Gabaldon Campaign falling on deaf ears among Infantahins
By Mila Glodava
A few weeks ago, I reported that Friends of Infanta in Colorado have formed a committee to help us raise $200,000 to help fund the Gabaldon Project. Since I posted their plans, I have not received, except from Amb. Arizala, any response from the Infantahins. This is very disappointing and discouraging. I was hoping those who have complain that we only seem to help the church will come forward to help with this civic project. I know many of our kababayans who have left Infanta and now doing quite well in other parts of the world can easily make a contribution to this civic project. Are we just going to sit back and let others not from Infanta do the work for us? I need to hear from you. Please let me know that you are interested in resurrecting the glory of the Gabaldon.
Meanwhile, let me give you some updates:
1) Friends of Infanta in Colorado: The committee has firmed up some plans, including a couple of small and major events.
a) Victorian Tea Party, hosted by Vicki Turner and her English friends, April 10, 1-3:30 p.m. The Padre Restaurant, St. Thoms More Catholic Church. Cost: $20 per person.
b) Italian Dinner, hosted by Joanne Horne and Maribeth Hanzlik, June, at the home of Bill and Maribeth Hanzlik. Details to be determined.
c) Major Event: Keynote: Rev. Leo Patalinghug, Filipino chef (Grace Before Meals). TBD, St. Thomas More McCallin Hall. Filipino cuisine to be served at this event. A number of Filipinos at St. Thomas More have agreed to help.
d) Pennies from Heaven: St. Rose of Lima Parish School starts this campaign next week.
e) Send letters of request for grants for major gifts.
f) Joni Sanderson created a PowerPoint on the Gabaldon to show at events.
2) Ms. Gemma Cruz Araneta, president of the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS), has agreed to assist our Gabaldon Project. We still need to determine what kind of assistance the HCS is giving us.
3) STM Youth Ministry: coordinating a group of youth, mostly college students, to go to Infanta on a mission trip (this year they are going to Africa) at their own expense to help us build the Gabaldon. We have asked St. Paul University and the Prelature of Infanta to host them while in Manila and Infanta. Mt. Carmel Shrine in Quezon City is also willing to host a youth encounter there.
4) Classroom sponsorship: The 12 classrooms may be sponsored by groups or by families at $25,000 per classoom. We are reserving the front classrooms for Metro Infanta Foundation, St. Thomas More, and Colorado. I'm sure the town of Infanta should have at least one classroom reserved for their own fundraising. I hope your state can be represented as well. This is what the Gawad Kalinga does when they build villages, which they might call, "Colorado Village," because the funds came from that state. Families of former teachers may want to honor their mother or father who taught in the old Gabaldon. I know some of them have done very well as doctors, or engineers, or businessmen or women, and could easily afford the cost of a classroom. You're welcome to sponsor a classroom or two.
This is all for now. Please let me know if you can help. Those who built the old Gabaldon gave us a chance for a long-lasting education. Let's do the same for the next generation and beyond.
Please email me at editor@infanta.org.
Guest Comments
What is Gabaldon project? Is it a historical school building? Why not build a modern one instead? Who is the Project Manager in Infanta? Is there accountability? I'm wondering why not too many people are even motivated. What is the plan? Intended goal? Is there feasible business plan so that people would buy into it? I don't think the younger generation will jump in with joy and open up their wallet just because someone thought of creating a replica of an old building they never knew for the sake of folks who once went there. How will it help the new students? I'm not saying it's a bad idea but I'm not really sure either if it's a good one. Please inform...
Editor's response: Yes, it is a historical building built in 1911, which is the reason why Infanta would like to re-open for the 2011-2012 school year. And yes, it will have modern conveniences that those of us who came through that building never had. And we hope it will be typhoon resistant. And even if the town wanted to build a modern schoolhosue, no one has stepped up to the plate to build one. At tleast seeing the old Gabaldon looking like the Parthenon, could tug at hearts and wish its reconstruction. That's what it did to me, who, I might add is not even originally from Infanta. I want to give back, however, to the town that gave me my early education and have brought me to where I am now.
Posted by: JustMe | March 12, 2010 03:30 PM