THE CORDILLERA CONNECTION

    LONDON, UK- A group of Biomedical and Clinical Scientists at King’s College Hospital took the lead and initiated a cake sale within the Pathology Department to fundraise for the Super Typhoon Haiyan victims in the Philippines, a great conversion of their scientific intellect into a good charitable work.

Volunteering for  the Typhoon Philippine Appeal of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), Ms Katherine Hodson, a Biomedical Scientist at the Blood Sciences Laboratory sought approval of the laboratory management and GSTS Pathology Human Resources to conduct a cake sale within the clinical laboratory. Coincidentally, a plan for a morning cake with a cake raffle has also taken shape at the Specialist Clinical Biochemistry Department under the charitable minds of Biomedical Scientists Jaco Pieterse, Catrin Hammond, and Marben Orfiano.

The two group of charity event planners then collaborated to conduct the cake sale all at once. This was then backed-up by the pathology management and administrator thus including the announcement of the event during the Tuesday Brief Meeting as well as thru internal communications.

As a result of the laudable cooperation and generosity of the management and admin, scientists, laboratory assistants, technical officers, and the whole pathology staff, the cake sale was a huge success.  The numbers of cake donors were remarkably surprising as the supposedly one-day event has turned into two. As a result, the two-day cake sale has raised more than £400.00.

“I just realised I have so much while the victims lost everything. With a little bit of effort, we can make a huge difference”, says Mr Pieterse.

 “I’ve always had an interest in helping those less fortunate than myself. It just put all those small worries about everyday life into perspective for me. Having spent 3 months volunteering in Brazil and worked in Tanzania for 6 months I’ve seen firsthand the poor conditions people around the world have to live with, and when something like Typhoon Hiayan devastates a country there’s so much we can all do to help. So when Kings advertised for their fundraising events, I jumped at the chance to contribute,” expresses Ms Hodson.

In addition to the cake sale, a cake raffle as also been organised. Mr Pieterse has volunteered to bake 3 delightful cakes as prizes and the tickets will be drawn on 6^th December.  The pathology staff also kind-heartedly participated on the raffle so good sales on tickets is expected.

For Filipinos, the monies that have been raised are actually a plus. The thoughts and concerns for the victims are more of great importance.

“I am so thankful for my colleagues for helping us with this initiative. Each penny we raise will surely of great help to our beneficiaries. We might say it’s just nothing but it might actually be enough to help one survive,” says Marben Orfiano, a Filipino Biomedical Scientist, and the Trustee Chairman of The Cordillera Connection (TCC).

According also to Ms Asia Iqbal, another biomedical scientist and one of the active organiser, it is always good to help others, most especially on this time of crisis.

Ms Yuk Inn Leung, a laboratory technical officer , and who has greatly helped on raffle tickets sales says, “I don’t know what it feels like to lose everything, or a family, but I know that I can do all my best to make bit of difference for those who have.”

Over all, the total of the charity event has raised more than £600. Half of these funds will go to Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and the other half will go to TCC. This share amounts to 21,000.00 in Philippine peso.

TCC will add its share to the proceeds that it will raise from the Charity event it has organised on 7^th December in Kilburn. The funds then will be used to purchase basic goods as relief goods to the victims of typhoon in Palo, Leyte, one of the neglected worst hit areas. Originally, TCC has planned to help rebuild a school or put up a community project. This has changed when a source has informed that food is still a priority.

PINOY NIGHT 2: A CALL FOR TYPHOON YOLANDA AND BOHOL EARTHQUAKE, 07 DECEMBER, SATURDAY AT THE MARIAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 1 STAFFORD ROAD, KILBURN, LONDON, NW6 5RS.
UPDATES:

PROGRAM
C/o MUSICAL TALENTS

FOOD:
3 MENU + RICE- for CATERING
CONFIRMED DONATIONS:
CUTLERY ( CUPS, PLATES, SPOONS, FORK)- RAQUEL EUSTAQUIO
SHANGHAI LUMPIA & FRUIT PLATTERS- MAYLEN TORRES

CASSAVA CAKE- ROCKY BACQUIAN AND CATHERINE ALMORA

RAFFLE PRIZES:
2 MOBILE PHONES- c/o SMART
CAMERA- c/o Alexa Taag
PAINTING- c/o generous ARTIST

SOUND SYSTEMS
RHYTHM BUREAU ENTERTAINMENTS

WE WELCOME DONATIONS FOR THIS EVENT. PLEASE CONTACT US AT 07411177652 email thecordilleraconnection@yahoo.com

PINOY NIGHT 2: A CALL FOR TYPHOON YOLANDA AND BOHOL EARTHQUAKE, 07 DECEMBER, SATURDAY AT THE MARIAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 1 STAFFORD ROAD, KILBURN, LONDON, NW6 5RS.
UPDATES:

PROGRAM
C/o MUSICAL TALENTS

FOOD:
3 MENU + RICE- for CATERING
CONFIRMED DONATIONS:
CUTLERY ( CUPS, PLATES, SPOONS, FORK)- RAQUEL EUSTAQUIO
SHANGHAI LUMPIA & FRUIT PLATTERS- MAYLEN TORRES

RAFFLE PRIZES:
2 MOBILE PHONES- c/o SMART
CAMERA- c/o Alexa Taag
PAINTING- c/o generous ARTIST

SOUND SYSTEMS
RHYTHM BUREAU ENTERTAINMENTS

WE WELCOME DONATIONS FOR THIS EVENT. PLEASE CONTACT US AT 07411177652 email thecordilleraconnection@yahoo.com

Artist: Lodela Hidalgo ( A decendant of the Famous Painter Felix Hidalgo) Size: 40cm x 50cm Medium: Oil and Acrylic on Canvass Minimum Bid: £50.00 This painting has been volunteered by the artist to be auctioned for the benefit of victims of earthquake in Bohol, Philippines. Bid Now, if you want to have this painting of a relative of a well-known artist during the Spanish Era. Share to your friends who might be interested. BID NOW

         Thirteen (13)  talented Pinoys representing different Philippine provinces competed at the TCC’s Pinoy Night Videoke Challenge held last 28 September in Kilburn, London where each contestant echoed their unique vocal styles that has ultimately amazed the audiences.

Jun Degamon with his winning piece “Ngayon at Kailan Man”, a singer and a composer, from Davao and North Finchley, London bagged the championship. Rhyan Zambrano, with his piece “My Love Will See you Through”, a Baguio-Manila grown currently working as an Emergency Nurse and residing in Ipswich, UK grabbed the 1^st Runner Up post. Completing the three (3) winners is the 2^nd Runner Up, Grace Quinto, with her rendition of “Power of Love” representing Pangasinan and residing in London. Josephine Taag, from Benguet and residing in London, also a Nurse, won the People’s Choice Award, in the Text Voting Competition sponsored by Smart Pinoy-UK. Other contestants who have joined the competition are Wynchu Importante from Bicol, Manel Roxas from Quezon Province, Maria Salome Clements of Iloilo, Marwene Ramales of Isabela, Paul Bacquian Damoking of Mt. Province, Jane Bugtong of Benguet, Renmares Love Siega of Mindanao, Leo Gallardo Tolosa of Bicol, and Bernadette Alalag of Baguio City and Mt Province.

            The success of the Pinoy Night Videoke Challenge was highlighted by the artistic and super talented performance of candidates battling in a fierce but sportsmanship-filled competition. The candidates, taking pride of their singing talent, joined the affair to support the charitable objectives presented. Other fantastic features of the event that has made every part of the program really awesome, with top quality, and brought the audiences to great delight were the unequalled guest performances of judges Czar Gerolaga, Aldrin Daqui, Ryan Mayor, and Gelo Bernal, the energy-filled and Disco Gig Style of the Riversion Band headed by Laurence, the Baguio Country Music Style of Mountain Music Band composed of Barrie Ayochok, Godfrey Astudillo, Dexter Dagupen, Deltour Palbusa, Ibot Pontiano, and Carolyn Mitas, the unity-themed Cordilleran Cultural community dance led by Linda Kensay and Vicky Malinias, the Line Dance of the Oval Filipino Community led by Froilan Aquino, the savory recipes from DJ’s Catering and the volunteers who contributed for the food and drinks, and the great teamwork of the event’s hosts Ka Julz and Alex. The audiences have also been inspired by the speech of TCC’s Legal Adviser, Valeria Thompson, a British-Italian Solicitor.

          The Pinoy Night Videoke Challenge was organized by The Cordillera Connection (TCC), a registered Charity Organisation in the UK bearing Charity Commission Number 1152344, with the objectives: the relief of poverty, preservation and protection of good health, the advancement of education, and the advancement of arts, culture and heritage. The event was organized with the help of Filipino LSC/ University of Gloucestershire Graduates of Master and Business Administration (MBA) Batch 2012: Raquel Ringor Eustaquio, Ramil Cortez, Rolinda Anglo, Marben Orfiano, Jennifer Eroda, Aurea Cruz, Victoria Pecson, and Jheni Santos, TCC Trustees Judith Angog, Cynthia Marcos, Lillia Baguingey, Nova Atuban, Rose Asuncion and with volunteers: Betsy Fadlen, Conchita Marquez, Nedelma Beliano, Regina Valdez, Evelyn, Ban-eg, Graham Maysano, and others who are aiming to fundraise for TCC’s charitable projects. Sponsors like Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Smart Pinoy UK, Century Properties, Bees and Butterflies, Hell0 Philippines, Philippine National Bank-Europe, Lucky Money Remittance- London, TCJ Travel & Tours, DJ’s Catering,  HB International, Royale, EGD  Lights & Sounds, Island Radio/ Radio Marinduque, NMD, AIM Global, Mountain Music Band, Mountain Province Support Group,  and LSC/ SBL MBA Batch 2012 have also helped in making the event possible. Successful charitable projects launched by TCC in the Philippines includes participation with Medical-Dental Missions, funding of events like Concert-for-a-cause where proceeds went to medically ill-patients, and other activities to promote and create awareness to the public about its charitable objectives. It is also aiming to open up a scholarship program when funds will be available.

            In the Philippines, TCC will be having its 2^nd Battle of the Bands in La Trinidad, Benguet on November 9, 2013 at the La Trinidad Municipal Gym which will be opened to Elementary, Secondary, and Tertiary Schools, out-of-school youth. This event will take over the Binnadangan Cultural Festival which is placed on hold due to lack of preparation. Entrance tickets will be sold by beneficiaries and will be awarded to them for their medical service needs.

Report by Gregorio C. Taag
Benguet, Philippines- The Cordillera Connection (TCC) has continued to organise concerts, dinner for a cause, and cultural events which have helped many beneficiaries raise funds for their own needs. From the very first concert-for-a cause to the latest event it has organised, a total of more than Php584,000.00 has been raised for beneficiaries.

TCC has achieved its objective in giving relief to its beneficiaries. The success was a deliberate fruit of the efforts and initiatives of volunteers and beneficiaries including their families and relatives. Rhea Donna Panawan, a registered nurse and a volunteer, says her dream came true; and that is to extend her talent, skills, and potentials in helping others.

Headed by Greg Taag, the President of The Cordillera Binnadangan Connection, Inc. (TCBCI, the registered subsidiary of TCC in the Philippines), TCC continues to accomodate beneficiaries who are coming to seek for support. The recent additions to the original 39 beneficiaries TCC has consistently supported are: Fortieth, Spouses John and Crista May Sitan vice baby boy Sitan; 2 months old and confined at Begh for Neonatal Sepsis, Tracheoesophageal Fistula. The Sitans are from Amkiding, Sagada. Forty first in the list is Benjamin Guisdan, 38 years old; confined at BGH for Mandibular Fracture. Ben is from Mankayan,  referred by Edward Dacanay, a volunteer, and an active member of the La Trinidad Auto CLub (LTAC) who supports TCC’s projects. Forty Second in the list is Linbeth Lestino, 33 years old; End Stage Renal Disease. The Lestinos are from Kapangan. The latest beneficiary came in line when the mother of one John A. Wallang, 29 years old, came to ask if the latter can still be accommodated. John is suffering from Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disorder and has to undergo dialysis 3X a week.

At the last meeting in La Trinidad, Benguet, attended by Jenny Claire Clabson, Jerry Pasyalen, John Sitan, Mrs. lestino, Mrs. Gawili, and Mr Guisdan and Mr Taag, it was confirmed that TCC’s lined-up activities are the scheduled August 25 Concert for Life 6 and the featured 2nd Binnadangan Cultural Festival this coming September. The La Trinidad Municipal Gym are the reserved venues for both event. As expected, these events are positively seen to generate funds for the beneficiaries.

Proposed Bands performing on the coming Concert for Life 6 are: PRO-COR Band of Greg Guisdan (another Greg in TCC/TCBCI’s fold in addition to Greg Taag and Greg Daganos) and PNP men , Ruth Lawangen and Margaret Locano; Kinnoboyan talents; and other TCC/TCBCI talents. Ticket Price for the event is at P50 fpr General Admission and P1000 for Sponsorship Tickets.

The details for the 2nd Binnadangan Cultural Festival reserved at the La Trinidad Municipal Gym on September 21-22, 2013 will be discussed when BSU coaches will meet.

Volunteers and staff that are helping each other to raise funding for TCCs projects come from kind-hearted Cordillerans residing in different locations of the world mainly from England, Canada, Australia, and Lebanon. More Cordilleran supporters residing in Italy, France, Saudi, Dubai, United States and Cyprus are expressing their interest to work with TCC.

Anyone who is interested to join or work with TCC can check and can even register on its website, https://thecordillera.org.