Lopezes' Taos Puso Foundation expands to Iloilo City
Mrs. Emily R. Lopez
Taos Puso Foundation is celebrating this week the natal day of its founding chairperson, Mrs. Emily R. Lopez, with a two significant events. First, the mass feeding program for some 5,000 pre-school children of Iloilo and Guimaras on August 10 to 11, 2006. Second, the expansion of the membership and operations of the Foundation, which now has some 60,000 members in all the 13 municipalities of the 2nd District of Iloilo Province and the lone district of Guimaras, to Iloilo City, starting with the La Paz and Jaro districts, where the Lopez Family proudly traced its roots and humble beginnings.
Taos Puso Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit, non-governmental and non-political organization founded in 1998. It aims to promote and facilitate the delivery of basic social services and to help build and rebuild the lives of the poor and the marginalized, especially women and children.
Today, Taos Puso continues to thrive under the inspiration and guidance from its founder, now its Chairperson Emeritus, Emily R. Lopez, former Governor and Congresswoman of Guimaras Province and currently the Philippine Ambassador-designate to Italy.
Atty. Peñaflorida
To further boost and professionalize the Foundation, Ambassador Lopez is pleased to announce the appointment of Atty. Jobert Peñaflorida as its new Executive Director. Atty. Peñaflorida. A CPA-MBA-Lawyer, he is also the President of his own company, ISuccess Corporation, and a multi-awarded print and broadcast journalist.
Atty. Peñaflorida finished his accountancy and law degrees from the University of San Agustin and the University of Iloilo with Summa and Magna Cum Laude honors, respectively, and has earned his masters' degree and special course in Asian Studies from the University of the Philippines in the Visayas and Sophia University-Tokyo, respectively.
The other members of the Board of Directors include the following: Chairperson - Dr. Ofelia Garfin, former DOH Regional Director; Vice Chairperson - Dr. Mary Lou Alipao, former Mayor of Alimodian; Directors -- Mr. Luis Molavin, former DILG Regional Director; Dr. Alice S. de la Gente, former President of the International Confederation of Midwives; Dr. Rose Asong, former Director of the UPV Gender and Development Program; Mr. Elmer Liguid, Project Officer of the International Council on Management in Malaysia; Ms. Alona Sta. Rita, a practicing CPA; and Mr. Alberto R. Lopez III, Special Assistant to the President of the University of Iloilo and CEO of Alemac Development Corporation.
The Taos Puso coordinators are the following: Emilia Amita (Alimodian); Fe Capaciete and Lorena Calesterio (Leon); Amparo Sabijon and Mae Salaveria (San Miguel); Luz Hibala and Edith Judicpa (Pavia); Mary Sinfuego and Luz Solas (Sta. Barbara); Gloria Palec (New Lucena); Edith Pison and Nelinda Defensor (Zarraga); Aida Espino (Leganes); Glena Wilson (Buenavista); Maria Saiton (Jordan); Maxima Edang and Sol Aguirre (Nueva Valencia); Mila Calambro (Sibunag) and Estelita Brizal (San Lorenzo). Ms. Sony Rosal serves as Over-all Coordinator.