Silay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines, July 6, 2010 – New York-based accessories designer Rafe Totengco visited the St. Francis of Assisi School for the first time today. As a supporter of the Tapulanga Foundation, Rafe took a special trip to Negros in order to meet the scholars and check out the school. The students entertained Rafe, who came with his sister Tesa, with song and dance numbers. He also shared his inspiring success story with the students. Along with Executive Director MicMic Abello-Golez, they toured the school grounds that included an eco-friendly chapel made entirely of mud. Through the many projects that Rafe has done for the Tapulanga Foundation, a college scholarship fund in his name has been created. The Rafe Totengco College Scholarship Fund has four college scholars today.
Tapulanga Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization that provides educational, healthcare and micro-credit assistance to poor families in Silay City and its neighboring communities. Other programs include: lunch meal program, infant feeding program, public hospital assistance, disaster emergency relief, children’s summer workshops and volunteer vacation program.
Rafe Totengco is the President and Creative Director of the accessories brand Rafe New York. Based in New York City, Rafe has created handbags, shoes and small leather goods that have been worn by women, as well as celebrities, all over the world. He has won many awards including Best Accessories Designer by the Accessories Council and 2007 Asian Entrepreneur of the Year by the Asian Enterprise Magazine.
To get involved and for further information please contact:
in the Philippines
MicMic Abello-Golez
Executive Director
Tapulanga Foundation
email: mgolez@tapulanga.org
or in the USA
Janice Ragona
President
Friends of Tapulanga Inc.
janice@tapulanga.org
