
Difficulty: 2/5*
Enjoyment: 5/5*
Terrain: Mixed Road & Soil

GEARS:
 Backpack with Bottle Container
 Hydration Bag with Bladder (at least 1-2 liters)
 Comfortable Shoes with reasonable spikes under the sole
 Extra Shirt (to change after the hike)
 Power Bars (snacks)
 Hiking Sticks
 Sun Visors (hat & sunglasses)
 Personal Medicine (if needed, but Medics will be on standby)
 Mini Towel (optional)
__________________________________________________

Come and join this monumental event as this will be FILMS' first-ever charity hike!  Mark your calendar and get ready for this once-in-a-lifetime event that will touch your heart and help others this holiday season.   The best part is that proceeds of this event will go towards Pusong Pinoy's Scholarship Program.

For more information, please contact:
JOEL BUHIA, FILMS Director/Founder

To learn more about FILMS, please visit their website at http://filipinomountaineerssociety.weebly.com/