News Archive
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GK 1mB (one million)
is a massive call to volunteerism and advocacy through the
growing work of ANCOP USA-Canada and in GK Villages (in the
Philippines and elsewhere).
FAQ: What is
GK1mB, How it started?, Who can join?, How do I volunteer?, How
does it Work? I have a great idea - who should I contact?
Sign
up and be a hero!
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IN THE NEWS
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Ricky Cuenca Visits
Various
Canadian GK Villages
Click here to view the
Video
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Pictures from the 2008
GK Summit
Click here to view photo gallery
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 THE GAWAD KALINGA MOVIE
PARAISO: Tatlong Kwento ng Pag-Asa
Paradise: Three Stories of Hope |
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The Gawad Kalinga (GK) movement is sweeping across the
Philippines and overseas but the
Philippine film industry will
not be left behind in being a part of it. Three inspiring
stories of ordinary people touched by Gawad Kalinga are
highlighted in the movie “Paraiso: Tatllong Kwento ng Pag-Asa.”
(Paradise: Three Stories of Hope).
The title of the movie Paraiso, meaning Paradise, is simply what
GK has been to the masses as the grassroots movement is
radically rebuilding the country one family at a time.
Click play to view
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The GK Trilogy:
Umiyak Man Ang Langit (Even If Heaven Cries) is based on
Jocelyn’s life experiences who lost loved ones in the
mudslides
of St. Bernard, Southern Leyte. The story captures the pain, the
internal struggles and the healing that takes place in all of us
once faced with life-changing events.
Ang Kapatid Kong Si Elvis (My Brother Elvis) on a
lighter note, is a story centered on a boy who ate pebbles to satisfy his
hunger and a GK volunteer’s family who adopted him as their own.
The story captures the challenges and rewards of being involved
with GK.
Marie is a story based on how a tragic loss can be turned into a
living legacy and a new beginning. Marie Rose Abad perished in
the twin tower tragedy of 9/11. Rudy Abad honors his wife with a
living legacy.
The movie is the first of its kind whose making in itself
captures the very essence of GK, the bayanihan spirit or
being heroes for one another.
Mainstream movie producers (the likes of Butch Jimenez,, |
Click here to
download Media Kit |
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Robert Arevalo, Ricky Davao, Carmi
Martin, Michael V. and Lilia Dizon), and entertainment
executives (the likes of Bobby Barreiro), all waived their fees
for GK and contributed their talents to be a part of the GK
movement. The production people and vendors likewise sacrificed
and did their own share of GK padugo (bleeding for the cause) in
getting this movie made.
Building a Paradise for all by reshaping an image, cultivating
the mindset and reaching out to a higher calling of being a hero
is what Gawad Kalinga is all about. |
Most Rev. Robert Joseph
Kurtz, C.R., Bishop of Hamilton in Bermuda giving a check of US$6,000
to Ancop President & CEO Ricky Cuenca during his visit in Bermuda last
March 3,2007. With them in the picture are Frank Nuguid, CFC Country
Coordinator for Bermuda and Fr. Joe, Parish Priest of St. Theresa
Cathedral.
GK Gives Care to the Poor with the Help of
Partnerships from Canada’s Top Influencers
Toronto, ON – March 23, 2007
(Click play to view)
The recently completed Ontario Ministry
of Citizenship and Immigration GK Village with 65 homes in Manlico, Hinunangan, Southern Leyte,
Philippines shines as a prime example of how Canadian GK partners
are getting involved in Gawad Kallinga.
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GK announces successful partnerships with Canadian entities to create more homes and opportunities for impoverished families. Gawad Kalinga (GK) is well on its way to reaching the ultimate goal of GK777: the vision of building 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities in 7 years. With the help of various Canadian civic, businesses, government and individual partners, GK’s Canadian presence in the Philippines continues to improve the livelihoods of the poor
now with 47 Canadian GK Villages (approximately 2,000 individual homes) and 850 sponsored children. Gawad Kalinga (GK), which is a Filipino term meaning ‘to give care’, transforms the lives of the poor in the Philippines and beyond by offering land to the landless, home to the homeless and food for the hungry.
Most recently the Ontario provincial government thru Minister Mike Colle, the
Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, partnered with ANCOP-GK providing a $200,000 grant to Leyte rehabilitation.
(See related story below) In addition, the provincial government of Alberta contributed to GK Leyte in the amount of $36,000. And after watching the GK exhibit during the Mabuhay Festival at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Minister James Flaherty, the federal government’s Minister of Finance gave GK an audience in Toronto and expressed his support for GK.
Canadian businesses also enthusiastically support GK’s efforts. Salad Master Canada, through its Country Manager Pidoy Pacis, donated the funds to build 10 homes in 2006. As a result of seeing first-hand the positive effects on the beneficiaries’ lives, Salad Master International's
president committed to name GK as their beneficiary group for all countries in which they operate in 2007. All contributions of Salad Master will go to GK for 2007.
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Moreover, IBM Canada also plays a big part in contributing to GK’s endeavors. Every IBM employee who wants to donate to ANCOP-GK will have a matching contribution from IBM. In addition, the Filipino Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Toronto, composed of more than 100 Filipino Canadian businessmen, sponsored a Multinational GK village in Paranaque.
Canadians across the country are getting involved in raising the dignity and respect of the poor as partners in development. Generous Canadians believe in GK and are reaching out to share with the less fortunate to help them
achieve the promise of a better life.
About GK: ANCOP International Canada is a registered non-profit charity organization
operating as the official international representative for the Gawad Kalinga
program. Gawad Kalinga, or GK, translated into English means ‘to give care’. It is a charitable initiative created to improve the lives of the poor in the Philippines and abroad by transforming their qualities of life and communities.
Started by the Couples for Christ (CFC), GK builds homes for the poor and equips them with education and livelihood to sustain their communities as well as spiritual support and hope for a more positive future. GK’s development program includes four key components: Shelter—transforming shanties into decent 200-250 sq ft homes; Education – giving street children a chance to go to school; Health – access to
medical assistance and health education; and Livelihood – setting people up to be productive members of society. Each GK Village is composed of a cluster of 50 to 100 homes, with access to clean water, electricity and a landscaped environment. A GK home is a modest
dwelling equates to the size of a typical Canadian garage, but to many poor people it
becomes the foundation for their renewed hope.
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 January
saw the arrival of heroes from different countries including the United States,
Guam, Canada and Australia to join the Bayani build and Bayani Adventure Tour
with Gawad Kalinga. From the US, particularly
Southern and Northern
California and Guam, a total of 64 Filipino
Americans joined in different batches. In another Bayani adventure tour, 8
members of the Youth for Christ from Canada came to see GK with their own eyes.
This was the first time that Canada sent a contingent.
Meanwhile, by far the biggest group to join the Youth Great Adventure Tour (YGAT)
arrived from Australia last January 20 with 77 delegates. This year’s
participants included 19 members from Engineers without Borders-Australia (with
3 Filipino-Australians, 1 Canadian and 15
Australians), the four beautiful ladies of Ms. GK Australia, Australians of
Japanese, Vietnamese, and Malaysian descent, members of GK Youth-Australia along
with representatives from other youth organizations with different religious
affiliations. Together, they visited several GK sites in Metro Manila and spent
5 days at GK Iriga not only to build homes but to build relationships within the
community, bringing joy and hope into the dark corners of the Bicol region. |
GK profiles the HOLD Canada Village in Barangay Pasong Tamo,
Quezon City
 Toronto,
ON – April 12, 2007 – Gawad Kalinga (GK) gives care to the poor
in the Philippines through the generous efforts and sponsorship
by ministries like the Handmaids of the Lord (HOLD). HOLD
Canada, which is a family ministry of Couples for Christ (CFC),
endeavors to provide a supportive environment for women –
specifically those who are single, separated, divorced, widows,
single parents and more. These women frequently endure familial
and societal complexities alone, and despite their own financial
burdens, provide sizable contributions to GK in order to aid the
poverty-stricken and bring them hope for a better life.
The HOLD Canada GK Village is
located in Baranga Pasong Tamo, Quezon City and is currently
comprised of 45 completed homes with another 14 in
construction. The HOLD Canada Village’s Kapitbahayan, or
neighborhood association, includes 120 members and significantly
institutes a sense of sustainable development for those living
in the village.
 READ MORE |
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Click
here to view the Kalinga Leyte video
In
an unprecedented and momentous event on the afternoon of March 29, the
Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration granted ANCOP Canada $200,000
dollars in support of relief and rehabilitation efforts in the recent February
17, 2006 mudslide disaster in the province of Leyte.
Ricky Cuenca, ANCOP President/CEO accompanied by Peachy
Forbes, ANCOP Volunteer presented Gawad Kalinga and Kalinga Leyte development
model to the Ministry Officers. Those attending from the Ontario Ministry of
Citizenship and Immigration are: Deputy Minister Joan Andrew, Director Rachele
Dabraio, Manager Brian Beattie, Minister’s Office Events Coordinator/MPP Liaison
Bryan Grimes and Executive Assistant to Minister Lewis Chan. The meeting with
the Ministry was arranged by Toronto Consul General Alex Mosquera with Bryan
Grimes, Minister’s Office Events Coordinator.
READ
MORE |
Soldiers and rescue workers scour the mud
for survivors and signs of life. The unstable
soil slowed rescue efforts amidst fear of shifting and sinking mud.
Nearly 1,800 people have been feared dead as rescue operations progressed in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte after devastating mudslides on February 18 that engulfed the village of Guinsaugon.
In response to the tragedy Gawad Kalinga has launched Kalinga Leyte, a program to provide emergency relief, rehabilitation and to build communities for the poor of the area. Kalinga Leyte was immediately launched
a day after the tragedy.
Dylan Wilk, a British national and Gawad Kalinga director of
International Partnerships was happy to report via e-mail that Secretary
Nonong Cruz, head of the National Disaster Coordinating Council
announced that Gawad Kalinga will do the area rehabilitation, and that
the government would match all funds raised for Kalinga Leyte as is
already being done for Kalinga Luzon, the ongoing program helping
typhoon victims of the area.
READ MORE
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 Thank
God for GK
These are the exact words that Mr. Marcelo Del Rosario Melano exclaimed when queried about Gawad Kalinga.
He further explained with all sincerity and gratitude his feelings of relief and
hope for a brighter tomorrow.
READ MORE |
GK WALK - CANADIANS WALK FOR NATION-BUILDING
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The GK Walk a nationwide event raised over $150,000 to support Gawad Kalinga. Hundreds of particpants in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg laced up their shoes to walk, run and jog to raise money and awareness...
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BAILINDA EMAN: A WOMAN OF COURAGE & OF PEACE
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Bailinda Eman is a young Muslim woman
who has earned the distinction of being the first Muslim full time worker
in the Gawad Kalinga National Team. A simple young woman dressed in comfortable
jeans and the traditional Muslim veil, one is immediately struck ...
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FIESTA FILIPINA DONATES $10,000
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Fiesta Assistance & Services donates $10,000 from the proceeds of Fiesta's
7th Annual Golf Classic held Sunday, August 14, 2005 at one of Clublink's
premier gold level courses. The successful event at the Cherry Downs Golf &
Country Club was well received by golfers...
READ MORE
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