There is nothing more noble and meaningful than for Filipino Expatriates like us to assist in Philippine Nation Rebuilding.
There is likewise nothing more fulfilling than to see our beloved native land, the Philippines, uplifted from a 3rd World Country status to an emerging and developing nation during our lifetime!
Today, the NEW millennium may bring to fruition this noble longing of Filipino expatriates. I say this emphatically because I know for a fact that the LONG TERM PHILIPPINE HUMAN INVESTMENT in the international arena has FINALLY REACHED MATURITY. The proverbial “brain drain” some 30-35 years ago is overtly and literally being transformed to “Brain GAIN & Brain Power”!
Yes, Filipino Expatriates worldwide now have the intellectual dexterity and enhanced financial capability to be of profound assistance to the Philippines. With the collective and unified efforts of expatriates and the cooperation of our Philippine based “Rich” patriots, we can overcome all odds to bring peace, progress and TRUE Philippine Freedom from the bondage of poverty, diseases, violence, war and corruption!
Currently, as a proactive “Servant Leader” for Philippine Nation Rebuilding (since the 1986 bloodless Revolution), I am wholeheartedly, intellectually and objectively convinced that the Philippines today is quite FORTUNATE to have a very reliable, honest and dependable VEHICLE for nation restructuring. I am speaking of (and am endorsing) the Gawad Kalinga 777 project of Tony Melato, in partnership with Couples for Christ.
Gawad Kalinga Project essentially addresses the most basic needs of the underserved. It builds homes for the Poorest of the poor (as screened by Couples for Christ) based on “sweat equity” (no dole out).
Gawad Kalinga has a support system on education, religion, healthcare and livelihood projects integrated to the whole community programs. A village of 30 to 100 homes will always have a community center, group leaders and Couples for Christ Management team. This HOLISTIC APPROACH IN HOME OWNERSHIP helps restore man’s dignity and self-esteem. It further empowers the family members to become educated, responsible, accountable and productive citizens of the Philippines.
The SPSA GK PROJECT IN TAGUIG, RIZAL is a Fil-Am Expatriates gk Project in partnership with Mayor Sigfred Tinga of Taguig, Rizal. This will be named FIL-AM FRIENDSHIP GK VILLAGE” and will consist of 100 2-story homes with manicured gardens.
A 3-story Community Center will be built to house education, healthcare, miscellaneous livelihood and management programs. It will also have a basketball court and recreational park plus “tiendesitas” like turo-turo restaurants in screened areas some micro-businesses and display of crafts and indigenous products of Rizal and other provinces.
Your personal tax-deductible contribution of $1,000.00 builds a HOME for the poorest of the poor. It helps relocate the slums to a transformed PEACEFUL and clean neighborhood. It will be a place where a holistic approach to a decent, healthy, balanced, educated and productive citizenry becomes a way of life that gives the families a chance to improve their lives!
Last December 18, 2007, SPSA’s project coordinator, Dr. Fe Cacdac and Dr. Sarie Guanzon-Laserna participated in the groundbreaking ceremony, also attended by Mayor Sigfred Tinga of Taguig , Rizal himself.
Taguig’s Public Health Hospital nearby will be modernized and upgraded. St. Luke’s hospital donated adequate funds to accomplish this goal. SPSA may use this facility as one of its fellowship Surgical Training sites. Overflow of donations from other Filipino groups will be used to help- fund the 1,500 extra homes that Mayor Tinga will build to eradicate the mushrooming of “slum areas” in Taguig. The Health Clinic of this community will have a physician sponsored by the SPSA.
Soon, a Model City & Showcase of GK Homes in Manila will rise in Taguig, Rizal courtesy of SPSA Expatriate Fil-Am Physicians and Mayor Tinga. The site is located just across from Fort Bonifacio and Sirendra upscale condos. With the concerted efforts and generous donations of Fil-Am physician expatriates and other groups of caring Filipinos in America, Filipino United Network and SPSA can serve as a responsible and transparent GK conduits through which our fondest dream for Philippine Nation Rebuilding can become a Reality!
