7 couples raise $5,000 for ANCOP housing

7 couples raise $5,000 for ANCOP housing

By Mavic Ignacio-Palanca

TORONTO–Goals are dreams with deadlines, to borrow a quote. The dream is to make a difference in the lives of the poor in the Philippines. The deadline is June 19th, 2004.

So on June 19, 2004 at Humberwood Community Centre, DOLCE West staged its first fundraising endeavor.

DOLCE West, a group of 7 Filipino couples learned about Gawad Kalinga 777, a development project of ANCOP International Canada, Inc. Smitten by the noble and humanitarian cause of transforming lives and giving hope to the poor and hopeless, DOLCE West set out to make the arrangements for a dinner dance with the goal of raising funds to build a few houses in one of the GK 777 villages in the Philippines.

ANCOP International Canada, Inc. is the fundraising corporation supporting GK 777 which seeks to develop and build 700,000 houses, in 7,000 communities in 7 years in the Philippines. As of last count, there are 6,321 homes and 287 communities. A Canada Village is in the midst of building and DOLCE West would like to contribute a number of houses. Other GK villages such as Swiss, North Carolina, Australia, Washington, English, Texas, New Zealand, named after the places where ANCOP is operational and where Filipinos and non-Filipinos have overwhelmingly responded are fully developed and functioning. The families in these once-upon-a-time-slum villages are now positive contributors to society with the livelihood skills training that they receive from GK and its partners.

Cecile Pendon, wife of Frank Pendon, founders of Dolce West, humbly stated at the onset of the dinner/dance, that the group went through some difficult moments while organizing the event. Gratefully though, rather than be daunted, the seven couples (Frank & Cecile Pendon, Rene & Dr. Christie L. Gamo, Pete & Julie Natividad, Barry & Precy Medina, Pat & Becky Albino, Ramon & Virgie Deogracias, Ruben & Linda Gapasin) were challenged to stay focused on their dream, their goal.

Banking on the support from family, friends and associates who came ready with generous hearts and pockets, DOLCE West turned over a check of $5,000++ to ANCOP Marketing Director, Gabby Consulta. Consulta earlier gave a brief on the GK 777 projects and how Filipinos abroad can help rebuild the Philippines. Video presentations helped the audience appreciate the nobility of the project.

For more information on how you can help, please call ANCOP International Canada, Inc at 905-564-8539 or visit http://gawadkalinga.org.