Gawad Kalinga Report by Ernie Delfin, as published by Asian Journal

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Gawad Kalinga is in the hearts of many Filipino Americans
GK Founder Tony Meloto (R), Pangasinan Mayor Nani Braganza (next to Meloto), and San Diego GK advocates at the ONE unification rally in Kimball Park, National City, California.
GK Founder Tony Meloto (R), Pangasinan Mayor Nani Braganza (next to Meloto), and San Diego GK advocates at the ONE unification rally in Kimball Park, National City, California.

THE METAMORPHOSIS By Ernie D. Delfin (exclusive to the San Diego Asian Journal) | DEL MAR, 5/26/08 (See AJ 5/30/08 issue) -- In my own "Man's Search for Meaning" (a highly recommended book of the same title authored by a Holocaust survivor Dr. Victor Frankl) I also attended the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Builders Summit 2008 in San Diego over the Memorial Day Weekend (May 25-26) where over 400 other Filipino Americans and non-Americans from many cities of the USA participated. We heard many testimonies from many GK volunteers and benefactors from diverse backgrounds and professions who originally came from many different provinces or regions in the Philippine. I am particularly inspired to see many second generation Filipino Americans, successful business leaders and professionals who are now involved in this GK movement. I believe it is the beginning of an era of the Philippines' brain gain, a homecoming or giving back to the homeland for us, the first generation of Filipino immigrants to the United States.

Although I am not a social scientist, this weekend summit showed me some brighter rays of hope that GK can be that rallying point for most Filipinos to unite for ONE common cause: fighting poverty from the ground up. It is now a new brand that many Filipinos can be proud of, that can transform us to become world class citizens that can be tapped for nation building through the empowerment of the poor by giving them their God-given dignity and instilling their innate sense of heroism and love of country. In his book, "The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid", C.K. Prahalad said that a nation can never be fully developed without raising the qualify of life of the poor who often make the rich become richer as plain consumers. Some signs of hope are happening, however, as city mayors, like Alaminos City, Pangasinan Mayor Nani Braganza have become vocal advocates and partners of GK as more and more politicians in the Philippines, for whatever reasons, are now associating themselves with GK as it is a good brand name can also help them in their political electability.

Having seen the transformation of many people, both the beneficiaries and benefactors of Gawad Kalinga, is a global phenomenon, a miracle from God. GK for many of us has given us an opportunity or vehicle to practice our Christian faith to do something for the least of our brothers, to "feed the hungry, clothe the naked" and provide shelter to those who live in slums, along the railroads or under many bridges. For many volunteers, GK has become a calling like the early missionaries of the church by helping others empower themselves not through charity but by a holistic approach of providing basic shelter needs of homeless people first, then providing them with spiritual nourishment and livelihood education. The GK Movement is beginning to have global presence as it has been exported to several countries like Cambodia, East Timor, Papa New Guinea, Indonesia and soon to South Africa. Like the so-called People Power of 1986, Gawad Kalinga is a Filipino creation of God fearing men and women trying to follow Christ's admonition to "live simply so that others can simply live"

Tony Meloto, the humble Founder-Servant Leader of GK, issued the challenge to have more committed soldiers by becoming massive builders in response to a massive need. Every one has that power to lend a hand, to share and to lead in fighting poverty by living out our Christian faith of compassion and following the many social teachings of our church. Doing these acts of social justice will not only cure poverty but also build a nation that can regain its moral moorings and pride to be called "Perlas ng Silanganan". From what I witnessed last weekend, I am now inclined to agree with my friends, Tony Meloto, Boy Montelibano and Rick Munda that in one generation, we can have a better, more progressive and more just and moral country, our beloved Philippines.

The GK Summit 2008 issued a challenge that each one who believes in the GK Movement must start looking for leaders to become builders of GK communities and that leader is often the one looking at the mirror. Leaders are not necessary born from wealthy clans but they can arise from ordinary mortals like the apostles of Christ. Tony Meloto is a living example that leaders can come anywhere, can be anointed and be guided by the Holy Spirit to mouth the next word, to do the next move right and above all to lead and to inspire others to become better people. With faith and God's guidance, Gawad Kalinga can restore Filipinos' sense of brokenness and make them stand tall in the parade of nations in the next generation.

As more people will hear the 'Good News" about Gawad Kalinga, more people from all walks of life will come to contribute their thinking, talent, treasure and time (4 T's of philanthropy) and I dream as I pray for that day when Filipinos everywhere can be proud (again) because they became a part of Gawad Kalinga (also referred as the "Gold with priceless Karats" or a "Global Kusina" that feeds the world). As I told my fellow "GK Builders" in my table who came from different states, I hope that next GK Summit 2009 in Boston will have more than 1,000 participants and I believe it can happen as I do my part to invite and influence others to join us in this great movement of empowering others to attain their fullest human potential. For more information, visit: www.gawadkalinga.org or www.ancopusa.org.



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Email writer: ernie.delfin@gmail.com or drbannatiran@yahoo.com

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