Shining Through

The GK Ladies

At Gawad Kalinga, the women work as hard as the men. Ever the Filipina their femininity is undiminished, their generosity and moral strength shining through in whatever task they do.

More often seen in their simple GK clothes, pants and T-shirts, Lynn Meloto and Gerry Padilla dress up to celebrate the birthday of a friend. Lynn is the wife of GK director Tony Meloto and Gerry is the wife of Frank Padilla, the Executive Directior and "visionary" of the CFC.

Lynn at the National Heroes Build

Not by bread alone....
The grapevine has it that Manny Santos, the husband of Issa Cuevas-Santos, left a lucrative job as an engineer in Brunei so that he can join her in Gawad Kalinga work. Issa is much younger than many GK volunteers but she is next in command together with Luis "Braveheart" to GK top man, Tony Meloto. This remarkable young lady could have been embittered by how her father died in the hands of the NPA, but her generous heart and bravery compels her to go on travelling in Mindanao and other "red alert"areas doing GK work.

Issa in blue shirt at the National Heroes Build in a GK community in Payatas.

Issa at the GK Show in IBC 13

The Girl with the Horses

Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski is a popular figure among Filipino movies-TV fans and is a respected member in the equestrian world. It was not until I saw her photograph in GK work that I realized what it is about her that kept me watching her shows that were rather inane. It was her face. Mikee is not the beauty pageant type, but shining through that somber face is a kind and gentle heart. One could not help wondering how many GK houses could be built by the price of just one riding horse Mikee had used. At the same, it is not difficult to imagine that even if Mikee donates the price of one horse to GK, her work for GK is a hundred times more valuable and effective.

Mikee posing with "the boys"
at the GK Show at IBC 13.

Mikee and husband Dodot receiving calls from viewers who pledge or give contributions to GK.