PYAP Imus Chapter and CDAO Plant Trees in Brgy Carsadang Bago

2009 IMUS GAWAD PARANGAL RECOGNIZES A-STAR FOUNDATION, INC.

The 2009 Imus Gawad Parangal recognized A-Star Foundation, Inc. for its unwavering and unconditional service to the indigent families in Imus. Hon. Manny Maliksi, Imus Municipal Mayor; Hon. Mandy Ilano, Imus Vice-Mayor together with the Municipal Councilors awarded to A-Star Foundation, Inc. the GEN. FLAVIANO YENGKO AWARD on October 7, 2009 at Imus Covered Court in celebration of the 234th founding anniversary of Imus. The plaque and medallion was received by Mrs. Stella R. Acedera, CEO of A-Star Foundation, Inc. assisted by Mr. Juriel T. Fabito, Volunteer-Community Development Worker of the foundation.

BACKGROUND:

A-Star Foundation, Inc. started its local operation in Imus in 1999. Ms. Cristina H. Viegan, RSW , its Social Worker then, coordinated with the local government of Imus to adopt five communities where their programs and services will be implemented.

Mayor Jaro, the Municipal Mayor that time granted the request of A-Star Foundation, Inc. to adopt Villa Fatima in Bucandala IV, Bicol Region in Pag-asa 3, Riverside in Tanzang Luma VI, Sitio Pulo in Anabu 2C, and Toclong 2B.

Five programs and services were introduced by A-Star Foundation, Inc. to the communities which include Family and Life Services, Livelihood Services, Environment Advocacy and Protection, Primary Health Care Services and Other Support Services (FLEPO).

The Family and Life Services are composed of spiritual and values formation programs, lenten recollection, seminars such as effective parenting, anti-drug campaigns, leadership skills training, pro-life advocacy, gift-giving and youth animation.

Livelihood services are composed of livelihood skills training for unskilled women/mothers and out-of-school youth; tapping of resources for the provision of capital to start a small business; and monitoring of livelihood programs in five depressed communities.Environment Advocacy and Protection Services include clean and green projects, tree-planting, and waste management.
Primary Health Care Services include medical, optical and dental services; dog vaccination; operation circumcision; assistance to persons with disability and senior citizens; and referral of medical cases to government hospitals, PCSO and other government agencies.

Other Support Services include coordination meetings with various NGOs, POs, government agencies for joint-projects collaborations; assistance to walk-in clients; and attendance to seminars on social welfare and development.

For ten years, A-Star Foundation. Inc. has been a partner of Imus local government in delivering services to indigent individuals, families and groups. Their existence for ten years is a remarkable record for an NGO in Imus, which reflects genuine partnership of NGOs and the local government.

To-date A-Star Foundation, Inc. serves not only the initial five communities but majority of indigent communities within the Municipality. Thousands of Imusenos have been served and will be served by A-Star Foundation, Inc. as it continues to renew its commitment to deliver FLEPO to the people of Imus.

The PYAP was introduced and organized by A-Star Foundation, Inc. in Imus as part of its Youth Animation Program.

(photos by: Mr. Juriel T. Fabito)

CONGRATULATIONS, FRANCO NERONA!

The Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines - Imus Chapter congratulates PYAP Officer Franco Nerona, awarded as the most Outstanding Youth Leader in Region 4.

Farewell, President Cory!

Maraming salamat po, Pangulong Cory!

Kami po sa Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines - Imus, Chapter ay taus-pusong nakikiramay sa mga naiwan ni Pangulong Cory Aquino. Kasabay ng aming pakikiramay ay ang aming walang katapusang pasasalamat sa "Icon ng People Power" sa kanyang mahalagang papel na ginampanan sa pagbabalik ng demokrasya sa ating bansa. Kung anuman ang kalayaang aming tinatamasa ngayon ay bunga ng kanyang sakripisyo at pagpupunyagi na muling makamtan ng bawat Pilipino ang kalayaang matagal na ipinagkait ng rehimeng Marcos.

Sa iyong pagpanaw Pangulong Cory, kaming mga kabataan ng Imus ay sumusumpa na aming babantayan at iingatan nag demokrasyang iyong ipinaglaban at iningatan mula noong iyong tanggapin ang hamon ng panahon na pangunahan ang pakikibakang ibalik ang kalayaan sa lahat ng sektor ng lipunan.

Maraming maraming salamat po, Pangulong Cory!

MS. CRISTINA H. VIEGAN, RSW: AN ICON OF SOCIAL SERVICE IN IMUS, CAVITE

“Guess who’s coming to our community?” a mother of five children asked her neighbours in one of the depressed communities in Imus, while having a breastfeed to her six-month old baby boy. Her neighbour responded with excitement: “Ma’am Tina?”

Ms. Cristina H. Viegan, RSW or best known as Tina in various poor communities in Imus, Cavite gained respect over the years for the quality of social services she delivered way back in mid ‘90s initially to five barangays namely: Bucandala 4, Tanzang Luma 6, Anabu 2C, Pagasa 3 and Toclong 2B. Through A-Star Foundation, Inc. where she’s connected, five basic social services were introduced to these barangays which include Family and Life Services, Livelihood Services, Environment Advocacy and Protection Services, Primary Health Care Services and Other Support Services. These basic social services provide meaningful opportunities for social and economic growth of the disadvantaged sector of the population within the locality in order to develop them into productive and self-reliant citizens and promote social equity.

The Family and Life Services are composed of spiritual and values formation programs, lenten recollection, seminars such as effective parenting, anti-drug campaigns, leadership skills training, pro-life advocacy, gift-giving and youth animation.

Livelihood services are composed of livelihood skills training for unskilled women/mothers and out-of-school youth; tapping of resources for the provision of capital to start a small business; and monitoring of livelihood programs in five depressed communities.

Environment Advocacy and Protection Services include clean and green projects, tree-planting, and waste management.

Primary Health Care Services include medical, optical and dental services; dog vaccination; operation circumcision; assistance to persons with disability and senior citizens; and referral of medical cases to government hospitals, PCSO and other government agencies.

Other Support Services include coordination meetings with various NGOs, POs, government agencies for joint-projects collaborations; assistance to walk-in clients; and attendance to seminars on social welfare and development.

This same concept of social services was adoptedby Ms. Viegan when she was invited by Hon. Mayor Manny Maliksi to be the consultant/head of the Community Development Assistance Office (CDAO) of Imus, Cavite. From 2007 up to present, Ms Viegan with her CDAO Team captured the hearts of Imusenos through her unconditional and sincere service to the depressed communities in the Municipality.

Ms. Viegan set a different kind of standards in social service. One that is with a “heart”. This was the choice of her own heart – choosing to serve with joy and sincerity. Social service that is rooted to the center of our being where God resides. This is best proved by her battlecry to integrate spiritual aspects into social service through spiritual and values formation programs.

Ms. Viegan firmly believes that “joy” is contagious just as sorrow is. When you’re with her, joy radiates, not because she is blessed with friends or material possessions, but because she habitually recognizes God’s presence in the midst of all her worries, concerns, including her health condition as well as the unending pressure and stress brought by daily interactions with people, NGOs and government officials for resource complementation. Whatever the situation is, wherever she goes, whomever she meets, she is able to see and hear something positive, something to which to be grateful.

The mothers in the depressed areas oftentimes commented “When I am with Ma’am Tina, I can catch glimpses of the sun shining through the clouds. Even though we are in a depressed area and we are coping economically, we firmly believe that there’s always a sun which will radiate and give us light because Ma'am Tina taught us to HOPE.”

Today, as Ms Viegan is celebrating her birthday, the Imusenos especially those in the depressed areas joyfully acknowledge the kind of social services she spearheaded and will continue to spearhead...a kind social services with a heart....a kind of social services that radiates joy and shares the goodness of God.

Ms Cristina H. Viegan, RSW is definitely an icon of social service in Imus, Cavite.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ms. Tina!

BIRTHDAY MESSAGES:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TINA. May God bless you with more birthdays to come so you can continue to share your blessings to a lot of people. It is a great privilege for our family to have known a great person like you. Happy birthday! - From Art, Jing and Angel Martinez

Wish ko lang isama mo ako Batanes!...Hehehehe.. I am sure God will provide what you need. Happy Birthday. - Mico Andres

We would like to wish you all the best on your birthday! Just continue your charity work for we know you are God's instrument in making other people happy. God bless you always and may you continuously be in good shape. Happy Birthday! - Atty. Pong, Let Vigo and Kids

Tinz, I pray for you the best of good health...happier years ahead! Happy Birthday! Love you! - Kapitana Sylvia

The Rock of all ages stands secure. He will always be there, he watches over all His own to calm their anxious care. We love you. Happy Birthday, Ma'am! -AUIC Girls

Happy Birthday, Tina. - Nay Mila TamorHappy Birthday! More blessings and best of health. Love you! - Ate Monic

A sweet kiss and hug to a pretty Ma’am.Happy Birthday Ma’am Tina! We love you!– Gina and A-Star Foundation Team.

Happy Birthday Ma’am Tina! We love you! – MHM Team, Youth Coordinators, PLP, AGM, KKK, PYAP-IMUS CHAPTER, Technical Staff

Happy Happy Birthday Ate Tinz! We your little brothers wish you good health, happy family, peace of mind, more material blessings and more years for social service. WE LOVE YOU, ATE TINZ! - Bros. Bal, Elmer, Ian and Juriel

CDAO and PYAP host kiddie party in Jollibee Imus Makro

The Community Develepment Assistance Office (CDAO) and Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP) - Imus Chapter hosted a kiddie party in Jollibee Imus Makro on July 12, 2009 sponsored by three birthday celebrant-kids from Manila - Angel Martinez, Renzo Francisco and Kim Miel Vigo. More than seventy indigent kids from various depressed barangays of Imus trooped to Jollitown-themed party. The event was made possible through the kindness of the parents of the three celebrants, namely Mr. and Mrs. Art Martinez, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Francisco, and Atty. and Mrs. Pong Vigo.

The event was organized by Ms. Tina H.Viegan, RSW, CDAO Head/ PYAP Adviser and Mr. Juriel T. Fabito, PYAP Adviser together with the CDAO and PYAP Teams.

Different games were facilitated by the party host of Jollibee. The kids were served with sumptuous Jollibee food.