Filipino Philanthropists
Philanthropy in its most basic form is the act of giving yet getting nothing in return. It is said to be the saving grace in a world that is stricken with deprivation. While a lot of individuals are able to amass large volumes of money to their name, a lot more are still in the puddles of poverty. If you look around your surroundings, you will begin to see and feel the financial desperation of the whole world. It may sound pathetic if you come from Western countries, but it is so true with the Filipino nation. Here, poverty can be seen and felt everywhere you turn.
Mr. John Gokongwei, Jr.
Founder and Chairman Emeritus
JG Summit Holdings, Inc. (JGSHI)
However, rays of hope can be expected since a lot of charitable institutions have expressed and actually shown concrete support to help alleviate poverty through their programs. Truly, even the impossible can be achieved if everyone is willing to pitch in however small, if everyone is willing to lend a helping hand. Philippine philanthropy has come a long way from its humble beginnings with only the Church-sponsored charities of old. Through philanthropic organizations, billions of pesos are now being funnelled each year into sectors of the community that need immediate attention and are seen to be deprived or neglected. Philanthropists play a vital role in these undertakings. If not for them, the Filipino people could plunge into despair.
Comments
Dear Mr Gokongwei,
First of all I would like to commend you on your inspirational support and leadership over the years, particularly in regards to your commitment to improving education and poverty within the Philippines.
This may not be the best method in which to make contact; however I was hoping to have an opportunity to speak with you and/or fellow philanthropists/colleagues who are committed to supporting Philippine development projects.
I work for The Fred Hollows Foundation, based in Sydney Australia and we’ve long considered expanding our International Development work into the Philippines. The Foundation (www.hollows.org.au) is an non-profit, non-secular, International Development organisation, which was set up in the early 1990’s by the late Australian icon, Professor Fred Hollows, a skilled eye doctor, surgeon, social activist and humanitarian who spent a great part of his life travelling around the world, particularly to third world nations, and restoring sight to those who were needlessly blind.
Since Professor Hollows passed away in 1993, The Fred Hollows Foundation have restored sight to almost 1.5 million people around the world and provided many other related services. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that there are 45 million people blind in the world today. Of this number approximately 80 per cent are needlessly blind, with 90 per cent living below the poverty line.
As I’m sure you know, blindness has many implications in terms of how it impacts upon the individual, the family and the community, in terms of their ability to work, support their families and provide them with an education. The Fred Hollows Foundation works for a world where no one is needlessly blind.
If you would be so kind as to contact me, I would gladly arrange for one of our senior managers, i.e. our CEO Brian Doolan, or other who could provide you with further details on our intentions within the Philippines.
Thank you kindly.
Very best regards,
Daniel Martin – The Fred Hollows Foundation
+61 2 8741 1923 email: (dmartin@hollows.org) (www.hollows.org.au)