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GK News
CANADIANS WALK FOR NATION
BUILDING
by: Renee Geronimo
 VANCOUVER- On
September 10, 2005, Vancouver hosted the second annual GK (Gawad Kalinga) Walk
for the Poor at New Brighton Park. This nationwide event takes place every year
in numerous major cities across the country, including Edmonton, Calgary,
Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. The event was hosted by ANCOP
(Answering the Cry of the Poor) International, Canada, and was geared towards
raising funds and awareness for the projects of Gawad Kalinga.
Gawad Kalinga is a Filipino phrase which means "Giving Care". The thrust of the
project is to eliminate poverty and to restore the dignity of the poor all over
the world. To date, its activities have been mainly concentrated in the
Philippines, where the project was conceived. However, it has recently branched
out its work to other third world countries, including Papua New Guinea, India,
and East Timor.
ANCOP International is the international fundraising
and marketing arm of Gawad Kalinga. Its goal is to raise awareness and funds
for the projects of Gawad Kalinga by gaining involvement on an international
level. ANCOP International is established in 20 major areas all over the world,
including various cities in Canada, the US, Australia, New Zealand and the
European continent.
The GK Walk
started with humble beginnings last
year at the Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver. With just over 200 participants,
the event raised approximately $18,000 CDN. This year''s event displayed a
dramatic increase in the involvement of Vancouver in the cause of eradicating
poverty. Nearly 700 individuals participated in the walk from a wide variety of
ages and backgrounds. Walkers were lined up to register as early as 7 a.m. The
event resulted in over $45,000 worth in pledges and donations.
Entertainers came to give the walkers inspiration to walk the
5-kilometer path. Among the entertainers were youth dance teams Praise Team and
the CFC Youth for Christ dance team. There were also several band and solo
performances at the event, including rock band Pillars of Creation and solo
artist Vanessa Castro. The highlight of the program was a musical rendition by
none other than Filipino pop celebrity Joey Albert, who has recently been
appointed GK Canadian Ambassador. Also gracing the occasion were Hon. Raul
Hernandez, Acting Philippine Consul General, and Mr. Frank Padilla, Chairman of
Gawad Kalinga, who both delivered very inspiring messages in addition to walking
the entire route.
It is truly a sign of hope that the fight against
poverty is picking up speed both in the third and first world. People are
searching for meaning in their lives, and they are finding it in the act of
helping others. Gawad Kalinga is facing incredible growth because it offers
people all over the world an opportunity to change lives, both of those whom
they are helping, as well as their very own.
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