Written by: Gabrielle Borromeo
Published in the Daily Tribune (Life Style section) on Thursday, 06 March 2014.
Although women are generally seen as fragile, in the past few decades women have proven that they can make a big difference beyond the domestic front.
Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez is one of many women who inspire their fellow countrymen to take action in making positive changes. Her long-time advocacy is livelihood, and now she is bent on restoring that of those who have were victims of the super typhoon “Yolanda” in the fourth district of Leyte. Specifically, she thought of providing boats to the fishermen who lost theirs at the height of the calamity. She hopes that by giving them the means to fish, these men can continue being the self-empowered fishermen they really are and most importantly go back to supporting their families on their own two feet.
Rep. Torres-Gomez ventured together with the Bench Group in this cause, helping the fishermen in Ormoc, Leyte, through the project called 6200: Mission Possible.
The aim is to produce 6,200 motorized boats (bancas) and donate it to the fishermen affected by the super typhoon.
In her column in another broadsheet, she writes: "6200: The Mission Possible Project started when the IT-Exad and store operations group of Suyen Corp., of which Bench belongs, decided to do away with their Christmas party and donate the funds instead to the 4th District of Leyte. At that time the wonderful gentlemen of the Rotary Club of Makati South had also just donated funds, specifically for motorized fishing boats. And so despite all the darkness Yolanda brought — the pain, sadness, even despair — a dream was born, one that went beyond the first 57 fishermen our funds could initially help to include, hopefully, all in God's plan and time, all the 6,200 that needed fishing boats.
These bancas will be finished with a fiberglass hull, a Honda-brand engine and accessories such as a propeller, brass pipe, rudder, steel shaft and cross-joint bolts, nuts and rings to be as durable as possible so it can be passed on to the next generation. The banca is said to last for 15 to 20 years.
Rep. Torres-Gomez says, "The fishing sector has always been one of the most impoverished, and Yolanda has cemented that fact even more. The district I represent has five coastal areas and there are 6,200 fishermen whose boats were damaged. Yes, we are in a crisis, but I do not want the people to get used to a culture that is dependent on dole-outs. They have to be empowered, and the fastest and most logical way of doing that is to restore their livelihood-allowing them to once again earn decently by the work of their hands. That is a gift on so many levels."
She adds, "Through this, when the fishermen get back the banca they have lost, on that day they can immediately fish for their family or sell it. And I am proud to declare that this project has been ongoing for only less than three months, but we already have 1,500 bancas ready to be distributed! We can all work hand in hand to help our country get through this cruel calamity, so to all typhoon Yolanda victims, soldier on and keep the faith. God holds us all in the palm of His hands."
Beneficiaries of this project include the fishermen of Ormoc City and the nearby municipalities of the 4th District of Leyte (Albuera, Merida, Isabel and Palompon). Bench is focused on donating a total of 200 bancas this 2014, while Ayala Malls has declared its donation of one banca already. Simultaneous with this revelation were the unveiling of boats in malls such as Glorietta 2 and Alabang Town Center.
6200: Mission Possible was launched last March 2 at the newest Ayala mall, the Ayala Fairview Terraces. The main stage was designed with a pier-inspired setting and nautical features with special performances from the Bench endorsers themselves, who drew the crowd closer to hear the good news. Richard Gomez and daughter Juliana were there to support the superwoman in their life. The Bench family stars who were present were Kim Chiu, Karylle, Jeric and Jeron Teng, Enchong Dee, Joseph Marco, Lovi Poe, singer Rachelle Ann Go and Markki Stroem.
Donors can sponsor a boat and name it after their company or loved ones. A team of artist volunteers add creativity to each piece with colorful designs that echo a unique story. With help from kind hearts, hope will float and devastated villages shall rise again. To learn more about how you can be part of this endeavor, visit www.rebuildormoc.com.
As loyal Bench shoppers, one can also get involved. For every P500 purchased at all company-owned Bench, Herbench, Superbench, Bench Tweeners, Bench Tofu and Bench Body stores, P5 will be donated to the 6200: Misson Possible Project through “Kabataan Iwas Droga sa tulong ng Sports” (Kids) Foundation from Feb. 1 to April 30.
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