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A Legacy of caring

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Phil-Asia Assistance Foundation Inc. chair Presentacion L. Psinakis (seated) and trustee Margarita FragantePhil-Asia Assistance Foundation Inc. chair Presentacion L. Psinakis (seated) and trustee Margarita FragantePhil-Asia Assistance Foundation Inc. (PAAFI) chair Presentacion L. Psinakis (PLP) recalls the time she decided to take over the nonprofit founded by her late younger brother Roberto M. Lopez (RML) and his good friend, US-based Lisa Yuchengco.

“It was a very painful experience for me when he (RML) told me that he was dying, and he had this commitment (to the scholars). I told him not to worry. I promised him that I was going to take care of (PAAFI),” said PLP.

That was in 1992 and take care of PAAFI she did, providing her own funds and writing solicitation letters annually to friends and Lopez Group members whom she felt could make a difference in the lives of young public school students by subsidizing their education.

“You know, many of our employees don’t realize it but they are so blessed. When they go to these places where our scholars live, you wish they would be seen by more people so they would be helped more. My own sponsored children, they are very young and when they write you their English is not perfect, but they touch your heart. You can feel their sincerity in reaching out to you,” PLP said.

Credit to RML

Margarita Fragante, member of the PAAFI board of trustees, also credits RML for her involvement.

“First of all, I love Robby (RML). I met his mother in 1952, the year he was born. I saw him grow up, and we grew quite close. When he died, Presy (PLP) and I talked and we didn’t want to let go of Robby’s baby (PAAFI),” she said.

For her, the work of PAAFI is not simply soliciting funds and matching them with scholars. The foundation actually checks on the families of sponsored children.

“We have to find out if their parents want them to study. It’s very important to have a supportive environment for the child’s education. But if the parents stop them from going to school because they have to take care of house work or younger siblings, or the children themselves have to work, then the chances that they can finish school would be low,” said Fragante.

The cooperation between parents and sponsors is all that the scholars rely on. And when they graduate from high school or even college, the fulfillment of the sponsors would be almost the same as the pride felt by the parents themselves.

Worthwhile advocacy

PLP, who is well known for her activism or joining demonstrations against corrupt governments , shares why PAAFI is a worthwhile advocacy: “I feel that for any country to progress, the people have to be educated. They have to know what is right from wrong. I feel very strongly about that and you owe it to them (the scholars). These are very bright students who cannot afford uniforms or even the basics.”

PLP is a veteran of protest actions. She joined rallies, even while in exile in the US, to protest against the martial law regime of Marcos and helped restore democracy in the country. She returned to the picket lines during the Arroyo administration and helped protect whistleblowers who disclosed irregular government deals that were harmful to the country.

“How my brothers suffered whenever I went out and campaigned in the streets. Manolo (Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez) and Oskie (chairman emeritus Oscar M. Lopez) are in business and they get hit. But they respect me. They know how I feel about these things. I may be in a wheelchair and I cannot go out as often, but I will never, never relax against people who don’t do good for the country. We have to keep teaching and reminding young people about what happened in the past so they don’t repeat it.”

Although PAAFI may not have as many scholars as other foundations, PLP and Fragante say it is not a numbers game. Operations over 28 years have yielded a harvest of graduates that many donors would be proud of.

Collective effort

“It takes a lot of collective effort to see these scholars through school. Our sponsors come first from the Lopez family, the Lopez Group of companies and then our friends. This is something (reflective) of my brother, Robby (RML), that genuine care for those who want to study but lack the necessities,” said PLP.

Fragante encourages LopezLink readers to sponsor children and to introduce PAAFI scholars to their own children.

“It’s good training for their children to share. When they sponsor PAAFI scholars, they receive these letters or reports from the scholars and when they give these letters to their own children, then the kids will realize how blessed they are. I know some children of our executives who save from their allowance so they could sponsor their own scholars.”

PLP asks Lopez Group members: “Open your pocketbooks. It takes so little to help our scholars. Just give up one night of eating out or sacrifice buying something (for yourself) so that you can give to these children (PAAFI scholars).” (Story/Photos by: Carla Paras-Sison)

More Filipinos receive Kapamilya love from ‘Pantawid ng Pag-ibig’

Published on Thursday, 20 August 2020 | Hits:566

More Filipinos receive Kapamilya love from ‘Pantawid ng Pag-ibig’

Kapamilya love reached more Filipinos as ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.’s (AFI) “Pantawid ng Pag-ibig: Isang Daan, Isang Pamilya” campaign distributed food packs and ligtas bags outside Metro Manila for those greatly

Mayors express gratitude wellness. to ABS-CBN, AFI

Published on Thursday, 18 June 2020 | Hits:572

Local government units (LGUs) found it challenging to quickly provide relief to families affected by the quarantine. That is why several mayors in Metro Manila and nearby provinces have expressed

‘Pantawid ng Pag-ibig’ gears up for 2nd phase

Published on Thursday, 18 June 2020 | Hits:536

‘Pantawid ng Pag-ibig’ gears up for 2nd phase

As Filipino families continue to struggle with the loss of jobs, ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI) moves to the second phase of the “Pantawid ng Pagibig” campaign with the aim of

Over 600,000 families to benefit as ‘Pantawid ng Pag-ibig’ raises P350M

Published on Tuesday, 19 May 2020 | Hits:615

Over 600,000 families to benefit as ‘Pantawid ng Pag-ibig’ raises P350M

The “Pantawid ng Pag-ibig” campaign of ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI) has raised P350 million in cash donations and pledges for the benefit of over 600,000 families in Metro

ABS-CBN reaches out to evacuees via ‘Tulong-Tulong sa Taal’

Published on Thursday, 06 February 2020 | Hits:559

ABS-CBN reaches out to evacuees via ‘Tulong-Tulong sa Taal’

NO evacuee will be left behind. This is the promise of ABSCBN as it launches the “Tulong-Tulong sa Taal” campaign, which aims to unite the nation in helping Filipinos affected

ABS-CBN Foundation Europe to hold telethon for London Grenfell Tower fire victims

Published on Friday, 23 June 2017 | Hits:4193

ABS-CBN Foundation Europe to hold telethon for London Grenfell Tower fire victims

ABS-CBN Foundation Europe CIO joins public and private support for the victims of the massive fire that hit the 24-storey residential London Grenfell Tower in West London on June 14

Donate to Operation Sagip Surigao to help earthquake victims

Published on Friday, 17 February 2017 | Hits:4475

Donate to Operation Sagip Surigao to help earthquake victims

A state of calamity has been declared by the Mayor of Surigao City. Relief and rescue operations are underway for the barangays that have been affected.

Bulusan workers turn to backyard farming for steady food supply

Published on Tuesday, 19 May 2020 | Hits:1228

Bulusan workers turn to backyard farming for steady food supply

The Rural Workers Association of San Rafael (RWASR) based in Bulusan, Sorsogon, which runs Nasipit Eco-Agri Farm, has a simple message for their fellow Filipinos: “There is no problem we

‘Ligtas Pilipinas’ helps educate Filipinos on COVID-19

Published on Thursday, 16 April 2020 | Hits:1128

‘Ligtas Pilipinas’ helps educate Filipinos on COVID-19

ABS-CBN helps arm Filipinos with relevant information to stop the spread of disease through its “Ligtas Pilipinas sa COVID-19” campaign on radio, TV and online.

ABS-CBN delivers protective gear, food to health workers

Published on Thursday, 16 April 2020 | Hits:1282

ABS-CBN delivers protective gear, food to health workers

HELP came through for health workers in East Avenue Medical Center after ABS-CBN delivered masks and other protective gear and snacks to show support and Kapamilya love to those leading

‘G Diaries’ bags academic excellence awards

Published on Monday, 09 March 2020 | Hits:936

‘G Diaries’ bags academic excellence awards

“Maraming, maraming salamat po sa award na ipinagkaloob ninyo sa amin. Alay namin ito sa kapatid kong si Gina Lopez,” said “G Diaries” host and Bantay Bata 163 executive director

Finally home

Published on Monday, 09 March 2020 | Hits:999

Finally home

She could hardly contain her joy and excitement when she saw her son walking towards her. She welcomed him with tight hugs and happy tears as a loving mother would

ALKFI renames building in honor of Gina Lopez

Published on Monday, 09 March 2020 | Hits:760

ALKFI renames building in honor of Gina Lopez

ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc. (ALKFI) renamed its building Gina Lopez Building in honor of its late chairperson and founder of ALKFI programs Bantay Bata 163 and Bantay Kalikasan.

Fighting child malnutrition with Alaska Milk

Published on Thursday, 06 February 2020 | Hits:966

Fighting child malnutrition with Alaska Milk

ACCORDING to UNICEF, 95 children in the Philippines die every day because of malnutrition. This is one of the reasons Alaska Milk Corporation supports the advocacy of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya

Bantay Bata, Globe activate #163 helpline for free

Published on Monday, 16 December 2019 | Hits:1464

Bantay Bata, Globe activate #163 helpline for free

IN 2015, Unicef and the Council for the Welfare of Children conducted the National Baseline Study on Violence Against Children in the Philippines, which indicated that eight out of 10

For the Love of Children

Published on Friday, 05 January 2018 | Hits:1480

For the Love of Children

  For the Love of Children For the Love of Children   These children live everyday making ends meet without losing hope that a better future awaits them. Together, let’s keep their hopes alive

New World Hotels & Resorts Hold Run & Raise 2018

Published on Wednesday, 20 December 2017 | Hits:1774

New World Hotels & Resorts Hold Run & Raise 2018

New World Hotels and Resorts gears up for another exciting edition of Run & Raise in 2018. Now on its fourth year, Run & Raise 4 will be held at

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Bayan Academy Calendar

BAYAN Academy offers the following certificate training courses this month:

June 18-19: Market Research

June 25-26: Human Resource Management For rates, call Carol Arcaya at 426-3140. Bayan Academy reserves the right to change course dates.

 

June 18-19:

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