Lovely Romulo, others on a 'Voyage of Volunteerism'

“Voyage of Volunteerism, Beyond the Bazaars” is the title of an elegant coffee-table book on the activities of the International Bazaar Foundation (IBF) which Mrs. Rosie Lovely Romulo, wife of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, has headed as over-all chairman since 2004.

The IBF was founded in 1966 by Mrs. Angela Valdez Ramos, wife of DFA Secretary Narciso Ramos and mother of former President FVR. Its primary purpose (which continues to this day) was to help the less fortunate: the poor, the sick, the disabled, the homeless, the out-of-school and abandoned children.

The institutionalized beneficiaries, therefore, are the hospitals, schools, and marginalized communities containing squatter areas, dumpsites, etc.

Secretary Romulo writes the foreword to the book, Lovely Romulo, its preface; Sylvia “Penny” Farolan, editor-in-chief, its introduction.

The IBF holds an annual bazaar which is organized by the Spouses of the Heads of Mission (SHOM), the DFA Ladies Foundation, Inc., the Association SE Asian Nations Ladies Foundation, Inc. and volunteers.

The above entities labor the whole year round preparing for the bazaar. SHOM members solicit choice goods and products from their countries, which items are sold for the benefit of the aforementioned recipients. Local affiliated groups likewise solicit products — many of these are made by hitherto out-of-work people who have been helped by the said groups.

To repeat, members of both the Filipino and foreign groups and the many volunteers tirelessly work for the marginalized, the sick, the disabled (e.g., the autistic), the out-of-school youths, abandoned children and orphans who are adopted by families through an arduous, complicated process.

For an overwhelming example of volunteerism, Jill Beckingham, wife of the former UK ambassador, and Janet Walker, both of the Philippine Christian Foundation, were instrumental in the building of a school house (its classrooms are made of container vans) in the midst of a dumpsite. Indigent children now receive scholarships which enable them to go to school.

The IBF has extended a mighty hand to Tony Meloto’s Gawad Kalinga project which builds hundreds of houses throughout the country for the homeless. Livelihood programs teach various crafts to the unemployed, both men and women, who eventually learn to fend for themselves.

In 2004, SHOM members traversed miles in cars and on foot to visit the typhoon-devastated regions of Quezon province, extending livelihood support and providing equipment to fishermen who had lost their boats.

Some of the proceeds are donated to Entrepreneur Volunteer Assistance Charity president/founder Jennifer Wallum who is primarily concerned with ethnic tribes like the Aetas.

SHOM has thus far remained an entity. Here are some women who were or are still behind it. Aurora Sagaz, wife of the Spanish ambassador, was president of SHOM in 2004; Jill Beckingham, in 2005; Johanna de Montero, wife of the ambassador of Chile, in 2006; Cosette Fedele, wife of the Italian ambassador, in 2007; Yasuko Katsura, wife of the Japanese ambassador, in 2008; Brigitte MacDonald, wife of the European Union head, is current president. Chrisna Vermuelen of South Africa was vice-secretary from 2008-2009.

Also involved in SHOM are Soledad Arias, Spain; Anila Khan, Pakistan; Kavita Mitter, India; Oya Basaga, Turkey; Yan Donko, Austria; Brunei Ambassador Malai Yussef; Ambassador of Egypt Salwa Moufid; Pham Trang Lortsch, Germany; Rosilawati Raffar, Malaysia.

The DFA Ladies Foundation has Julia Heidemann as president; Ada Mabilangan chairs the scholarship committee, Nora Salazar, Mary Jane Abacan, Tina Carlos, Susanna Ortigas, Connie Garcia are with the SE Asia Foundation. Letty Syquia is PRO. Volunteers include Mellie Ablaza, Connie Garcia, Carrie Bautista and Beth Day Romulo.

Lovely Romulo’s unwavering leadership has kept the IBF spirit burning brightly through all these years. She personifies fortitude and total selflessness in the midst of poverty, terrifying devastation and unceasing turmoil.