Projects

In an inspiring act of compassion, the UNIFFIED Inglewood Chapter with the support of their mother chapter UNIFFIED New Jersey has initiated a heartwarming project to support the education of young minds at San Miguel Elementary School in Cordova, Cebu, Philippines. This remarkable endeavor aims to provide vital resources and infrastructure to a school in dire need.

A Generous Gift to Remember

To kickstart their mission, UNIFFIED Inglewood presented on August 29, 2023, each student at San Miguel Elementary with a precious gift - a school bag packed with essential educational supplies. These supplies will not only facilitate the learning process but also ease the financial burden on the families of these students.

Sweet Moments of Joy

In addition to the school supplies and support for educators, the UNIFFIED Inglewood chapter also brought smiles to the faces of San Miguel Elementary students by treating them to a delightful surprise. Each child was given ice cream, and the joy and happiness on their faces were truly heartwarming. It was a sweet moment that added an extra layer of delight to this incredible initiative.

Empowering Educators

Recognizing the vital role teachers play in the educational journey, UNIFFIED Inglewood didn't stop at just helping the students. They extended their support to the dedicated educators by providing them with a much-needed printer. This printer will allow teachers to print crucial learning materials, bridging the gap left by the absence of textbooks.

A Community Effort

This benevolent initiative wouldn't have been possible without the dedication and hard work of UNIFFIED Inglewood's Outreach Coordinators, Jo Belle Marabiles and Pamela Alguno. They were ably supported by members Jocelyn Ignacio, Issa Sinang, Lenoff Arce, Anne Borlasa, and Irene Pia, who collectively exemplify the spirit of community and compassion.

The Power of Brigada Eskwela

The UNIFFIED Inglewood chapter's involvement in Brigada Eskwela is a testament to the transformative power of collective action. Brigada Eskwela, which translates to "School Brigade," is an annual program in the Philippines that encourages communities, organizations, and individuals to come together for the improvement of public schools. It's not just about giving school supplies and school needs but also hope and a brighter future for young learners.

Through their selfless efforts, UNIFFIED Inglewood has sown the seeds of positive change in the lives of San Miguel Elementary students and educators. Their commitment to education and their community serves as an inspiring example for us all, reminding us that a small act of kindness can make a world of difference.

As they continue their journey to empower San Miguel Elementary, the UNIFFIED Inglewood chapter stands as a shining beacon of hope and unity, illuminating the path to a brighter and more equitable future for all.

Fundraising for a Brighter Future

UNIFFIED Inglewood's commitment goes far beyond a one-time donation. They have initiated a fundraising campaign to ensure that San Miguel Elementary receives the sustained support it deserves. The chapter aims to build a proper classroom for the school, which currently conducts classes in tents due to the lack of a suitable building. They are looking for individuals, companies and organizations who can partner with them in this endeavor.

An Appeal to Your Heart

But here's where you come in - the power to truly transform lives lies within all of us. We appeal to your hearts, to your sense of empathy and compassion, to join hands with UNIFFIED Inglewood Chapter in their noble mission. Your donation can help turn a tent into a classroom, a dream into reality, and provide young students with the education they deserve.

Imagine the impact of your contribution – a classroom where eager young minds can learn without the hindrance of scorching heat or torrential rain. Your support can make this vision a reality and be a stepping stone toward a brighter future for these children.

Together, We Can Build More Than Just Classrooms

By supporting this cause, you're not just donating to build a school; you're investing in the future of these children. You're empowering educators to nurture young talents, and you're helping create a community that values education as the cornerstone of progress.

How You Can Help

Whether your contribution is big or small, every bit counts. To donate, please visit https://gofund.me/169ea734  and be a part of this incredible journey to uplift San Miguel Elementary. Your kindness will forever be etched in the hearts and futures of these young students.

Let's come together, just as UNIFFIED Inglewood has, to light up the path of education and hope for the students of San Miguel Elementary. Join us in making a difference, one classroom at a time.

Immediately after facilitating the research discussion in Elmhurst, Queens in New York, Flo Coronel, representing Uniffied New Jersey Chapter, proceeded to Jersey City in New Jersey to act as the Lead Facilitator of a Research Study organized by Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League (PACCAL), a non-profit which was founded in 1992 to address the health and human service needs of Filipinos and other Asians in Jersey City, NJ.

The group discussion was attended by 12 participants, a good mix of senior men and ladies. It was a lively exchange of ideas and experiences. No one seemed to be bothered by the combination of Filipino, Chinese and English languages, as the gestures and facial expressions more than made up for the difficulty in understanding the diction and the pronunciation.

Overall, it was a very pleasant encounter as the attendees appeared to be familiar with each other from their previous gatherings. Everyone was so cooperative and enthusiastic to provide the necessary information being asked in the survey sheets.

The event was capped by a generous serving of Filipino delicacies and pastries. Started at 1pm, it ended at 6pm.

The event started with  a plenary session to introduce the different medical teams and  discuss the different assignments and protocols. The UNIFFIED New Jersey chapter  is so fortunate to have volunteers  who are dentists, nurses and pharmacists who served as team leaders.

After the event volunteers couldn’t help but reflect on how the feelings of helplessness and despair transformed into hope and empowerment, and the ability to bring out the good in people through the happiness they discover when they serve  others with love and compassion. I believe this is what UNIFFIED is all about.

Thus, when Tzu Chi was introduced to NJ chapter  the members  didn’t have a second thought of joining as volunteers. Some of them  have already completed the 20-hour training to become official volunteers like Catalina Suerte, UNIFFIED NJ president, Meloriza Grimyser- Exec Secretary, Edna Tiernan- Auditor, Amy Ramajo- Asst. Treasurer, Marlyn Ismael - Board of  Director. Some still need more training hours to complete the volunteer requirements. The  ongoing community outreach of Tzu Chi and UNIFFIED volunteers are food pantry, medical mission, vision screening and community clean up.

On hand to assist ConGen Mangalile was his very able assistant, who’s also new to the post. DCG Adrian Elmer Cruz, or Ady for short, has been in the foreign service for 22 years. He was the Deputy Chief of Mission and the Consul General in Madrid, Spain before accepting the NY assignment. DCG Cruz is married to an Educator, Mrs. Maria Citadel Cruz who specializes in the Baybayin Alphabet, an ancient Filipino system of writing described as alpha-syllabic script. This indigenous system of writing was replaced upon the arrival of the Spanish colonizers.

DCG Cruz talked about introducing the Baybayin Alphabet here in the United States, starting in the northeast region.

The meet-and-greet session ended on a very good footing. The UNIFFIED New Jersey and New York chapters  gave a commitment of support and cooperation with the Phil. Consulate General in New York.

Judilynn L. Niedo-Solidum

President, UNIFFIED Manila Plus Chapter

I believe that we all start somewhere. We all commence from a dot that continues to a line, create curves and shapes ready for colors, gearing toward a wonderful masterpiece. We all have our own doodles starting from the day of our birth up until we say goodbye that speak of what we have contributed to help others become better and propel a future that can carry the next generations in ways that we are capable of. 

Born on July 12, 2021, UNIFFIED Manila Plus Chapter cried louder than the rest. It turned over its belly, stood, walked, uttered its first words and paragraphs at a pace tremendously quicker than expected of a neonate. This little one started to lead, serve, and innovate even before its first birthday. Its starting sketches seemed to have already made significant impacts to the society it serves that it was honored last July 9, 2022 with the  Most Outstanding Philippine Chapter Award on the occasion of the UNIFFIED Multidisciplinary Research Conference International in New York City, USA. Also seven members and officers received important awards through nominations and by competition of research papers with presentations on the said conference.

Being level-headed, UNIFFIED Manila Plus Chapter, rejoiced and celebrated over the recognition but did not rest on its laurels nor stopped in doing what it had been doing for the people in developing global sustainability. A masterpiece is the assemblage of all beautiful sketches that may be crafted in time, something that this chapter is aiming to produce. Revisiting the relatively new sketches after the reckoning period of the above said award, UNIFFIED Manila Plus Chapter started to create various committees dedicated for research, and  education (to which extension is heavily linked), gender and development, income generation, and membership. It continued networking and forging alliances with other organizations, offices , institutions and agencies both local and national to be of better relevance to the public  (professional and non-professional sectors).

The Chapter sketches gender portraits and holistic development. On March 2022, women’s month, it participated in the celebration of International Women’s Day by joining the Break the Bias call on March 8, 2022 and offering the webinar “Babae ka ba o Matris?” on March 16, 2022 together with the University of the Philippines Manila Gender and Development Committee (UPCP GAD) and the Association of Higher Education Multidisciplinary Researchers Inc (AHEdMRI). From March 29-31, 2022, “Mga Kwentong Pambata Handog ni Juana” went on FB Air. This was collaborated on by the Chapter with AHEdMRI. On all activities, UNIFFIED Manila Plus through its gender committee showed the importance of women as well as children and tried to answer the United Nation’s sustainable development goal (UN SDG) #5 on gender equality. Children are always part of the Chapter’s advocacies as they are the future of the world and vital recipients of education and research outputs translated for use. Giving them quality education on and off school is important. A year-long sustainable developmental program with UP Creche was instituted with UPCP GAD, AHEdMRI and UPSHS Leyte. Kwentuhan sa Creche started last October 27, and continued on November 24 and December 9, 2022. Stories with lessons on moral values, science, environment and health are being delivered on all sessions. It will proceed to run through the months of 2023. This program answers UN SDG # 4 on Quality Education.

The Chapter sketches health, well-being and education. April 30, 2022, UNIFFIED Manila Plus Chapter together with the Department of Science and Technology- Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) shared a technical webinar to educators and other professionals on how “dirty ice cream” should properly be made. It was entitled “Sorbetes, Sorbetes, Pano Ka Ginawa?”. It came with a storytelling portion from an original story book anchored on the correct procedures in making “sorbetes” to prevent harm befalling on those who will eat the food specifically, children. The strategy broadened the horizon of all attendees including children as to the science behind proper production of “sorbetes”. Genomics is now proving its relevance in education and public health. “Genomics, the Universal Language of Humanity” enriched all participants last January 9, 2023. In order to serve educators and other professionals inclined toward the social sciences, UNIFFIED Manila Plus Chapter offered on May 30, 2022 the webinar entitled “ Etnisidad at Identidad sa Relihiyon Tungo sa Pang-unawa ng ASEAN Integration: Mga Hinangong Danas sa Personal na Paglalakbay sa Timog Silangang Asya (2017-2018). “eTulay How it Bridges Learning” was spoused last August 27, 2022 for more educators to be inspired on varied effective digital ways of teaching. “Educators for Community and Public Service” was staged last September 25, 2022, and informed everyone that being educators give us freedom to be one with and to serve the community. All webinars answer UN SDG #4 on Quality Education. Informing the public on special topics will help provide excellent education to students and co-workers as knowledge is trickled down to important disseminating professionals. The events on Sorbetes and Genomics, as these keep consumers safe from harm of poorly produced “dirty ice cream” and help keep the public informed on how genomics can maintain health,  also answer UN SDG #3 on Good Health and Well-Being.

The Chapter sketches service and health. UNIFFIED Manila Plus Chapter joined forces with the Philippine Nurses’ Association Manila Zone 1, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Nursing  (PLM CN) and AHEdMRI last June 16, 2022 for the Milk Letting Activity of San Isidro Health Center Pandacan. It is to increase the awareness of the public that breast milk is still best for babies. Hygiene must be observed though on the end of the mothers. This Chapter provided hand towels and soap to encourage cleaning of breasts before breast feeding. On another extension work, employees of the regional social work department, and public elementary teachers were served  during the free Breast and Cervix Cancer Screening program initiated by PNA, PLM, this Chapter, partnered with the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) last December 6, 2022. Early detection of cancer is the key. It will help patients have better survival rates. Those who were diagnosed of the disease on cervix were given free cryotherapy treatments. PCS also offers free chemotherapy drugs for breast cancer patients. These basically connect the lines from actual community works with UN SDG #4 on Good Health and Well-Being. 

The Chapter sketches research with education for better instruction and recognize efforts for inspiration. Last November 18 and 19, UNIFFIED Manila Plus Chapter together with AHEdMRI made the Research and Education Congress 2022 in possible. It was a blended conference that was attended by 188 participants from six countries - Philippines, Guam, South Korea, Malaysia, India, Nigeria and China. National Scientist Dr. Lourdes J. Cruz, National Artist Prof. Fides Cuyugan -Asensio, and Former DSWD Secretary Prof. Dr. Judy Taguiwalo graced the aforementioned gathering of scholars, professionals and research enthusiasts. Sixty indigent students were carried by the MAHERNO Scholarship Grants. Awardees for Diwang Dayaw  (Celebration of Excellence) 2022 on different tiers in research and innovation, and education were adjudged by highly credentialed professionals from the Philippines and abroad. This was a sub-event of the conference. For the scientific component of the congress, more than fifty scholarly papers presented and with the variety of topics heard, UN SDG #s3, 4, 9, 11,  13, 14, 15, 16, 17 Good Health and Well-Being; Quality Education; Industry, Innovation and Infrasctructure; Sustainable Cities and Communities;  Climate Action; Life Below Water; Life on Land; Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; Partnerships for the Goals, respectively, were addressed. 

UNIFFIED Manila Plus Chapter doodles. It draws. It colors. It refines. It repeats the process and do things all over again. Iteration I know approximates perfection. UNIFFIED Manila Plus Chapter continues the work on serving, innovating and leading! In this Chapter, we definitely sketch in details to complete our masterpiece.