Updates

Through Starkmacher e.V. we participated in the project: “Young People’s Business” which refers to a wider project aimed at creating a network between different civil society associations worldwide that work with young people, and young entrepreneurs growing their own business ideas. It is a project supported by the European Union. Part of the one-year-project was an international workshop organized by the Associazione Culturale Modo, with the patronage of the city of Udine, Italy. Three of our youth working in Favola, and its endorser, local actor Hero Angeles, joined thirty other youth participants from different countries.

I am writing to you in behalf of the entire Pag-asa staff, families, and community. I would just like to update you about what happened to us during and after the supertyphoon Glenda. It was an evening no one from Tagaytay expected. In my 13 years of stay in Tagaytay, it was one of the most destructive typhoon I have ever encountered.

New Year is just around the corner again, and who knows what’s in store for each one of us. We don’t know what changes there’ll be in Pag-asa this year, but we are not afraid to face it, for change is learning, growing, and living. It triggers progress. Things move forward, develop, and evolve because of it. It is no different from the Philippine traditional Christmas lantern, as it gradually evolves. It has now become bigger, and the designs more intricate.

We sincerely feel that there is no other way starting this update letter than to thank Azione per Famiglie Nuove, Natalina Pellizzari, Suor Bartolomea, Agnes and Diether Schenkel, the parishes of Bellante and Teramo, various donors and even our new group Daniele De Patre, for particularly sending bigger donations in these past 4 months despite the continuous global economic crisis. Because of your continuous support, we have also extended the help you are giving to our 20 new college students. Thanks so much for that!

January 9, 2013: Happy 16th Birthday to Pag-asa Social Center! 16 years of bringing back hope to the lives of the children and their families in Tagaytay City. Thank you Pag-asa! Maligayang Kaarawan sa iyo!