Friends In Deed, November 2009

22nd Annual Thanksgiving Ball and 2nd AmCham CSR Award Excellence

The foyer of the New World Hotel grandballroom was filled to capacity as the guests streamed in for the 22nd Annual AmCham Foundation’s Thanksgiving Ball -taking you back to the 50’s with “ High Society”. A striking 3 Casio Organ (donated by Belrewmond Trading Inc.) took center place on one of the Silent Auction tables; a piña silk barong (courtesy of Silk Cocoon) commanded attention on another table and Casio watches (donated by Time Depot). A Caviar plate made of mother pearls (courtesy of Kristines Shells), a capiz sets of bowls, plates and trays (donated by Tesoros) – as well as holiday accommodation packages from El Nido Resort, Peninsula Manila, Microtel Inns & Suites Boracay, Plantation Bay Resort, Baguio Country Club, Holiday Inn Hotels, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila and American Hospitality Academy drew bids from the assembled guests.

The guests – our AmCham members and friends from the business community, members of the diplomatic corps and other organizations – were ushered into the elegant white and black ballroom with the blast of brass horns from the Executive Band.

Mc Ricky Quiogue welcomed the guests and the program began. Mr. Sanjiv Vohra, Vice President of the chamber, welcomed guests and Mr. Ed Feist, President of the AmCham Foundation, added his words of welcome and the MANY and valued sponsors. Mr. Patrick Wall Senior Commercial Officer of US Foreign Commercial Service deliver the Thanksgiving message

The waiters did a parade for the presidential table while serving the main course which is the Oven Roasted Turkey with Bread, Sage & Celery Stuffing, Cranberry Relish Sweet PotatoGratin, Carrots & Zucchini with mini corn muffins.

Ms. Chit Ventura, Chair of the CSR Committee took to the podium to award the second of what will be an every two years event, CSR Awards ceremony which honored companies with outstanding CSR programs. The categories and winners were:

Improving Quality and Access to Education
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES
BRIGHT MINDS READ

Delivering Equitable Healthcare
DOLE PHILIPPINES INC.
THE BANGA PINOY: FERROCEMENT WATER TANK COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM PROJECT

Creating and Sustainable Livelihood
CHEVRON PHILIPPINES, INC.
KAPATID


Ensuring a Safe and Clean Environment
CALENERGY INTERNATIONAL SERVICES INC.
BUILD OUR FOREST, BUILD OUR FUTURE
Peace in Conflict-Ridden Areas (Special Awards 2009)
QUEZON POWER (PHILIPPINES) LMITED CO
SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD PROGRAM (CAGSIAY 1 MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE)

Most Promising CSR Program (Special Award)
CHEVRON PHILIPPINES, INC,
PROJECT SEAHORSE: MAMINTAW MARINE PARK SANCTUARY

The evening continued with the fabulous Farida Laura, Ricky Quiogue and the Executive Band, with the full brass section that dished out great 1950’s melodies.

We thank all our more than 250 guests and supportive sponsors who for the past 22 years of celebrating Thanksgiving in Manila have always helped the AmCham Foundation Programs one way or another.

The 22nd AmCham Thanksgiving Ball is brought to you by Ford Group Philippines (Theme Sponsor); Chevron Philippines Inc., Goodyear Philippines, Quezon Power Ltd; American Eye (Diamond Sponsors); Northwest Airlines (Emerald Sponsor); Abbott Laboratories, Peregrine, OSG Ship Management Manila, Inc. (Platinum Sponsor); Globe Telecom, Hawaiian Airlines, El Nido Resort (Silver Sponsor); Globe Telecom (Wine Sponsor); Asian Tigers Lane Moving, Coca-cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. (Function Sponsors).

Our special thanks to the following:
7107 Islands Cruise * American Eye Center * American Hospitality Academy * Asian Hospital and Medical Center * Avon Cosmetics, Inc. * Baguio Country Club * Cibo * Coca-Cola Far East Ltd. * Dam Good Stuff, Inc * DHL Express, Phils. * Dusit Thani Manila * El Nido Resorts * Forth & Tay * Fraser Place * Holiday Inn Clark * Johnson & Johnson (Phils.) Inc * Kristine Shells * Makati Shangrila * Microtel Inn & Suits * New World Hotel Makati City Manila * Ocean Adventure * Pepsi Co Inc. * Philippine Airline * Plantation Bay Resort * San Miguel Corp. * SC Johnson * Silk Cocoon * Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila * Tesoro Group of Companies * The Bellevue Manila * The Hersheys Company * The Manila Peninsula * The Manor Camp John Hay * Villa Escudero Plantation and Resorts

Friends In Deed, September 2009

AmCham Foundation says 'Thank you'

Just recently, the Philippines experienced how Typhoon Ondoy had taken about 246 lives, some still missing; leaving many families homeless and some people injured. We understand the pain of losing a loved ones, of being homeless and of getting injured. In this time of calamity, individual and corporate companies unite together to contribute to the victims. Earlier this week, AmCham Foundation appealed to the members of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines to donate either in cash/check or in-kind. Others have expressed to give their time and services. The effort and willingness to give of these individuals and corporations are being appreciated and AmCham Foundation would like to thank everyone that has given their share of contribution. In the earlier post, some of the AmCham members were already mentioned and as a continuation, we would like to special mention also the following: HOWARD FRANKMAN & JOHN SINCAK (former AmCham member who are now in the US), EDWIN FEIST of ABBOTT LABORATORIES, JEFF GILL, QUEZON POWER (PHILIPPINES)LIMITED CO., SERGE E. GRYNKEWICH II, GREG REICHOW, NUSKIN INTERNATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS & FRAGNANCES, INC.,and COVANTA PHILIPPINES OPERATING, INC.

We still encourage everyone to participate and support activities in helping the victims left by Typhoon Ondoy.

Typhoon Ondoy Relief Operations: Thank you donors

AmCham Foundation in its effort to mobilize resources for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy would like to thank for the immediate response of support given by STEVE DIVERS of DELTEK SYSTEMS, AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN of CAREPAK MOVING & STORAGE, the AMERICAN CHAMBER STAFF, DAN SPINKS of FLUOR DANIEL INC. - PHILIPPINES and Ms. MARITES DAGDAG of CLOROX INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES, INC.

We still encourage everyone to participate in and support activities in helping the typhoon victims.

For cash/check contribution you may deposit to the following account:
Name of Account: AMERICAN CHAMBER FOUNDATION PHILIPPINES, INC.
Account Number: CA #0041-0307-47
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Island
Greenbelt Branch

For proper accounting and to facilitate issuance of official receipts and tax deduction certificates, please fax a copy of your bank deposit slip, or telegraphic form and therein indicate the name of the donor and contact details.

For paypal donation, you may visit our website: www.amchamfoundation.com and click the donate icon. You may email us at del@amchamphilippines.com or amchamfdn@amchamphilippines.com for any support that you can extend to the victims.

It feels good and blessed to help.

Typhoon Ondoy: The worst natural disaster within almost 4 decades

Typhoon Ondoy is the worst natural disaster within almost four decades of floods in Metro Manila. It brought about 240 deaths as reported today and many still missing and homeless families.

The American Chamber Foundation is appealing for donations for the victims of the recent flood.

They are preparing relief operations and will be working in coordination with CNDR to deliver relief goods to the flood victims.

You can give your donations to the following offices:

American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines
2nd Floor, Corinthian Plaza, Paseo de Roxas, Legaspi Village
Makati City

American Chamber Foundation of the Philippines
Leonard Benjamin Development Center
4554 Casino cor. Olivares Streets, Palanan,
Makati City

Or you can call us at the following numbers to pick up your donations: 8340184 and 5518060.

You can send us an email at karina@amchamphilippines.com, linda@amchamphilippines.com

There is a lot of assistance needed in areas that were flooded.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

Photo is copied from the email circulated by a friend.

The AmCham Advantage

Good fortune arriving at one’s doorstep is hardly a common event to witness. In Kharren Gomez’s (aged 16) case, however, just the exact thing happened and quite literally at that.

In 2004, when Kharren left Don Bosco Alabang and its informal education system, the American Chamber Foundation surprised her and her family when, right in their house, it presented her with an invitation for a scholarship grant. Living in a family with seven siblings, and being the third from the eldest, Kharren explained that, “financial issue was the major factor, of course, in grabbing the opportunity for the scholarship grant. I felt really happy when I got the scholarship. Now, it helps me a lot in my everyday expenses at school. In a way, it also eases the financial difficulties of our family.”

It was not only financially that AmCham was able to extend its assistance to Kharren. In several of her classes, she was ahead of her classmates because the lessons have already been covered by some of AmCham’s seminars. “My student life is wonderful because of AmCham. The topics we talk about during seminars get discussed in some of my classes as well; for example, reproductive health. When questions about it were raised in class, I already had prior knowledge, so among my classmates, I was advanced,” Kharren proudly shared. “Sometimes, I do feel pressure when studying, though. But that’s just in school. AmCham doesn’t pressure me,” she added.

Among the activities she has attended, Kharren found the youth camps and peer education the most memorable. “We were tasked to do activities for the monthly meetings. For instance, before the start of classes, we held activities on encouraging the students to go to class and study harder.”

More than the backing of AmCham Foundation for Kharren’s education, personality development is one asset she truly treasures. Kharren, with ringing laughter, revealed, “At first, I was totally quiet around here. I was shy but not anymore; I’ve changed. Now, it’s like I’m all out! I’m able to bond with other people, especially with other scholars.”

In terms of her family, she developed a closer relationship with her mother: “Before, I don’t talk with my mom that much. That changed as well. We now have times when we talk a lot about ourselves and family.”

As for personal changes, Kharren stated, “I remember there was one time in the training room when the facilitator asked us to give something that would symbolize our goals. He asked us to search for it in the room while we were blindfolded. It took me quite some time to find mine, but when I got it, he threw it away again! In the end, the message he was trying to convey was something like, ‘This is your goal. You’ve got it but it suddenly slips away. What are you going to do?’ That got me thinking a lot. I value myself more than ever now. I try my hardest to reach whatever goal I set and hold it with me.”

Finally, expressing her gratitude for the foundation that once entered her door, she addressed AmCham, “Thank you, because it was through you that I deepened my knowledge and enhance my talents. Thank you, because you’ve already provided me with a lot of help. Thank you.”
——Judith Ann Ochengco