Giving-Back-2016

Jan. 27, 2016 - Sta. Lucia High School Scholarship Grants and Gift Giving

14 OHFH scholars graduated last year and it extended to another 20 deserving students for a 4-year scholarship commitment. A Joint Project with School Governing Council (SGC) of Sta. Lucia High School, the scholarship was offered to students with exceptional academic achievement or at risk of dropping out due to extreme poverty. This pilot project was successfully initiated by the school which proved to be an effective program that included counseling, tutorial, monitoring, incentive awards, food program, parent-teacher conferences and home visits by teachers.

Jan. 27, 2016 - Maiitim Elementary School - Cavite

Children of farmers in this community are living near or below the poverty line and cannot afford school supplies. 275 students from Maitim Elementary School, Cavite received sets of school supplies for each grade level, new and durable backpacks proudly made in the Philippines, and printer for the school. The school was also given ample supplies for use for the rest of the year. Students were treated with lunch and entertainment from Jolibee and sumptuous apples from RJ Garcia (Appledrive Project).

Jan. 26, 2016 - Kanlungan ni Maria” (Home for the Aged) - Giving Back to the Poor and Sick Elderly

Home to poor, abandoned, neglected, homeless and sick elderly where they provide shelter, food, clothing, medicines and other basic needs. Headed by Rev. Fr. Dari, the staff creates a homey environment for the aged so they could live a better and dignified life while providing them with love, affection, emotional support and sufficient basic needs. During our visit, One Heart for Hope provided assorted canned goods, hygiene packs, thermometer and blood pressure monitors. Lunch was also served with entertainment from the OHFH team and from the elders as well.

March 18, 2016 - Gift Giving at Datal Ligaw, South Cotabato

One Heart For Hope, together with generous volunteers and donors, came back to Datal Ligaw last March to continue with our mission for the indigenous tribes. It was never easy going up the mountain. The road was rugged and dusty. 40 sacks of rice, 4 sacks of iodized salt, hundreds of new and gently used clothes, schools supplies, canned tuna and other gifts were distributed to the families and children. Estrel Jagonia of Jewelry Express Davao, William and Mayette Sy, Inderah, Sonia, Albert, Freya and friends, Ryan, Amabelle, Pastor Gerry, and Quota International of Davao, our gratitude to your compassion for helping the needy is endless.

January 29, 2016 - Aetas of Porac - Villa Maria Elementary Gift Giving - 520 Children

520 students from Villa Maria Elementary School in Porac, Pampanga were given raincoats, a set of school supplies and apples from Mikey Bustos’ family. They were also treated with fried chicken meals from Jolibee and ice cream. RJ Garcia, Founder of Appledrive by Appleboy and Mikey Bustos joined the giving.

These elementary children have been recipients of our feeding program as an incentive to go to school. OHFH started the feeding programs with Angels of Hope USA in 2010 and have committed to continue until 2017 for over 500 children attending school. Special thanks to Ms. Ami Nakagiri and Jun Alcantara who donated the raincoats. Angels of Hope USA, donated the school supplies and ice cream. To all our donors who passionately support this program, we thank you on behalf of our Aeta children for the hope you have given to them to obtain an education which they did not dream possible.

January 29, 2016 - Aetahanan (Shelter for Aetas) Gift Giving to Aeta College Scholars

One Heart for Hope and its giving partner, Angels of Hope USA are committed to provide a brighter future for the aetas through higher education and better living conditions while attending college.

Now that AETAHANAN is almost complete, OHFH will continue supporting their basic needs through education (scholarships), rice program, mentoring, livelihood and dormitory improvement.

During the gift giving, OHFH provided books for their library, clothing (Oakley t-shirts), Kindle Fires, sunglasses, pots and pans, kitchen gadgets, hygiene and cosmetic supplies, sacks of rice, assorted canned goods, solar lights, portable flash lights, school supplies, apples, giant rice cooker and (5) huge electric fans. Thank you to our overall coordinators, Terri Mendoza and Priscilla Macaraig of Angels of Hope, Fr. Fuertes, Sister Nette, Sister Jules, Sister Puring for your dedication and commitment; thank you to Joy Murillo, Aetahanan coordinator; and all the aeta college scholars for the entertainment of songs and dances.

January 30, 2016 - Giving Back - Penaranda, Nueva Ecija for 550 Elementary Students

A joint giving with Penaranda Organization USA and Angels of Hope US, 550 elementary students from various school districts from the poorest families were chosen to receive school supplies, umbrellas, hygiene kits, apples (Appledrive by Appleboy RJ), toys and eco bags. Jolibee meals, noodle soup, home-made ice cream, healthy and yummy sweet tofu (taho) were served to all children and volunteers.

The Mayor of Penaranda joined the event, as well as school principals, teachers, parents and other City officials. It was the biggest gift giving distribution held in Penaranda by charitable organizations. Our gratitude to Ms. Anabelle Abesamis, Ms. Nelia Banaria, the Abesamis family, RJ Garcia, Angels of Hope US, Penaranda Organization USA and all the donors who made this giving project possible.

March 7, 2016 - OHFH Tutorial Center Opens - Where Dreams Begin

One Heart for Hope Tutorial Center provides a fun learning environment for 45 at-risk with zero knowledge children from extreme poverty families. It provides a quality and fun learning experience and a curriculum that will develop their academic skills, self-discipline and confidence to excel as they enter elementary education. With three (3) highly qualified teachers, the program also includes free snacks or lunch, backpacks, uniforms, shoes, hygiene packs and all the school supplies. 95 students successfully graduated in this program since 2013 and some have surpassed their peers with honors.

OHFH Tutorial Center is composed of three certified teachers plus 33 alternating volunteers for other tasks in the classroom. The program is structured to provide a highly personalized curriculum and a small group instructional format with teacher-student ratios of 1:1, 1:3, or 1:2.

July 31, 2016 - Help Build a School for T'Boli Children

To provide the children of indigenous people of Datal Ligaw in South Cotabato better access to education by rebuilding classrooms so that 200 children has a school to attend by June 10th, start of the school year. Your generous support to rebuild this school changed the future of the indigenous children by giving them a chance for better education and an opportunity to escape extreme poverty. Just in time for the school opening, Datal Ligaw Primary School in Lake Sebu, So. Cotabato was inaugurated. The construction of the school was a collective effort of various organizations and individuals.

Huge thanks to everyone who has been involved in this worthwhile project - Quota International Davao, Jewelry Express Davao, National Book Store Davao, William and Mayette Sy (Monte Cielo Resort), Havens Peak Highland Resort Group, Fritz Luz and family, Jagonia Family, Noel Galang, all the donors of One Heart for Hope Fundly Campaign, Angels of Hope USA, all the volunteers, coordinators, and Sgt. Esteva and his troop. To John Mark Gatchalian, thanks for capturing this project with your awesome aerial camera/drone. For the hospitality of Barangay Officials of Datal Ligaw and the entire community - Thank you!

August 6, 2016 - Giving Hope And Extending Love - Making the Little Things Count

In our pursuit of giving hope and love to children experiencing financial and emotional difficulties in this early stage of their lives, One Heart for Hope Philippines visited these places and distributed school supplies, work and story books, health kits, and snack packs with ice cream. Huge gratitude to our team of volunteers; Jenny Merin, Wheng Lawag, Noime Villamayor, Cecil Arroco, Dexter Lim Simeon, Irene Espaldon, Jelai Nunez, Renea Lawag, Rowena Parungao and Lhot Canciller, BroBern Rosales, to special people from OHFH-US; Jho Bule and Glenda Bonifacio Bule, Jeraldine Bule, Nida Borres Buyo and their families, and officers of OHPF - Philippines!

September 1, 2016 - Simple Solar Lamps Changed Lives of the Poor in Salacafe

Sitio Salacafe is a little brighter these days, not only because of the solar lamps they have, but because the smiles of the people shines brighter as they welcome the hikers visiting their community. Salacafe is a very far-flung and remote sitio of T'boli town in South Cotabato. Of the 15 houses in Salacafe, none of them have electricity. The sitio is too far to be served by the local electric company. One Heart For Hope brought them solar lamps which reduced their spending on lighting fuel. With their meager income, a big chunk of expense for a family has been eliminated.

As always, One Heart For Hope will bring the gift of light to those who have none regardless of distance.

July 30, 2016 - Elementary Scholarship Grants for 2016

OHFH Elementary Scholarship Program provides scholarships to OHFH Tutorial Program graduates who cannot afford the cost of public education. Select graduates that excelled in elementary program were offered continuing elementary scholarships in 2016. Aside from scholarship, the program also included continuing tutorial and mentoring for many of its graduates. Thanks to all the teachers, ambassadors, volunteers and officers of OHFH Philippines for taking on these elementary scholarship project. To date – OHFH has total of 149 scholars from Pre-school to College.

July 15, 2016 -24 High School Students Given Scholarship Grants

One Heart for Hope held its awarding of scholarship grants to 24 deserving K-12 students with exceptional academic achievement from Sta. Lucia High School in Pasig City last July 29th. Scholarship was given to students who are at risk of dropping out due to extreme poverty. To date – OHFH has total of 149 scholars from Pre-school to College.

June 25, 2016 -Paying It Forward, OHFH Graduate Gives Back in Aurora Province

An after graduation "Pay It Forward" from OHFH scholar, Romnick Alinas of Casiguran province. They visited a remote school - Kasaysayan Elementary school on a 45 minute boat ride, then an hour of hot and dusty road. The children are from indigenous tribe called Dumagats and mixed from the Unats. These children and from extreme poverty families of fishermen and farmers.

Last April, Romnick finally graduated in Aurora State College of Technology in Baler, Aurora with a course of Information Technology.

May 26, 2016 - 40 children graduated at OHFH Tutorial Center

40 children graduated at OHFH Tutorial Center because of your generosity in providing them with the solid academic foundation. Accompanied by their proud parents, the students enjoyed their first graduation to celebrate this milestone. Each of them received recognition, love, and motivation from teachers and distinguished guests. These children now have the skills and knowledge that will serve as their torches in their run towards a better future and assist them in escaping the grips of poverty. Heartfelt gratitude to our teachers, hardworking and dedicated One Heart for Hope ambassadors, donors, sponsors and supporters for providing them the gift of education. Thank you for starting them on the path to realize their dreams, and where it always began at One Heart for Hope Tutorial Center.

Congratulations to the Class of 2016! YOU DID IT!

May 31, 2016 - Lasallian Honorary Scholarship 2016 Graduates.

One Heart for Hope, together with other Lasallian partners and with De La Salle Lipa, shares its vision-mission of ‘teaching minds, touching hearts and transforming lives” through the gift of education for the poor and disadvantage teens. Nine (9) high school students graduated from this pioneer class of senior high school! Congratulations Class of 2016!

De La Salle Lipa offers the academic track to institute mastery of necessary skills and competencies to ultimately prepare the students for further studies, employment or entrepreneurship and meet international standards on fundamental education.

May 17, 2016 -HOPE for the "Igorots" - Giving Back in Mountain Province

100 children from Ogo-og Elementary School in the remote and rugged mountain of Barlig, Mt. Province were given backpacks, umbrellas, toys, school supplies and other treats. Coordinated by

friends and family of the famous "Carrotman" - Jerry Sigmaton. Beyond his good looks is the story of industriousness as well as the pride of one's tribe. Jerrick’s photo reminded us with lessons of hardship, sense of pride of one's roots, and of strength and determination. His story is relevant, and gave a glimpse of life of the deprived who can make a better life with only a dream. He is a symbol of hope, a voice of the somehow unheard—the millions of struggling Filipino youths who work hard and willingly sacrifice their youths and dreams to help their families survive the poverty.

Inspired by Jeyrich, fans worldwide are now raising awareness for the tribe and have started helping the poor Igorot students with school supplies, backpacks and coats in the remote communities of Mountain Province.

November 28, 2016 - Medical Mission and Cultural Immersion - T'Bolis of So. Cotabato

One Heart For Hope's medical mission in the distant sitio of Datal Ligaw in South Cotabato is the first ever medical mission conducted here. With the assistance of Dr. Tiger Garrido and Dr. Roel Cagape, 300 people were served to attend to the health situation of T’boli people. Huge thanks also to Quota Intl. Club of Paranaque headed by its President, Angie Mijares and Quota Intl. Club of Davao headed by Fatima-Inderah D. Disomimba, for their huge assistance and donations for this project. Special mention to Miss Regina Ramos who went out of her way, from New York City, just to participate and give her assistance in the medical field.

December 19, 2016 - Carnaza Christmas Giving - Fishing Boats

A heartwarming Christmas livelihood program of One Heart For Hope for the indigent Filipino families from far flung islands of the Philippines – Carnaza Island. Thirteen "baroto" or small paddle boats were distributed on the distant island of Carnaza, north of Cebu. One Heart For Hope volunteers visited and distributed paddle boats here before. Many families were still requesting for livelihood assistance so we decided to go back. Most of the people here are fishermen. Their catch are being sold to mainland Cebu. With this project, the fishermen will now be able to catch fish in a manner allowed by law without using destructive methods. The dream to be able to have their own baroto is now a reality. This will help them provide for the family and send their children to school. Thanks to all the generous donors of Friends of One Heart for Hope (Virginia) and 4Ever40 Sisterhood Association, Inc., Rose deMille who made this project possible. Your contribution will surely uplift the lives of the marginalized sector of our society and to make them more self-sufficient. Our gratitude also to two German volunteers, Heiko Leubecher and Martin John, who lend their hand in the unloading and distribution of the paddle boats.

December 25, 2016 - Giving Back - Tiwi and Sto. Nino, Sto. Domingo, Albay

Medical students from Bethseda, MD and National Institutes of Health from Washington D.C. travelled to Bicol to give back during the holidays in Tiwi and Sto. Nino, Sto Domingo Albay. Huge THANK YOU to Alison Lam (fundraiser), Virgie Lam (fundraiser), Noel Galang (coordinator), Monique Shelton, Lauren Kecskes, Daniel Barbera for giving joy to 150 children. Second giving was held at Tiwi two days before it was swamped by a powerful typhoon "Nina' that left massive damages in Tiwi.