Update, November 6, 2004
Dear Friends,
It has been a long time since I have sent out an update on the
current status of the Lingap Center Project. I have been waiting until I had some
significant things to tell you. Well, the time has come. I have a LOT to tell!
First of all, where are we financially? You will recall that my initial goal was $300,000.
This was enough money to build the new facility for 80 children and run it for a year.
Since then, we have had to move to an alternate location and I have approved the expansion
of the plans to accommodate 100 children. However the budget remains the same
(at least for now). As of today, thanks to you all, we have raised exactly $292,000 (97.3%)
of the needed $300,000. As a result, construction is beginning! My concerns are now turning
towards the operating costs of approximately $30,000 annually (in addition to the $10,000 that
the Toledo City Council is contributing). So, we are about to reach a major milestone,
but we need to look to the future. Therefore, please feel free to tell others about the
project. We need the support.
My October Trip. As some of you know, I went to the Philippines to check
on the status of things on October 16, returning on October 30. What a trip it was!
Upon my arrival, I was advised by my very close friend and associate, Joji Deduque in
Manila, that I had been asked to appear on ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC). This is the major
television network in the Philippines, even broadcasting on the west coast of the United
States. Upon arrival at the studio, I had to go to “make-up” and was briefed on the
interview. It was quite an experience and I was asked to comment on child welfare
issues in the Philippines. What an opportunity to influence social change in a third
world country where it is so desperately needed!! The interview lasted about 15 minutes
or so.
The next day, I traveled to Cebu, where I met with representatives of
World Vision. During an earlier October trip to the World Vision Administrative Offices
in Federal Way, WA. I had been asked to consider assisting with their “Child Sponsorship
Program.” To provide me with the background I would need, they arranged to have me meet
with their people in Cebu and visit some World Vision project sites. What an experience
this was!! While there, I met children in desperate need of sponsors. For $30 a month,
a sponsor is able to send a child to school, provide health assistance, help a child
develop good values and make a difference in improving their community. I learned more
about this worthwhile program firsthand and even met some adults who had been sponsored
children themselves. In turn, some are dedicating their lives to helping other children
in need. I came away a changed person. While we have sponsored a child for some time,
we have decided to sponsor yet another. I also have files on children needing to be
sponsored if any of you might be interested. Please send me an E-mail message and I
can give you the details. As I mentioned, it is a wonderful program, but keep in mind
they are not Lingap Center Children, who remain my first priority.
After returning to Cebu City, I learned that I had been asked to be
interviewed by 3 of the regional newspapers, The Cebu Sun Star, The Cebu Freeman,
and The Cebu Daily Tribune. They were very interesting interviews, with a lot of interest in
the Lingap Center Project, why I am doing it and what the local Filipino Community can
and should be doing in turn. This was a tremendous opportunity for me to build on what
I had said on the television and strongly advocate that all children, regardless of
their circumstances MUST be allowed to attend school – that without an education,
they have little or no hope for a brighter future, or move the Philippines in a
positive direction for that matter. I also discussed child welfare laws saying that
without enforcement, they were meaningless!! They listened very intently.
Next, I was advised that I had received an invitation to go back to
Manila to Malacanang Palace to meet Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the President of the
Philippines!! Sadly, I was not able to meet with her privately due to a crisis of
some sort, but I did attend a function with other members of World Vision and sat
in the front row. I was able to meet her briefly afterwards (there will be a photo
on the website). What an experience!!! I then returned to Cebu, where I learned
that I was to be interviewed on the radio. This particular radio station focuses
on family issues. It was a full hour interview, in 4 segments, again focusing on
social responsibility and children’s rights.
Finally I made it to Toledo City and saw the Lingap Children. We
had a beach party with them. Thanks to contributions from some of you,
I was able to buy them all new clothes. They are truly wonderful children in every
sense of the word. They are very bright and were very interested to hear all about
their many friends and benefactors in America. We now have 32 children, the most
recent being street orphans and a rape victim. In total, we have 3 John Doe’s and
1 Jane Doe (children who have no family and no names. We estimate their ages to
range between 4 and 7). Thanks to the Lingap Center, they are now in a place of
safety away from abuse, neglect and exploitation, are eating everyday and are
attending school and church! The time I spent with the kids was the very best
part of the whole trip!
On Monday, October 25, 2004 at 9:00 AM, at long last, we had
the official Ground Breaking Ceremony for the new Lingap Center. This was a spectacular
event, at least for me. It was the culmination of a crazy idea, a dream, a vision, a
plan, a partnership between World Vision, Toledo City and myself and finally, it became
a reality!! Of course, never at a loss for words, I gave a speech, the Mayor, Arlene
Zambo gave an acceptance speech, Bebeth Tiu from World Vision dedicated it and members
of the City Council also spoke. Aileen Bantolinao (12), one of the Lingap Children,
offered a very stirring invocation in perfect English and then all of the children
sang to the group. I have posted pictures of the event on my website and encourage
you to take a look. Janice Mahilum (11), another of the Lingap Children, cut the
ribbon and turned the first spade of soil, on behalf of the other Lingap wards.
It was a fabulous day.
Finally I returned to Manila as I began my return trip to the U.S.
I was contacted by the national newspapers, this time including the Philippine Daily
Inquirer, the Philippine Star and the Herald Tribune. The stories were much the same;
why was I doing the project, how etc. with the same focus on social responsibility.
Here is a quote from The Daily Tribune, October 25, 2004 edition to show what I mean:
"If a foreigner could see the plight of these underprivileged children, why not us,
the Filipino’s? The government, especially the politicians, must now take a closer
look at the whole picture of rampant poverty in the country and help or assist the
impoverished orphans, like Drake has, who has chosen to travel halfway around the
globe just to give the orphaned Filipino children a brighter hope for tomorrow."
These are powerful words and I am humbled that I seem to have become a spokesman
for social change. But what an opportunity - what a responsibility!!! I will continue
to do my very best on behalf of these children and I thank God everyday for
the support I have received from all of you. I then arrived back in the U.S.
on the 30th, pretty tired, but incredibly committed to continue my journey.
Now a look to the future: Our next fund raiser on behalf of
the Lingap Center is our second annual Valentines Day Dinner, Dance and silent
auction "Hearts For Orphans" to be held at the Gene Davis Banquet Center
on Saturday, February 12, 2005 at 6:00 PM. We will be having a silent auction,
dinner, Lingap Center update, a performance by the children’s Jackson Fil-Am
Folk Dancers and dancing with music by S and J Band. Tickets are $35 per person
and can be obtained by sending me an E-mail. We will be sending future announcements
about it, but please put it on your calendar.
As mentioned above, I would ask you to visit our website which can
be found at
www.lingapcenter.org. Jeff (my son) and I have updated it to include
photos from the events I have described. If you do visit, please feel free to sign
the guest book.
In conclusion, I would like to again thank you so much for your
support and encouragement. It means a lot and it truly is changing the lives of
a lot of children who really deserve better things. Without you, this would not
be possible. I believe it was Helen Keller who said, "The most beautiful things
in life are neither seen nor heard, but are felt with the heart." I can assure
you that even though we do not see them or speak to them often, the children are
always in our hearts. And they truly are some of the most beautiful things in life.
John Drake
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