I was Cebu City for almost a week last March to attend the 5th RAFI Triennial Awards. In its 45 years of existence in development work in the Visayas and MIndanao, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) vision has always been “Touching People, Shaping the Future”. It has worked towards elevating lives through comprehensive approach that champions best practices in community development.
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| 5th RAFI Triennial Awards book |
Launched in 1996, during RAFIs 30th year anniversary, the triennial awards was established to recognize individuals and institutions who have committed themselves to building a more humane, equitable and caring society. It reflects the philanthropic, humanitarian and holistic ideals and values of the RAFI founders, Don Ramon Aboitiz and Don Eduardo Aboitiz.
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| With Iloilo bloggers (left) with Ms Haidee Palapar and Fatrick Tabada of RAFI last November |
The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorporated have partnered with various organizations in an effort to extend their cause and reach more people. Among the partners of the foundation is the Iloilo Bloggers Inc. whose partnership was sealed last year during the 2nd Visayas Blogging Summit in Cebu City. Through this partnership, RAFI invited us to be part of their Triennial Awards held at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.
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| Our room at Days Hotel Mandaue |
Arriving a day before the awards, RAFI gave the media and blogger participants a “historic and gastronomic” welcome. We were billeted at Days Hotel Mandaue during our 3-day, 2-night stay for the event. An acquaintance luncheon was first on the agenda at the RAFI office along Lopez Jaena Street in the Pari-an district of Cebu City.
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| Orientation |
It was followed by an orientation – a backgrounder on the organization, introduction of the people behind RAFI and an overview of the triennial awards. It was also a time to mingle with other media delegates. A tour through the heritage district of Cebu followed and though it was a tiring yet very fulfilling and enlightening tour.
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| A map of the heritage sites we visited |
We visited Casa Gorordo Museum, Yap-San Diego Ancestral House, Heritage of Cebu Monument, Colon Street, Halad Museum, Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Basilica del Sto. Nino, Magellan’s Cross at Plaza Sugbo and finally Plaza Independencia and Fort San Pedro. In less than 4 hours, we have connected with the best of Cebu’s heritage that started and culminated in a sumptuous dinner at Casa Gorordo Museum. Read more regarding this heritage tour soon.
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| and its lavish interior. |
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| Casa Gorordo Museum |
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| Dinner at the museum |
The following day, a presscon was held in one of the hotel’s function rooms. There we met the individual and institutions finalists for the 5th RAFI Triennial awards scheduled later that day. It was an inspiring morning to have actually met all the finalists whom we just read about the night before.
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| The presscon with the finalists |
Father Angelo Buenavides aside from his church obligations uses media work and organizing skills to campaign for peace in Mindanao. Professor Estrella Cantallopez of Notre Dame University promotes a culture of peace that goes beyond her academic workload and organizes peace programs for communities. Apolinario Leyson Sr. molded some of Cebu’s community leaders by instilling among them the value of service and discipline through scouting. Father Dennis Tamayo has worked with the Bajaus, not to convert them, but give them a better livelihood and pride in their culture. And Rene Vendiola, as former slash and burn (kaingin) farmer now heads a 100-hectare watershed reforestation and leads a campaign to save more forests.
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| Winners all |
The institution finalists also had their own stories to tell. The Agri-Aqua Development Coalition-Mindanao teaches Mindanao farmers and fisher folks business skills and social development values in order to transform lives. Bacolod-based Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. was originally a labor union supporting sugar workers but now brings upland folks water and sense of achievement. The Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, Inc. puts faith and funds in women entrepreneurs as they go and help where most banks fear to tread. Supporting over 1,000 children and 4000+ plus others, SOS Children’s Villages Philippines keeps families from breaking up through a family strengthening program. And finally, The Great Physician Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc. convinces towns to operate community based rehabilitation centers and campaigns for PWD inclusion in schools and jobs.
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| All eyes on Tatay Ete |
It was an outstanding job for the search committee composed of Professor Margarita de la Cruz, Dean, University of the Philippines Visayas – Tacloban College, who was a previous finalist herself; Valeriano “Bobit” Avila, Columnist for the Philippine Star and a local TV host in Cebu; Bro. Crispin Betita, Executive Director of Marcellin Foundation Inc. and former President of Marist School, Notre Dame of Dadiangas College and Notre Dame of Marbel University; Leonardo Moneva, executive director of Mag-umagad Foundation Inc. who is an expert in agriculture, rural development and community organizing; and finally Jonathan Jay Aldeguer, founder and owner of Island Souvenirs Inc.
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| In all our barong-inspired outfits |
Later that night, garbed in our Barong-inspired outfits, we found ourselves at the Cebu Grand Ballroom in the posh Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. After three years of searching for the best individuals and institutions plus extensive screening and validation process, the 5th RAFI Triennial Awards is about to reveal the best among the rest.
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| Cebu Grand Ballrom at Marco Polo Plaza |
Attended by the who’s who in Cebu including the Aboitizes, the award ceremony was one of the most organized event I’ve ever attended.
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| Dinner at Marco Polo Plaza Hotel |
Everything was right on schedule–up to the minute, and just had the right mix. Speeches were concise and direct to the point, no hodgepodge on the program menu and yes, no political agenda despite the presence of some local politicians.
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| Instituion finalists |
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| Individual finalists |
In the end, Rene “Tatay Ete” Vendiola and The Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, Inc. were declared as the winners of the 5th RAFI Triennial Awards. “Tatay Ete” received a standing ovation and who in the verge of tears spoke in vernacular thanking God and RAFI for his award. The NWTFI was represented by who accepted the award in behalf of the organization. All the finalists received PhP 110,000 to further their respective causes while the awardees got an additional PhP 440,000.
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| Tatay Ete thanking RAFI for the award |
It was a very unforgettable trip to Cebu City for the 5th RAFI Triennial Awards. All those inspiring stories of each finalist, a tour around the heritage places in town, all those delectable eats and the very warm Cebuano hospitality. Indeed RAFI has touched our lives by giving the opportunity to take part in the triennial awards!
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| Revelation of the coffeetablebook |
