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

S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. marks its 10th year of partnership with AmCham Foundation

Education in the Philippines has become a privilege only for those who can afford it. In most cases, poverty is the major hindrance to receiving a full education. Through the years, government, due to limited resources, has called on the private sector to support its mission of providing basic services to those in need. A growing proof of this show of support for public welfare is the increasing number of firms, including American corporations, implementing programs to benefit the less-fortunate as part of their corporate social responsibility.

As the socio-civic arm of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, the American Chamber Foundation Phils., Inc. (ACFPI), has been encouraging members of the Chamber to support the Foundation’s programs focused on youth development. It also continues to tap their corporate resources (cash contributions, in-kind donations, technical expertise, and employee volunteers) for use in its various programs.

S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. is a corporate partner of the AmCham Foundation in its Educational Assistance Program for poor but deserving Filipino youth. It has sent 50 youth for a vocational course at Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTI) for about 10 years already.

On August 19, 2009 the Foundation presented the School Year 2009/2010 scholars to S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Once more on its 10^th year of partnership with AmCham Foundation, S.C. Johnson & Inc. continues to live its principle – “The goodwill of the people is the only enduring thing in any business. It is the sole substance…the rest is shadow!”

First Photo: Seated are the new scholars (L to R): Calvin Cogtong, Garry Risaba, Jocelyn Mata, Alice Ullang and Rose Ann Arante

Standing (L to R): Del Hilario, Program Manager AmCham Foundation; Floyd Pedernal, Sales Director S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.; Gloria Panganiban, HR Director - Malay Cluster & Manila Shared Service Center S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.; Rob Sears, Executive Director American Chamber of Commerce; Jun Salipsip, Executive Director AmCham Foundation; Bro. Elmer Rodriguez, SDB, Industrial Relation and Resource Mobilization Officer Don Bosco Technical Institute; Mon Daez, General Manager-Malay Cluster S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.; Catherine Lee, HR Manager-Malay Cluster; Maria Fe Orense, Marketing Director and Chato Tolentino, Executive Assistant Office of the General Manager and Marketing Department S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.

Second Photo: L to R: Floyd Pedernal, Sales Director S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.; Rob Sears, Executive Director American Chamber of Commerce; Gloria Panganiban, HR Director - Malay Cluster & Manila Shared Service Center S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.; Jun Salipsip, Executive Director AmCham Foundation; Mon Daez, General Manager-Malay Cluster S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.; Bro. Elmer Rodriguez, SDB, Industrial Relation and Resource Mobilization Officer Don Bosco Technical Institute; Maria Fe Orense, Marketing Director and Catherine Lee, HR Manager-Malay Cluster S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.

21st Golf Tournament

Golf and ChariTee: Swinging for a Cause!

The American Chamber of Commerce invites you to its 21st AmCham ChariTee Golf Tournament on September 18, 2009 at Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club. Registration starts at 6am, with shotgun start at 7:30am. The tournament follows the System 36 format.

Golfers with a heart dedicate their time, treasure and tee for this annual charity golf to benefit the Street Children and Scholarship Programs of the American Chamber Foundation. These programs provide dental, medical and educational assistance to former streetchildren and urban poor youth of Manila.

Participation fee is P4,000 which includes green fee, caddie fee, buffet breakfast and lunch. We encourage the ladies to join with a special rate of P3,500. Checks should be payable to the American Chamber Foundation Philippines, Inc.

Along with the major tournament awards, we are also giving away special skill awards such as Longest Drive, Nearest to the Line, Closest to the Pin and Drive and Pitch.