Filipino-Canadian in Focus: Paul Lorilla

We would like to share the article printed in the Philippine Canadian Inquirer highlighting Isa Mundo Foundation Founder and Director, Paul Lorilla.

The Philippine Canadian Inquirer (PCI) is the first nationwide weekly Filipino newspaper in Canada and remains the largest and only Filipino-Canadian newspaper distributed nationally. PCI caters to the growing communication needs of the growing Filipino community in Canada.

Paul's article is part of the continuing Filipino-Canadian in Focus series which highlights Filipino-Canadians who have contributed to make a difference in their communities both local and international. The article tells of Paul's story of immigrating to Canada, his academic and career accomplishments and the launch of the Isa Mundo Foundation. It is a profile outlining his vision and goals personally and profesionally and what Isa Mundo aims to accomplish in the future.

To read the article, click on the PCI Filipino-Canadian in Focus link.

International Women's Day

According to the United Nations Women (UNW), the 2013 theme for International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on 8 March, is: “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women”

The UNW website states that:"The United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8 March during International Women’s Year 1975. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. IWD is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities."

Today, a worldwide celebration of events will occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the achievements of women. Many groups around the world choose different themes each year relevant to global and local gender issues.

 Isa Mundo Foundation celebrates International Women’s Day annually and we continue to support projects that allow women to take a leadership role in community projects and initiatives. We acknowledge the contributions of women as leaders, educators and   innovators to improve the lives of those less fortunate in their communities.

First Project Site Visit of 2013

Isa Mundo Foundation will make its first project site visit in February 2013.  We will be visiting the Volcanes Primary School near Puerto Vallarta to assess the Isa Mundo Education Centre and see other potential projects we can support in the school and community.

In addition, the Chair of our Children and Youth Projects, will be meeting with local teachers in the area and staff of the Volcanes School to discuss our proposed Life Skills Program that we hope can be implemented in all our schools and child centred facilities in the future.

We look forward to seeing the school and  our partners in the region and we hope to have the first site visit of 2013 a productive one.  We will keep you all updated.

Investing in Children's Health

It has been written and documented by various international bodies and organizations that investing in children is one of the most produtive and relevant investments we can make.   According to UNICEF:

"Investing financial resources to help children survive and develop to their full potential is, first and foremost, a moral imperative. But investing in children is also important on practical grounds. It yields positive benefits to economies and societies. Since the foundation of an individual’s health and well-being is laid in early childhood, the most opportune time to break the cycle of poverty, or prevent it from beginning, is during that time. Programmes that invest in early childhood development could generate considerable cost savings for government. Investments in children are increasingly seen as one of best and most valuable long-term investments we can make".

Isa Mundo Foundation supports the research and work of UNICEF in their efforts to provide better health to the world's most vulnerable children.  We will continue to develop and maintain our projects that invest in children living in less fortunate communities. When provided a safe and learning environment and resources to reach their full potential, we believe that children will grow up to contribute to their community's social and economic health.  As Marian Wright Edelmen said "if we don't stand up for children, then we don't stand for much".

To learn more about UNICEF's focus on Investing in Children's Health, visit www.unicef.org

Happy Holidays from the Isa Mundo Foundation

We would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and all the best in 2013.

It has been a year of project maintenance for the Foundation as we begin to asses how to further support our on-going projects since 2006.  As with all not for profit and charitable organizations, attainment of financial support and funds has been a challenge the past two years as the global economic recession has had an impact on fundraising and grant contributions.  But despite this, Isa Mundo continues to complete projects and found ways to help establish another Isa Mundo Education Centre in Sinacaban region in the Philippines this year.  We think that this speaks to the unique approach of the Foundation and its reliance on partnerships rather than solely on grants and fundraising.

Our success in partnering with businesses, corporations and individuals with specific skill sets has allowed us to grow without increasing costs and by focusing on in-kind donations of supplies and human resources.  This has proven to be less stressful than fundraising and waiting for grants.  As one of our mentors often said " poverty never sleeps " so we need to be innovative and ensure we keep completing projects and find different ways to complete our work.

As an example, we are working on developing the first Isa Mundo Foundation Life Skills Program that we hope to launch in our schools and other child centred facilities.  This will require research, editing, partnering with an academic insititution and working with one of our not for profit organizations in Latin America to pilot the program.  The cost would be minimal as everything is donated in-kind, including printing of the workbooks. But the end result of this simple project could be very relevant in supporting our on-going programs and education curriculum to improve the lives of children and students.

Our approach is simple and we intend to continue following the same path in 2013 but also mindful that we need to keep progressing and attract new members and volunteers with fresh ideas and skills.

We would like to thank our families, friends and members for your continued support. Our success is driven by your commitment to believe in our vision and work.  We wish you all a  healthy, prosperous and peaceful 2013 !!!

Maligayang Paslit 2012

Isa Mundo Foundation has again partnered with the Bambang Youth Organization in Bambang, Bulacan Philippines. The annual Maligayang Paslit celebration is a fun filled event that invites children and youth on December 24th of each year.  It's an event to motivate and inpsire the youth of Bambang to be active and be involved in their community.  

This is the 13th Maligayang Paslit and the event has grown each year and it is estimated tht over 1000 children and yoth will participate this year.

Isa Mundo has been a partner since 2006 and has become on the major supporters of the annual celebation.  We will post photos and summary of the event in the new year.

The Sinacaban Central School IMEC

We are happy to update that another Isa Mundo Education Centre (IMEC) has been established in Sinacaban Central School in Misamis Occidental region of the Philippines.

The laptops and school supplies arrived safe and sound this week and will be set up as soon as possible in time for the new calendar year.  We are thankful for the partnership with the Sinacaban School and the committment of its teachers to provide much needed technology to improve the education opportunities of the students in the community.  We are committed to support the IMEC by ensuring that we improve the capacity of the school to deliver the best possible education for its students.


We will keep you updated and we hope to visit Sinacaban Central School in the near future.