A NEW JOURNEY .... NURTURING 40 YEARS OF THE SOS LEGACY

A NEW JOURNEY….NURTURING 40 YEARS OF THE SOS LEGACY
The 40th National Anniversary Celebration

Every child should be given love, protection and respect, as well as access to quality education and medical care. This is the guiding principle that drives SOS Children’s Villages Philippines as it embarks on its 40th National Anniversary Celebration. The SOS Cultural Night was held last May 6, 2007 at the Insular Life Auditorium with our president, Helmut Kutin, members of the diplomatic community, corporate partners, members of the National and Local Board, our National Director, Bienvenido L. Delgado and SOS Lipa, Cebu and Manila Community in full force.

The formal gala opened with the informative SOS Audio Video Presentation. Through rhythmic movement, members of the SOS Lipa Community then interpreted the popular Josh Groban ballad “You Raised Me Up” with live vocals from Edgar Mationg as doxology. The Philippine National Anthem was rendered in a cappella by the University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors, which was followed by the respective anthems of Austria and Germany. Archbishop Fernando Capalla welcomed everybody with great pride to witness the joy of commitment into child care. The Ambassador of Austria, Herbert Jager, briefly recognized the Festival String Orchestra which will showcase the best of the Austrian and German cultures in Brandenburg Concert No. 3 in G major (Johann Sebastian Bach), Serenade for Strings in G major (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart), Steyrische Tanze (Josef Lanner) and Salon-Polka (Johann Strauss I). It was a well – received number with the audience applauding after every piece. Gina Medina in First Violin led everybody into a bow after the Salon – Polka.

The President of SOS Kinderdorf International, Helmut Kutin, expressed his profound message to a rapt audience. His wise anecdotes on the beginnings of SOS 39 years ago till the present were inspiring and heartwarming. The SOS Ring of Honor Awarding Ceremony then commenced, with the assistance of the National Director, Bienvenido L. Delgado. The SOS Children’s Village Manila Village Director, Vicente Tejada facilitated the said event together with Jose Mari Bayuga, an SOS child who presented the bouquet. Leticia Antoy received her award after the Village Director gave a short background on the beginnings of her chosen vocation. Jeric Sumalinog, an SOS child from Cebu captured the hearts of the audience as he serenely plucked his harp for his solo on “Wooden Heart” a German folk song popularized by Elvis Presley and “Tanging Yaman”, composed by Fr. Manoling Francisco SJ and locally popularized by Carol Banawa for a landmark movie of the same title. The stage was aflame with color afterwards as members of the SOS Lipa and Manila community conquered it as they joyfully wowed everybody with Polkabal, Sayaw sa Bangko, Tinikling, Salakot, Subli and Polka sa Nayon. The candid smile and natural terpsichorean flair added to the visual appeal which left everybody in complete amazement and wonder. Everybody’s awe further escalated as the world class UP Singing Ambassadors owned the stage and serenaded everyone into Maalaala Mo Kaya (Constancio de Guzman / Ed Manguiat), Dahil Sa Iyo (Mike Velarde), Kalesa (Ernani Cuenca / Levi Celerio), Waray Waray (Constancio de Guzman / Fidel Calalang), Rosas Pandan (George Hernandez) and Ay Ay Pag-ibig (Agot Espino). The purely vernacular numbers and delightful choreography instilled the Filipino pride in culture and tradition. The Philippine music industry’s Inspirational Diva and the First SOS Child Advocate, Jamie Rivera, captured her moment through the Barbara Streisand classic piece “Somewhere” then followed with a Miss Saigon original in “I Would Give My Life For You”. The evening was capped by the Finale Song, “Only Selfless Love” as performed by Jamie Rivera and interpreted in hand – mime by the SOS Manila children. All the performers took their curtain call as the stage was filled with blue and white balloons in red and silver confetti. VIP guests enjoyed the sumptuous hors d’ oeuvres and open bar catered by Mandarin Oriental Hotel as warmly hosted by the Embassies of Austria and Germany. Alabang Camera Club artfully exhibited their photography with SOS children as subject.

It was a night of reliving tradition and culture as SOS Children’s Villages Philippines epitomizes commitment, care and its pursuit towards self – reliance.

A PLEDGE OF LOVE FOR A LIFE

A PLEDGE OF LOVE FOR A LIFE
A Fundraising Benefit for the Herman Gmeiner Human Resource Institute

SOS Children’s Villages Philippines, together with Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales hosted a merienda cena cocktail last May 3, 2007 at the Archbishop’s Residence in Intramuros, Manila. An afternoon highlighted by the gathering of diplomatic officials, professionals, businessmen, public servant, media and SOS board members, co-workers and friends. The event was graced by the presence of Ambassador Alistair Macdonald (European Union), Ambassador Herbert Jager (Austria), Ambassador Axel Weishaupt (Germany), Irene Flueckiger (Embassy of Switzerland), Aurelio Montinola (BPI), Wilma Zapata (Ayala Corporation), Polly Nazareno (SMART), Ambassador Antonio Cabangon – Chua, Danny Dolor, Congresswoman Cynthia Villar, Milagros Calaquian (Primex), Michelle de Guzman (PNB), Jessica Pariña (PNB), Atty. Miguel Varela (Manila Bulletin) and Gracious Romero (Veritas).

The high – profile guests were welcomed by a heartwarming performance by the delightful children of SOS Children’s Village Manila. His Eminence, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales acknowledged the presence of everybody as they aptly watched the SOS Audio Visual Presentation, which was consequently followed by the Herman Gmeiner Human Resource Institute video information material. The project aims to serve SOS mothers, staff and other individuals who are interested in providing sufficient care and education to their children. Bienvenido L. Delgado, SOS National Director provided a brief overview of the project concept and objective.

Lilibeth Abella, an SOS Mother, humbly inspired the audience with her life’s mission when she spoke about the SOS children in her care. Her experience was complemented by her own status as an SOS Child from Tacloban. Afterwards, everybody was challenged by Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, who consequently holds the Chairmanship of the SOS 40th Anniversary National Fundraising Committee, to support this worthwhile endeavor. After all, SOS has cared and supported Filipino children in need for 40 years, thus giving back to the society through Alternative Parental Family Care. The institute encourages the SOS advocacy to reach out to more Filipino children through family strengthening programs.

Helmut Kutin, SOS Kinderdorf International President, punctuated the affair by graciously offering his heartfelt gratitude to the continued support of the Filipino society who embraced the vision of Dr. Herman Gmeiner—strengthening Filipino families and preventing violence against women and children. He established the need for an instrument who has a serious concern for others to guide that person who will one day step out into life; to care for himself, find a family and play a responsible role in the society. He rallied everybody into pledging a long – term commitment to serve and protect the Filipino family.

As a fitting finale, the SOS Manila children echoed the affair’s sentiments into “Heal the World” with the words, “make it a better place, for you and for me.”