Welcome to our Fifth Annual Charity Ball. Five years ago we made a commitment to help the poorest of the poor children in the Philippines. We did. And we still devote our resources to that end. We also promised that we will not spend a dime on anything other than the funding projects benefitting the Filipino children. We have lived up to that promise. Today, our officers and volunteers still work without compensation, dedicating their time and effort to the success of our fund-raising events.

We obviously take pride in what we have accomplished in five years, and yet the biggest credit belongs not to us but to the couple who sends twenty dollars, and the business owner who donates one hundred, and the philanthropist who gives five hundred. The recognition belongs to all our supporters who gave and continue to give unselfishly to the Foundation. Without them, we would not have reached this point.

Our task has just started. Countless street children are still roaming the streets of Manila, Cebu, Davao and other metropolitan areas. We dedicate this event to them, with the promise that we will not let them down.