Our grain of sand...

After several days collecting clothes in Antipolo and Manila and a whole week end looking for supplies: can food, soap, medicines, biscuits and over all, the most precious and harder to find, water; ASPROFIL members and friends traveled to the towns of Estancia and Sara in the province of Iloilo last November 25 to visit the affected areas and deliver our aid for the victims of typhoon Yolanda.

It was hard to see the current situation of these places: houses flattened, schools, town markets, etc. People just suddenly lost everything.

Furthermore, the town of Estancia is also affected by an oilspill that has polluted the area.

With the contribution of ASPROFIL members and friends in Spain and the Philippines, we were able to collect clothes and buy food, soap, water and basic medicines and reached more than six hundred families. There is still much work to do, and it will take some time for these communities to recover and back to normal. At this moment, the Philippines is still receiving the support of foreign governments, local and international NGO and individuals from all over the country (from all over the world).

We are very thankful to all the people who has been emailing us, texting and sending private messages to express their concern and send their support. And thanks to all the people who have contributed to this emergency relief.

We hope to go back soon and try to think in another grain of sand for a mid - long term solution.

Thanks,

ASPROFIL Team

   

Iloilo Under State of Calamity

"(...) although the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has recorded  four casualties with one missing person, he expects more casualties to be reported anytime soon. He added that the number of casualties from Estancia, a fishing municipality north of the fifth district, is still being ascertained.Other towns in the fifth district which are grossly affected are Carles, Ajuy, Barotac Viejo, Concepcion, Batad, San Dionisio, San Rafael, and Balasan. Also the adjacent fourth district, which includes Passi City and seven towns, is very much affected."

Manila Bulletin

November 10, 2013

State of calamity in 5 provinces, 6 towns and 1 city

Rappler.com 

IT'S TIME TO HELP OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN VISAYAS

Being a child, learning and having fun

Last March 9 ASPROFIL organized a field trip for our most participative kids. Despite Antipolo is around 20km from Manila, the trip was a bit tiring for the children... The road, traffic, hot weather... Yes, you know... But once they got inside the hundred-year-old building of Museo Pambata and faced the big head of Ms. Digestion, they easily recovered their energy. They were ready to get in to her mouth!

In cooperation with Museo Pambata, we were able to bring eleven kids to visit the Philippines' premier children's museum. Ms. Noreen and the museum's team were very kind to reserve a slot for us and even include a fire prevention session held within the framework of the Fire Prevention Month.

Human body, environment and history among others, are part of this interactive museum. A place for the younger ones (as well as the young at heart) to learn and have fun with customs, games, a sledge and even an old tram!

ASPROFIL kids enjoyed playing in the market, being a fire fighter, learning more about insects and animals, imagining how will you look with different kind of skins and talking with Filipino historical figures as Andrés Bonifacio, José Rizal or Juan Luna.

A day when together they learned and played, had fun as every kid deserves.

Cre-Active. Cre-ASPROFIL...

It is really a pitty to find that in a country like the Philippines, with so many nature wonders, surrended by forests and stunning beaches, people don't appreciate it. It is a pitty to contemplate the landscape and find a kid throwing plastic bags or papers, and what is more disgusting is to find out that no adult around will say a word to that kid or call his/her attention for his/her unrespectful behaviour. Neither children nor adults are aware of the value of their environment but, as we all know, it is too late for some adults and only kids, as they are still learning, can awake some critical thinking and environment awareness.

Therefore, ASPROFIL held last June its first environmental workshop: "Cre-Active. Cre-ASPROFI | Art for environment workshop" with the help of some ASPROFIL friends and local artists. The workshop was organized in two sessions (even the first one was held during two days). The first one, held by Kuya Pablo, raised different environmental problems. Kids learnt through several games the different kinds of pollution, their causes and consequences as well as the impact of our behaviour into nature. A recycle activity held by Tita May also took place during this session. Tita May tought the kids to create their own sponge with tulle. 

The second session was held by Tita Arlene, Tita Sinag and Ate Raya. They shared with ASPROFIL kids their art work making collages and paper cuts as an artistic and creative way to reuse paper and other materials as cans and boxes. 

On the next weeks, kids will create an environmental campaign using all the tools learnt during the previous sessions to show to their communities the importance of our environment.

ASPROFIL 1st Santacruzan

ASPROFIL's mission in the Philippines includes cultural cooperation and promotion of  Filipino-Spanish culture and heritage by providing access to culture for underprivileged communities. 

Last May 25 ASPROFIL, with the collaboration of the Provincial Government of Rizal and the City Government of Antipolo, organized its 1st ASPROFIL Santacruzan, a Filipino festivity with Spanish influence which is celebrated every year in the month of May.

Ladies and kids from the province of Rizal joined the parade as Reynas and other religious characters represented in the Santacruzan.

ASPROFIL thanks all the members, collaborators and friends that made possible the event. We would also want to thank the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines for their support and for attending ASPROFIL 1st Santacruzan. 

Thank you and we wish to have another successful Santacruzan last year.

---

ORDER OF PARADE

Antipolo City Band

ASPROFIL Tarpaulin: Benny Dacaymat and Christian Pioquinto.

Flag of the Philippines: Hon. Brgy. Kap. Arman G. Panganiban (Brgy. San Roque) and Ms. Corazon Soriano, President of ASPROFIL Philippines.

Flag of Spain: Hon. Mariano Bacani, former City Councilor - Antipolo City and Mrs. May Pioquinto, Founder - President of ASPROFIL Spain and Founder of ASPROFIL Philippines.

Flag of Province of Rizal: Tristan Edward Cosino from the municipality of Cainta, Mr. Rizal and Ms. Liezl Alcantara from the municipality of San Mateo, Miss Rizal.

Governmental representatives and diplomats: Hon. Ronald Barcena, Board Member of the Provincial Government of Rizal and Mr. Antonio García, First Secretary in charge of Cultural Affairs of the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines.

ASPROFIL Banner: Sigred and Seth Alfonso Araneta.

Methusela: Alex Soriano.

Reyna Bandera: Jazmin Pioquinto and Martin Louie Bacani.

Aetas: ASPROFIL Kids.

Reyna Mora: Cherry Pioquinto.

Reyna Fe: Monique Landayan.

Reyna Esperanza: Joy T. Segura.

Reyna de Caridad: Princess Daemme Martin.

Reyna Sentencia: ASPROFIL Youth.

Reyna Justicia: Robhelle Mae Gutierrez.

Reyna Judith: Alyssa Calamaya.

Reyna Esther: ASPROFIL Youth.

Samaritana: ASPROFIL Kid.

Veronica: Jamela Cad Vavido.

Tres Marías: ASRPROFIL Youth.

Eight Marians: ASPROFIL Kids, Arsel Jane Santo Domingo and Angela Gareza.

Divina Pastora: Nikki Valiente.

Reyna de las Estrellas: Jamie Dacaymat.

Rosa Mystica: Christine Anne Pioquinto.

Reyna de la Paz: Charice Pioquinto.

Reyna de los Profetas: Archellaine Mae C. Panganiban.

Reyna de las Vírgenes: Princess R. Cañuete.

Reyna del Cielo: Kitin Soriano with Angels: ASPROFIL Kid and Lousie A. Torres.

Reyna de las Flores: Angie Dacaymat.

Reyna Helena: Lilia Fe Pérez Pioquinto with Prince Constantino: Daryll Ledonio.

Reyna Emperatriz: Councilor Liberty V. Garcia (Municipality of Jalajala)

Rizal Provincial Band.

"Santacruzan". Save the date!

ASPROFIL was born as a a cultural association that promotes Filipino culture and good image in Spain and also Spanish culture and tradition in the Philippines. 

Within this framework, ASPROFIL, with the collaboration of the Provincial Government of Rizal and the City Government of Antipolo, is organizing the 1st ASPROFIL Santacruzan. 

Santacruzan is an historical and religious festival celebrated in honor of Virgin Mary which was introduced by the Spaniards and became part of the Filipino tradition, being considered one of the most important festivals in the country. According to history, this tradition dates back to the epic journey of St. Helena of Constantinople, mother of Emperor Constantine I (the first Roman Emperor converted to Christianity), to find the True Cross of Jesus Christ. 

The 1st ASPROFIL Santacruzan will take place next Friday, May 25 at 4.30 PM from Rizal Provincial Capitol to Antipolo City Cathedral.

Save the date!

We already saved the date in our Centro ASPROFIL calendar.

- ASPROFIL Team

Happy Mother's Day 2012!!

ASPROFIL Team wish all the mothers a lovely Mother's Day!!!

And tomorrow at Centro ASPROFIL, Tita May will hold a cute Mother's Day craft activity after kid's learning session.

Enjoy your week-end!