By Mila Glodava
With schools about to start or have started, Metro Infanta Foundation (MIF) will take a look at how it has made education a top priority since inception. It remains so to this day as expressed in it’s mission statement:
To promote unity and solidarity through education, providing forums of discussions, identifying and addressing issues and concerns in their native homeland, specifically the Metro Infanta area of the Philippines including the towns of Burdeos, General Nakar, Infanta, Panukulan, Polillo, and Real.
Our records indicate that MIF has distributed a total of $364,092.35 in grants for education, or 28 percent of the total $1,300,564.22 in grants since inception. Grants included $132,935.31 in scholarships, $18,157.04 for minor school projects and supplies, as well as renovation funds for the social hall and gymnasium of Mt. Carmel School of Infanta and funds to purchase a container tank to serve as classrooms for poor students. In addition, it spent $213,000 for the reconstruction of the Gabaldon-type building for Infanta Central Elementary School.
There’s no question, education is an important cause for Metro Infanta Foundation. Since 1999, the Foundation has provided scholarships or tuition assistance to 136 students from high to post graduate studies. A very small tax-exempt nonprofit organization, it could not have do so without supporters. We are grateful to Cavan Corporation for supporting our post graduate scholars. EM Weckbaugh Foundation has been a major supporter of our scholarship program, especially the college students, in addition to supporting supports other causes the MIF spouses. St. Thomas More Parish Youth Ministry and Religious Education supported high school students.
A number of donors gave a donation specifically to sponsor students. They are Kelly and Annabelle Clayton, Romy and Julie Coronacion, Pol and Vacion Derilo, Manny and Marilyn Ibanez, Melecia Garcia, Rudy and Bennie Garcia, Emilie Gurango, Gene Pallugna, Mita and Billy Pasia, Zeny Potes, Joe and Lonching Pujeda, Jon and Amor Santiago, and more.
My children, Kirsten and Kevin, did not hesitate, either, to join me and Mark to support a few students. Non-Infantahins, such as Colleen Smith, John and Joni Sanderson, and until he died, Jack Green (in memory of his wife, Wilma) sponsored a number of students.
“I hope you’ll never get tired of helping people,” said Mary Grace Balico, “especially those students who have dreams of fulfilling their goals in life.” Mary Grace, who hails from Dingalan, Aurora, graduated with honors (magna cum laude) from the College of the Immaculate Conception with a BS degree in Education. Thus, Metro Infanta Foundation will continue to make education a top priority and help students fulfill their dreams.
Our sincere thanks to all our generous donors for helping make education a top priority for Metro Infanta Foundation. If interested in helping students fulfill their dreams through Metro Infanta Foundation, please click the DONATION button on the top right of this website.
You may also send your donation to:Metro Infanta Foundation 7350 Braun WayArvada, CO 80005
