Belinda Aquino, one of Ayala Foundation USA's staunchest supporters, recently bagged two awards from the University of the Philippines and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Aquino is the  recipient of the 2008 UP Alumni Association Centennial Lifetime Distinguished Achievement Award from the University of the Philippines as well the Hung Wo and Elizabeth Lau Ching Foundation Award for Faculty Service to the Community at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

The Hung Wo and Elizabeth Lau Ching Award is an annual award that "recognizes an outstanding faculty member who has made significant contributions that strengthen ties between the community and university."  Aquino was selected for her work in Hawaii, where she has been living for 33 years as a professor of Political Science and Asian Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, as well as for being "a constant, competent and reliable source of information, advice and analysis on vital issues of concern to the community, including immigration, human rights, labor and employment, higher education, Philippine-American relations, women and minorities, Mindanao and Philippine history, culture and society to several diverse groups in the community."

Aquino began her journey with Ayala Foundation USA when she invited AF USA President Victoria P. Garchitorena to a brown bag series in February 2007 , which is an informal gathering of faculty and students from the University of Hawaii, where Belinda is a professor. That little lunch meeting snowballed into bigger and greater things for AF USA and the Filipino -American community in Hawaii. Belinda has since led the formation of an AF USA/GILAS Volunteer group in Hawaii. She wielded her wide sphere of influence to champion the cause of AF USA and GILAS in every way possible. She facilitated communications between AF USA  and prospective partners, donors,  supporters, media contacts and other professionals and leaders among Filipino-American communities in Hawaii.

Belinda also conducted planning sessions to strengthen the newly-established Hawaii volunteer group, made presentations on behalf of  AF USA  and was very active in facilitating and attending meetings,  workshops, and fund raisers. Just recently she helped organize a fund raising dinner and was able to generate pledges of support for GILAS from  a host of Ilocano associations - from Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and Rosales, Pangasinan.

Her passion, dedication and painstaking efforts to give back to the Philippines shine through her unwavering support for AF USA.  Clearly, Belinda excels in whatever field she chooses to be in.  AF USA is truly lucky to have her as part of the AF USA family. The Board of Trustees, officers, and staff of AF USA congratulate Belinda for these double awards which she so richly deserves.

* * * * *

The Latest Report on Typhoon Frank

They say pictures can tell a thousand words. Still, the pictures below, taken during relief efforts for victims of Typhoon Frank, don't even tell half the story of devastation wrought by the typhoon. As of July 6, 2008, a total of 4, 195, 605 people, 838, 541 families and 5,788 barangays have been affected by the calamity. The death toll has reached 557 and out of this, only 399 have been identified so far. The total cost of damages has been pegged at a staggering Php 11.583 billion.

Relief efforts of Ayala Foundation USA continue to pour in through Oplan Frank, the campaign of Ayala Young Leaders Alliance and its Resource and Fund Generation Program on Disaster Preparedness (REFUGE) Program. So far, the campaign has distributed donations as well as relief goods to 1,799 families from ten barangays in Zarraga, Iloilo, which is one of the hardest hit areas in the Philippines. REFUGE continues to coordinate with the local government and the Iloilo chapter of the Ayala Young Leaders Alliance to ensure the smooth flow of the entire operations: from scanning and selection of hardest hit areas, purchasing of goods, local transportation, repacking, distribution of relief stubs to target beneficiaries, delivery and distribution.

While many individuals and organizations have already given their support to help our fellow kababayans who suffered and continue to suffer through what is now considered one of the worst typhoons to hit the Philippines this year, much more needs to be done. You may still send your donations to:

Ayala Foundation
USA 255 Shoreline Drive, Suite 428
Redwood City, CA 94065 USA
Tel. no. (650) 598-3126
Fax no. (650) 508-8988
E-mail: info@af-usa.org
Contact: Marivic Padilla (marivic@af-usa. org)

We accept cash/check donations. You can also donate using your credit card through our website (www.af-usa.org) or by clicking on the donate button below. Ayala Foundation USA is a registered 501c(3) public charity that provides tax deductibility incentives to our donors. Thank you very much! # # #