The success of an organisation primarily depends upon achieving its purpose and objectives. This is exactly what the officers of the Ilonggo Association of Victoria Inc (IAVI) are doing. Quietly, they do their charity works in the Philippines with funds coming from donations they raised here in Australia.
Last 9 May 2015, IAVI’s Mother’s Day Dinner Dance was held to honour the mothers and at the same time to raise funds for the group’s charity works.
IAVI’s charity works
In his speech, IAVI President Melvin Espiga reported the result of the group’s fundraising. “Last January, with our Adviser Neds Sarcepuedes, Vice President Patsy Gutierrez, her husband Alex, Don Calfoforo and wife Heidi, Elizabeth de la Cruz and my wife Frances visited our Gawad Kalinga (GK) projects both in Iloilo and Negros Occidental. We have the Sibol School Building at Arevalo, Iloilo City and the Bed and Breakfast, a two-storey Building at GK Fiat, Silay City, Negros Occidental,” he said adding that both projects are now operational. IAVI has been a partner of GK for a long time now.
Espiga also reported that IAVI awarded 12 Grants-in-Aid Scholarship to poor but deserving students of Central Philippine University, making a total of 51 recipients as of 2015. The officers also held its annual donation to Asilo de Molo Home for the Aged in Iloilo City and to St. Vincent’s de Paul Home for the Older Persons in Bacolod City. In November last year, IAVI Treasurer, Elaine Soriano and member Terry Apines gave IAVI’s initial donation to the Ladies of Charity- Home for the Aged in Roxas City.
Joining hands with other groups
IAVI also joined hands with the Rotary Club of Brimbank Central and the Rotary Club of Metro Iloilo in the Club’s fresh water project delivered to about 6,000 residents of Barangays Lanit and Camalig in Jaro, Iloilo City. The ongoing projects consist of five units of water filters costing almost one million pesos.
The Rotary Club of Brimbank Central in cooperation with IAVI also sent a container of relief goods to Northern Iloilo and Capiz residents. Last December, together with the Rotary Club of Metro Iloilo relief goods were delivered to Northern Iloilo: Brgy. Loong, Concepcion, Iloilo, Carles, Iloilo, Estancia, Iloilo, Bayas Island, Estancia, Iloilo, Manipolon Island, Estancia, Iloilo, Brgy. Sto. Nino, Dumalag, Capiz and Ivisan, Capiz.
IAVI also donated four motorized fishing boats, two of which were through the efforts of Mrs. Janet Bishop, Mrs. Grace Ballentos, and the Espiga family Two motorized Fishing Boats were donated by Mrs. Imelda Gibson. Likewise, the Groups of Rotary Club: Rotary Club of Brimbank Central, Rotary Club of Keilor East, Rotary Club of Tullamarine, Rotary Club of Essendon, Dolly’s Group and Rotary Club of Metro Iloilo donated 12 motorized fishing boats for the recovery of livelihood of victims in Bayas Island, Estancia, Iloilo. Bayas Island was one of the worst stricken areas by Typhoon Yolanda.
A night to remember
During the Mother’s Day dinner-dance, guests enjoyed dancing and good food. Mary Ann Vanderhorst and Predz Wilson provided song numbers, while Matthew Fabbiano and Semra Ataman rendered ballroom dance numbers.
Philippine Honorary Consul General to Victoria Felix Pintado delivered the inspirational message.
Western Travel and Deer Park Travel donated airfare tickets which were later on auctioned.
Dom Lobriza and Carmela Sison were emcees of the night.
IAVI officers are: President – Melvin Espiga, Vice President West – Patsy Gutierrez, Vice President East – Dominic Lobriza, Secretary – Wynn Fontanos, Assistant Secretary- Rubin Alfaro, Treasurer – Elaine Soriano, Assistant Treasurer- Susan Garsulao, Auditor – Arlene Romerona, and Adviser- Neds Sarcepuedes
