[slideshow_deploy id=’424′]Sunday, March 30, 2014. The relentless rain did not dampen the spirits inside the elegant ballroom at the Tewksbury Country Club on Main Street. The grandiose high pine wood ceiling was crowned with an impressive chandelier giving the IP fundraising event a touch of class. Chef Paul Wahlberg, owner of “Wahlburgers” and “Alma Nove” in Hingham, MA, (and now chef celebrity of the reality show, “Wahlburgers” on A&E cable) donated all the food served at the cocktail and silent auction. Marc Ginsburg, owner of the country club offered this charming ballroom space and the use of his staff (free of charge) for the afternoon soiree. The auction bids and raffle prizes tipped the goal to over $10K. All monies will be given to three schools in the Visayan Islands (the Loboc Central Elementary School in Bohol; the Pedro E. Candido Memorial National High School in Hernani, Eastern Samar; and the Pilar Central School in Camotes Islands, Cebu). Through the help of the Tanging Yaman Foundation, a licensed NGO in Manila who acts as a conduit between donors and the beneficiaries in the Philippines, the funds will help rebuild a “rehearsal room” at the Loboc school; purchase armchair desks for the Eastern Samar High School; and stock educational materials for the library at the Camotes Island school.

Chef Wahlberg told everyone present at the affair how he loves the Filipino people and even got introduced to his favorite dish, “dinuguan”. He was impressed with the rondalla performance and stayed awhile to have photos taken with some of the donors. Mabuhay to all our generous friends and families at Iskwelahang Pilipino!