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Disco Night raises funds for the man’amko
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Posted on Sep 12 2004
Various non-profit organizations and the CNMI’s elderly, or the man’amko, came together at the Garapan Central Park in a Disco Night fundraiser for the Aging Center which ran from 6pm Saturday through 2am.
The Pilipino Overseas Workers Empowerment collaborated with Benny Pangelinan, chair for the Environmental Interagency Cleanup Operation Team, to plan and come up with the event.
“This was to support the man’amko. We want them to have fun and at the same time help support them. We do community services, and this is one thing that we like to do,” said POWER president Corie Borja.
For his part, Office of Aging director Joe Palacios said he is grateful for the association’s contribution to the elderly.
“I think this is really nice for the POWER association to do this for our senior citizens. This is the first time they did this and I’m really thankful,” he said. “I hope that other organizations out there will follow the model of POWER, whether it’s for the man’amko or for some other [purposes].”
Some 200 tickets were sold at $10 a ticket for the entrance fee and two beverages. Members of MOVER, United Filipino Organization, BICOL, KAMPIL, BAYANI, and the Philippine Consulate were on hand to support the POWER association.
UFO president Nelly Atalig was on hand to distribute certificates of recognition to the officers and members of POWER for their various community services performed from June through August 2004.
In turn, the man’amko presented members and officers of the POWER association with handmade mwar mwars and accessories.
“The man’amko gave us some mwar mwar because they were really happy. We were there dancing with them. This is the first time I’ve seen the man’amko perform. Also, the director played the drums,” said Borja.
On behalf the Office of Aging and the Department of Community and Cultural affairs, Palacios said: “I would like to thank POWER association and especially [Borja] for this fundraiser.”
Funds raised from the Disco Night will be used for the man’amko’s trip to Palau on Sept. 30. “The man’amko will…use the [funds] for what they need for the trip,” said Palacios.
