August 29 marks the 7th year of existence of an organization that’s close to my heart. I am one of the founding members and the current corporate secretary of Waraynon Initiative Network (WIN), winarts.org.
Waraynon Initiative Network (WIN) is an exempt organization under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, classified as a public charity organization and a CA non-profit public benefit corporation dedicated to the preservation of and education on the Philippine heritage through the performing arts. Contributions to Waraynon Initiative Network (WIN) are deductible under section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code. Furthermore, the organization is qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Code.
In its young life, WIN has had quite a list of successes to its name – fundraising concerts, collaboration projects with other organizations, a medical mission outreach, a music ministry outreach, successful sustainable livelihood projects such as the breadWINner project in 2018. The notable projects remain those where WIN thought outside of the box. WIN is an aggregate of volunteers who channel their time and talent in helping others. There is a youth orchestra and there is a chorale. When typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines in 2013, WIN sent aid and put out a successful fundraising concert which directly benefited a few parishes by way of helping restore churches damaged by the typhoon. The breadWINner project was a promise we made in 2013 to develop sustainable livelihood projects, however, due to over-saturation in this type of projects, WIN decided to defer implementation to 2018. Flash forward to the pandemic, WIN in its “think outside of the box” philosophy, decided to implement a few initiatives to respond to the emergent needs of the pandemic. Thus, the masks and meals initiative was launched. A total of 850 masks were distributed to about 2 dozen hospitals, clinics, healthcare facilities where frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) were wanting of personal protective equipment. WIN also provided meals in appreciation of all the hard work and dedication of the HCWs and the postal workers, donated to two food banks joining the fight against hunger, and sponsored meals for the Senior Ministry of the Cathedral Chapel of St. Vibiana in Los Angeles.
The WIN corporation has been able to help so many because we have been blessed to receive donations from so many benevolent individuals . Without them, our projects would not be possible. We cannot thank them enough for their continued support!
The last seven years was not all rosy for WIN. We experienced loss as well. Devastating loses. In 2014, we suffered a devastating loss when our founding chairman, Nonong Agner, passed away to illness. Then in 2018, we had another huge loss when our musical director and VP for Ensemble and Training, Melvin Corpin, lost his short fight against cancer.
It is said that one’s person is defined by the legacy you leave behind when you leave this earth. Such is the case with Nonong and Melvin. Nonong left us a culture of dedication and commitment to one’s craft, integrity, and loyalty. He left us with a culture of service and kindness to humanity. That was Nonong’s legacy. Melvin, on the other hand, left us with his beautiful music, pushed us to reach our full potential, even if it meant going out of one’s comfort zone. He mentored, encouraged, inspired. Most of all, he taught us the true meaning of faith and glorifying the Lord Almighty through the 2,000 plus songs of praise that he wrote, arranged and composed. That was Melvin’s legacy. And so we carry on, well-equipped to do good for mankind!
I could not think of a better way (during this unprecedented time) to memorialize WIN’s 7th year anniversary other than to bake a cake. We cancelled a destination team building celebration when this pesky pandemic came, so this cake will have to do for the history book of WIN.
ABOUT THE CAKE. I decided to make a chocolate cake. Who doesn’t like chocolate, anyway? This is a two-layer chocolate cake, aka the best chocolate cake ever from Hummingbirdhigh.com. The frosting is a white chocolate frosting from Leslie Mackie’s Macrina Bakery and Café Cookbook: Favorite Breads, Pastries, Sweets and Savories. Macrina Bakery and Cafe is a popular breakfast spot in Seattle, WA which I have been to with my friend, Iday.
I dedicate this cake to the men, women, and children of WIN, an organization who at its core has the heart of a champion who cares and shares; an organization who believes that it is in giving that we receive.
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