Monthly Archives: September 2018

Philkofa New Set Of Officers (2018-2019)

The new set of Philippine KOICA Fellows Association (Philkofa) Board of Trustees (BOT) – who were nominated during the General Membership Meeting held at the Discovery Suites Ortigas Center, Pasig City on the 25^th of November 2017 – held its election of officers at the KOICA Office in Makati City on the 19^th of January 2018. To serve a two-year term of office (2018-2019), the new set of officers also took their oath of office with KOICA Deputy Country Director Ms. Paik Seunghwa who administered the ceremony.

Elected as PHILKOFA Officers were:

Ms. Gina P. Borinaga – President

Mr. Rosalio S. Ferrer, Jr. – Vice-President for NCR and Chairperson, Committee on Finance and Awards

Mr. Genaro M. Tolentino – Vice-President for Luzon

Mr. Michael B. Nuῇez – Vice-President for Visayas

Ms. Marizon S. Loreto – Vice-President for Mindanao

Ms. Emily R. Rivera – Secretary

Ms. Asuncion R. Santos – Treasurer

Dr. Rene P. Bagamasbad – Auditor and Chairperson, Committee on Social Services

Mr. Resly George Q. Amador – Public Relations Officer

Ms. Emelia A. Lasquites – Chairperson, Committee on Education and Training and Chairperson, Committee on Special Concerns

Mr. Jose A. Benavidez – Chairperson, Committee on Sports and Cultural Affairs

Ms. Judy A. Vermudo – Past President and Ex-Officio Member

On the said occasion, Ms. Paik Seunghwa, Deputy Country Director of KOICA, congratulated PHILKOFA for their significant accomplishments over the years and for their officers commitment in serving the organization.

She also encouraged the new members of the Board to help the organization grow in terms of membership and projects implemented. Furthermore, she encouraged them to increase their partnership with institutional groups, and to undertake valuable programs and projects that will benefit more communities while enhancing relationship among KOICA fellows.

Ms. Judy Vermudo, immediate Past President also briefed the new officers on the roles and responsibilities of Philkofa officers.

A courtesy visit to the President of the Korea Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, Mr. Ho Ik Lee, followed where pleasantries were exchanged along with discussions regarding the possible collaboration on projects to be implemented. Furthermore, Mr. Lee informed the BOT that KCCP would like to undertake a joint project in Marawi City, with PHILKOFA as their partner. Fellowship dinner ensued with previous officers of PHILKOFA, held at the Nipa Hut, Ortigas, Pasig City.

17th Founding Anniversary – Community Outreach – July 29, 2018

150 children of informal settlers in Bangkal, Lapu-lapu City were the recipients of the outreach program conducted by Philkofa on July 29, 2018.

In partnership with the Cebu-based Lugaw group led by Liv Campo, the outreach involved a lecture on proper tooth brushing and hand washing, as well as the feeding and distribution of hygiene kits, slippers, shirts and candies. Philkofan medicals Dr. Rene Bagamasbad and Nurse Tess Puente facilitated the lectures.

After the lecture, the children and their parents were fed with Jollibee for lunch. Over 50 Philkofans attended the event in time of the Visayas Regional Assembly and celebration of Philkofa 17th Anniversary held in Cebu City.

Knowledge Sharing on Disaster Management Response in NCR – April 28, 2018

Knowledge Sharing on Disaster Management and Emergency Preparedness Protocol in NCR – April 28, 2018

KOICA Scholars and Philkofans Edward De Borja, Training Officer 111, DOH, Jose Reyes Medical Center shared on Disaster Management Rescue, Mr. Jonas James Agot, Local Government Operations Officer 6, DILG-NCR, shared on LGU Management and Protocols and Resly George Amador shared a brief lecture on Pagasa and KOICA partnership. Guest Speaker Mr. Shin, Sung Ho-, Vice President, United Korean Community Association in the Philippines delivered a brief lecture on Disaster Management Operations.

The three Philkofa scholars were able to present to the participants an in-depth presentation of their assigned topics. Their profound knowledge in Disaster Management were very useful and effective resulting a positive interaction between the resource person and the participants during the forum.

Mr. Shin’s actual presentation of Emergency and Survival Kit has added an impact on the audience participation. His expertise and knowledge is very encouraging thus, the participants especially the LGU Baranggay expressed their desire to strengthen their Emergency response Team and plan to acquire additional disaster and emergency tools and equipment needed for the purpose.

Philkofa, LGU Barangay and Rotary Club of Manila Robinson committed to establish a partnership or linkage/network towards ensuring wider dissemination of knowledge among their members and communities on disaster and emergency preparedness.

Philkofa Family Day with the Exceptional Kids – June 16, 2018

Giving back by being a volunteer for a day!

An opportunity for Philkofans and their families to spend a day of sports and fun with the Exceptional Kids at Sparta Philippines occurred last June 16, 2018. Spearheaded by Mr. Paolo Enrile, Director and Founder of Exceptional Sports, and Ms. Janett Jagger, in partnership with HOPE WORLDWIDE PHILIPPINES – this event was participated by ADHD Society of the Philippines Mandaluyong Center, ASP Manila, and Online Volunteers.

Each Philkofan was assigned to a child and together they formed a buddy system to encourage maximum learning and focus. The activity and the games allowed the kids to learn new skills and interact with families and special kids, and even build relationships by attending to each of their needs.

Exceptional Sports is a program in Manila wherein children with special needs (Autism, ADHD, and other similar challenges) who are five years of age or older can participate in sports alongside their peers in an inclusive environment. The staff and volunteers are dedicated to empowering children of all abilities to reach their full athletic and social potential through the power of participating in football, basketball and fitness.

17th Founding Anniversary/ Visayas Regional Assembly - DOST Lahug Cebu - July 28,2018

17th Founding Anniversary – DOST Lahug Cebu City – July 28, 2018

New PHILKOFANs Lead 17th Anniversary Celebration

12 September 2018

Newly-elected members of the Board of Trustees led by President Gina Borinaga spearheaded the celebration of the 17th founding of PHILKOFA this year in Cebu City last July 28 and 29 with the support of new PHILKOFANs and with the members from Visayas serving as hosts. This was successfully attended by former Presidents Atty. Bernardo Calibo and Ms. Judy vermudo. Each region was well represented with members coming from NCR, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Korean Chamber Commerce of Philippines (KCCP) President Ho Ik Lee graced the special occasion by being the keynote speaker. Also present were delegates from KOPEC led by former President Dr. Esther Velasquez, DEPED teachers from St. Catherine School in Cebu City.

17th Founding Anniversary – DOST Lahug Cebu – July 28,2018

The whole day activity was held at the Department of Science and Technology Function Hall in Region 7 Sudlon Lahug Cebu City with the generosity of DOST Regional Director Engr. Edilberto Paradela.

One of the most interesting highlight of the Anniversary Celebration was the Recollection introduced for the first time in the yearly activity by the New Board of Trustees and facilitated by Reverend Father Dennis Cagantas, Parish Priest of the Holy Spirit Parish, VSU, Baybay City in Leyte.

The good priest stressed out the importance of knowing where our society is and the God-given gifts that we can share to improve the situation. A workshop revealed varied experiences of participants in Korea which Father Dennis associated with the God-given gifts that they can share to local communities.

Father Dennis Cagantas, Parish Priest of the Holy Spirit Parish, VSU, Baybay City in Leyte.

In closing, Father Dennis pointed out that what matters most is Love that moves us to work together in PHILKOFA as he emphasized the power of collective action that can generate extremely high energy levels and result to exceedingly great change.

Awarding of Certificates to speakers, raffle prizes and anniversary toast capped the night along with a beautiful serenade and sumptuous dinner to celebrate this years’ anniversary celebration.

Ms. Marivic Santos, Luzon member and Atty. Bernardo Calibo bagged the most awaited Male and female star of the nights respectively.

Visayas Regional Assembly – July 28, 2018

Mr. Mike Nuñez, Vice President for Visayas

Another activity held simultaneously with the Anniversary Celebration was the Visayas Area Meeting done before the Knowledge Sharing which was presided by VP for Visayas Mike Nunez.

Members coming from different Visayas Islands- Cebu, Iloilo, Bohol, Samar, Leyte and Negros attended.

In his message, Mike Nunez, revealed his observation that while the new members made major contributions, their eagerness was tempered with the human touch expressed by a long-time member of the BOT, Ms Marizon Loreto, who cited in her welcome message the manifestation of equality in PHILKOFA among all members despite the high position each one maybe occupying in their respective workplace.

During the assembly, each member was given the chance to introduce oneself, including agency affiliation and details of the scholarship attended in Korea.
VP Mike raised the need to enhance the connectivity of the Visayas PHILKOFANs considering the geographical challenges of the region.

The members were grouped according to regional political groupings, Region 6, 7 and 8. After which they agreed to work on ways to resolve the issues about continuous communications and pursuing PHILKOFA activities.

Before dispersing, the members agreed further to meet later as individual regions then the whole Visayas to work on future plans and programs.

Knowledge Sharing in Visayas – July 28, 2018

To coincide with the 17^th year founding anniversary, the Knowledge Sharing in Visayas comprised of four Philkofa/ Koica scholars from the different regions in Visayas with varied topics specifically from knowledgeand skills gained in Korea. Board of Trustee Mike Nunez, a Provincial Director of DTI-Southern Leyte who attended Competition Laws Training in 2016, was able to solicit the participation of other new PHILKOFANS as presenters for the Knowledge Sharing

Ms. Marilyn Miranda, an education supervisor at the Department of Education Regional Office and trained in Korea in 2016, one of the presenters for the Knowledge Sharing, showed how Persons with Special Needs (also known as PwDs) can be managed and given opportunities to live normal lives like office or factory personnel through proper training and education as is done in South Korea.

Ms. Sweet Mercy Pacolor, Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences shared how ICT can be functional for the homes, hospitals, business and other establishments making life easier and smarter as being practiced in Korea. “Keeping all records online makes sharing possible and delivery of medical services faster and more accessible”, she said.

The third presenter was Dr. Judy Ann Dumayas, Medical Center Chief of Eastern Visayas Sanitarium, Santa Barbara Iloilo, a 2016 graduate of the Korea Training on Upgrading Delivery of Health Services for Geographically-Isolated and Distant Areas (GIDA).

Dr. Dumayas revealed the substantial assistance extended by KOICA for upgrading public health services in Iloilo such as hospital equipment amounting to PHP 300.0 million, which she proudly reported to be “well-maintained and functional”. Another salient feature of the project is the “Happy Mom Voucher” which entitles a pregnant mother to freebies such as hygiene products, baby needs and maternity clothes every time she shows up at a clinic for pre-natal check-up, meant to decrease maternal deaths.

To cap the Knowledge Sharing Session, Ms. August Melody Andong, NEDA Region-6, was well-applauded with her illustrations of self-help initiatives in rural communities following the Saemaul Undong concept. Ms. Andong spent 18 months at Yeungnam University where she obtained her Master of Saemaul Studies major in Saemaul Undong and Community Development in 2016.

After the presentation, open forum and discussion with the presenters and participants followed with BOT and VP for Luzon, Genaro Tolentino, acting as host and moderator throughout the whole activity.

Annual General Membership Meeting and Christmas Party – November 17, 2018

Annual General Membership Meeting and Christmas Party

Date : November 17, 2018

Venue : Century Park Hotel