They share time, money to lift lives of poor Kapampangan

In 1987, a year after People Power I swept her to the presidency, Corazon Aquino inspired 35 people to return to their roots in Pampanga and, since they were successful in their respective careers, share their talents, time and money to help lift the lives of the poor among their cabalen (province mates).
Twenty five years later, the Kapampangan Development Foundation (KDF), left with just 11 founders, continues to help the poor.
“Many individuals and groups have joined us in this journey of volunteerism. And we realized that President Cory’s idea back then is the PPP [private-public partnership] her son, President Aquino, is doing today,” KDF president Benigno Ricafort said in a program celebrating the foundation’s anniversary.
The work has been life-changing.
Ryan Tuazon, 13, is due for enrolment this June in Grade 1 after his cleft palate had been corrected. Rusty Bognot, 18, received an artificial leg, enabling him to work in a guitar factory, while Augusto Ramos, 70, also received an artificial leg so he can continue working by delivering garments.
Jaime Santos, 56, signed up as a KDF volunteer after a cataract operation restored his eyesight.
But it took Margarita Juico’s flashback for the audience to know the beginnings of KDF and the work it has been doing.
“I cannot help but feel nostalgic, even sentimental that when you started KDF in 1987, I was with President Cory as her appointments secretary. I certainly remember KDF. I saw how President Cory was very proud of the Kapampangan who organized themselves to rally behind her to help the Kapampangan region,” said Juico, now chair of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
The KDF, she said, organized a big dinner and meeting at the Manila Hotel where more Kapampangan pledged support for its program, then called Rich (Rural Industrialization Can Happen).
“President Cory was your guest. I remember how often KDF sought my help in getting President Cory’s presence in inaugurating KDF projects in Pampanga, Tarlac and San Miguel, Bulacan. I was informed that the livelihood programs that KDF initiated became templates and models for the Mt. Pinatubo resettlement communities that were built later on by the rehabilitation task force,” Juico said.
Model
The KDF, she said, had become a model for the other provinces in harnessing the power of private sector organizations in helping people.
Ricafort considers 2007 a golden year because after being invited by the Ateneo School of Government to meet with four new provincial governors, the KDF decided to focus on addressing physical disabilities and decreasing maternal and child deaths.
Through 50 partners pooling health professionals and resources together, KDF had given artificial legs to 370 people, wheelchairs to 399 people, operations to 547 children, cataract surgery to 760 elderly, and medical examinations and medicines to 2,832 women and children.
It also gave free circumcision to 248 boys, dental care and tooth extraction to 263 people, walkers, crutches and canes to 188 people and mobile laboratory and X-ray services to 170 others in the last four years, a report showed.
Ricafort said he and the founders, who include Br. Andrew Gonzalez, former President Diosdado Macapagal, Rizalino Navarro, Fortunato Aguas and Lamberto Ocampo, were only after the “gantimpala ng langit” (reward from heaven) for why they formed KDF.
“From out of the goodness and the blessings we have received, I think it was natural to be thankful to God and share the blessings,” he said.
Archbishop Paciano Aniceto honored KDF by saying it renders faithful and generous services to the poor.
Among the steady partners are the Rotarians, Lions, Quota International, Operation Smile, Mother Teresa of Calcutta Medical Center, Social Action Center of Pampanga and Arellano University.

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/160935/they-share-time-money-to-lift-lives-of-poor-kapampangan

Clark Wine Center was built in 2003 by Hong Kong-based Yats International Leisure Philippines to become the largest wine shop in Philippines supplying Asia’s wine lovers with fine vintage wines at attractive prices. Today, this wine shop in Clark Philippines offers over 2000 selections of fine wines from all major wine regions in the world. As a leading wine supplier in Philippines, Pampanga’s Clark Wine Center offers an incomparable breadth of vintages, wines from back vintages spanning over 50 years. Clark Wine Center is located in Pampanga Clark Freeport Zone adjacent to Angeles City, just 25 minutes from Subic and 45 minutes from Manila.

Things to do in Clark Philippines and Pampanga: do a little wine shopping at the famous wine shop outside of Manila called Clark Wine Center. One of the favorite places to visit in Pampanga Clark Freeport is the white building along M A Roxas highway of Clark which houses over 2000 selections of fine vintage wines. The Clark Wine Center is one of the places to visit, a tourist spot and a good shopping place for those staying in Angeles City, Subic or Clark Pampanga.

Residents of Pampanga Angeles City, Subic, Tarlac and Clark Philippines know of this wine shop as one of the best places in Clark, a good night out place and simply the best place to hang out, enjoy some good wine with cheese on the roof deck with good atmosphere, or just relax and unwind with friends and family in a cool place. This wine shop in Clark Pampanga is recognized by many to be one of the best places to buy fine vintage wine in the Philippines. Located near Mimosa Leisure Estate surrounded by golf courses, resorts and a casino, this well known wine shop is frequently visited for its good selection of wine not available in Manila or Subic. Clark Wine Center is open 7 days a week from 10am to 8pm. Private dinners, wine tastings and group gatherings can be organized by advanced reservation.

Foodies and wine lovers travel north from Manila to wine and dine at Philippines’ best fine dining restaurant in Pampanga Clark Freeport worth the 60-minutes drive for a memorable evening of good food with vintage wine at Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar. Most guests would stop by this famous wine shop called Clark Wine Center to bring home a few good bottles of fine vintage wine also. Other visitors may find the wine selections in some of the restaurants in Angeles City Pampanga to be less than interesting, so they stop by this wine shop near Angeles City Pampanga Clark Philippines, buy some good wines and bring these bottles of good vintage wines to the restaurants so they can enjoy the dinner.

Wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhone, Loire, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Alsace, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, South Africa, Chile and Argentina etc. are well represented in this Clark Wine Shop.

This is one of the frequently visited places for wine lovers from Manila and Angeles City to buy international wines in Pampanga.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com