By: Anne Pabion Gonzaga
To assist member associations in providing welfare services to their individual members in the spirit of mutual self help, particularly those in need of urgent assistance, is one of the objectives of the Federation of Filipino Communities in Israel. Thus, FFCI–FAF (Financial Assistance Fund) was created and Ms. Congeniality was launched in 2010. The project aims to accumulate funds to be able to provide financial help to individual members of the affiliated organizations.
Now on its fourth year, eight organizations joined the project. They were United Filipino Foundations In Israel (UFFI) represented by Anita Ragucos who was crowned Ms. Congeniality 2014 and Ms. Photogenic, Jerusalem Filipino Community (JFC) with Ehdz Pulido as its candidate ranked First Runner-up, TFC- Kabagis carried by Marietta Leonardo got the Best in Canvassing Award and 2nd Runner-up, Timpuyog dagiti Umili Ti La Union ditoy Ysrael’s (TULUY) Mardy Rosimo was chosen Ms. Friendship, Most Cooperative and 3rd Runner-up, Pilipinas Charity Organization represented by Josephine Guillergan bagged four awards namely Best in Production Number, Casual Wear, Formal Attire and Darling of the Crowd, while Filipino Lesbians Organization in Israel’s (FLOI) Christina Cabubas got the People’s Choice Award together with Marinel Salvador of Guardians Marilag Group. Visayas-Mindanao (Vismin) also supported the project but unfortunately their candidate Mae Shielle Ann Raymunde wasn’t able to join the coronation night.
FFCI–FAF committee would like to express their gratitude to all who supported this project: Donors Mekeni IL OnLine Shop, Asian Food & Cosmetics, Benilda Orlanda Ramos, Albert Bambao–MC, Eitanei Mor’s Ariela Banzur, Western Union’s Ms. Vardit Katz-Ezra, Dr. Gil & Lispeth Francisco, Mr. & Mrs. Lota Gerbi, Josephine Caragay, Analyn Arboleda, Mitchita Surbida, Kuletz Panganiban, Candelarians Org. in Israel, AIMWI, Triskelion Haifa, Linda Zara & Rami Amir, Ellen Matias, GF Ma. Virginia Lorenzo & Beth Infeliz, GF Clyde Francisco & Emerald Manaloto, Lily Algadon, Grace Velasco, Baby Baggayan, Anne Pramis & Jojo Valerio, Amal Major 22 – Ms. Gila Bopp, Yad BeYad’s Yaron Yaniv & Yaron Bengera, OWWA Welfare Officer Ms. Alice Lim and Mr. Mustafa Abdullah Tamimi.
The FAF committee was composed of:
Chairwomen: Lourdes Levi & Minnie Villanueva
Secretary: Joeffrey Olayan
Asst. Sec.: Ellen Reyes
Treasurer: Virgie Natino
Asst. Treas.: Loreta Ferrarez
Choreographers: Sharon Rose Simba and Michelle Calvo and the FFCI President Ms. Violy Flores Varias
Congratulations to FFCI–FAF for another fruitful project.