Category: news

A proactive move during pandemic like office disinfection can reduce the risk of exposure to the Covid 19 virus which is believed to land on surfaces. People gets infected if they touch those surfaces and then touch their noses, mouths or eyes. The emergence of the Delta variant which is feared to be more contagious makes us all careful and resourceful in finding ways to be rid of the virus in our surroundings.

Consequently, Open Heart Foundation (OHF) resorted to an office disinfection cum deep cleaning to a microscopic level to ensure safety of personnel and clients coming in and out of the office.  The disinfection scheduled August 26, 2021.  A private disinfection team utilized a 6-Advance Disinfecting Bundle that leaves to an almost zero possibility for infection and microbes to exist in the vicinity.  The bundle includes Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) monitoring, Spraying, Misting, Wiping, Ultraviolet (UV-C), and Air Purification.  OHF staff Mark and Tatet, assisted in the office disinfection.  After a few hours of process, the team achieved the desired result using a monitoring tester.

As much as possible, every employee wishes to have a comfortable and safe workplace.  And there is a lot of work that we all need to consider in order to adapt to our new normal.  Also, we can only achieve this by helping in maintaining cleanliness, hygiene and strict monitoring of minimum public health standards.

Prepared by: Susie Bedia, Admin Officer

A year has passed since the pandemic has challenged us all globally. But this did not deter Open Heart Foundation (OHF) to pursue its mission of serving children beneficiaries all over the Philippines.

Likewise, the challenges encountered did not deter our resolve to celebrate a momentous occasion; the 29th foundation anniversary of Open Heart Foundation Worldwide Inc., as well as the commemoration of the 21st death anniversary of the generous founder, Atty. Robert LeGore.

Due to mobility limitations imposed by the Inter Agency Task Force that is in-charge in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, the founding anniversary celebration was held through a virtual gathering via Zoom and Facebook Live led by OHF staffs on August 5, 2021.

The program began by honoring the life of Robert LeGore which he selflessly shared with the beneficiaries especially the children and youth. This was followed by a short but very touching welcome message from our Executive Director, Ms. Rosalinda Perez. She delivered a brief introduction about the occasion, welcomed the attendees from the group of the Board of Trustees, the staffs, ECCD teachers, network partners and beneficiaries. She also personally thanked and acknowledged the hardwork of the OHF workforce in delivering programs and services of the Foundation. She also honored the memories of the pillars of OHF; Nory Tabios, the first Executive Director and Robert LeGore-the Founder, both of whom worked very hard and provided guidance in realizing the vision and mission of the Foundation.

After the opening preliminaries, it was followed by a Thanksgiving Mass which was officiated by Rev. Fr. Harvey Bagos of Good Shepherd Church. In his homily, he challenged the Foundation to wholeheartedly continue the legacy of the Founder and to continue its well-established identity which is to improve the welfare of the disadvantaged. He also wished the Foundation to reach the farthest corners of the country to help those most in need.

After the mass, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Carol Encarnacion-Dacanay, took the opportunity to deliver her message and greet all those who are present at the virtual gathering. She congratulated the staff for another good year of work and service. She also expressed that it has been a pleasure working with the OHF family and she looks forward to more years ahead.

In closing, everyone gestured their own version of heart sign which symbolizes commitment, compassion and selfless dedication for the advancement of OHF programs and services and for the empowerment of children and youth.

Indeed, another year is added that forms part of the history of the Foundation. We are so grateful to all the people who have joined us in this significant day. The celebration will never be successful without their presence which signifies that they are one with OHF in its advocacies.

May the Lord bless us and guide us in rendering services to children and youth throughout the Philippines.

Prepared by: Susie Bedia, Admin Officer

To raise environmental awareness in our community and to secure a clean, conducive and healthy lifestyle for the youth, the Open Heart Youth Movement (OHYM) Bulusan volunteered a day of cleanup drive in Brgy. Dapdap, Bulusan, Sorsogon on June 5, 2021.

This initiative is also to support the project taken by the Sangguniang Kabataan in the said barangay entitled “One Day Cleanup Drive and Healthy Lifestyle to Youth Amidst COVID-19”.  This project is developed so that everyone can work together in promoting a clean environment and implementing COVID preventive measures to ensure that its citizens stay in a clean and safe environment.  

To start with, the volunteers gathered in the Barangay Hall of Dapdap, early morning of the said date.  Of course, there is a serious virus out there so cleanups should be done in harmony with the latest health protocols against COVID like wearing face mask, physical distancing and frequent hand washing.  The group also had a warm up first to make sure that our bodies are conditioned for the activity.

At least 75 youth participated in the cleanup drive. Among the activities done were the cleaning of streets and riverbanks, clearing drainage, disposing non biodegradables such as cans, bottles and plastics.  Sacks of rubbish were collected and dumped them in the right place.

The participation of the OHYM Bulusan has been meaningful because we know that in our own little way, through such activities, we make a significant contribution to this goal… a better environment for all.

To God be the glory!

Prepared by: Jennifer Bugaring, OHYM Bulusan Beneficiary

The continuous surge of the COVID-19 infection from the time it was declared to be a global pandemic in March 2020 has devastated lives of most Filipinos. Death of loved-ones, stoppage of businesses and livelihood opportunities, unemployment and social isolation all contributed to negative emotions, thus causing the emergence of fear, anxiety and stress that affected the mental health of Filipinos. We were all advised to follow certain protocols and practices and adopt to the “new normal”.

For more than a year now, we are still in this state of uncertainty. The arrival of COVID-19 vaccines has not ebbed our fears and anxiety. Mental health issues evolved into serious ones that needed intervention from professionals and from the experts in the field.

The Open Heart Foundation was made aware of the situation which also affected most families of its beneficiaries, partners in service and other child-service providers. It is for this reason that on May 29 and June 5, 2021 it offered a 2-day webinar entitled: “Light Up: Staying Fit in the New Normal”. We’ve seen this webinar as an opportunity for participants to hone their knowledge and skills to effectively be of service to all in need and also to support their institutions, agencies or organizations.

The objectives of the webinar:

Session 1. Topic: Mental Health Matters

Learning Objectives: At the end of the activity, participants are expected to:

Identify the challenges caused by the pandemic.

1. Increase understanding of the value of mental health.
2. De-mystify and break stigma of mental health problems.
3. Be ready with mental health challenges in their homes and communities.

Session 2. Topic: Mental Toughness: Calming the Storms Within.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the activity, participants are expected to:

1. Understand compassion fatigue and self-compassion.
2. Unfold the power to choose the responses for hope and healing.
3. Be equipped with simple yet effective and cost-efficient stress management solutions and skills to prevent stress disorders.

The Resource Speaker:  Ms. Gladys Ramos. She is a Registered Guidance Counselor and currently working at the Lyceum of the Philippines. She also holds specialized credentials as a Certified Mental Health Trainer awarded by the Center for Credentialing and Education National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC-USA). She continues to serve as one of the mentors of Peer Facilitators and handles Anak OFW.

Ms. Rosalinda Tabios-Perez, The Executive Director of Open Heart Foundation greeted the participants and inspire them to be at their best to share the learnings and take aways as they go back to their own field and community with a renewed and refreshed mind.

This webinar learning sessions were attended by our partners in different areas; from the Cities of Quezon, Manila & Caloocan. Also from the provinces of Cavite, Abra, Pangasinan, Rizal, Sorsogon, Masbate, Catarman, Negros Occidental, Sarangani and Zamboanga del Norte with a total number of 136 participants.

If there is an advantage this time, it’s the connection of people via different platforms in social media.

The Open Heart Foundation considers this webinar as its share in mitigating the negative effects of this pandemic to all child-service providers so that they could continue serving our children during these difficult times.

Mr. Alber Hisoler, the School Principal of Dumalogdog Elementary School, Sindangan, Zamboanga Del Norte gave his learning insights on the first day of the session and Dr. Emelia Ramos, the Campus Director of Romblon State University shared her piece on the last day of the session.

Kudos! To all who participated in our 2-day series Webinar Learning Sessions. We adhere to follow the tips and precautions on how to stay healthy in the midst of these trying times. We can now help other people by helping and taking care of our self first.

To God be all the Glory!  

Prepared by: Davilyn Fajardo, Program Area Coordinator 1