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POWER donates $1,000 to man’amko
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Posted on Sep 25 2004
The Philippine Overseas Workers’ Empowerment donated $1,000 to the man’amko on Wednesday in a turnover ceremony held at the Aging Center in Garapan.
The funds donated were raised during the Disco Night that the group held at the Garapan Central Park on Sept. 11.
According to POWER president Cory Borja, the organization became involved in the event through Environmental Interagency Cleanup Operation Team chair Benny Pangelinan.
“Benny was the one who coordinated this event. He is the man behind the fundraiser, but he also got support from our local advisers Ray Sablan, Keith Ada, and mama Lupe [Manglona],” said Borja.
In his address to the man’amko, Sablan touched the hearts of the people who gathered at the Aging Center’s cafeteria to witness the donation. According to Borja, the speech was more than what she had expected from Sablan.
“He was talking about his mom, and how he remembers her when she was still alive. He was telling the story about his mom and it was so sad. Some of the people started to cry, even me,” she said.
Borja said the man’amko expressed themselves happy with the donation. “They were actually not expecting that much, but we tried our best to give them as much as we could,” she said.
Borja extended her appreciation to MOVER, United Filipino Organization, BICOL, KAMPIL, BAYANI, and the Philippine Consulate General for their support and contribution to the event.
“We are very much thankful to these groups and other visitors that we had for buying the tickets and helping POWER with this event,” said Borja. “I want to thank Bennie Pangelinan for making us a part of it. He is a very good man and we appreciate what he has done for us. Also, Joe Palacios [Director of Office of Aging] for his support to our project,” Borja said.
For his part, Palacios said he is grateful for the group’s contribution to the elders. “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.
“The man’amko will be going to Palau on Sept. 30. They could use [the money] for what they need for the trip,” Palacios added. (Cassie DLG Fejeran)
