Cardinal Rosales Urges All to Help Motherland through Pondo ng Pinoy
His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales with all the officers and staff
of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco
His Eminence Cardinal Rosales addresses the community about “Pondo ng Pinoy”
and poses with them for a picture at the Social Hall of the Philippine Center.
His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales visited the Philippine Center in downtown San Francisco at last week. He met with the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco as well as several members of the Filipino-American community.
Consul General Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez welcomed the Cardinal on behalf of the members of the Consulate and the community. His Eminence then gave a brief talk on the very positive contributions of the Filipino all over the world. He cited the stories of Filipino caregivers such as nurses who have a well deserved reputation as being the most caring. Cardinal Rosales told the audience that several of his counterparts from different parts of the globe keep commending Filipino nurses for their ability to care for the elderly.
The highest ranking member of the Church in the Philippines also talked about his foundation called “Pondo ng Pinoy” which he says is changing the value system in the country, for he said “It is through instilling positive values in the youth that people and politics will change for the better and the country will be the direct beneficiary.” This statement drew wide applause from the gathered audience.
He went on to state that in spite of being in existence for only three years the foundation has already raised over Php 100 million in cash and over Php 50 million worth of donations in kind. The money is spent on caring for the most needy in Philippine society namely malnourished children, it also helps fund farmers, fishermen, through a micro credit lending facility and benefits all, not just Catholics but Muslims and other members of different religions. Cardinal Rosales encourages “everyone to give to Pondo ng Pinoy, we only ask for 25 centavos, but we want you to give constantly, we want you to make it a habit to give and help your fellowman.”
Consul General Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez thanked the Cardinal in her remarks by saying “I wish to express my appreciation to His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit us here at the Philippine Center.” Pondo ng Pinoy is essential to helping our kababayans back home and will help change the country for the better,” she added.
For more information on how to help the foundation please view the website www.pondongpinoy.com.ph.
