Good Roots has passed its 10-year mark helping numerous Ilocos Norte and Batangas communities by distributing multi-purpose tree species for participating families to nurture and grow.
Big-hearted Caltex, palanggas, the project’s – take note – sole financial supporter has spent nearly a cool P27 million assisting Good Roots, plus another P3 million this year as Good Roots moves to Pugo, La Union.
Caltex has also documented the project’s success in a special publication titled, Good Roots II: Inheriting the Earth, unveiled at the Filipinas Heritage Library. The book was written by project director, Dr. Ben Wallace. It aims to encourage other corporations to support similar environmental projects.
"The benefits to companies developing Good Roots-type projects come in many ways – pride in community involvement, community goodwill and a feeling of social responsibility," Dr. Ben Wallace explained. "The main obstacle for this type of project is to overcome the prevailing view of business that development is the responsibility (only of) government."
The project, palanggas, was first approved in a landmark agreement on Earth Day 1991 between the Caltex, Dallas-based Southern Methodist University and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The guest of honor, palanggas, at the Good Roots affair was hardworking Sen. Loren Legarda, that lady who really cares for the environment. She in fact wrote the book’s foreword.
Moi zoomed in on these attractive ladies: Philippine Sports Commissioner Cynthia Carrion; Save Davao Gulf Foundation president and Habitat for Humanity Trustee-at-Large, Margie Moran Floirendo; former Ms. Caltex and now travel consultant Elsa Payumo; Asia Society executive director Sonia Ner; and first Woman GM and VP for manufacturing of the Caltex Batangas Refinery, brilliant Becky Alivio.
Caltex corporate affairs manager, that Southern lady oozing with Southern charm, Iloilo’s Marian Catedral, was the evening’s superb host. She introduced the Caltex Choral who prepared a special number for the Senator.
When the Choral groupie broke into "Happy Birthday!", renowned caterer Via Mare brought out a special birthday cake for the surprised albeit delighted celebrator, Sen. Legarda. Apparently, palanggas, she and most of the invitees had no idea of this secret little number.
Hotshot looker, Caltex Phils. Inc. country chairman and CFO Tim Leveille tres visibly welcomed tres charmant Singaporean Ambassador Jacky Foo; US Embassy Public Affairs Councilor Dr. Michael Anderson; Citibank NA Corporate Banking VP and Head Peter Elliot; Metrobank Foundation executive director Chito Sobrepeña; AYC Consultant president Peter Wallace; Lobo Mayor Renato Perez; US Embassy officials Michael Sweeney and Rima Koyler; Citibank’s Patricia Sandejas and Eric Alberto; plus Caltex heavyweight officials.
The guests sipped on endlessly flowing wine and nibbled on hors d’ oeuvres. The Good Roots rah! rah! team also joined in the celebration, a fitting way to embark on Good Roots III.
All the cash generated by the event was used for the initial funding of the construction of The Haven, a National Center for Streetchildren, palanggas, that will soon rise in a 1.1-hectare plot in Alabang, Muntinlupa. This is through the efforts of the CSFO and the DSWD, naturellement.
The project was officially launched half a full moon ago, dahlings, in a groundbreaking ceremony led by CSFI president, that super dedicated lady of several charity organizations, Gina de Venecia, the wife of the brilliant House Speaker Jose de Venecia. "The Haven for streetchildren will shelter and educate vagrant children to help them become productive adults," Gina de V. explained to moi.
As expected, dahlings, the shindig turned out to be so much fun, with the congressmen relaxing and letting it all hang out apres a particularly hectic House session.
A short program was emceed by our super palanggas, Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri and adorable Rio Diaz, the wife of popular Rep. Charlie Cojuangco. Trips for two to Hong Kong and Bangkok were also raffled off during the event. As always, the smashing Spirit of 67 band made the invitees shake, rattle and roll on the dance floor as they played songs from the ’60s and ’70s, natch! Not to be outdone, some of our lawmakers dished out ballads to the delight of charitable invitees. Eye-catcher Ara Mina, the daughter of Quezon City Rep. Chuck Mathay, also dished out some numbers.
Those head turner members of CSFI’s Ways and Means Committee like Nerry Mathay; Margie Duavit; Kim Cojuangco; and Carol Jimenez, palanggas, were all smiles over the absolutely fun event’s success. Vivacious Kimi Schultz, the wife of Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco said, "This benefit is a way not only to help streetchildren but to unite the country as well."
Besides raising money, the party aimed to foster camaraderie among congressmen and their spouses, with no political parties, no minority nor majority to consider. Working as friends, they will surely work better together in Congress, dahlings.
The fun night lasted way past 2 a.m. for our politicos who let their hair down and had a blast. Rio Diaz aptly put it when she said, "We are not only having fun. The best part is, we are also giving our streetchildren a home." Amen, palanggas.
The fun bash at The Enterprise Center in Makati featured added attractions ranging from an ice-cream scooping station, to caricature-drawing, graffiti and tattoo painting areas which delighted the crowd.
Visibly proud and happy to welcome the guests that memorable evening, palanggas, were Crossings Department Store’s well-respected Fred and elegant Presy Ramos.
Enjoying a relaxed yet super interesting evening were Olongapo City Mayor and a fashion plate herself, Kate Gordon; popular models Wilma Doesnt, Paolo Relucio, Joey Mead, Ilac Diaz and exotic beauty Raya Mananquil; TV personas Lyn Ching, Paolo Fabregas and Trisha Salvador, and so many others like them, palanggas.
Big Star denims come in resident fabric and guarantee lasting fun, as the fashion show dubbed Big Star, Big Fun depicted. It was clearly attuned to the tastes and requirements of today’s young, hip and outgoing market segment. The lightweight denim options and versatile cotton separates are part of the collection destined to be top picks for this season. Completing the cool casual look are functional accessories ranging from caps, bags and belts.
New materials and inspiring colors serve as focal elements in this latest fashion collection. Colors have been inspired by nature and its varied shades from earth tones and creamy whites to sunny hues, yellows, pinks and denim favorites.
Internationally known as a denim specialist, palanggas, Big Star originated in Europe and was the brainchild of the Faeh brothers Walter, Edwin and Laurin. In 1974, they established their first shop, Jeans In, in Basel, Switzerland. Today, one can find Big Star in countries like the US, Canada, China, Egypt, Lebanon, Russia, Saudi Arabia and now the Philippines.
Yes, palanggas, Big Star is definitely worth checking out in the city’s savvy shopping destination, Crossings Department Store, with its flagship store located at Shangri-La Plaza Mall along EDSA, Shaw, Mandaluyong, and with its newly-opened branch in Quezon Avenue, Quezon City.
You’ll surely dig those cool designs.
That’s it for this week, palanggas. Be happy and do drive safely.
See you.