My Charity

It is all well and good having advocacies, but as you know I don’t like to sit around and wait. I like to take action. Moreover, I am often saddened by how slowly government and the big charities respond to disasters and emergencies. I am also horified that some charities swallow a third or half of the money they raise in so-called administrative or management costs, and we all know that some government agencies fail to channel relief to those most in need.

For these reasons, I established Strength and Support Charity Inc to help those in urgent need. It is, of course, a Charity registered with the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and the Department of Social Welfare. Not a single cent of any donation is used for administrative costs. Every cent of the funds raised goes to help those in need. Moreover, I pride myself on being able to take action fast. My by-line for the Charity is Strength and Support, where it’s needed, when it’s needed.

In accordance with my core advocacy, we provide education and livelihood programs for women and children, and try to inspire them to be proactive. This in the spirit of the old adage ‘give a man a fish and he can eat for a day, teach him to fish and he can feed his family for a lifetime’.

Unfortunately, there are many natural disasters in the Philippines. It was during a period of severe flooding that I realized that I could amplify the benefit for the recipients of disaster relief by bringing together various bodies and agencies in a cooperative effort. The sum of the parts being much greater than many individual efforts. The blue banner on the right shows one such example.

Over the years, Strength and Support has organized and conducted disaster relief and humanitarian missions (including medical, dental, and optical care); donated medicines, wheelchairs, clothing & footwear, food, drinks, books, toys, seasonal gifts, etc; provided legal advice; organized significant blood donation drives; arranged tree plantings; and generally provided Strength and Support, when it’s needed, where it’s needed.

Some of the recognition received is outlined on the next page: My Recognition. Let me take this opportunity to thank those who have cooperated and worked with me and/or donated in cash or kind. You really made a difference.