08 November 2013 – The officials of the Philippine Embassy in Brussels joined in the 11th anniversary celebration of Vriendschap voor de Filippijnen (Friendship for the Philippines) on September 29, at the Jeugdclubtverzet, Duinenwater 45, Knokke-Heist, Belgium. The event featured a barbecue lunch, a raffle draw and a program featuring the “Pag-ibig Choir,” an all-Filipino group singing Philippine music.
Vriendschap voor de Filippijnen, established in 2002 by Ria Pauwaert-Bloondeel, is now being spearheaded by Dominiek Segaert, a school teacher based in Knokke-Heist, and his Filipina wife, Leah. The organization supports Saint Michael’s School and Bahay Pasilungan (house for street children) in Davao City and will soon be providing assistance to Piape Elementary School in Padada and Holy Cross in Malita. It has been able to provide scholarships to underprivileged yet deserving students, as well as construct classrooms, a library, covered basketball courts and other buildings to Balay Pasilungan habitués. Its members are also actively engaged in promoting a positive image of the Philippines through lectures, audio-visual presentations, and other cultural initiatives. Mr. Segaert himself flies to Davao every year to do volunteer work.
Around 250 friends of the Philippines and guests attended the event which was a wonderful showcase of Philippine-Belgian friendship and cooperation towards the attainment of mutual goals for the intended beneficiaries. END