A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE IN BIG HOTEL, AND IN ATTENDING RAFI PARTNERS' NIGHT

"Working Alone, You Can Do Better, Working Together, You Can Do Best"
-@lovinglymers

Hello, my dear Hivers!Welcome to my blog! Please join us now on our journey as the RAMON ABOITIZ FOUNDATION INC. (RAFI) invited us to attend their "NIGHT" as their partner in the project the "Basa-Thon".

The Invitation Program About RAFI Partners' Night

Last October 12, 2023, The RAFI Chief Communication Officer,Ms. Estee Marie P. Plunket sent us an invitation letter and program. They wanted us to attend the RAFI Partners' Night together with the parent, Mrs. Analyn Monterola. The RAFI wanted to interview, one (1) of the parents of the Basa Thon learners recipients, and Mrs. Analyn Monterola was chosen.

Basa-Thon Program

Caduawan Elementary School is one of the recipient Schools of the Basa-Thon Program sponsored by RAFI and READucate. The program was implemented last April 2023 and ended last August 19, 2023. That program was intended for 86 struggling learners. It aims to help learners improve their reading ability and uplift their literacy skills. On their Nights, they wanted to interview one of the parents of the learners.

The Venue/Date/Time

The RAFI Partners' Night was held on the 2nd Floor, Sta Maria Grand Ballroom, Radisson Blu Cebu on October 20, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The RAFI communication in charge called me, that we need to arrive at Big Hotel on October 20, 2023, at noon. The RAFI had already booked one (1) room for us.

Arrival at Big Hotel

The Big Hotel in Mandaue Cebu

Big Hotel is located in Mandaue Cebu across from Parkmall.

Parkmall in Mandaue City

We started our trip at 7:30 a.m. and arrived at the Big Hotel at exactly 10:30 a.m. More or less we traveled about 84 kilometers from Ilihan, Tabogon, Cebu. Since my co-school head offered her car for free. She was one of the invitees and school head of one of the recipient schools of Basa Thon sponsored by RAFI and READucate.

View Outside of Big Hotel

We were so excited to get inside the hotel

Inside the Big Hotel

Taking Picture Inside

I requested my co-school head to take me a picture. I was so impressed by the attractive decorations inside the hotel. The Spirit of Christmas was there.

The Christmas Decor Inside the Hotel

An Attractive Christmas Decorations

Taking Picture Under the Christmas Tree

I was tempted also to pose a picture under the Christmas Tree.

Reception Area

The Reception Area of the Big Hotel

Brochure of Big Hotel

Picture of Big Hotel Brochure for Reference

I asked the attendant in the reception area for a copy of the brochure. For those who want to visit Mandaue City, the Big Hotel is more affordable than other hotels. We were accommodated in a standard room for Php 1,980.00 with a buffet at breakfast. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and check-out time is noon. We needed to wait for 3 hours before we could check in. So we decided to go out to eat our lunch.

Where Did We Go?

At Jollibee

We ordered 1 pc. chicken joy with rice and 2 orders of burger steak with rice. After eating our lunch, we proceeded to Savemore Market.

Savemore Market

Fruit Section

Different Kinds of Fruits

I was so attracted by the well-arranged fruits in the corner of the mall. The mouthwatering fruits like pineapple, apple, grapes, and oranges tempted me to buy them. I bought 3 pcs of apples for PHP 75.00 and a pack of mixed sliced fruits for PHP 34.00.

Christmas Lights and Decor Corner

Christmas Lights Brighten the Corner of the Mall

I was amazed by the Christmas lights that brightened the corner of the mall. The luminous Christmas Tree looked so elegant. The colorful Christmas Decorations are arranged in an orderly in the corner. Wow! It was so great!

It was 1:30 p.m. when we received a call from Big Hotel. They informed us that we were allowed to enter our room at that time. So we went back to the Big Hotel and got our bags in the luggage.

Check-in Time

The Elevator of Big Hotel

We were assigned to the 3rd floor room no. 33. We proceeded to the elevator located near the reception area. As we can see in front of the elevator posting there are the events for the day. The event was stated there, the designated floor, and the time for the event.

Let's Go to Our Room! So excited!

Sorry, I forgot to take a picture outside the room, but look we have pictures inside.

Inside the Room

Taking Picture Inside the Room

The room offers only 2 beds but we used to manage it since the room is too spacious. I felt the coldness of the room, a sign that the air conditioner functioning well. The room looked so clean with cabinets and a television set. The bathroom was also presentable and tidy divided by a shower room with showering gell.

Calling for the Reception Area

I forgot to ask for a Wi-Fi connection to the receptionist. So, I requested them to give us the password.

We have still 2 hours to wait, since the RAFI Program Manager, sent us a message that we should be ready at 4:00 p.m., and a van from RAFI will pick up us at that time. We rested for 1 hour, then around 3:00 p.m., we started to prepare. We need to wear black, white or gold. It may be slacks or a dress. I prepared to wear slacks in black with a white blouse and a blazer in black with high-heeled sandals in silver.

Around 4:00 p.m. We received a call from RAFI informing us that the pick-up van was already there in the Big Hotel Parking area. So, we hurriedly went out to see the pick-up van.

The RAFI Partners Night was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel. It takes more or less 10 minutes to travel depending on the traffic. It is more or less 2.5 kilometers away from the Big Hotel to the Radisson Blue Hotel. So it takes a few minutes to wait until you reach the designated area.

Let's Go to the Radisson Blue Hotel!

We reached the designated area at 4:45 p.m.

The Hallway

As we entered the hotel, the spacious hall caught my attention. It was so wide compared to other hotels. We proceeded to the escalator going 2nd floor since the party was held there.

2nd Floor of the Hotel

Taking Pictures in the Decorative Corner

Here we are in the designated area where the party is held. We registered first in the registration committee. Then, we were roaming around before the program started.

Showcase of Different Partners of RAFI

As we roamed around we found out that there are many partners of RAFI aside from DepED, and they displayed their accomplished projects. So proud that we are one of them.

The Program
The moment we were waiting for, the program was about to start. We entered the room where the program was held.

Wow! It was so great! The room looked so elegant with the luxurious lights! Everything inside was so beautiful! It was a welcoming and impressive spacious room. The stage was so attractive with different lights that made the stage bright and stunning. The people who were there were partners of RAFI including the DepED Supervisors and Superintendents.

The VIP Table

Table 8

I was assigned to Table 8, that table was intended for very important people (VIPs). Mam Analyn Monterola, the parent beneficiary for the Basa Thon was one of the VIPs, she was invited to talk on that night and I am with her. Four of us at the table were invited to talk, they are the recipients of RAFI.

The program was hosted by the pretty RAFI Program Manager Ms. Maria Rizza Labao

RAFI Program Manager, Ms. Maria Rizza Labao

The Program started with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem followed by the Doxology led by the RAFI Staff.

A video presentation on how the Foundation is organized.

The video showed countless people benefited from the Foundation.

Then it was followed by a welcome dance by the RAFI Staff.

Welcome Dance by the RAFI Staff
It was an excellent dance performance by the Staff.

Message from RAFI President

Amaya Cristina Aboitiz-Fansler President

The brilliant RAFI President,Ma'am Amaya Cristina Aboitiz delivered her heartwarming message. She inspired everyone through her words of wisdom.

The dinner started after welcoming all of us. Since we were at the VIP's table the food was served by a waiter.

Time for Dinner

Foods Served to Us

All the food they served us was so delicious. We were satisfied with the taste of the food they served.
After 40 minutes, the RAFI host instructed the four (4) of us at the table to prepare the talk show. Ma'am Analyn the parent beneficiary of Basa Thon was included.

The Stage was Ready for the Show

Ma'am Analyn told me that she was getting nervous but I told her to relax and everything would be fine.

The Beneficiaries Who Were Invited to Talk

They were the invitees to talk that night, Sir Rodolfo Baguiran, President of Sacsac Farmers Association, Ma'am Grace Bayalas, owner of Bayalas Birthing Home, Family Planning Services, Ma'am Analyn Monterola, Parent Basa-Thon Learners and Ma'am Minerva Sugcay, Cancer Survivor

The Dev Talks

One of the Highlights of RAFI Partners' Night

Everyone showed a willingness to watch and listen to the Dev Talks. Ma'am Rizza Labao, asked questions one by one. She asked first the thorn among the roses, the President of the Sacsac Farmers Association, Mr. Rodolfo Baguiran. Sir Rodolfo was so grateful to RAFI. The RAFI was the only foundation that saved them after typhoon Yolanda caused great damage to their farm. He expresses his deepest gratitude to the RAFI.

Then, Ma'am Rizza turned her attention to Ma'am Minerva. I was touched upon listening to her. She cried upon giving her testimony on how she survived cancer with the help of RAFI. She was hopeless before but when she heard about RAFI and asked for help, the RAFI didn't refuse to help her. She is forever grateful to RAFI because she is now alive and kicking. She is now cancer-free.

It's about time to ask Ma'am Analyn my parent in Caduawan Elementary School. The host was amazed at how she answered the question. According to the host, she hadn't yet finished asking other questions but Ma'am Analyn had answered already. Wow, it's because she was so excited to answer.

She had three (children) who were the Basa-Thon Recipients. All her children are now able to read with confidence, unlike before. They are now participative in class. So, she extended her heartfelt thanks to RAFI.

Last but not least, the interview portion with Ma'am Grace Bayalas.She was also grateful to RAFI for the help extended from RAFI to the Bayalas Birthing Home.

The interview portion of the recipients lasted for 40 minutes. The hall was filled with loud applause.

Then it was followed by a message from the Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Carlos Kahn

His words of wisdom gave us so much inspiration.

Giving gifts to all partners and tossing wine was done.

It was indeed a very successful event. A night to remember and can't be forgotten ever.

The RAFI Management gave Ma'am Analyn a gift and money amount of Php 1000.00 for her fare. We were also sent by their pick-up to the Big Hotel.
Our hearts are filled with so much joy and satisfaction at that moment.

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Reflection

I've come to realize that RAFI is God's instrument to help needy people. The founders of RAFI are rich people but they prioritized the poor. They interviewed the beneficiaries to give hope and inspire people. We are so blissful to have RAFI as our partner. They touched the lives of our 86 struggling learners and now these learners are ready to enter the "World of Reading".We are so grateful to Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) which served as our inspiration.

It's time to park, here. Thank you so much my dear Hivers for your time.Hope you will enjoy reading it. See you on my next blog! Bye for now! Love you all! God bless!