By APEX Day Care Center in Brgy. Atisan in San Pablo City SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna - After four years of preparations, the newly construct...
 |
| Day Care Center in Brgy. Atisan in San Pablo City |
SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna - After four years of preparations, the newly constructed Day Care Center in Brgy. Atisan in San Pablo City was turned over by the Apex Club of San Pablo City and the Association of Apex Clubs of Australia to the Sangguniang Barangay headed by Chairman Renato Guevarra on May 18, 2023. The project was a joint undertaking of the Associations of Apex Clubs of Australia and the Philippines and executed by the Apex Club of San Pablo City.
Guests during the inauguration were City Councilor Carmela Acebedo, former SK Federation President and currently Mayor’s Executive Assistant Tin Picasso, Local DSWD Chief Marilyn Escondo, Apex Australia National President Simon Grant, Apex Philippines National President Arwynne Macaisa, and Australian Work Party Leader Craig Martin.
Sixteen Australian volunteers from various Apex Clubs in Australia, together with the members of the Apex Club of San Pablo City and Apex Women’s Club of San Pablo, worked from May 12 to 18, 2023 to complete the Day Care Center. Construction of the building’s foundation and basic structures were done from April 10 to May 11.
The Australian volunteers were headed by Life Member and Apex Australia National Director Craig Martin. The members are Apex Australia National President Simon Grant, Life Member and Past National President Michael Godfrey, National Director Daniel Lascelles, National Bursary Manager Greg Youngberry, Club President Eloise Wattie, Club President April Lancaster-Smith, Katie McIver, Gemma Stewart, Richard Stokes, Crissie Martin, Bronwyn Grant, Charlotte Grant, Harrison Grant, Matilda Grant, and Melinda Godfrey. The local Apex members were led by Project Chairman and Past President Salvador Tagumpama.
The project was supported by the people of San Pablo City. The barangay officials of Atisan and the parents of the day care children took turns in working at the construction site. Non-Apex citizens donated cash to the project. Mayor Vicente Amante and Congressman Amben Amante provided financial and material support. It is not a one-time short-time Apex project. It is a long-term, sustainable and life-changing endeavor which will immediately benefit some 40 daycare children. In its estimated life span of 20 years, the building will benefit 800 poor children by providing a good educational environment for them. They no longer will hold classes under the house of the daycare teacher.
Funds for the project were raised by the Apex Clubs of Australia and the men and women of Apex in San Pablo City. Apex members of San Pablo conducted local fundraising drives and donated personal money for the project.
The project also contributed to San Pablo City’s Tourism Program as the 16 Australians, who were later joined by one Apex Member from Malaysia, were brought to a Mohicap Lake resort owned by Eddie Boy Gamo, the Bato Spring owned by the Alvero Family, and several spa, massage and facial shops, including La Belle, owned by Ms. Mel Babaan. The visitors are expected to return to San Pablo in many years to come.
As a gesture of gratitude, the Sangguniang Panglunsod, through the sponsorship of City Councilor Carmela Acebedo, passed a resolution thanking Apex San Pablo and Apex Australia and declaring May 12-18 every year as Apex San Pablo and Apex Australia Friendship Month.
No comments