Our first WINter Harmonics performance is the classic Tagalog Christmas song, Pasko Na Sinta Ko as performed by the WIN Chorale. A song about love, it was written by a composer and songwriter after being inspired by a couple’s love story at university. We hope you enjoy our take on this beautiful song!

“Pasko Na Sinta Ko” Music by Francisco Dandan Lyrics by Aurelio Estanislao Arrangement by Gines Uy Audio Mix/Mastering by William Babiano Video Editing by Maxinne B. Vergara

WIN Chorale

Soprano: Pie Ortega, Tetet Uy Alto: Tess Corpin-Agner, Gina Ibarrola Tenor: William Babiano (Soloist), Peter Caludac Bass: Jessie Reyes

Join WIN and Every.org by donating at the link below!

Throughout the month of December, if you sign up through a referral link and donate to WIN, you can receive an additional $25 to donate to the charity of your choice. Our fundraising campaign will provide relief goods and services to those affected by the recent super typhoons Rolly and Ulysses in the Philippines.

Waraynon Initiative Network

https://www.every.org/@maxinne.vergara/Waraynon-Initiative-Network

https://www.facebook.com/winarts.org

https://www.instagram.com/waraynoninitiativenetwork/

http://www.winarts.org

Maxinne Vergara

http://www.twitter.com/LazyLikeHoy

http://instagram.com/lazylikehoy

http://www.soundcloud.com/lazylikehoy

https://spoti.fi/37HJZHX (Spotify Profile)

YouTube: @LazyLikeHoy

#WINarts

#WINterHarmonics

A popular Christmas song boldly declares, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”
Yet, for many, this is not the case. Some will be celebrating the holidays for the first time without a loved one. Indeed, the pain and loss caused by the pandemic have been too much to bear. This year, the most wonderful time of the year will be felt like the most difficult as well. Waraynon Initiative Network (WIN) can change that.Well, we probably can’t change it for everybody. But we can spread some holiday cheer and make it a little more wonderful for somebody. And if we can brighten one person’s day, maybe they can brighten one more. Remember, cheerfulness is contagious. WIN can intentionally bring holiday cheer to people’s homes through music videos that WIN will release. And as a result, make this season a little more wonderful.
Spread the cheer, not the virus.
This December, WIN will release a series of music performances featuring the talented members and friends of WIN. These videos will also kickstart WIN’s donation efforts for typhoon relief efforts following the super typhoons Rolly and Ulysses, partnering with organizations such as United Catanduanes San Diego and helping out areas hit the hardest. Any help and generosity is appreciated, whether it is enjoying our videos, sharing them with your loved ones, or donating to WIN. You can donate via Facebook with this post as well as sending a check payable to Waraynon Initiative Network. Please direct message us to find out where you can send the check. Thank you for your generosity and support!

Waraynon Initiative Network, is now on Instagram! You can follow us here, Instagram, and our website (www.winarts.org) to stay up to date on all our latest projects and news. I’m supervising a new project which we’ll be announcing soon enough 😊 Thanks for your support!

With deep sadness, I would like to inform you all that Al Vergara has joined his Creator. After many years of fighting a lingering illness, Al passed away last night, Oct 6, 2020, 11:35pm at his home in Chino Hills, CA.

Al was a founding member of Waraynon Initiative Network (WIN), and a constant moving force behind WIN’s programs and projects. He liked helping selflessly behind the scenes, never seeking attention or recognition.
Though, we will miss Al greatly, we rejoice in his return to his Heavenly Father where there is no pain, just bliss.

Our hearts go out to the family he left behind, his wife of 32 years, Yaya (current WIN President) , his son, Ian (WIN Orchestra instrumentalist) and his daughter, Maxinne (current VP for Project Planning and Networking, WIN).

Let’s all pray for his soul’s eternal repose in God’s loving embrace.

Al, say hello to Nonong and Melvin!

-Dulce Ann D. Caludac
WIN Corporate Secretary

August 29 marks the 7th year of existence of an organization that’s close to my heart. I am one of the founding members and the current corporate secretary of Waraynon Initiative Network (WIN), winarts.org.
Waraynon Initiative Network (WIN) is an exempt organization under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, classified as a public charity organization and a CA non-profit public benefit corporation dedicated to the preservation of and education on the Philippine heritage through the performing arts. Contributions to Waraynon Initiative Network (WIN) are deductible under section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code. Furthermore, the organization is qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Code.
In its young life, WIN has had quite a list of successes to its name – fundraising concerts, collaboration projects with other organizations, a medical mission outreach, a music ministry outreach, successful sustainable livelihood projects such as the breadWINner project in 2018. The notable projects remain those where WIN thought outside of the box. WIN is an aggregate of volunteers who channel their time and talent in helping others. There is a youth orchestra and there is a chorale. When typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines in 2013, WIN sent aid and put out a successful fundraising concert which directly benefited a few parishes by way of helping restore churches damaged by the typhoon. The breadWINner project was a promise we made in 2013 to develop sustainable livelihood projects, however, due to over-saturation in this type of projects, WIN decided to defer implementation to 2018. Flash forward to the pandemic, WIN in its “think outside of the box” philosophy, decided to implement a few initiatives to respond to the emergent needs of the pandemic. Thus, the masks and meals initiative was launched. A total of 850 masks were distributed to about 2 dozen hospitals, clinics, healthcare facilities where frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) were wanting of personal protective equipment. WIN also provided meals in appreciation of all the hard work and dedication of the HCWs and the postal workers, donated to two food banks joining the fight against hunger, and sponsored meals for the Senior Ministry of the Cathedral Chapel of St. Vibiana in Los Angeles.
The WIN corporation has been able to help so many because we have been blessed to receive donations from so many benevolent individuals . Without them, our projects would not be possible. We cannot thank them enough for their continued support!
The last seven years was not all rosy for WIN. We experienced loss as well. Devastating loses. In 2014, we suffered a devastating loss when our founding chairman, Nonong Agner, passed away to illness. Then in 2018, we had another huge loss when our musical director and VP for Ensemble and Training, Melvin Corpin, lost his short fight against cancer.
It is said that one’s person is defined by the legacy you leave behind when you leave this earth. Such is the case with Nonong and Melvin. Nonong left us a culture of dedication and commitment to one’s craft, integrity, and loyalty. He left us with a culture of service and kindness to humanity. That was Nonong’s legacy. Melvin, on the other hand, left us with his beautiful music, pushed us to reach our full potential, even if it meant going out of one’s comfort zone. He mentored, encouraged, inspired. Most of all, he taught us the true meaning of faith and glorifying the Lord Almighty through the 2,000 plus songs of praise that he wrote, arranged and composed. That was Melvin’s legacy. And so we carry on, well-equipped to do good for mankind!
I could not think of a better way (during this unprecedented time) to memorialize WIN’s 7th year anniversary other than to bake a cake. We cancelled a destination team building celebration when this pesky pandemic came, so this cake will have to do for the history book of WIN.
ABOUT THE CAKE. I decided to make a chocolate cake. Who doesn’t like chocolate, anyway? This is a two-layer chocolate cake, aka the best chocolate cake ever from Hummingbirdhigh.com. The frosting is a white chocolate frosting from Leslie Mackie’s Macrina Bakery and Café Cookbook: Favorite Breads, Pastries, Sweets and Savories. Macrina Bakery and Cafe is a popular breakfast spot in Seattle, WA which I have been to with my friend, Iday.
I dedicate this cake to the men, women, and children of WIN, an organization who at its core has the heart of a champion who cares and shares; an organization who believes that it is in giving that we receive.

Article by: Dulce Caludac Corporate Secretary

On behalf of Waraynon Initiative Network (WIN), I had the humbling experience and fulfilling opportunity to handover the $500 check donation to Mary’s Kitchen, an all volunteer organization who has been serving the less fortunate of Orange County since 1984, serving an average of 180 needy and homeless people daily Mon- Sat, year round, rain or shine. They come from all around, and gratefully receive a light breakfast, a hot meal at noon and a sack dinner to take along as they leave. Nowadays due to the pandemic, the meals are no longer served as sit-down meals.

All the meals are sacked and distributed with lunch and dinner packs given during the lunch hour. Through Mary’s foresight and God’s grace and the generous support of many donors and unpaid volunteers, no one is turned away and no one leaves hungry. Mary’s Kitchen also provides clothing and free daily showers to the homeless and the needy. They also share their food donations with parish churches and with Triangle Terrace in Orange, CA, housing 2000+ seniors (who are room-confined due to the pandemic) and individuals with physical and mental disabilities. The donation is not much, however, WIN hopes it will make a difference to the community in fighting hunger and enhancing the quality of life and keeping dignity
alive for everyone who comes to Mary’s Kitchen for help, especially during this time of the coronavirus.

About Mary’s Kitchen

Mary’s Kitchen is a volunteer organization whose aim is to provide compassionate care for the less fortunate of Orange County, California. All services are conducted in a manner, which preserves dignity. This is why those who we assist are considered our guest. We are non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. 100% of monetary donations received go directly to maintain the services provided for our guests.

Mary Mcanena, Founder of Mary’s Kitchen started feeding the hungry and homeless at the age of 81 by making chicken soup and hauling it to Hart Park in Orange. As her feeding grew, she moved to a city lot at 517 W. Struck St. She worked from a kitchen in a modular “trailer,” with picnic tables, freezers, storage buildings, showers and laundry facilities.

Mary passed away in 2003. Her successors carry on her well-earned legacy – now a 501c3 charity.

Her bestfriend Gloria Seuss is the current CEO/President of Mary’s Kitchen.

#WINstrong❤️

#HUNGER🚫

#WINcares💗

#WINshares💞

Article by: Dulce Caludac Corporate Secretary

Last June, 23rd in collaboration with the Senior Ministry of the Cathedral Chapel of St. Vibiana (CCSV) and its Pastor, Rev. Truc Nguyen, WARAYNON INITIATIVE NETWORK (WIN) delivers lunch packs to 45 seniors of the parish community to create some semblance of continuity during the stay-at-home directives .

These are senior parishioners who have little or no family support who are usually picked up and brought to the parish hall and driven back home by CCSV volunteers once a month for a Senior Luncheon sponsored by the CCSV Senior Ministry.

Lunch was made by Met Him at a Bar,a restobar in Los Angeles located near the church- Gemelli all’amatriciana (made with in-house Gemelli pasta, pancetta, and pink amatriciana sauce) with a famous Amos chocolate cookie and bottled water.

Thank you to the owners, Vincent and Mindy Kinne, for working with WIN to make this happen! In keeping with the times, a pandemic care kit containing wet wipes and hand sanitizer was provided.

Thank you Gina G. Ibarrola, Realtor at Blessed Living for the generous donation of the care kits.

Gina Girlie

Big thanks to the following volunteers/Delivery team:

CCSV:
Dory Ann Lagman
Nancy and Mike Sheehan (Nancy Galicia Sheehan, Mike Sheehan)
Victor and Ryan Benedicto
Rev Fr Truc Nguyen

WIN:
Gina and Jiggs Ibarrola
Gines Uy

This WINDERFUL act was made possible by the amazing leadership of Board Member, JIGGS IBARROLA, and GINES UY, VP for Ensemble and Training Development, and WIN member, Gina Ibarrola.

#WINstrong

#attitudeofgratitude

More photos from the Waraynon Initiative Network (WIN) – sponsored Luncheon Outreachfor the senior parishioners of Cathedral Chapel of St Vibiana in Los Angeles.