Shop for a Cause in the 43rd International Bazaar

The International Bazaar Foundation Inc. (IBF) organized the 43rd International Bazaar last Nov. 15 at the PICC Forum in Pasay City, themed “Shop and Reach Out.” Ms. Lovely Romulo, chair of the IBF, spearheaded the event, together with the Spouses of the Heads of Missions.

Open from 9am to 7pm of the same day, the bazaar is an annual fund-raising event participated in by diplomatic and consular missions in Manila, government agencies, and local entrepreneurs selling choice merchandise at reasonable prices Forty members of the diplomatic corps, ten members of the consular corps, and 112 local participants were part of the year’s participants.

Beneficiaries of the event were charitable institutions and the proceeds of the event will be used to finance projects that are geared toward helping the underprivileged. The year also marked contributions made for the improvement and the acquisition of better equipment for hospitals, training schools and libraries.

Previous recipients included Philippine Christian Foundation; the Philippine General Hospital; Edith Sagip Buhay; Cribs Foundation; Virlanie Foundation; Catarman Public Health Center (Dental Clinic); Paaralang Pag-ibig at Pag-asa; Laura Vicuna Foundation, Inc.; Punlaan School; Community and Family Services International; Gift-A-Teacher; and the Our Lady of Peace Mission.

Entrance tickets cost Php100 and raffle tickets, Php50, all made available from the IBF, bazaar participants, selected outlets, and in the PICC Forum during the bazaar day.

For inquiries, please visit the IBF Secretariat at the Department of Foreign Affairs, 6F, DFA Bldg., 2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, or e-mail ibf.dfa@gmail.com.

“Isang Araw Lang Takbo para sa Libreng Kolehiyo” makes “record-for-a-cause” in the Philippine Sports History

From 3:00 in the morning until 10:00 of near noon, an number of almost 50,000 runners participated in the mixed marathon project “Isang Araw Lang Takbo para sa Libreng Kolehiyo” held at SM Mall of Asia Pasay City last January 31, 2009. This was a history-made for having the largest number of participants who joined a sports event, this time, with a cause, in the Philippine Sports History.

The marathon included 300 meter-run for kiddie run division, and one (1), five (5), ten (10) and 21 kilometers for family, fun, discovery, challenge run, and half marathon divisions respectively.

Veteran Broadcast Journalist and event’s lead advocator “Kuya” Daniel Razon ran together with all the delegates and the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) headed by General Dionisio Santiago, various Rotary Club chapters, and the “Ang Dating Daan” group headed by Brother Eli Soriano.

Mr. Razon said that he was inspired by Bro. Soriano’s message before about students’ education. “Students may study now and pay nothing in return.” He said that the marathon contributed a great help to pursue the support to students who were granted scholarships, and to continue the project’s response to its supported schools’ needs.

One of the schools that this project is supporting is the La Verdad Christian College. The project grants students free college education, free uniforms, books, school supplies, and even food and lodging allowances.

Winners of the event were the renowned Kenyan runner Mr Williy Tanui for men’s division and Ms. Miscelle Gilbuena, the 2009 Philippine International Marathon winner, for womens division both from the 21-kilometer half marathon.

The “Isang Araw Lang Takbo para sa Libreng Kolehiyo” was sponsored by Sports Basic, Happy Penguin , Sabras, Red Cross, SM Mall of Asia with the media partners UNTV, Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI), iFM, AF, and Manila Bulletin.

For more details, just log on to www.sports37.net.