AF- USA, Children's Hour Bring Hope to 120 Filipino Youth

The successful partnership of AF-USA and Children's Hour Philippines continues to bring hope to the lives of young people. Since its team-up, at least 120 children have participated in education programs and activities apart from receiving educational assistance such as scholarships and materials for school.

St. Lawrence, a partner of Children's Hour for over two years, continues to provide tuition fee assistance, teacher's incentives, books, school supplies, learning materials, and funding for parent conferences in Quezon Province. With the outpouring support from the Fil-Ams through AF USA, over 107 students are currently benefiting from educational assistance and training on academic and social wellness. The families of the students also get to participate in education conferences so they, too can provide continuous support for the scholars. Another batch of scholarships will be given for the school year 2008-2009.

In Southern Leyte, the aftermath of the 2006 landslide left many children orphaned and unable to go back to their normal lives. The St. Bernard Educational Trust Fund was founded in September 2006 with an aim of providing educational assistance to the orphans who survived the tragedy. This year, with support from CH and AF USA, 56 orphans were given scholarships so they can complete their education until high school. The scholarship provides for the children's monthly allowances, school uniform, school supplies, medical needs and other school needs.

To date, AF-USA has supported 58 Children's Hour projects nationwide. Around 63% of the total donations were used for educational assistance while the rest was given to projects in health, nutrition, rehabilitation and psychological assistance for children in war-torn areas.

Currently, the Executive Director of Children's Hour, Teresita Villacorta is in New York for a presentation at the Philippine General-Consulate office on June 17. The presentation aims to raise funds for a project with ATIKHA Overseas Workers and Communities Initiatives that will help cater to the psychosocial needs of 2,614 children of migrant workers in Laguna and Batangas. Children of migrant workers often experience emotional and psychological problems brought about by separation from their migrant parents. This project aims to help these children grow up productively in an unusual and oftentimes difficult environment.

For more information about Children's Hour, log on to their website or visit Ayala Foundation-USA. Remember, it only takes an hour to make a difference that will last for a lifetime.











Children's Hour was represented in the Independence Day parade in New York by executive director Tess Villacorta.






*To view larger image, click image or click here.

You may also click http://www.af-usa.org/donate_now_form.asp if you’ll donate thru credit cards or PayPal or you may also download AF-USA donation form






They raced, they raised and the ALI-gator conquered!

Cheers to Ayala Land, Inc. for leading the RACE TO RAISE funds for the School-based Psychosocial Program for Children of OFWs!

For Children’s Hour, the thrill of the 2008 Ayala Olympics remains. After all, we went home with a valuable prize – your donations for the children.

More than the total amount raised, we are gratified by how Ayala employees came together and raised sports to a level beyond the Olympics itself. Every peso you shared contributes to a lasting victory for the children.

To Ayala Group Employees, to all donors, to all winners and to all who were at the Ayala Olympics, CONGRATULATIONS!

Timezone Auctions Maximum Tune 3 Poster
for Children’s Hour
By Rely Carpio   Inquirer.net

A WANGAN Midnight Maximum Tune 3 limited edition poster, signed by the arcade racing game’s creators, has been put on auction by Timezone Philippines for the benefit of Children’s Hour.

The bidding will run until 6 p.m. Philippine Time (10 a.m. GMT) of April 15. For bids and inquiries, contact bid master Weng Mingoy at wengm@timezone.com.ph or call Aileen or Nedz at +63 2 9147142. The winning bid and bidder will be announced on April 17. International bids are welcome.

Only 100, 000 copies of the poster were made and this is the only one in the Philippines. It was brought by the three Bandai Namco executives that visited the Philippines to judge the recently concluded Timezone Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3 competition. The poster of the Devil Z racing the Blackbird was signed by all the creators of Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune, the tuner car driving simulation arcade game created by Bandai Namco.

Raffy Prats (in photo), president and general manager of Timezone Philippines, announced the opening of the auction during the event. Kazuhiro Maeda Game Design Section, Creative Department; Yoshikazu Takenaka, major programmer; and Casey Utsunomiya, assistant manager, International Sales Section, International Sales were the executives who brought the poster. They are also members of the team behind the arcade game.

The auction started with an initial bid of P2,000 ($50), and as of this writing is now at P10,000 ($250).

Children’s Hour is a grant-giving organization that funds programs committed to protecting the welfare of disadvantaged Filipino children. They raise funds by inviting individuals, employees, and companies to donate at least one hour of their earnings once a year.

Congratulations Batch 2008!

A Children’s Hour joins our beneficiaries and their families in celebrating another year of learning and achievement. We were fortunate to attend the commencement rites of some of our partner organizations – the CRIBS’ Recognition Day, and the graduation of pre-school pupils at NFP-Philippine Navy and the NFP-PNP.

It was delightful to see children walk up the stage to receive their well-deserved medals and ribbons. To help children get to school, and to see them reap awards – there is no greater reward for us at CH and our donors.

On behalf of the children and partner organizations, our warmest gratitude to our donors.

Manila Polo Club Turns Over Donation to Children's Hour

Children's Hour Executive Director Teresita C. Villacorta (center) receives a check of P 24,717.00 representing the contribution of 90 employees from Pat Palanca, Manila Polo Club General Manager and Babette Ignacio, Manila Polo Club Human Resources Manager last March 27, 2008.

Golden ABC Turns Over Donation to Children's Hour

Bernie H. Liu, chief executive officer of Golden ABC hands over P 1,089,523.75 worth of donations to Teresita C. Villacorta, executive director of Children’s Hour Philippines, Inc.  The amount represents Mr. Liu’s personal contribution, donations from the 1,200 Golden ABC employees nationwide and contributions from their contractors and suppliers.  Golden ABC, Inc. owns and operates the Penshoppe, Memo, ForMe and Oxygen brands.  The company is a four-year consecutive donor to Children’s Hour Philippines, Inc., a fundraising and grant-giving organization that asks each employee to give one hour’s worth of annual salary to programs for children.

Thanks for Caring, Thanks for Sharing!
CH Head visits St. Bernard scholars

Countless individuals, companies, restaurants and other establishments heeded our call to raise funds for the St. Bernard Educational Trust Fund. It’s remarkable how little bits of good put together can truly overwhelm. All donations, big and small, go a long way in warming the hearts and brightening the lives of the children.

All the way from St. Bernard, Alvin Terante and the 55 other scholars you helped thank you for being their valentine!



Last February 28, Mrs. Teresita C. Villacorta, executive director, visited the resettlement area in Brgy Guinsaugon where survivors of the 2006 Leyte landslide are rebuilding their lives. Of this, 56 orphans from elementary and high school are being supported by Children’s Hour with its donor partners led by Development Bank of the Philippines, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Congress of Visayan Organization based in Hawaii, and Inter-Continental Hotel. A special valentine fundraising campaign resulted in a sizeable contribution to the St. Bernard Educational Fund set up for the orphans.

Mrs. Villacorta turned over certificates of scholarship assuring the children that they can finish their complete schooling as long as they pass each year. The scholarship covers non-tuition fees such as uniforms, food allowance, books and materials, and transportation costs.
She also gave gifts from partners TVP Dental –B and Glenn Marine.

Hotel Inter-Continental Manila Turns Over
Donation to Children's Hour

Hotel Inter-Continental Manila’s General Manager, Christian Pirodon, turns over the donation of the hotel’s employees and management to Tess Villacorta, Children’s Hour Executive Director, as the first company to donate for the Be Their Valentine campaign, launched for the education of 56 orphans of the landslide disaster in St. Bernard, Leyte.

Hotel Inter-Continental Manila’s General Manager, Christian Pirodon, and their executives, turn over the donation of the hotel’s employees and management to Tess Villacorta, Children’s Hour Executive Director and staff, as the first company to donate for the Be Their Valentine campaign, launched for the education of 56 orphans of the landslide disaster in St. Bernard, Leyte.

CH launches the 'Be Their Valentine' campaign
please refer to Philippine Daily Inquirer - Feb. 14, 2008 issue, A9



THE ST. BERNARD EDUCATIONAL TRUST FUND is a Children's Hour special project for orphans who are survivors of the massive Leyte landslide in February 2006. In partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress, Children's Hour commits to support the complete schooling of all 56 orphans from elementary to high school.


US Navy Hosts Adventure by the Sea

Some Children’s Hour beneficiaries spent Saturday in a most unusual way.

On 2 February 2008, 40 children from the Holy Rosary Elementary School went to Pier 13 to explore a “very, very big boat” – the guided missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67).

(Above, lL-R) Senior Chief Mark Sadowski and Captain Alan J. Abramson welcome the kids .

Led by Commanding Officer Captain Alan J. Abramson, sailors aboard USS Shiloh warmly welcomed the children and took them around the ship. As the children looked in wonder at the facilities, Senior Chief Mark M Sadowski explained the technology in very fluent Filipino, to the children’s great amusement.

After exploring the four-story ship’s control room, missile launching deck, helicopter, sleeping quarters and more, the children made their last stop at another important area – the ship’s “Nest Café.” There they filled up with cookies and juice, and sang a few songs to thank the sailors.

As members of the school’s Milk Choir, the children impressed the sailors with their angelic performance of Limandipang Tao and Happiness. It was a fitting way to cap the tour. Just as the children learned from their fun encounter with the navy, so did the sailors experience the local culture through the showcase of young Filipino musicali

For making it all happen, credit goes to several generous groups –.

All smiles from L-R: Lt. Richard Rayos (C7F LNO), Senior Chief Mark Sadowski, MILK Fund &  Holy Rosary teachers.

The US Navy and the US Embassy.  Thank you for arranging the tour. An educational activity like this widens the children’s real world experience, and gives rise to their inquisitiveness, creativity and intelligence. Plus, it’s always great fun for the kids and adults alike.

We would also like to thank Glenn Defense Marine Philippines for lending CH their usual support.  This time, they sponsored the bus that took the children from school and back.

MILK Fund and Holy Rosary Elementary School, thank you for partnering with CH again; we will continue to seek more support for the children you are helping.

CH joins the tour.

From all of us at Children’s Hour – thank you very much.

Let’s keep doing little bits of good together, and help children one adventure at a time.







Glenn Defense Marine Brings Christmas to PCF Kids

A day of festivities… a lifetime of memories.



On a fine day in December, 350 children from disdvantaged families in Tondo and Navotas trooped to the Naval Reserve Command, and had a merry Christmas party. Christmas came alive as the children enjoyed the simple thrills of childhood

They had a field day playing on the huge inflatable toy…were awed by the Jollibee mascot ...enjoyed the rare treat of a Jollibee Kiddie Meal...vied for prizes in the parlor games...sang and danced in the program...and went home with a party bag of toys and food

This party came about through the goodwill of Glenn Defense Marine Philippines, which sponsored the party organized by Children’s Hour, and benefited children of the Philippine Christian Foundation (PCF).

The Philippine Navy also contributed by giving us the perfect party venue at their open basketball court in the Naval Reserve Command.

Children’s Hour is very thankful to the Philippine Navy, and to Glenn Marine especially. We are privileged to count you among our generous donors who take their social responsibility seriously, and who do business in a way that positively affects the community.

For giving the children a grand time, and for all the ways you brighten their lives – thank you, thank you!

Annual Benefit Lunch 2007

“Kids Rule!“ was the rallying cry as members of the Philippine business community came together in support of one cause—to empower our underprivileged children. Last December 12, 2007, Children’s Hour Philippines, Inc., in partnership with the Makati Business Club and The French Corner , put up their sixth Benefit Lunch, entitled, “Kids Rule! Empower. Educate. “ This year’s event featured master Billy King and his renowned gourmet cooking, US Ambassador Kristie Kenney as keynote speaker. Adding flavor to the usual yearly get together was Edu Manzano , the luncheon host. Patty Rivera , the featured young artist, was a hit with the adults who were quite fond of her paintings that she was donating for the cause of the children.

Not only was the Lunch a fundraiser, but it gave Children’s Hour the opportunity to acknowledge its donors who are and will always be the lifeblood of the foundation. Children’s Hour was given the chance to honor one of her staunchest advocates, Mr. Warner Manning, former HSBC CEO for his quirky efforts to raise funds for the children.

The hallmark, though, for this years luncheon was the special keynote speech delivered by US Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney , where she commended the business community for their continuing efforts to build a more hopeful future for the children.

Other principal sponsors for this event were, C2 Green Tea the official beverage sponsor and Figaro, the coffee sponsor. Manila Water also gave provisions.

We’d also like to thank the following donors for their continuous support to Children’s Hour: