90 golfers raise funds for Bantay Bata at 1st TFC Unity Cup

Clockwise from left, Ginger Conejero and Enrique Olives host the program; Hole-in-One prize was a two-year lease on a Ford Mustang; Archie Gatan receives his prize wine from Becca Palomino; Carlito Marifosque (2nd from left) and Ervin Reyes (right) win golf umbrellas. CONTRIBUTED

AMERICAN CANYON, California — The debut TFC Unity Cup golf tournament at the sprawling Chardonnay Golf Club took on Saturday, September 23, raised funds for the rehabilitation of The Children’s Village in Norzagaray, Bulacan in the Philippines.

The Children’s Village is a shelter for abused children rescued by Bantay Bata (Child Watch), one of the programs of ABS-CBN Foundation International, which is celebrating its 20th year.

Host ABS-CBN Foundation International’s Managing Director Jerry Bennett was happy to see a good turnout. “Your support today means so much to the children of Bantay Bata. After 20 years, we’ve done a lot but a lot still needs to be done to help the children especially in the areas of education, health and medical concerns, and their safety and protection,” he said.

Team TFC Unity Cup (left to right) Regional HR Director Budith Palmero, Marketing Specialist Mimi Dayo-Arguelles, AFI Marketing & Communications Manager Rea Lopez, Head for Entertainment Eric Pugeda, Global IT Head Cris Licudine, AFI Accounts Receivable Issa Gelasio. (Seated left to right) AFI Office & Development Manager Alma Magsambol, Marketing Specialist Haphi Llaneza, ABS-CBN Foundation International Managing Director Jerry Bennett. CONTRIBUTED

Participants in the initial TFC Unity Cup had fun with the various fundraising activities aside from the 18-hole two-man scramble format played by the teams. These included the Las Vegas Holes, Putting Contest, Mulligans and a Raffle. There was also the Closest to the Line, Nearest to the Pin, and Hole-in-One Competitions. A two-year lease on a Ford Mustang was up for grabs in the Hole-in-One Competition.

After six hours on the course, the tournament participants enjoyed cocktails and dinner with a short program hosted by Adobo Nation’s Ginger Conejero and ABS-CBN Head for Business Development Enrique Olives, who is also a mean golf player.

Team Fortaleza with son, Michael (left), and dad, Rene, said it was an honor for them to be invited to participate in a good cause. CONTRIBUTED

Minor awards and recognition were given out. Generosity overflowed as the players who won cash prizes went on to donate their winnings to Bantay Bata, like 14-year old Ralph Kho who was the youngest player and the biggest winner of the night –- he won twice.

ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Chairman of the Board Eugenio Lopez III was pleased with the pioneering efforts for the TFC Unity Cup Golf Tournament. “We have an awards presentation next week where we’re going to show the various things that Bantay Bata is doing. We hope that will generate a lot of engagement within the Filipino community and other people that are interested in helping the Philippines.” He adds, “We expect to do this every year. We expect that it will grow bigger and bigger every year. I hope that more people will support.”

Junipero Serra High School varsity golfer and the youngest at the TFC Unity Cup Ralph Kho won twice — for the putting contest and in the raffle. He donated his winnings to ABS-CBN Foundation International’s Bantay Bata. CONTRIBUTED

Winners for the major awards and competition will be awarded at the TFC Unity Cup Gala Awards Night on Saturday, September 30 at the South San Francisco Conference Center at 255 South Airport Boulevard in South San Francisco California.

The awarding ceremony starts at 4:30 p.m. followed by cocktails, dinner and dancing. Entertainment will be provided by the a cappella group The Filharmonic and Gary Valenciano.

Tickets for the Gala Night are $70 inclusive of dinner. For more information, email [email protected] or call 1-800-527-2820.