Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Visayan Daily Star article

October 29, 2008
MicMic Abello-Golez, Tapulanga Foundation executive director, turns over the donation to Dr. Rafaelito Salvador, in the presence of doctors Mari Cris Bacinillo, Julius dela Cruz, Carina Frayco, Kristin Atonson, Celestelyn Barredo, Gerard Espilita, Mary Anne Jocson and Mark Agana.*

Babes of Bacolod help reg'l hospital

The Babes of Bacolod, a Los Angeles-based fundraising group, yesterday donated more than P170,000 worth of medical supplies and equipment to the Department of Internal Medicine of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City.

The donation was turned over for the group by MicMic Abello-Golez, Tapulanga Foundation executive director.

The "Babes" have been hosting annual fundraisers in Los Angeles since 2004 with the Tapulanga Foundation as their main beneficiary, Abello said.

They added the hospital as a benefactor last year with their donation of 50 mattresses and two suction machines. This year, they were able to donate much more - six suction machines, nine nebulizers, over 200 ET and tracheostomy tubes, sterile gloves, valve masks, a diagnostic set and a laryngoscope blade - due to the overwhelming success of their fundraiser.

The Tapulanga Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to uplift the lives of those who were born with less through educational scholarships, healthcare assistance and micro-credit loans.

Tapulanga’s main thrust is to provide tuition, including books and lunch, to the students of the St. Francis of Assisi School in Silay City, Abello said.

The Babes of Bacolod is composed of women all originally from Bacolod City.

Their members are Janice Ragona, Joy Herd, Geraldine Yulo, Catherine Khan, Agnes Clemente, Regina Tongson, Lynda Severino, Laurice Benedicto, Arlene Litonjua, Trina Melliza and Czarina Montuano.

Those interested in more information may check out www.tapulanga.org or www.babesofbacolod.blogspot.com, Abello said.*

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Looks like we made it!

$19,937.00. Yup...that's the final donations total we received this year. Of that amount, almost $3000 went to cover for event expenses such as food, invitations, cleaning and parking services, etc. About $4000 will be used to purchase medical equipment such as suction machines, nebulizers, sterile gloves, ET tubes, valve masks and more for the C.L. Montelibano Memorial Hospital in Bacolod City. The remaining balance will be sent to the St. Francis of Assisi School which would allow them to sponsor more scholars. And, as I'm writing this, we are busy cooking up new things to raise awareness for the foundation so that we can continue with our efforts to change the lives of the very poor. So watch out for our upcoming projects!

This year has indeed been another wonderful year for us. Even with the struggling economy and the numerous causes we have to compete against, you have shown your continuous generosity and support to our cause. It means so much to each and everyone of us.

For those who did not have a chance to donate, it's never too late! Please log on to
www.tapulanga.org and click on the donate button for the various ways of making a donation. Please make that tax-deductible donation before the year is over.

SALAMAT GID!