RIYADH, 1 March 2007 — GK 1MB, a campaign of the Gawad Kalinga movement, will be introduced to Filipinos in the Eastern Province today during a launching ceremony at the International Philippine School in Alkhobar starting at 3 p.m.
Organizers said they are counting on compatriots to join and be counted among the ever-growing number of supporters of Gawad Kalinga, a movement that cuts across all strata of society in the Philippines with the aim to transform slum areas into renewed and sustainable communities.
Ambassador Antonio Villamor is the guest of honor of the program, which will also offer entertainment numbers on Philippine songs and cultural dances in between inspiring messages on topics of love of country, heroism, and bayanihan (volunteerism).
“Everyone, young and old, is invited to this show of solidarity with the poorest of the poor in the Philippines,” said the organizers in a statement.
GK 1MB, which stands for Gawad Kalinga Isang Milyong Bayani, was launched last year to gather a million volunteers for the movement in the Philippines and abroad.
Last September, GK 1MB was successfully launched in Riyadh and many volunteers have joined.
It has also gathered thousands of volunteers in the United States and other parts of the world.
The organizers of GK 1MB in the Kingdom belong to Ancop/GK KSA Chapter. It is part of the Philippine-based Gawad Kalinga, which in 2006 was given the prestigious Magsaysay Awards for Community Service. Its executive director, Tony Meloto, was also named Filipino of the Year for his efforts in Gawad Kalinga.
There are now over 1,000 Gawad Kalinga communities all over the Philippines benefiting the lives of half a million poor Filipinos regardless of location or religious creed.
In Riyadh, those who have joined GK 1MB have expressed keen interest and are looking forward to the opportunity to help build houses for the poor in the Philippines.
Some have gone to Padre Burgos in Quezon province to visit a GK village named after the OFWs in Saudi Arabia and provided helping hands to their less fortunate countrymen.
The Riyadh International School ran a goods donation drive and collected 34 boxes of used clothing and food stuff that were shipped and sent to typhoon victims in the Bicol region last year.
Earlier also last year, 10 students from the American International School — Riyadh went to the Philippines, and as part of school curriculum, completed their Community Service Learning Hours by spending them through workshops, building homes, and interaction with the beneficiaries in GK Muntinlupa.
In Palm Crest International School, teachers volunteered by pledging a part of their salaries to help build two houses for Gawad Kalinga.
The organizers of GK 1MB in the Eastern Province include Wilson Lumbao, Bert Banzon, William Onza. They are joined by the GK team from Riyadh composed of Manny Lector, Jun Sigaya, Gerry Peradilla, and Ed Abitona.
