|
|
 |
|
|
|
(by Dolly Borja) |
|
|
Dreams do come true especially when nurtured with loving kindness, dedication and commitment. The rehabilitation of the Puericulture Center of Vintar, Ilocos Norte, Philippines is one such dream, borne of the needs of the community most especially that of the elderly.
As one walks past the Vintar plaza, going eastward, a new sight greets the eyes - an imposing two-storey building, a symbol of the love, unity, concern and balikatan spirit of our ever-thoughtful citizens of Vintar, now living abroad, who have found success in the land of opportunity, the United States. They have unselfishly shared their bountiful blessings for the improvement of life, especially the health of their fellow Vintarinians. Since the inception of the project, donations have generously poured like water from a spring, and to this day, our brothers and sisters are still sharing whatever they can to finish the project..
The first floor of the building houses a dental clinic, a room for male patients, another for female ones and a Senior Citizens Corner and Conference room combined. As of this writing, work has stopped temporarily with all the rooms completely tiled and painted, each room with a comfort room. Electrical wires and water pipes have already been installed, waiting for the installation of electricity and water..
The second floor, which is intended for a function hall to enable the Center to earn something for its upkeep, is almost complete. Additional funds are still needed for a comfort room, ceiling, tiles for the floor and the balustrade for the western side of the hall.
As of October, 2006, One Million Five Hundred Sixty Two Thousand Seven hundred Seven Pesos, representing accumulated donations of different organizations and private individuals, have been spent for the construction of the first floor. Another One Million Pesos have been spent for the second floor from the Development Fund of Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. solicited by Mr. Arnold Segundo and Mr. Nazario Segundo, Jr. The Vintarinians USA of Northern California, under the able leadership of Mr. Vincent Pacis, president of the organization at the star of the campaign, and Mr. Arnaldo Agcaoili, the incumbent president, has donated Seventeen Thousand Three Hundred and Fifty Dollars to date. In addition, the amount of Three Hundred Forty Seven Thousand, Six Hundred Pesos, which includes the amount of Two Hundred Seventy Tousand Pesos donated by Mr. Josefino Tunac and Mr. Estenio Tunac financed the construction of the female room, a tribute to their mother, Mrs. Corazon B.
Tunac. The Association of Vintarinians of Southern California under the leadership of Mrs. Nila L. Flores has donated Three Thousand Two hundred Twenty Dollars with individual donations of some members in the amount of One Thousand Five Hundred Thirty Dollars. Some members of the United Vintarinians of Hawaii, headed by Mr. John Ramos as president, have also donated Five Hundred Eighty Five Dollars.
For the second floor the amount of One Million Pesos has been spent. Which has been made possible by the selfless dedication of the Segundo brothers, who solicited the donation, a gesture of love and a lasting tribute to their mother, Mrs. Encarnacion C. Segundo, who had been the President of the PC Board for quite a while before her demise. The brothers have promised
to finish the second floor with another solicitation. Our thanks to the Segundo brothers.
The members of the Puericulture Center Board, under the able and dedicated leadership of Mrs. Mercedes S. Hernando, the President, our gratitude knows no bounds for the cooperation, concern and commitment manifested by the generous donations of our fellow Siwawers that have transformed a dream to reality. Their willingness to shoulder the expense of renovating the PC, giving it a new face, and supportive of its mission as a refuge and care center for their townmates is a vivid sign of their concern for Vintar and a proof that to them, while they are comfortably enjoying life in places away from home, Vintar will always be their home.
Inspite of these very inspiring results, the project is far from finished, because while the Center has a comfortable place to call its own, so much is still wanting to maintain it in order to keep it functioning soundly and effectively. Being a non-government entity, although the Municipal Government has set aside a certain amount for its maintenance, the Center needs funding to maintain the services of a doctor, a dentist, a nurse and a midwife, including the procurement of much-heeded medicines and clinical paraphernalia.
With these needs to meet, the PC Board appeals to each and every Vintarinian to open your hearts, especially with the coming of Christmas, and let love flow to help complete the project. We entreat your benevolence and goodwill such that, with the spirit of the Yuletide Season burning in your hearts, you will consider making a gift, in whatever way you can, to the project, because you want to help and you care for the welfare of your townmates. Your most sought-for donation will go a long way for it will serve Vintar even when we will have served our time. With your gift, may the spirit of love go with it for ?It is not what you give but what you share, for the gift without the giver is bare.? And please bear the thought that whatever goes around, comes around.
Again, we wish to extend our most heartfelt gratitude to all who have already manifested their love. And to all and sundry, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year. May the Good Lord Shower you with more blessings and success in the years to come.
|
|
|
For inquiry and contributions contact;
Ched Hernando
jimched@laoag.net
|
|
|
|
|
