San Franciscans unite for BayaniJuan

ABS CBN Foundation President Mitos Santisteban (2nd from left) with attendees of the event

NAPA, California – San Franciscans got together in the wine country last October and helped raise over $30,000 for the BayaniJuan initiative of the ABS CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI) and the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR). The well-attended affair was hosted by BayaniJuan SF co-chairs Mitos Santisteban and George SyCip at the Napa Valley summer estate of the SyCips, with renown chef Thomas Weibull serving up a special Filipino-French fusion brunch. Among the attendees were AFI Philippines Managing Director Gina Lopez and IIRR President Mike Luz, who presented their plans to uplift and improve distressed areas in Ticao Island, Bicol province, the Philippines. The afternoon was spent with auctions and fundraising golf games which delighted event attendees while also raised the funds for BayaniJuan.

BayaniJuan SF Event co-chair George Sycip

ABS CBN Foundation's Gina Lopez makes her presentation for BayaniJuan

IIRR's Mike Luz makes his presentation

Event attendees check out the jewelry auction

Participants play a game of golf to raise funds for BayaniJuan

Chef Thomas Weibull weaves his magic in the kitchen