About HFI’s 20th Anniversary
HFI’s highly anticipated gathering of the year united around 65 donors and wellness partners in celebrating its 20th Anniversary. The event’s theme was “Tugon sa Kalusugan: Good Practices in Creating Communities of Wellness”. It was held last 20 September 2018 at 7th Floor, Filinvest Building, 79 EDSA Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City.
Tugon sa Kalusugan highlighted the good practices of HFI throughout two decades of creating communities of wellness. It featured innovations and initiatives established by HFI in empowering marginalized communities towards health and social development. In addition to this is the appreciation of the support it has been receiving from donors, partners, and beneficiaries.
Highlights of the Event
The program started with an invocation and the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. HFI President Dr. Cora Añonuevo gave her opening remarks. She emphasized HFI’s implementation of sustainable and well-planned health and development programs to empower communities. A video presentation highlighting the accomplishments of HFI in the past 20 years followed.
HFI Chairman Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan made the event more special by narrating a brief history of HFI. He then showcased the good practices of HFI in the past 20 years. During his speech, he highlighted the new project of HFI for the Blaans of Landan, Polomolok, South Cotabato. Dr. Galvez Tan’s mention of staying in Landan for a period of time for the project impressed the audience.
Salcedo Municipal Mayor Melchor Melgar served as the voice of HFI’s beneficiaries. As a response, he thanked HFI for its projects in Salcedo, Eastern Samar. As support to HFI’s projects, he plans on giving the Barangay Health Workers of his town additional incentives per month. In addition, he is planning to develop an ordinance protecting every BHW from getting pulled-out, every time a change in barangay officials is observed.
Champion of Wellness
As a sign of gratitude, HFI awarded Champion of Wellness certificates to its beneficiaries, donors, and partners. HFI acknowledged that their continuous support help the projects become successful. Attendees of the event then gathered to form a circle and sang the song, “Heal the World” while doing the Blaan Skiton ritual. An open forum followed.
The event ended with a fellowship and merienda cena.
To view more photos of the event, click here.
