During the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the years 2020-2021, the Culture Ticino Network Association carried out more than 10 distributions of packages containing food items, medications, vitamins, and school materials.
In 2020, in response to the initial request for assistance from Rev. Fr. Anacleto C. Ignacio of the Parish of Paombong in the Philippines, our Association in Ticino, in collaboration with the newly established sister organization Culture Ticino Network & Philippines Association in Paombong, Philippines, immediately took action to help families living in extreme poverty and without access to food.
From April 2nd to April 4th, 2020, thanks to an initial contribution from our Association and the support of sponsors in the Philippines, the first distribution of food packages was carried out, benefiting 812 families.
In the first half of May 2020, in collaboration with the local parish of Paombong, additional food packages were distributed to the neediest families in Paombong. Our donation included 116 packages containing 3 kg of rice, noodles, and canned meat. We sincerely thank the sponsors and the parish of Paombong for their invaluable collaboration.
A big THANK YOU also goes to Pasqual Laboratories Inc., a pharmaceutical company in Manila, for their sponsorship of medications and vitamins.
On Sunday, May 31, 2020, the Culture Ticino Network Association of Lugano, in collaboration with the Culture Ticino Network and Philippines Association in Paombong, distributed food packages to 100 of the neediest families in Barangay Balite, Malolos (Bulacan Region). Our donation included 3 kg of rice, noodles, canned meat, and coffee.
On Monday, June 1st, 2020, another distribution of food packages took place, benefiting the poorest families in Paombong. This distribution was carried out in collaboration with our sister organization, Culture Ticino Network and Philippines Association, which operates locally. On this day, rice, noodles, coffee, medications, and vitamins for both adults and children were distributed.
On June 28, 2020, the fifth distribution of food packages and medications took place in the Barangays of Balite and Balayong in Malolos, Bulacan Region. Our mission is to assist “the poorest of the poor,” and this distribution touched our hearts deeply. Many families no longer had rice and were at risk of experiencing even greater hunger.
On August 15, 2020, the sixth distribution of food packages took place in Barangay Isla Masile, Malolos City, Bulacan, Philippines. It was a day filled with emotions and heartfelt compassion. Many families live in extreme poverty, and numerous homes are flooded. Food is scarce, and fishing is not always productive.
On September 26, 2020, the seventh distribution of food packages took place in Barangay NG Caliligawan (City of Malolos) and in Malolos. After an hour-long boat journey, around a hundred food packages were distributed to very poor families living on this fishing island on a Saturday. The Culture Ticino Network Association of Lugano (Main sponsor in Switzerland) and the Culture Ticino Network and Philippines Association in Paombong didn’t stop there. On the same day, they delivered an additional 40 packages to needy families in Malolos. Another 30 packages were distributed in the following days to people living in the Bulacan Region who had been without income for months due to the pandemic.
On November 28, 2020, the eighth distribution took place in Barangay Tibag in Pulilan, still in the Bulacan Region. Over a hundred food packages were distributed throughout the day, containing rice, noodles, coffee, canned meat, and fish, to very poor families who had been severely affected by the pandemic and Typhoon Ulysses, which had a significant impact on the Philippines in November.
Due to heavy rainfall on that Saturday, our local committee members, including Jennefer, Elsa, Justine, and Ernie, couldn’t reach all the various shanties. As a result, the distribution was organized safely by gathering some of the beneficiaries at a designated location.
On December 30, 2020, another significant distribution took place in Barangay Meysulao in Calumpit. During this day, food packages containing rice, noodles, coffee, and canned products were distributed to about a hundred very poor families who were still living in the evacuation center. Unfortunately, these people couldn’t return to their homes yet because they were still flooded. We wanted to bring them some joy, knowing that it’s just a drop in the ocean, but given with the heart.
FUNDRAISING 2021 FOR TICINO AND THE PHILIPPINES
On Friday, January 29, 2021, the first distribution of school supplies for the neediest children at the elementary school in Paombong took place. Due to the pandemic, the materials were distributed to parents because the children could not yet attend school. We sincerely thank Ms. Janet, the teacher, and the other educators for their valuable support and collaboration.
After a long period of hiatus due to the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, on July 11, 2021, another distribution was organized in collaboration with our sister organization, Culture Ticino Network and Philippines Association in Paombong, Philippines. This distribution took place in Barangay San Isidro I in Paombong, Bulacan Region. This Barangay lives in a state of extreme poverty, with most people relying on fishing, while others earn a living by collecting garbage.
Throughout the day, food packages were distributed to 120 poor families, containing 2 kilograms of rice, noodles, coffee, and canned food. Additionally, 144 bottles of vitamins were distributed to malnourished children with weakened immune systems on this occasion.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the supporters, especially our volunteers in the Philippines. We extend our gratitude to Barangay official Mrs. Kagawad Jong Vergara for her valuable assistance and to Mr. Jude Trinidad of St. Luke’s Medical Foundation in Manila for sponsoring the vitamins.
Thanks to the invaluable help of all our supporters and in collaboration with our local partners, we are pleased to inform you that during the 2020-2021 pandemic, humanitarian aid was distributed to over 4,000 families.