Far-flung mission made possible

STRIDING the road of uncertainty while carrying the grail of goodness. A Filipino based group from Australia named Circulo Capizeño of Melbourne, Inc. held the torch of commitment to giving sanctuary in a mission for the province of Capiz as part of a life-long vision of helping the society.

Partnered with the Gawad Kalinga of Western Visayas, the Provincial Health Office, the Philippine Army, LGBT Organizations, the Philippine Coastguard, and the City Government, the organization
has shed light on the Capiznons as they held a 5-day medical and dental mission from February 13 until 17, 2023 to provide quality treatment to the community’s impecunious population, with the belief that ensuring health is a fundamental right of everyone.

“It’s helping the less fortunate because we know how it feels to have nothing kay naranasan din namin ‘yan”. Ms. Terry stated as she expressed the group’s satisfaction when they see the joy in their beneficiaries’ eyes on the second day of the mission.

The fire of being giftgivers started its flame upon a fathomless realization. Most of the members of the organization are permanent citizens of Australia and with the prestige of living a stable life, an initiative of going and giving back to the place they used to call home had hit them.
Job after job.

The organization started its journey of giving and guiding in 2003 when it was founded by Terry Alba Alpines, a Filipina
who is now a citizen of Australia.

Looking back, the discovery period of this foundation’s initiative started with a simple
Mother’s Day celebration for the Ilonggo community in Melbourne, Australia.

“All of these began with what we saw and felt that day, which immediately gave us
the thought to fully pursue the epitome of commitment to help by establishing this organization no matter what the cost,” Terry said, as she vividly recalls.

On September 3, 2003, the first project was the ‘Balik Alisto’ to which they bought a huge ‘kawa,’ for the school feeding program for children and later added a water system, boats, chairs, computers, and printers.

“It was heart-wrenching to see kids going down 80 steps to bring water to school, and the water system was a leap,” Ms.

Terry stressed, unraveling the significance of the water system and calling it a dependable utility for schools. It remarkably drove them to start distributing printers, paper, pencils, and books that were intentionally meant for children to schools in the communities of Capiz, allowing them to raise educational standards.

Eight years ago, super typhoon Yolanda slammed into billions of lives, flattened
trees, demolished homes, and peeled roofs off the concrete structure. The chaos wrought by the super typhoon ruled the
entire province, yet it was also possible for their team to give a million worth of rice along with the boxes of donations to seemingly fill up the empty spaces of the affected families.

The sense of volunteerism A spirit of volunteerism lit up as the process continued until it reached its current peak of giving and helping more of those in need. The sight of the crowd each year seeded the real meaning and beauty of
life for them: to help, give, and inspire.

Among the things they did to help out were to gather sponsors, solicit donations, organize dinners and dance projects; solicit donations, and sell raffle tickets. Their budget will be funded by any money
they can raise.

“We started with a few members and subsequently grew to have more and more
members lending a hand to every Capizeno, believing there’s more we need to share.” It was a road paved for them—the urge to help the underprivileged.

It had a personal and more profound significance that united them with one mission—being willing to walk the extra
mile to reach more people.

The outcome of scratches During the five-day activity, the organization was able to cater to an average of 300 Capiznons of all ages per day with surgical procedures such as circumcision and cataract surgery; dental consultation like pulling or cleaning of teeth, haircutting, feeding program and other medical checkups of both minor and major health issues.

The group went to Dumarao, Binantuan, Pilar, Maayon, and Barangay Dinginan to pour in the blessings they have gathered. This far-flung mission they have brought up served not just as a sense of benevolence but is a jampacked journey full of lessons and realizations for
each member— to be grateful and contented with what you possess and to have the faith in serving people especially when you have the means to do so.

“Please, Capizeños all over the world, you have to know this. We want to inspire you with what we’re doing here so please come and help the less fortunate Capiznons”. A resounding message of the founder, Ms.
Terry to all the people of Capiz who are capable of extending their aid to their fellows.

The members of Circulo Capizeño of Melbourne, Inc. expressed an eagerness to
continue the eff orts. Indeed, the outcome of what seemed to be scratches reached thousands of unprecedented families.

“We will go home feeling grateful,” Jay Biclar, Vice President of the organization
stated as he concluded the expedition.

As long as they can look for the support around them, and as long as there are good hearts who are willing to bestow fortunes, the Circulo Capizeño of Melbourne, Inc. pledged to make use of all the eff orts to obtain fi nances. They will make sure to turn each penny into an act of good deed and provide accouterments to sustain the deprived populace of Capiz.*