| 1. When was TYF established? |
TYF was registered as a non-profit Philippine organization in 1996.
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| 2. What prompted the establishment of TYF then? |
In 1992, Fr. Mano performed his liturgical compositions with the Phil. Philharmonic Orchestra, various artists and choirs. Their first beneficiary was the Alagad ni Maria Youth Center, Infanta, Quezon. Since then, Fr. Mano would stage similar yearly concerts and donate the proceeds to a selected beneficiary. To facilitate the work of raising funds through such concerts, the TYF was established.
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| 3. Who were some of the beneficiaries then? |
Major concerts were staged almost yearly until Fr. Mano left for graduate studies in the USA in 2000. Aside from the Alagad ni Maria, some of the beneficiaries were: |
- Sibol Hesus of Mr. Pagsanghan
- Ateneo de Manila Univ. Scholarship Fund
- Holy Spirit Alumnae Assoc
- School of Living Tradition, Baguio City
- St. Joseph’s Mission, Kiangan, Ifugao
- Christian Life Community
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| 4. Why are we re-launching? |
The TYF was inactive from 2000-05 while Fr. Mano pursued graduate studies in the USA. Upon returning to the Philippines in 2005, he gathered several of his friends to re-launch the TYF.
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| 5. What prompted the reorientation and reorganization of TYF? |
In Dec., 2004, four consecutive major typhoons hit the Philippines, devastating Quezon Province and the Bikol Region, among others. Fr. Manoling emailed as many of his friends in the USA to send their donations for Bikol and Infanta through him. While he hoped to raise 2-3K USD, to his surprise, so many people responded to his email appeal that his volunteers of Fil. Grad students in Boston and he were able to send more than 750K PhP to Bikol and Infanta.
Most donations were of small denominations--$10, $20, $50. Fr. Mano realized that there is so much goodwill among Pinoys in the US, which has not been tapped yet. So many people in the US want to help Pinoys back home but do not know how to help and how to send their help.
Fr. Mano organized a group of Filipino consultants across the US to help him jumpstart the new TYF. Upon returning to the Philippines in 2005, he gathered several friends to help reactivate the TYF and pursue its new thrust.
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| 6. In short, what is the new thrust of TYF? |
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To help create a culture of giving. One need not be a millionaire to be able to help others. Everyone can do a little to help others in greater need.
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To bridge those who are willing to give with those in need. TYF is a conduit organization that links donors with beneficiaries (NGOs, parishes, schools, etc.)
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To encourage people
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a. to give according to their capacity (a family can pledge perhaps P500/mo. or a fresh graduate P200/mo.)
b. to choose their beneficiary (TYF will link with as many NGOs, parishes, schools as possible, which have worthwhile projects that others might want to support. A prayer group might want to support a seminarian; a mountaineers’ club a reforestation project; a group of elementary school children an endangered species)
c. to choose their mode of payment or support (TYF will provide all the mechanisms available so donors can send their donations in whatever mode they are most comfortable with—cash, check, credit card, text, internet, etc.)
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| 7. Do TYF projects have a more specific coverage? |
We have four areas of concern: |
- Children’s Basic Needs
- Education and Formation
- Environment and Livelihood
- Relief and Rehabilitation
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| 8. Who are the people behind TYF? |
At present, we have an inter-religious board. Among the 15 board members are a Muslim diplomat, Mohaimin Hans Siriban, and a Protestant pastor, Pastor Genesis Orillaza.
We also have working committees that handle programs, marketing, finance, operations.
We have a full-time Programs Officer, Mr. Ryan Echevarria. Our office is located in Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University.
Volunteers (in whatever capacity) are called Christotokoi—Christ-bearers.
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| 9. Who are some of the present beneficiaries? |
| a. Children’sBasic Needs |
- 76 children in Payatas Feeding Center
- 8 children in SPED-Cainta Elementary School
- 5 students in Miarayon Elementary School, Bukidnon (indigenous children)
- 20 students in Apu Palamguwan, Bukidnon (indigenous children)
- 350 public school children in Camarines Sur
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| b. Education and Formation |
- 17 scholars in 7 regions.
- By next schoolyear we hope to have a college scholar in every region of the country.
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| c. Environment and Livelihood |
- Mangrove planting in Naga, Camarines Sur
- Reforestation in Placer, Surigao del Norte
- Fishing Boats for 40 families in Legazpi, Albay
- Farming Capital for 40 families in Legazpi, Albay
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| d. Relief and Rehabilitation |
- Rehabilitation of 200+ houses in Sabang, Naga and Buhi, Camarines Sur, and in Legazpi and Camalig, Albay
- Rehabilitation of 5 chapels in Camarines Sur
- Housing and Chapel Rehabilitation in Iling Island, Occidental Mindoro
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| 10. How can people help TYF? |
Volunteers are called Christotokoi (Christ-bearers) |
| a.Monetary donations/pledges via |
- Existing modes: Cash, Check, Credit Card, Internet
- Upcoming mode: Cel phone
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| b. Office volunteer |
- Accounting
- Marketing
- Organizing, etc.
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| c. TYF Networker |
- Promoting TYF among friends
- Hosting fund-raising affairs among contacts
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d. Professional Services as doctor, lawyer, accountant, website designer, etc.
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| 11. What are the future plans and hopes of TYF? |
- To expand network of donors and beneficiaries in the Philippines
- To set up networks of donors among Filipinos abroad—USA, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Japan, Italy, etc.
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