Building Homes for the Philippines Poorest of the Poor

Would you eat pebbles to curb your hunger? Would you give away your deceased spouse's life insurance money to build a village of 50 homes for a community of people that you do not know? Could you find hope after tragically losing loved ones buried alive in mud via a natural disaster (Leyte Mudslide)? The movie "Paraiso: Tatlong Kwentong Ng Pag-Asa (Translation: 3 Stories of Hope)" will reveal the stories of these courageous people who actually lived through these challenges.

By living in the USA, we are so pampered & blessed. A few luxuries include being able to take warm showers at the flick of the wrist by turning a faucet, we have an endless choice of restaurants to go to when we are hungry, we can turn on our air conditioning units anytime when we are hot. My appreciation for these simple luxuries grew during my last visit to the Philippines where we were able to see a GK village first hand, when we saw that not everyone lived as we, average Californians, lived.

It is so easy to forget the less fortunate when we are well fed, well clothed and healthy. Gawad Kalinga gives the poorest of the poor in the Philippines the ability to have a home, learn basic hygiene & nutritional practices to maintain health, as well as receive training in developing a livelihood. Without GK, countless families are left to live in a tin roof, bamboo walled hut or beg for coins at the marketplace for food.

This coming November 9, 2007 at 7PM, 3 true stories are re-enacted in the movie "Paraiso: Tatlong Kwentong Ng Pag-Asa (Translation: 3 Stories of Hope)" by well known Filipino artists. It will be shown at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Foothill in their 1400+ capacity building complete with 2 large projection screens. Local Filipino community choirs will be singing prior to the movie presentation. Tickets can be purchased at the venue on November 9 or you can contact a Cursillista from the Filipino Group of the Diocese of San Bernardino who are coordinating the event. Advertising opportunities is offered in the events program book. Refreshments will be sold prior to the showing, but must be consumed outside of the church. The movie will have English subtitles and is appropriate for all ages.

All proceeds from ticket, refreshment, and advertising sales will go directly to ANCOP (Translation: Answering the Cry of the Poor) who are the official international representatives of GK. The low cost price of the ticket was preferred to encourage GK Advocacy, increase attendance and awareness. Don't miss it; you will be truly supporting a worthy cause.

Resources: http://www.gawadkalinga.org/ , http://www.ancopusa.org/ , http://www.sacredheartrc.com/Default.htm , http://www.sbcursillo-filipino.org/