THE Association of Women Legislators Foundation Inc. of the 17th Congress will organize a garage sale and concert this December where actor John Arcilla is being eyed as main performer to raise funds for the underprivileged women and children, including cancer patients.
The fundraising event was initiated by AWLFI led by its president, Bulacan Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica.
The AWLFI is where Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez is representative for neophyte lady lawmakers.
Romualdez said they will ask each lawmaker, including congressmen, to donate personal items and even as they would ask celebrities to participate in the fundraising event.
Arcilla, who played the role of Antonio Luna in the historical epic film Heneral Luna, could be the main performer during the proposed concert, Romualdez said.
“The good intentions of our colleagues at AWLFI will help us achieve a successful fundraising event for underprivileged women and children, including those who are cancer-stricken,” said Romualdez, wife of former Leyte congressman Martin Romualdez, who is president of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) after attending yesterday’s AWLFI meeting presided by Villarica.
“We want to bring hope and courage to women-beneficiary who are facing their own battles in life. As elected leaders, we have to provide inspiration at all times. Remember that fundraisers are the catalysts of change and there is always joy in giving,” Romualdez said.
Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones, AWLFI public relations officers and a former broadcast-journalist, was elected chairperson of the fundraising event while Misamis Oriental Rep. Juliette Uy, AWLFI vice president for Mindanao, was co-chairperson.
As of of press time Tuesday, the AWLFI has yet to finalize specific institutions on women and children where the proceeds of the fundraising will go.
Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy, AWLFI secretary, proposed to tap the help of celebrities to donate their personal things like used clothing, bags, books, household decorations, sports equipment, DVDs, kitchen or home appliances, furniture, etc.
“We can ask our celebrities-friend to donate their personal items for our garage sale,” said Herrera-Dy.
Villarica said they are hoping that Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez will allow them to hold their garage sale within the premises of the House of Representatives.
“We will seek first the permission of our good Speaker for our activities,” said Villarica.
Antipolo City Rep. Cristina Roa-Puno will handle the AWLFI’s proposed holding of concert at the Music Museum through a rerun of musical shows, such as Dirty Old Music where artists Arcilla, Nonie Buencamino, Robert Sena, Michael Williams, Bo Cerrudo and Ricky Davao were named possible performers.
San Jose del Monte City Rep. Florida Rida Robes, AWLFI business manager, volunteered to handle the sounds for the fundraising event in the lower house.
During the discussions, members of AWLFI proposed to give the proceeds to the needy women, including distressed women overseas Filipino workers as suggested by Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus, AWLFI vice president for party-list.
AWLFI members also proposed that part of the proceeds should go to rehabilitate recovering women drug dependents and extend educational assistance to the deserving children of House employees like utilities and those who have meager salaries and benefits.
Other attendees in the meeting include Pangasinan Rep. Rose Marie Arenas, AWLFI senior vice president; Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, AWLFI vice president for Visayas; and others.