I’m privileged to write for the PCGOWA and PCGSFI to keep you abreast on what’s happening in the ladies’ circle. Though it may seem that our ladies are not seen as often at the Coast Guard headquarters as we used to, I’m glad we are still up and about and focused to fulfill our duties to serve, work behind the scene, and assist in some humanitarian activities of the Coast Guard.
Duly recognized by the PCG, the PCGOWA and the PCGSFI are both duly registered organizations under the Securities and Exchange Commission. These organizations are aimed at promoting the welfare of their beneficiaries. The PCGOWA embarks on the social responsibilities of its members being the ever supportive wives of PCG officers. The PCG ladies are always ready to render assistance as may be requested in any PCG ceremonial or humanitarian projects or activities. On the other hand, the PCGSFI manages a long-standing scholarship program that provides educational assistance to intellectually-gifted but economically challenged dependents of PCG enlisted personnel. The PCGOWA and PCGSFI generate funds through selected fund-raising projects in order to pursue their goals. Despite very modest resources, both organizations are able to cope up in providing and sustaining the duly established fund support for would-be scholars and likewise, be of valuable assistance to some PCG command activities as requested. And through this, we are able to develop and enhance fellowship among our ladies. In recent years, the PCGOWA and PCGSFI undertook several projects under the able leadership of previous lady advisers. We wish to continue to move forward in upholding the ideals and aspirations of the said organizations.
This year, the PCGOWA had the best of chances to participate in a series of events. In February 2009, in coordination with the PCG command, the PCGOWA ladies took charge of the planning and arrangement of the event for the two-part Valentine’s Party for the Enlisted Personnel and civilian employees held on February 11, 2009 at the PCG Function Room. The second part held the following day, February 12, with the PCG officers and their beloved wives celebrating Valentine’s Day “in style”. The incorporation of the renewal of vows into the program which was officiated by Fr. Edmund Desierto, with the assistance of Fr. Jude Besinga, made the occasion a very special and romantic one.
Last summer, the ladies held its first ever PCGOWA Summer Fellowship with several active and retired members of the organization in attendance. We’ve never imagined how overwhelmingly successful the occasion turned out to be which had left a mark in our hearts and in remembrance of all the fun we had during the affair. And what with the routine antics of Dr. Michelle and Cdr. Allen Dalangin as the emcees of the party, the perfect duo really turned the house down with laughter as they led parlor games for the ladies. Mrs Poblacion was very lucky to bring home the first prize. She almost fell from her seat when her name was announced as the winner. The event was also graced by the commandant, ADMIRAL Willie Tamayo, who has always shown his full support to the noble projects of the ladies. We hope that this kind of gathering among active and retired ladies will happen every year for all of us to be able to reunite with old friends and reminisce our happier days as coast guard ladies.
As requested by the command, the PCG ladies got involved during the National Maritime Week Celebration from September 21 to 27, 2009. We were able to join the motorcade with the PCG command entourage and other government agencies, private sectors and different maritime institutions. This week-long celebration was concluded by the event tagged as the “Children’s Maritime Treat” wherein we were requested to assist and escort some 100 orphans from different orphanages for a tour at the Manila Ocean Park for them to appreciate our country’s beautiful marine world. But due to the onset of Typhoon Ondoy, the activity at the said park was postponed to a later date, October 10, 2009, a week before PCG Anniversary Celebration. Instead, we proceeded to the HPCG Function Room for a party treat waiting for the orphans. Everybody enjoyed the puppet shows, balloon shaping and face painting but nothing could compare with the magic brought by Jollibee himself especially when he came out and cheered the orphans. The scene indeed brought out the child in me. We had our share of experience after being stranded at HPCG after the party treat due to the heavy weather. The situation bonded us more during our “overnight camping escapade” at the headquarters. And since we portray our role as wives of public servants, the PCGOWA likewise participated in donating relief goods, as well as acting as coordinator, together with the PCG Medical and Dental Group, in collecting various donations from some benevolent sponsors from among the Coast Guard members themselves and in distributing the relief goods to organic members of PCG who also became victims of Typhoon Ondoy. We likewise distributed relief goods at Coast Guard Base Taguig to residents of different barangays affected by the flash flood in Taguig area. The ladies were also requested to make the necessary coordination and arrangements during the blessing of the Coast Guard Computer Laboratory and Library at CG Base Taguig, the newly-renovated Coast Guard Operations/Action Center and Conference Room, and likewise, the Coast Guard Function Room at HPCG during the 108th PCG Anniversary Celebration on October 16, 2009.
The PCGSFI, on the other hand, is able to sustain its objectives by recruiting new candidates for scholarship for a 4-year college course to fill up the 3 slots vacated by previous scholars of the foundation. A total of 28 aspirants from the different regions nationwide went through the rigid preliminary screening to determine who among them will qualify for the final selection process. The 3 candidates who topped the screening were named new scholars of the PCGSFI while 4 more ranking candidates were adopted by our benevolent benefactors, for a total of eight(8) scholars. Other candidates who didn’t make it were given incentives to cover their travel expenses thru the kindness of no less than the Commandant himself.
