AUCTION: ORIGINAL WORK OF ART BY SHEILA LUIS TIANGCO

Help “Send a Child to School”

An auction of donated original work of art by SHEILA LUIS TIANGCO, one of the known Filipino visual artists will be held on December 12, 2014 at  United Services Recreation Club (USRC) at 1 Gascoine Road, Jordan, Hong Kong. She has donated her huge painting “Sampaguita, Paborito ni Tatay”. This is a large piece. Round, 36" in diameter. Acrylic on canvas.

You get the beautiful painting and you send children to school, that's the difference.

If you want to bid  for this painting and make a difference, please contact Emilie Veringa:

emilie.veringa@wimler.org
Mobile:  +852 5191 0902; +852 56607706  (whatsapp or Viber)

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Sheila Luis Tiangco is one of the known and established Filipino visual artists.  Flowers have always been the subject of Sheila’s art. Rendered in larger-than-life illustrations, her works are inspired by the beauty of nature, in response to the awesome magnificence of the One who created it. 

Sheila's blooms are characterized not so much by color, but more by the boldness and daring in which her works are magnified. There is nothing small about her flowers. For Sheila, each piece of work represents an outpouring of prayer, a celebration of life, her worship and intimate dialogue with her God, to whom she attributes all things. Flowers symbolize life. When offered, they express feelings which the giver hopes to convey in the most eloquent way.

Sheila is a member of the Saturday Group Artists, the oldest and most prestigious group of critically-acclaimed painters, sculptors and mixed media artists. The group takes pride that 8 of Philippine National Artists in the Visual Arts came from the Saturday Group.

Through the Saturday Group of Artists, Sheila participates regularly in various arts exhibits. The most recent is Lingkod: An Art Exhibit” held last Nov. 15 to 22, at Greenbelt 3 lobby in Makati organized by ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc. (ALKFI).  

Sampaguita, Paborito ni Tatay

Size: 36” in diameter

Medium: Acryclic on Canvas

Year: 2012

A very generous person, Sheila regularly donates some of her paintings for charity. WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong is very grateful to receive one of her paintings to be auctioned on December 12, 2014 during the charity dinner to be held at USRC. The proceeds of the painting will support WIMLER’s “Send a Child to School” project.

Own this beautiful painting. BID NOW!

“I did choose to support WIMLER because I want to be a part, even in a small way, of the good work it is doing for the underprivileged.”                         

  – Sheila Luis Tiangco 

“The works of Tiangco, though encapsulated in still-life genre, are potentially alluring to the viewer. A wife and a doting grandma who dabbles in flower painting, Tiangco comes off as a realist who, like Georgia O'Keeffe, magnifies her subjects by rendering them in larger-than life and allegorical mode.”

New date set for the conference

Due to typhoon Hagupit (Ruby),  the  conference titled "The Role of Migrants and their Remittances in Sustainable Development"  originally scheduled last December 6-7, has been postponed to  JANUARY 24-25, 2015.

While we believe that the impact of the typhoon is minimal in Davao City, we cannot risk the lives of our speakers and participants who will be flying during the weekend of December 5-6 morning from Manila , Iloilo, Cebu, Samar, Dumaguete, and other provinces outside Mindanao. Many also preferred to stay with their families during this uncertain time.

We cannot also afford to act as if "business as usual" when we know that some people living in threatened areas have to experience severe conditions. It is not also responsible for speakers and participants get stranded in Davao City as many have other commitments after the conference.

Davao del Sur was  placed under Alert B and this can mean a lot. It might be that the weather is just fine with some rains and thunderstorms but it can also be worse (flooded) We cannot predict what will happen. We chose to take the safe side. We cannot afford to see the participants worrying about their families when the weather gets worse, So we follow the official directives. Be prepared.

We believe that this is the right thing to do. We are ready for the conference but the threat is also real. Better safe than sorry.

I hope you understand our decision.

Participants who have already registered will be contacted soon. The organizers still welcome new participants. Please contact :

Jose Miguel Lisbona
Mobile: +63 920 967 5082 |
Email: jmlisbona@gmail.com

We hope to welcome you on January 24, 2015!

WIMLER Christmas Charity ball

It's the magical time of the year!

The Wimler Christmas Charity Ball “Frozen in Time” will take place on Friday, December 12, 2014 at the Garden Marque, United Services Reaction Club, 1 Gascoine Road,  Jordan, Kowloon from 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm. Adults and children are welcome to this event which includes cocktails, silent auction, dinner, dancing, and door prizes.

Tickets are sold at HK$ 800 (adult) and HK$ 400 children (6-12). Children from 3-5 years old, FREE. The price includes buffet, unlimited drinks for the whole night, dancing and entertainment. 

All proceeds from “Frozen in Time” charity dinner will benefit WIMLER's “Send a Child to School” project. WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong was established in 2011 and support the education of poor children.

For ticket reservation, please contact:

Emilie Veringa  - +852 5191 0902

Luz Tan - +852 96309311

Myrna Pama Hill - +852 9803 8049

www.wimler.org

                                     Support a child now

                                                 so no child is left behind

For HK$500/year you can provide a child a school bag, school supplies, uniform, a pair of shoes and pay for her or his school fees.









Please send your donation to:

Account name: WIMLER FOUNDATION HONG KONG LTD.
Account Number:  801-079963-838
Bank: HSBC Hong Kong
BIC code bank (SWIFT address): HSBCHKHHHKH
Bank Address: 1 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong (SAR)

Donating to disaster relief: Sending goods back home ‘expensive’

HONG KONG—In the lead up to the first anniversary of typhoon Yolanda’s destruction of the Visayas islands, a Filipino donor group in Hong Kong had to learn the hard way how in-kind donations from abroad may be best sent back home.

WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong was able to raise some HK$139,159,70 (P805,526) in cash donations and numerous relief goods from donors in the Crown Colony and in four other countries in the last 11 months since Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) hopped islands in the Visayas and wrought destruction that the world took notice.

Joy Tadios-Arenas, one of the directors of WIMLER in Bantayan, Cebu

Three motorized fishing boats for Banate, Iloilo

But as WIMLER volunteers and donors had been sending these donations to affected residents in the towns of Coron (Palawan province), Bantayan (Cebu) and Estancia (Iloilo), something was more expensive as the relief effort from the group progressed: The sending of the donated goods itself.

“We realized that sending of goods from Hong Kong to the local beneficiaries was not only impractical and complicated but even more expensive,” said Filipina-Dutch Leila Rispens-Noel, WIMLER co-founder.

What happened was some of the cash donations raised was used to defray the costs of shipping relief goods to WIMLER’s beneficiary-municipalities.

For example, about HK$6,575 (some P38,059) was spent to ship tents, 12 boxes of baby milk and four boxes of Nestogen (an adult milk brand), 18 feeding bottles and medicines to Coron. A separate HK$16,700 (P96,668) was spent to ship goods and purchase of blankets, and tents benefiting 150 families in Bantayan. (Also in Bantayan, WIMLER handed out 20 small fishing boats to affected fishermen in the area.)

Rispens-Noel wished that all the cash donations raised could have been used to buy goods in affected areas —for as long as the recipient of such amounts is well-trusted.

If another natural disaster happens, “it is better to collect the funds and send the money to the contact person/s and who shall then be tasked to buy the goods locally instead of sending goods from Hong Kong,” Rispens-Noel said.

Nevertheless the lesson learned, WIMLER continued to attract donations to Yolanda-stricken areas. Like for the beneficiaries from Estancia, Iloilo, WIMLER’s young volunteers based in Hong Kong organized organizing a Dodgeball tournament. With the help of such tournament, some HK$37,584 (P217,555) was raised and eventually used to buy 38 sacks of rice, 150 pieces of blankets, 12 boxes of Bearbrand milk, 100 pieces of aluminum kettles, and 20 liter kerosene. Some of that amount was also used to hand out three motorized fishing boats complete with fishing gears, support organic farming project, as well as provide financial support to 20 Estancia-based pupils who are victims of Yolanda.

Apart from  the above fund campaigns, WIMLER also received a total of HK$78,300.70 (P453,244) from individual and corporate donors —including Filipino-run firms— based in Hong Kong, Netherlands, Belgium, the United States and Mexico.

On Nov. 8, 2013, Yolanda had left 11 million people have been affected and many have been left homeless. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that at least 6,268 died, 28,689 were injured and 1,061 were missing given the wrath of the world’s strongest weather system to hit landfall. Damage in agriculture and infrastructure is estimated at US$ 878.86 million.

But months after some billions of donations had been raised worldwide, there are still concerns surrounding the judicious use of donations on the ground after a natural disaster. Even a recent report by the Commission on Audit (COA) showed that over-PhP741.59 million in quick response funds that were coursed through the Office of Civil Defense and the NDRMMC have yet to be spent.

On the part of Filipinos abroad and their organizations, known to be frequent donors to the motherland right after natural disasters strike, they continue to send in-kind donations.

But given its own experiences in response to Yolanda relief efforts, Rispens-Noel of the three-year-old nonprofit WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong (www.wimler.org) says a “good” agreement with relevant parties, persons or group beneficiaries must be done before sending any goods.

“Haste makes waste. Things not clearly communicated will not only resort to more confusion but would make the shipment of goods more expensive.”

More news about the campaign:

http://wimler.blogspot.nl/2014/05/twenty-fisherfolks-in-bantayan-cebu.html
http://wimler.blogspot.nl/2013/12/wimler-distributels-second-wave-of.html
http://wimler.blogspot.nl/2013/12/wimlers-local-partners-distribute-900.html
http://wimler.blogspot.nl/2013/11/dodgeball-tournament-for-cause-sunday.html
http://wimler.blogspot.nl/2013/11/wimler-finally-connects-with-local.html
http://wimler.blogspot.nl/2013/11/wimler-extends-aid-to-bantayan-islands.html

About WIMLER Foundation HK:

WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong Ltd. was officially registered in 2011 as a non-profit and charitable organization which primary objective is to support the capacity building and empowerment of migrant communities regardless of nationalities and to promote cultural diversity in Hong Kong based on mutual respect, solidarity, and shared empowerment among peoples.

For more information about WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong, visit www.wimler.org and/or http:/wimler.blogspot.com or contact WIMLER at info@wimler.org.

Consul General, Ateneo head to grace LSE graduation rites

Philippine Consul General Bernardita Catalla and Ateneo de Manila University President Rev. Fr. Jose Ramon T.  Villarin S.J., will speak to graduates of the Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (LSE) Batch 22 in Hong Kong on Sunday, Nov. 9.

Participants of LSE 22, Hong Kong

The latest batch of LSE graduates are composed of 38 Filipino migrant workers and one Filipino resident who have successfully completed the six-month course. Another 16 participants finished the Practicum 2 class.

“We are thrilled that Consul General Catalla and Fr. Villarin accepted our invitation to speak during the graduation ceremony. This means that they recognize the achievements of our migrant workers here in Hong Kong,” said Leila Rispens-Noel, director and co-Founder of Wimler Foundation HK.
“Their presence will encourage and motivate the participants all the more in their quest for new skills and knowledge. This is our fourth batch and we are proud of what our graduates achieved. We are looking forward to welcoming the next group of participants in March next year,” she added.
The commencement ceremonies will be at 2:00 to 6:00 pm at the Bradbury English School, Stubbs Road, Hong Kong.

Fr. Pat Falguerra of Ateneo School of Government and Mariel Vincent Rapisura, president of the Social Enterprise Development Partnerships, Inc. (SEDPI) are also expected to attend the event.
Part of the requirement of the course was to submit social entrepreneurship business plans. Batch 22 submitted a total of 17 business plans while graduates of Practicum 2 submitted six business plans. All submissions were subjected to rigorous mentoring before they were presented to a board of panelists for further comments.

Among the plans submitted this year were enterprises involving super e-jeep, affordable boarding houses as well as spa/beauty salon, bakery, resort businesses and marketing of handmade handicrafts.
Most of the practicum graduates already launched their business plans which included a junk shop business, waffle express and a non-profit organization catering to the needs of OFWs and their families in Iloilo.

The business plans are aimed at enhancing the participants’ skills and knowhow in starting a business that could help prepare them for their eventual return and reintegration in the Philippines.
LSE graduates will receive certificates from the Ateneo School of Government (ASOG). Successful LSE course graduates and those who completed the practicum program, who are college graduates, will be granted LSE diplomas. Eight graduates qualified to receive their diploma.

The LSE is an empowerment program for overseas Filipinos. The LSE 22 covered 13 sessions conducted two Sundays per month over a six-month period. Sessions lasted from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. LSE programs cover three modules: financial literacy, leadership and social entrepreneurship. The LSE aims to develop leadership skills among overseas Filipinos and their families, provide knowledge and skills in savings and investments and other financial matters and develop and/or enhance entrepreneurial skills.

The program is a joint initiative of the ASOG with the Overseas Filipinos Society for the Promotion of Economic Security (OFSPES), SEDPI, Ugat Foundation, the Philippine Consulate, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The course is organized and coordinated in Hong Kong by WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong with support from Prime Credit and SWIFT APAC.

About WIMLER Foundation HK

WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong Ltd. was officially registered in 2011 as a non-profit and charitable organization whose primary objective is to support the capacity building and empowerment of migrant communities regardless of nationalities and to promote cultural diversity in Hong Kong based on mutual respect, solidarity and shared empowerment among peoples.
www.wimler.org
http://wimler.blogspot.com

Davao City hosts conference on the role of migrants and their remittances in sustainable development

Advance Information

DAVAO CITY – September 22, 2014 - PhilSmile, Wimler Foundation Philippines,  Ateneo Migration Center (AMC) and MinCode are organizing a conference in Davao on the "Role of Migrants and their remittances in Sustainable Development" on December 6, 2014. The conference will be held at F213 Auditorium, Ateneo de Davao University, Jacinto Campus, Davao City. Around 100 experts and practitioners from diverse sectors are expected to attend the conference. A Roundtable Discussion attended by 35 experts and practitioners will be conducted the following day.

The main objective of the conference is to understand the link between migration, remittances and sustainable development. So much money is sent back to the Philippines, US$25 billion in 2013 according to the World Bank, making the Philippines, the 3rd largest recipient country in the world, but where is all the remittances going?

Specifically, the conference aims to:

• Analyze and understand the factors explaining why Filipinos migrate. What is their migration goal?
• Understand the global dynamics of migrant remittances, especially in the context of sustainable development.
•  Identify ways and means to help migrants and their families achieve their migration goals;
• Gather existing initiatives and good practices on harnessing the development potentials of migrants’ remittances;
• Discuss how migrant workers from Mindanao and their families, microfinance institutions, academes, local government, private sector, and other stakeholders can contribute to sustainable development;
•  Learn from examples of good practices that can be possibly replicated

We hope through this conference we are able to map strategies on how we can support our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families make their lives better. We also hope that we can encourage various stakeholders to find ways and means how harness potentials of migration to contribute to sustainable development.

For more information about the conference, please check 

http://leilarispens-noel.wix.com/confabmigdev

Conference Website

To attend the conference, please contact:

MIGUEL LISBONA

Telephone:  (+63) 920 967 5082

Email: jmlisbona@gmail

Organizers:

PhilSmile is a new payment facility, enabling Overseas Filipinos (OFW) to pay directly the school of their relatives back in the Philippines, securing the key goal of OFW, Makapagpatapos (have their children graduate). By paying directly the school, PhilSmile reduces remittances costs and reconnects parents and their children left behind. 9m children under 18 grow up with one or both parents living and working abroad (UNICEF, 2009).

Contact:

Camille "Cam" Krejci

CEO PhilSmile

47 Esteban Abada Street, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Metro Manila

+63 (02) 512 2144 / +63 918 282 5776

camille@philsmile.com

The WIMLER Partnership for Social Progress, Inc. The WIMLER Partnership for Social Progress, Inc. is a small non-profit and nongovernmental organisation which aims to contribute to the development. WIMLER supports the education of poor children, capacity building of grassroots community. WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong is the sister organization of WIMLER Philippines. WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong Ltd. supports the capacity building and empowerment of migrant communities regardless of nationalities and to promote cultural diversity.

Contact:

Leila Rispens-Noel

President and Co-founder

WIMLER Foundation Philippines, Inc.

leila.rispens-noel@wimler.org

www.wimler.org

http://wimler.blogspot.com

 The Ateneo de Davao University (Ateneo Migration Center) is run by the Society of Jesus in Davao City in the Philippines. It is also known by the acronym AdDU. Ateneo Migration Center (AMC) is a center that utilizes the three-fold function of the University towards generation of appropriate responses to migration concerns confronting Mindanao. It is preferable that said responses to migration concerns are informed by perspectives that are right-based, gender and culture responsive, pluralist, ecologically sound and trans- disciplinary and were arrived at through collaborative and participatory processes. AMC conducts relevant research studies and craft policy recommendations, capacity building, resource mobilization and builds partnership with relevant organizations. AMC organized Financial Literacy, Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (FLSE) in Davao City for OFW families in partnership with Ateneo de Manila University School of Government and other partner organizations.

Contact:

Mildred Megarbio-Estanda

Director

B/F Finster Bldg., Ateneo de Davao University

Jacinto Street, Davao City, Philippines 8000

Telefax no. 2242955

Email: migration@addu.edu.ph

MINCODE is a coalition of twelve (12) networks of NGOs based in Mindanao.It was organized in 1991 and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 1992. MINCODE was established as a coalition in 1991 with 11 participating development NGO networks.  The coalition was formed by Mindanao NGOs and POs in response to the need to unify on a common perspective after two decades of working for people’s development.  Through its activities, the members found common ground to address the issues affecting the people particularly the poor in Mindanao.

The coalition serves as the forum for discussion, dialogue and coordination among Mindanao networks and NGOs concerning development programs and its impact to the Mindanao community.  It also serves as advocacy center of NGOs in Mindanao on issues related to development of tripeoples - Lumad, Moro and Christian settlers. It facilitates and promotes Mindanao consciousness and greater tripeople awareness among Mindanawons and Mindanao NGOs.

Contact:

Patricia Sarenas

Chairperson

No. 3 Juna Avenue corner Camia Streets, Juna Subdivision

Matina, Davao City 8000

Phone:(082) 299 0625
pmsarenas@yahoo.com

Twenty Fisherfolks in Bantayan, Cebu receive non-motorized fishing boats

Report from Joy Tadios-Arenas, one of the directors of WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong who flew to Cebu last April to coordinate the distribution of the fishing boats to 20 victims of Typhoon Yolanda in Bantayan.

"Last April 6, my flight to Cebu left Hong Kong around 9am for the boat turnover and relief distribution on Bantayan Island. By 1pm on that day, Doc Karen Seville Fernan, her 80 year old mom,  and I were on our way to Hagnaya Port in northern Cebu. From Hagnaya Port, we boarded the 5:30 pm ferry to Santa Fe, Bantayan Island. Our contact from a local NGO, DAMGO Inc (the NGO who launched the Bantayan Back to Sea Project), fetched us around 7pm and brought us to Bantayan Island Nature Park where the NGO is based. The plan for the turnover the following day was fairly simple, with us hopping from one barangay to another, as beneficiaries were located in various communities.

On April 7, together with the Head Dreamer Mr Allan Monreal of DAMGO Inc, we left the nature park around 7:30am to start the turnover. The first stop was Barangay Bantigue where 3 new boats were turned over. The next stops were Barangays Suba (2 newly repaired boats), Talisay (3 new boats) and Okoy (2 new boats). We missed the last barangay because the ferry going back to the mainland was about to leave. The number of boats and list/profiles of the beneficiaries will be updated by DAMGO Inc and it would probably help more than 20 families as boats to be delivered now include repaired and newly constructed boats. Doc Karen and I were able to distribute more than 200 packages of goods, mostly from the donations of migrant workers in HK, friends of WIMLER HK (from the expat community and from City University of Hong Kong) and other donations from Karen’s sister in the US. Last December, the first tranche of relief goods and other items were distributed, toiletries (from Peachy Viniegra-Lin), laminated sacks (for roofing) and blankets were brought by Karen and friends for distribution.

The transparent set-up that DAMGO Inc has in their ‘back to sea‘ project encouraged us, the Directors in WIMLER HK, to collaborate with them. From the detailed cost of the boats, operational expenses to the quarterly reports, DAMGO Inc ensured that we know where the donations will be spent. The trainings they conduct are also in line with WIMLER’s advocacy of strengthening the capacities of the grassroots organisations like the fisherfolks’ associations. With WIMLER HK being accountable to the donors who generously gave money for the typhoon victims, the trip was an assurance that needs were validated and that donations reached the community through the help of an efficient and grounded local NGO.

To my WIMLER-HK Co-Directors: Leila Rispens-Noel Anna Martinez Katherine De Guzman Emilie Veringa-Tobias Luz Tan-Sanchez Sonia Soosot Nisa Zerrudo and the rest... grateful for this opportunity. Thankful that we were able to help the community."

- Joy Tadios-Arenas

You can view the complete list of beneficiaries here

WIMLER Holds Annual Charity Event: Flower Power

We cordially invite you to join FLOWER POWER - "WIMLER Foundation Charity Disco Event", net proceeds for this charity event will support the "Send a Child to School" project of WIMLER Foundation.

WHEN: Saturday, 10 May at 18:00 - 23:55 hours

WHERE: The Harbourview Hong Kong, 4 Harbour Road, Wan Chai

Since 2011, WIMLER FOUNDATION HONG KONG has been supporting the education of the less privileged children in the Philippines. We cannot do this without your generous support. Where did your donation go? 152 pupils and high school students are able to go to school this year:

40 pupils in Mlang Pilot Elementary School (North Cotabato)

35 pupils in Dugong Elementary School

17 high school students in Mlang, North Cotabato

40 pupils who are victims of typhoon Pablo in Coog Elementary School (Davao Oriental)

20 pupils in M.V. Duque Elementary School (Nueva Vizcaya)

With your support for this year's fundraising, we hope to send more kids to school this upcoming school year 2014-2015. Come and take part in the exciting event we are offering this year and experience first-hand the pride we take in supporting our cause.

For ticket reservation, please contact:

Emilie Veringa: +852 51 91 0902
Myrna Hill: + 852 9803 8089
Luz Tan: + 852 96309311

Whatsapp or Viber: + 852 5660 7706

Financial Literacy, Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (FLSE) Training Program in Davao City

For OFWs and their families from Davao City and nearby areas

An empowerment program for families of overseas Filipinos, the Financial Literacy, Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (FLSE) training program, will start its training on Saturday, April 26, at Ateneo de Davao University. The local organizers of this event are led by Ateneo Migration Center (AMC) of Ateneo de Davao University. 

The FLSE program is a joint initiative of the Migration and Development Consortium composed of the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) of Ateneo de Manila University, Overseas Filipinos Society for the Promotion of Economic Security (OFSPES), Social Enterprises Development Partnerships Inc. (SEDPI), Ugat Foundation, and WIMLER Foundation Philippines.

Participation fee is Php 3,000 for the whole course which can be paid in staggered means.

April 16, 2014 is the deadline for registration.

Mode of Payment:

Course fee is payable in CASH on the following terms:

a) First Payment:  Php1,000.00 on or before April 16, 2014

b) Balance of Php 2,000.00 on two installments:

                                          Php1,000.00 on or before May 17, 2014

                                          Php 1,000.00 on or before June 14, 2014 

Admission to the course is on “first come, first served basis” and those who have paid full or partial payment before April 23, 2014 will be assured of slots.

Inquiries on the program and submission of application forms should be directed to:

ATENEO MIGRATION CENTER

Basement Finster Building,Ateneo de Davao University,

E. Jacinto St., Davao City

Contact person in Davao:

Ms. Dalsa P. Maamo (Ateneo Migration Center) (082)224-2955 or (0933)133-9434

Mr. Akeem Jade G. Fabila (International Studies Dept.) (0923)843-1596

Financial Literacy, Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (FLSE) Training Program in Cabatuan, Iloilo

For OFWs and families in Cabatuan, Iloilo and nearby areas

An empowerment program for families of overseas Filipinos, the Financial Literacy, Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (FLSE) training program, will start its training on May 4, Sunday, at the Cabatuan Multi-purpose Hall on May 4. The training is organized in Cabatuan by the Cabatuan Overseas Worker's Association in Hong Kong (COWAH) and their families in Cabatuan with support from the Local Government Unit of Cabatuan, Iloilo.

The FLSE program is a joint initiative of Migration and Development Consortium composed of the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG), Overseas Filipinos Society for the Promotion of Economic Security (OFSPES), Social Enterprises Development Partnerships Inc. (SEDPI), Ugat Foundation, and WIMLER Foundation Philippines.

The Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (LSE) program was first conducted in Rome, Italy in 2008 and has since reached out to other overseas Filipinos (OFs) in Naples, Milan, Florence, Turin, Dubai, Amsterdam, Paris and Brussels. By April 2013, over 700 had graduated from 21 batches. LSE 22 in Hong Kong, which will start on March 9, follows the successful holding of LSE 12, 15 and 16. Also launched in October 2012 was the first FLSE program designed for the families of OFs held in the Baclaran area.

The objective of FLSE is similar to LSE but the emphasis is on the experience of the families left behind.  FLSE helps OFW families to acquire skills and knowledge to help their relatives working abroad to achieve their migration goals and prepare for their return and reintegration. It also develops and enhances their leadership skills to become active participants in the community and nation-building.

FLSE covers 13 sessions each, two Saturdays per month, over a six-month period. Sessions last from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. The program covers three modules: financial literacy, leadership and social entrepreneurship. FLSE aims to develop the leadership skills and potentials among overseas Filipinos and their families, provide knowledge and skills in savings and investments and other financial matters and develop and/or enhance their entrepreneurial skills.

At the end of the course, a certificate is awarded at a graduation ceremony by the ASoG and other partners to trainees who attend all the sessions.

Participation fee is Ph 3,000 for the whole course.

April 20, 2014 is the deadline for registration.

Mode of Payment:

Course fee is payable in CASH on the following terms:

a) First Payment:  Ph 500.000 on or before April 20, 2014

b) Balance of Ph 2,500 on three installments:

·         Ph 500.00 on or before May 4, 2014

·         Ph 1,000 on or before July 13, 2014  

·         Ph 1,000 on or before September 14, 2014  

Admission to the course is on “first come, first served basis” and those who have paid full or partial payment before May 3, 2014.

Inquiries on the program and submission of application forms should be directed to:

Cabatuan FLSE Secretariat (Iloilo)

MAT Commercial Center

Rizal Ilawod and Molinos Streets

Cabatuan, Iloilo

Franklin Caspe, 9092906458

Leonyrose Monarca, 9394435494

Carmie Mina, 5227036

Contact Persons in Hong Kong:

Maria Andes Tejereso-Caspe

Mobile number: +852 65952584

Please download application form here

Financial Literacy, Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (FLSE) Training Program in Passi City, Iloilo

For OFWs and their families from Passi City, Iloilo and nearby areas

An empowerment program for families of overseas Filipinos, the Financial Literacy, Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (FLSE) training program, will start its training on Saturday, May 3, at the Department of Tourism Conference Room in Passi City. The local organizers of this event are led by Passi City (Iloilo) Association Hong Kong and Passi City Balik sa Bayan, Inc., with support from the local government of Passi City. 

The FLSE program is a joint initiative of the Migration and Development Consortium composed of the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG), Overseas Filipinos Society for the Promotion of Economic Security (OFSPES), Social Enterprises Development Partnerships Inc. (SEDPI), Ugat Foundation, and WIMLER Foundation Philippines.

The Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (LSE) program was first conducted in Rome, Italy in 2008 and has since reached out to other overseas Filipinos (OFs) in Naples, Milan, Florence, Turin, Dubai, Amsterdam, Paris and Brussels. By April 2013, over 700 had graduated from 21 batches. LSE 22 in Hong Kong, which will start on March 9, follows the successful holding of LSE 12, 15 and 16. Also launched in October 2012 was the first FLSE program designed for the families of OFs held in the Baclaran area.

The objective of FLSE is similar to LSE but the emphasis is on the experience of the families left behind.  FLSE helps OFW families to acquire skills and knowledge to help their relatives working abroad to achieve their migration goals and prepare for their return and reintegration. It also develops and enhances their leadership skills to become active participants in the community and nation-building.

FLSE covers 13 sessions each, two Saturdays per month, over a six-month period. Sessions last from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. The program covers three modules: financial literacy, leadership and social entrepreneurship. FLSE aims to develop the leadership skills and potentials among overseas Filipinos and their families, provide knowledge and skills in savings and investments and other financial matters and develop and/or enhance their entrepreneurial skills.

At the end of the course, a certificate is awarded at a graduation ceremony by the ASoG and other partners to trainees who attend all the sessions.

Participation fee is Ph 3,000 for the whole course.

April 20, 2014 is the deadline for registration.

Mode of Payment:

Course fee is payable in CASH on the following terms:

a) First Payment:  Ph 500.000 on or before April 20, 2014

b) Balance of Ph 2,500 on three installments:

·         Ph 500.00 on or before May 3, 2014

·         Ph 1,000 on or before July 12, 2014  

·         Ph 1,000 on or before September 13, 2014  

Admission to the course is on “first come, first served basis” and those who have paid full or partial payment before May 3, 2014.

Inquiries on the program and submission of application forms should be directed to:

Passi City Balik sa Bayan Inc.,

 2/F, Phase 2, Passi City Public Market

City of Passi, Iloilo

Contact person in Passi:

Noemi Paniza (Vice Chairman, Balik sa Bayan), 09999866202

Marivic Padura (President, Passi City Balik sa Bayan Inc.), 09194364467

Contact Person in Hong Kong:

Ma. Wilma Padura

Tel: (852) 93862514

Email: wpadura@yahoo.com


Please download application form here