30 August 2013 – Philippine Consul General in New York Mario L. de Leon, Jr. met with representatives of Bantay Bata 163 and ABS-CBN Foundation International led by Bantay Bata Program Director, broadcast journalist, and Children’s Rights Advocate Tina Monzon-Palma at the Philippine Center in New York to discuss ways of raising awareness of children’s concerns.

Also in attendance at the meeting were Jo Ann Kyle, Managing Director of  ABS-CBN Foundation International, a registered 501 c3 non-profit organization based in Redwood, California; Joannie Feliciano, Associate Director of the Foundation; Deputy Consul General Theresa Dizon-de Vega; Vice Consul Khrystina Corpuz; and Cultural Officer Marivic Dimaculangan.

During the meeting, Consul General de Leon reiterated his suggestion that ABS-CBN Foundation International tap the emerging generation of Filipino-Americans on both US coasts for their advocacy campaign, noting their enthusiasm for causes of this nature.

Later in the week, a special benefit concert entitled “Kids Sing for Bantay Bata” was held at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center. The show featured many young Filipino-American talents such as Kirby Assunto, Jared Martin, and Alyssa Jade Shoemaker, among others. Special guest performers included Jenn Cuneta and Joannie Feliciano.

The concert was for the benefit of the Bantay Bata Children’s Village in Norzagaray, Bulacan.

On hand to witness the special show were Consul General de Leon and his daughters, Kristine and Joyce, who are likewise active in Bantay Bata awareness campaigns, officers of the Philippine Consulate General in New York, the Philippine Mission to the United Nations, and members of the Filipino-American community. END