Artistic FilipinaZ

With the holidays a couple of months away, bazaars are in full swing and one of my favorites is  the Zonta Club of Makati & Environs bazaar.  Not only does one get to look at the latest offerings that are vetted by the Zontians, it is heartwarming to note that a majority of the goods sold are locally designed and made by our local artists and jewelers.

This year’s “FilipinaZ Artful Living Fair” had an interesting mix that ranged from eye-catching jewelry (real and faux), accessories, house decors, clothing from here and abroad, as well as a beautifully set-up bistro by the Society Lounge chef Patrice Freulson. For the  art aficionados, there were up-and-coming artists and mini art galleries lined up inside the Rockwell Tent.

A stunning bigger-than-lifesize sculpture of a female form caught our eye at the lobby entrance where three young women artists collaborated. The lower part of the body was of wood, artfully sculpted by Makati Zontian Charming Baldemor. The upper part of the torso was created by Christine Sioco using plaster and wires topped with an artistic crocheted piece done by Aze Ong.

The Zonta Club of Makati & Environs is a member of Zonta International, a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. With more than 30,000 members belonging to more than 1,200 Zonta Clubs in 67 countries and geographic areas, Zontians all over the world volunteer their time, talents, and support to local and international service projects, as well as scholarship programs aimed at fulfilling Zonta’s mission and objectives. The Makati Club’s service projects involve the rehabilitation of an average of 250 sexually abused girls aged 6-17 years old in its Psychological Center at Marillac Hills in Muntinlupa. At its Center for Women Empowerment in Taguig, the club  conducts livelihood skills training for disadvantaged women, coupled  with micro-finance to enable them to earn a livelihood. The women enjoy free breast-cancer screening and Pap smear tests as well at the center’s clinic, and they are taught their legal rights. During summer, girls are given basic computer lessons and may attend workshops to improve their English language skills to help them get jobs.

The club yearly provides scholarships to 21 deserving young women taking engineering and science courses at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. In the past, all  sponsored scholars have hurdled the board exams and are now gainfully employed.

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For information, email makatizonta@yahoo.com or visit www.zontamakatiandenvirons.com.  

For your comments and ideas, email the author at jacinto.fa@gmail.com.