British Celebrity, UK-Based Filipino Artists Joins TCCs Philippines Appeal

Holby City's Rebecca Grant as she receives her Certicate of Appreciation from TCC
Holby City’s Rebecca Grant as she receives her Certicate of Appreciation from TCC

LONDON- Holby City’s Rebecca Grant  and a number of UK-based Filipino Musical and Visual Artists came together at TCC’s Pinoy Night 2, The Talent Showdown, a charity event held in Kilburn on the 7th of December 2013, organised to fundraise  for Bohol earthquake and Typhoon  Yolanda victims.

Our special guest, Ms Rebecca Grant with Lodela Hidalgo, one of the Pinoy Night 2 key organisers.
Our special guest, Ms Rebecca Grant with Lodela Hidalgo, one of the Pinoy Night 2 key organisers.

 

The TWC Crew Dance Troupe
The TWC Crew Dance Troupe

 

          Opening the night’s program was the  blessing of the piquant dinner prepared by TCC women headed by Cindy Marcos, Judith Angog, Betsy Fadlen and Macky Dungaya. It was followed by the solemn British and Philippine National Anthem, opening remarks by the TCC Trustee Chairman and the speech of the special Guest, Rebecca Grant. On her speech, she encouraged everyone to take part on such activities that are intended to support unfortunate ones. Ms Grant is also organising a charity event, New Dreams for the Philippines.

The Happy Audience
The Happy Audience

 

          The Talent Showdown was one of the main featured event of the night where Nine (9) contestants namely: Alaina Xanthea Montaner, Tiffany Ahouzi, Medofo Prempeh,  Lindsay Evangelista, Sarah Marcaban, Kate Diane Malabanan, Seymonna Simon, Margie Torres, and Lei Layne Reyes have competed to showcase their unique talents. The prima donna voices of Ms Alaina  Montaner and  Lei Layne Reyes triumphed to win the 1st and 2nd Runner Up places, respectively. The  Grand Prize was won by the standing-ovation dance performance of 7 year-old Kate Diane Malabanan.

L-R: Marben Orfiano, Rebecca Grant, and EMCEEs Alexandra Pascual and Bernadeth Alalag
L-R: Marben Orfiano, Rebecca Grant, and EMCEEs Alexandra Pascual and Bernadeth Alalag

 

          The main featured event was the Concert Proper where acoustic band NJ & Co with Orly Carbungco and his daughter, Ela Hidalgo, Jhermy Esperanzate, Ador Migullas, Alexa Taag, Thelma Manville, Rommel Balacanao, , Rye Zia Lou, Manel Roxas, and Grace Quinto have played their ear-capturing musical talents. A remarkable performance of these Filipino musical talents was the singing of an original composition, Bangon Pilipinas, a tribute to the tyhoon victims composed by Mr Orly Carbungco. A zealous dance number has also been presented by TWC Crew.

The Perfomers and Talent Showdown Contestants
The Perfomers and Talent Showdown Contestants

 

          Another important feature of the Pinoy Night was the art exhibit of Filipino painters Lodela Hidalgo, Charito Calapen, Joemar Carillo, and Marben Orfiano. Lodela Hidalgo’s “Sunflower” has been bought thru bid at £201.00. The paintings will again be exhibited next year on TCC’s planned bigger fundraising event.

L-R: Receptionist Raquel Eustaquio, Talent Showdown Champion Kate Diane Malabanan, and Bar Counter Crew Victoria Pecson
L-R: Receptionist Raquel Eustaquio, Talent Showdown Champion Kate Diane Malabanan, and Bar Counter Crew Victoria Pecson

 

The Standing Ovation Dance Performance of 7 year-old Kate Diane Malabanan
The Standing Ovation Dance Performance of 7 year-old Kate Diane Malabanan

 

        The event was able to raise more or less £1300.00 for the projects indicated. Another £400.00 from the cake sale at GSTS  Pathology at King’s College Hospital Laboratory raised by Biomedical Scientists will be added to these. TCC Trustees will soon convene to discuss about delivering relief to the typhoon and earthquake victims.

The Talent Showdown 1st Runner Up Alaina Montaner and Mr Malcom Conlan Full
The Talent Showdown 1st Runner Up Alaina Montaner and Mr Malcom Conlan Full
TCC Trustess Ms Judith Angog and Ms Betsy Fadlen
TCC Trustess Ms Judith Angog and Ms Betsy Fadlen
L-R: Light & Sounds Technical Crew Ryan Zambrano, Betsy Fadlen, Ms Rebecca Grant, Rommel Balacanao, Thelma Manville, Lodela Hidalgo, and Jhermy Exparanzate
L-R: Light & Sounds Technical Crew Ryan Zambrano, Betsy Fadlen, Ms Rebecca Grant, Rommel Balacanao, Thelma Manville, Lodela Hidalgo, and Jhermy Exparanzate
THE HOSTS
THE HOSTS: Alexandra Pascual, Eds Montes, and Bernadeth Alalag

TCC Grants 15 Scholarships; Beneficiaries Raises Php150K

TCC Grants 13 Scholarships; Beneficiaries Raises Php150K

Report By: Marben Orfiano, Trustee, TCC

Benguet, Philippines- The Cordillera Connection (TCC), realising two of its charitable objectives, the advancement of education and the alleviation of poverty, has granted scholarships for 15 academically excelling students at Benguet State University (BSU) for School Year 2013-14.

Launching its first scholarship program, TCC received 31 applications of students from various academic fields. The online application form on TCC’s website made it easy for students to get access to the scholarship program. The main criteria of selection include grades, level of financial need, and community socio-civic involvement of applicants. Originally, 6 scholarship slots have been made available based on the budget allocated by TCC. The top eleven (11) applicants have been shortlisted by TCC trustees and coordinators based abroad for interview to come up with the final 6. The selection of the 6 scholars have been so difficult as applicants have really shown their worth but in need of financial assistance to finish their studies and be able to help their families.
Fortunately, TCC-Australia Coordinator Vicky Montes has offered to sponsor one applicant on top of the 6 scholarship grants from TCC’s budget. More dramatic news came up when TCC/ TCBCI-Philippines Chairperson, Gregorio Taag, went on his way and called out for support from the public. Some of his friends then responded and committed to sponsor the other four (4) remaining shortlisted applicants, making the TCC scholarships grant to 11.

Surprisingly, additional slots popped out when, Cynthia Marcos and Nova Atuban, two of TCC-UK’s Trustees, came forward to support 4 more scholars. As a result, four (4) applicants have been selected and be included in the scholarship program, making TCC’s first fifteen (15) scholars.
The academically excelling students, who were able to prove their worth of receiving scholarships grant, are the following:
1. Melanie Catuday- Last Grade: 2.25= 84-86, BS Applied Statistics 3; Dolores, Eastern Samar
2. Paulyn Ann Pucay Fancote- Last Grade: 1.96= 90-92, BS Secondary Education, Valenzuela, Manila
3. Nimfa Sinosa- Last Grade: 2.0= 87-89, BS Secondary Education 3; Tublay, Benguet
4. Rosemarie Viacrucis- Last Grade: 2.0= 87-89, BS Information Tech 3; La Trinidad, Benguet
5. Cyril Jane Bengado Olsim- Last Grade: 1.75-=90-92, BS Secondary Education 2; Buguias, Benguet
6. Fatilyn L. Bay-an- Last Grade: 1.75=90-92, B Library and Information Science; Kapangan, Benguet
7. Rhealyn Alinso- Last Grade: 1.75-=90-92, BS Information Technology 1; Bakun, Benguet
8. Joe Valerie Cosalan- Last Grade: 2.0= 87-89, BS Secondary Education 3; Tuba, Benguet
9. Mikaela Cardenas- Last Grade: 2.25=84-86, BS Information Technology 1; Bauko/ Tadian, Mt Province
10. Chlarence Jude Ventura- Last Grade: 1.75-=90-92, BS Agriculture 2; La Trinidad Benguet
11. Dimpol A. Lamaton- Last Grade: 1.75-=90-92, BS Elementary Education 2; Barlig, Mt Province
12. Fredalyn Bastian- Last Grade: 1.75-=90-92, BS Education 3, La Trinidad, Benguet
13. Angel Sorano- Last Grade: 1.75-=90-92, BS Nutrition and Dietetics 1, Tublay, Benguet

14. Raymond Tambogon- Last Grade: 2.25=84-86, BS Agricultural Engineering, Binalonan, Pangasinan

15. Romeo Sukaw Jr- Last Grade: 2.0=87-89, BSin Agriculture, Itogon, Benguet

The panel who served to shortlist the applicants include: TCC-UK Trustees Judith Angog and Cynthia Marcos,  TCC-UK Volunteer Graham Maysano, TCC-TCBCI Coordinator Rhea Panawan, TCC-Canada Coordinator Irene Langawan Thomas, and TCC-Australia Coordinator Victoria Montes Bay-an. The interview and assessment of applicants were done by TCC-Philippines Chairperson, Gregorio Taag.

Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between TCC and BSU is on process in order to secure partnership in looking after the scholars. TCC will pay directly to the school the full tuition fees of its scholars. The studes have been oriented on the history and background of TCC and are encouraged to participate in its socio-civic activities.

Another remarkable project of TCC this year is its Binnadangan Cultural Festival thru its 2nd Battle of the Bands, Concert for Life 7 held last November 9 at the La Trinidad Municipal Gym. Nine (9) Bands competed and exhibited their musical talents in composing TCC’s theme song. This event has supported more than 30 ill-patients who have been TCC’s long-time beneficiaries. From the Php35,000 budget for the event, beneficiaries were able to raise more than Php150,000. This has once more proved that this approach is helpful to our beneficiaries as well as providing a venue to realise one of our objectives, the advancement of culture, arts and heritage.

The funding for both scholarship program and battle-of-the-bands came from the proceeds of TCC’s Pinoy Night Fundraising event in Marian Community Centre, Kilburn, London last September 28. Thanks to all who supported the event.