KIDS Philippines opens N.Y. chapter; Vince Gesmundo is president
KIDS Philippines, Inc. President Vince Gesmundo and Vice President Ann Constantino Beck take their oath. KPI founder Cherry Marmes Smyth is at left. The FilAm Photos
Inspired by the aphorism that “poverty is not a hindrance to success,” entrepreneur Vicente ‘Vince’ Gesmundo on May 18 became the first president of KIDS Philippines, Inc. New York, a local chapter of KPI charity founded two years ago in Connecticut.
Vince is joined in the New York board by Annalyn Constantino Beck, vice president; Dolores Verdillo Agda, secretary; Cecile Duyongco, auditor; Cecille Lai, treasurer; and Raymar Maranan, public relations officer.
KPI was founded in 2016 by Connecticut community leader and former beauty queen Cherry Marmes Smyth motivated by the idea that all Filipino children are not created equal. Those who have less in life need a helping hand. KPI started with 44 scholars from the southern province of Lanao del Norte, in the town of Tubod where Cherry grew up. She and her husband Pete made sure the recipient children are in good standing with their grades, and that their families truly need financial assistance. This year, that number has grown to 448 scholars. The scholars receive assistance in the form of school uniforms, shoes, bags, school supplies, and other educational fees. Fifteen schools are currently in their roster for financial support.
Consul Arman Talbo swears in new officers.
The dream of KIDS Philippines, Inc. and its mission to increase children’s access to education are “now being realized,” said Cherry in her opening remarks during the induction of officers. She is eight months pregnant with her first child. KPI now has four chapters including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York.
She welcomed her friend Vince, a “community leader and philanthropist,” for accepting the leadership of KPI New York.
“Vince has been observing KPI missions to the Philippines,” she said. “I was so delighted for his willingness and passion to support the KPI cause.”
For his part, Vince said he admires the transparency of the organization and its mission. He said he plans to name key people to assist with outreach and fundraising across New York because KPI NY includes not just the city but the entire state.
He maintained that although poverty is not an obstacle, it can seriously impact children’s lives. This is where KPI comes in by helping promising children reach their potential.
“When Cherry offered me the helm of this prestigious charity organization, a bit of hesitation crept in because I might not live up to her expectation.” He accepted, he said, “concerned about the youth’s bright future through proper education.”
Consul Arman Talbo, who administered the oath of office to the officers, said KPI has shown how an organization “gives back to the community and shares its blessings with the less fortunate.”
© The FilAm 2018
Popular singer Angel Ram entertained the guests.
