Happy Thanksgiving Message

Date: November 30, 2019 Author: admin

Thanksgiving Message from the Chairman of the Board to WIN members and General Assembly:

Today, we look back at another fruitful year for our Waraynon Initiative Network (WIN) as we celebrate its sixth year of existence as an organization, and I give thanks for our blessings of hope, friendship, resilience, and sense of community. 

There is so much to be thankful for…

We are truly grateful for the opportunities we took and the collaborations we made to give back to our fellow Waraynons in the form of sustainable livelihood skills training, the “BreadWINner Project” on July 1-10, 2019 led by our Chef/Corporate Auditor Derrrick Anido in which we empowered the community by training 30 participants from Region 8 in world-class culinary arts. The BreadWINner Project catapulted our organization into a different level of viability and presence in the community when we got awarded a Presidential Citation from the Rotary Club of Kandaya-Tacloban for “achieving the goals and objectives of the project” and for WIN’s  meritorious and active performance in promoting the Rotary Motto “Service Above Self”, presented by its President Liza B. Calda on July 5, 2019 at Hotel Alejandro, Tacloban City.

 I’d like to take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to Chef Derrick’s amazing team of chefs for sharing their passion and precious time: Manly Bayona, Sherry Go, Angie Parina and Richiel Marie Canares; to our Project partners, without whose collaboration this project may not have come into fruition: the Rotary Club of Kandaya-Tacloban, Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry-Leyte-Tacloban, Inc., ACLC College, Petron Gasul (Carbert Marketing-Tacloban) and An Waray Party-List. 

Another project still in progress, the “SeWINg for the good” will benefit the needy and marginalized families in Leyte and Samar, Philippines by receiving bed linens sewn by our very own WIN members and officers headed by Tetet Uy, Mae Delgado-Anido, Marla Butalid-Sabarre and Pie Ortega to name a few. 

 I’m excited and grateful with another successful collaboration this year WIN has forged with FASO (Filipino-American Symphony Orchestra) on our recent WIN-FASO Instrument Workshop held last Nov. 9th in Grand Avenue Park Community Building, Chino Hills, CA. A shout-out goes to our VP-Marketing/musician Maxinne Vergara and Louie Ramos (VP-Board of Directors, FASO) for a job well-done,  the workshop was a refresher for our local musicians/artists who play violin, viola and cello ranging from third grade to young adult. This program is an initiative to revitalize our mission in promoting music and art among our young artists with the end-goal of reviving our WIN orchestra and eventually creating concert(s) in 2020. 

Looking forward also to our caroling activity this upcoming Holiday Season. Big thanks to FIH (Friends in Harmony) for collaborating with our WIN talented singers, the group will be visiting selected homes and bring cheer for the season by singing Christmas carols. And of course, our upcoming WIN Holiday Appreciation Party on Dec. 28, 2019 at Julio’s Pizza/Banquet Hall in Artesia, CA will cap a beautiful year we had. 

In summary, I am so thankful for being a part of such dynamic group…the camaraderie we shared, your love and support, the laughter and the spirit of volunteerism you provided WIN these past years. Above all, I am humbled and grateful for the trust and confidence you’ve given me as your Chairman. 

I look forward to another exciting year ahead of us. On behalf of the WIN Board and my family, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. I send you best wishes for a holiday weekend filled with family, friends, love and laughter!

All my best,

Neil Colinayo

Chairman

Waraynon Initiative Network

#WINstrong

#WeWINasOne

WIN x FASO Instrument Workshop

Date: November 1, 2019 Author: admin

Waraynon Initiative Network is teaming up with FASO for a workshop happening on 11/9! Registration is $10, and we still have a few spots available!

Please message me if you’re interested or know someone who would be good for this workshop! This workshop is for violin/viola/cello players from grades 3 to young adults.

PNA Article: 30 aspiring chefs complete world-class culinary training

Date: July 12, 2019 Author: admin
30 aspiring chefs complete world-class culinary training
By Sarwell Meniano and Lizbeth Ann Abella July 11, 2019, 12:04 am
TASTY COURSE. The aspiring chefs during their last day of training at the ACLC College building in Tacloban City on Tuesday (July 9, 2019). At least 30 cooking enthusiasts in this city completed a 10-day culinary training sponsored by the California-based professional group. (Photo from FB page of Waraynon Initiative Network)
TACLOBAN CITY — At least 30 aspiring chefs in this city completed a 10-day culinary training sponsored by a California-based professional group.
Training completers received their certificates Tuesday night in a ceremony held at the ACLC College building here. Each completer received chef coats and chef knife kits.
The Waraynon Initiative Network (WIN) conceptualized the #breadWINner Project” to train cooking enthusiasts on “the Art of Baking and the Chemistry of a Pastry”, “Sauces from scratch to awesome”, and “Hot Kitchen Savory Cooking”.
The WIN group based in California USA is a non-profit organization.
For this initiative, they tied up with local partners such as the Rotary Club of Kandaya -Tacloban, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry- Leyte-Tacloban Inc., ACLC College of Tacloban, Petron Gasul (Carbert Marketing – Tacloban) and An Waray Party-list.
Ma. Theresa Agner, WIN president, said the overall objective of the project is to meet the growing need for a skilled workforce through a job skills training program for the local community.
“We thought of a livelihood project to help people here learn something so they can find a job,” Agner said.
One of the participants is Wilson Simbulas, 33, who has been working in a local restaurant for more than 10 years as a dishwasher, waiter, and as an assistant cook.
“This is my first formal culinary training. I hope I will get a promotion soon or find a high-paying job in Manila or abroad,” the single dad said.
The breadWINner Project is a job skill training program where 30 trainees were instructed in the culinary arts by skilled culinary professionals with overseas job experiences.
The program was held over the course of nine days in the afternoon, volunteer chef trainers imparted basic culinary skills related to hot kitchen meal preparation and pastry making/bread baking. (PNA)