In 2018, the Bayanihan Foundation had a banner year with the continued success of the NEXTGEN Fellowship and the donation of thousands of books to build libraries in Samar and Iligan. In 2019, the foundation plans to continue that momentum and build on three exciting projects to further the foundation’s mission of Filipinos abroad helping Filipinos at home.
Dale Asis in transit in Singapore on his way to follow-up on projects in the Philippines for 2019
1. Whale Sharks (Tiki tiki) and Environmental Conservation in Pintuyan, Leyte
In 2019, the Bayanihan Foundation plans to partner with KASAKA, a fisherfolk community organization in Pintuyan, Leyte. The fisherfolk community provides holistic ecotourism and proper interaction with whale sharks and other large marine vertebrates that passed by the islands between the months of November and May. The foundation also wants to contribute to the research and effects of climate change and at the same time support the fisherfolk community’s efforts in capacity building, raising awareness and social responsibility. The Bayanihan Foundation is also planning to bring NEXTGEN high school students to conduct an ecoscience adventure trip in April 2019.
Whale Sharks in Pintuyan, Leyte (photo courtesy of The Fickle Feet blog 2018)
The Bayanihan Foundation is exploring possibilities to work with the local fisherfolk cooperative, Kasaka, in Pintuyan, Leyte. At the same time, young Filipino Americans traveling with the new NEXTGEN High School Program will learn more about the fascinating whale sharks or ‘tiki tiki’ as the locals call it that passed Pintuyan Bay.
Whale Sharks in Pintuyan Bay, Leyte (photo courtesy of Joseph Pasalo, 2018)
NEXTGEN participants would learn about environmental conservation, know about the effects of climate change, and conduct brief ecoscience experiments with a large marine vertebrate research institute in the area. The Bayanihan Foundation would also support capacity of the fisher folk community and help them with their advocacy efforts in protecting the whale sharks and other large marine mammals that pass through the Pintuyan Bay.
2. Supporting orphans in General Santos City, Mindanao
In 2019, the Bayanihan Foundation plans to support abandoned children and orphans in General Santos City, Mindanao. The city is located in the southern tip of Mindanao island with over 500,000 residents. International boxer and politician Manny Pacquiao hails from the city of GenSan, as many locals call their city. The Bayanihan Foundation plans to partner with the Marcellin Foundation with Brother Crispin Betita, FSM with the Marist Brothers Catholic congregation.
(left to right): Evelyn Castillo, Bayanihan Foundation Liaison; Brother Crispin Betita, FSM; and Dale Asis at Marcellin Foundation (January 2018)
The Bayanihan Foundation also plans to partner with the Zakat Foundation in potentially supporting Filipino Muslim and indigenous orphans and abandoned children in the area. These young boys are often abandoned by their parents due to extreme poverty; or they’re fleeing domestic violence or abusive home situations; or have been orphans and left to fend on their own in the streets of GenSan. Since 2010, the Bayanihan Foundation has partnered with the Zakat Foundation in providing meals and food to thousands of indigent Muslim families in cities of Iligan and Marawi.
3. Building a state-of-the-art computer lab to help children with disabilities and the disabled in Tacloban City, Leyte
People with disabilities in Pasay City, Metro Manila (stock photo Dept People with Disabilities 2015)
In November 2014, Tacloban City was hit hard by super typhoon Haiyan, the strongest typhoon on record to hit landfall at 210 miles per hour. Since then, the Bayanihan Foundation has helped the devastated area and continue to help rebuilding efforts when other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have moved on. In 2019-2020, the Bayanihan Foundation plans to build a state of the art computer lab at the local Tacloban High School in Tacloban, Leyte. The lab will have state-of-the-art computers and possible Internet access to potentially help high school students who are blind; who are hard of hearing; and/ or have learning disabilities. This state-of-the-art computer lab will be the first of its kind in a public high school in the island of Leyte. This project culminates the Bayanihan Foundation’s continued investment and partnership with local communities for long-term sustainability.
Over 95% of your donations go directly to worthwhile projects like these. Consider donating to the Bayanihan Foundation and support projects that help abandoned children, the disabled, and environmental conservation of whale sharks and other large marine mammals unique to the Philippine islands.
