‘Cena de Esperanza’ launched for cancer patients
The city government through the Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Committee in coordination with the Tzu Chi Foundation launched Wednesday, ‘Una Cena de Esperanza’, a dinner for a cause intended for cancer patients in the city.
Aquino siblings, Pinky Abelleda and Ballsy Cruz graced the affair held at the Convention Center of the Garden Orchid Hotel which was attended by Congresspersons Beng Climaco and Erbie Fabian, Archbishop Romulo Valles, members of the City Council, department heads and members of the GAD focal committee and technical working group, Tzu Chi Foundation led by Dr. Anton Mari Lim and people representing the different sectors in the city.
Mayor Celso Lobregat said the dinner was a continuation of the Pink October Walk activity, another fund raising event held Tuesday, also for the benefit of breast cancer patients.
“We are here tonight to fight against cancer and to advocate for cancer awareness and cancer prevention,” the mayor said in his message. “I thank all of you for coming tonight and supporting the city government and the GAD in the effort to raise the initial amount for the realization of a cancer center at the Zamboanga City Medical Center.”
Lobregat said early detection is the answer to cancer prevention but most important is faith in God and prayers.
Pinky and Ballsy are also spearheading anti-cancer advocacies as their mother, former President Corazon Aquino succumbed to colon cancer two months ago.
Councilor Lilia Nuño, who organized the event together with the GAD also thanked all sectors who turned up for the dinner as well as for the Pink October Walk and for showing their support to the fight against cancer.
The amount raised during the Pink October Walk and during the Cena de Esperanza was formally turned over to the Tzu Chi Foundation, the non-government organization that will implement programs on the prevention of breast cancer and other types of cancer.
The Cena de Esperanza formed part of the city’s 2009 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.
Meanwhile, Pinky and Ballsy also joined the mayor in other activities prior to the dinner for a cause. They assisted Mayor Lobregat in the ribbon cutting ceremony during the opening of the Art Exhibit “Solamente” at the lobby of the Garden Orchid Hotel. They also paid a courtesy visit on the mayor earlier in the afternoon of Wednesday. (Sheila Covarrubias)