Kapamilya stars, golfers tee off for ABS-CBN Foundation fundraiser

Kapamilya stars and golf enthusiasts came together on Monday at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club for the second year of “Swing for a Cause,” a fundraiser tournament for the ABS-CBN Foundation.

The event kicked off with a ceremonial tee off led by Kapamilya stars Donny Pangilinan, John Estrada, Isaiah Joaquin Castillo, Glydel Mercado, and Zanjoe Marudo.

Castillo, the son of Amy Perez, is a junior golfer.

The tournament then proceeded on the green, with Charles Hong named overall champion for the second straight year after tallying 59 points.

Other champions per class were Jonar Austria (Class A), Gani Mabilangan (Class B), Norman Dela Cruz (Class C), and Glenn Infonte (Class D).

In the ladies’ division, Jennilyn Floro won Class A, while Maria Lourdes Laurel took Class B.

Singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid, who co-hosted the awarding with this writer, performed during the program.

“It’s always a pleasure, always fun and it’s a great, great way to spend your day. At the same time, you know, you’re being able to help people,” he said.

During the program, ABS-CBN Foundation’s Berta Lopez-Feliciano talked about the foundation and its goals.

“Every initiative succeeds when people come together in our communities. Small actions can lead to big change when we share a common purpose and work as one,” she said.

She said “bayanihan” is something the foundation values greatly.

“Our goal is not just to do more, but to do better together,” she said.

“We listen, learn, and walk alongside the people we serve so that every Filipino is seen, heard, and supported,” she added.

The foundation’s work covers environment, disaster response, child protection, education, and livelihood.

“These five programs share one goal and one foundation. When our programs work together, there is more success and we are more effective,” she said.

Lopez-Feliciano also thanked everyone who took part in the event.

“To all our donors, partners, volunteers, and all of you here today, thank you so much for joining us and being part of this journey. Together we will keep working to reach our goals and to help more people as we go off into all these different communities.”

Many participants enjoyed not just the food, raffle prizes, and golf tournament, but also each other’s company for a cause.

Another fundraising event is set for December 1 at The Fifth at Rockwell, called “Love Like Gina.”

“So it’s for people who want to have an early night. 70’s music, we’ll have singers, we’ll have dancers, we’ll have queens performing. A 20-member group of kids from Mindanao that we helped during the last movie, they’re coming to perform,” Berta said.