Bingo ng Bayan: Truly the people's bingo!

It was the host's accent that gave it away. The event could have been a Lotto television advertisement - a sea of laughing faces, adults who were excited as kids, clapping, jumping, obviously thrilled and totally enjoying themselves. Bingo ng Bayan '08 was a resounding success. It was a day of winners, friendships and dreams fulfilled.

A crowd of about four hundred showed up at St Joseph's school hall in Takapuna to have fun and win fantastic prizes. Over 35 prizes, including $2000 worth of Shiseido products, $500 Lava Salon makeover certificate, Kablon Farm organic food hamper, Wildfire Restaurant dinner for two, Noblejas charter fishing  trips for two and $500 cash prize donated by I-Remit and Filipino Link, made the desirable items' wish list.

It was an afternoon of heart-thumping excitement as people from all walks of life, Asians and Kiwis, from the young to the young at heart, tried their luck at the University of the Philippines Alumni New Zealand's first ever fundraising event.

Reports from the Philippines that a number of students who have passed the university's competitive entrance exams have to drop out of school because of poverty motivated the group to help deserving but underprivileged students of the university. This day of fun becomes a day of giving back, as the group will donate proceeds to the Iskolar ng Bayan scholarship fund.

The success of Bingo ng Bayan inspired the group to hold the event annually. 

Vina Paredes, CIO Magazine editor-in-chief and a UP Diliman Journalism graduate, donated  PC World one year subscription

Leonor Ammundsen donated an organic food hamper from Kablon Farms

Oi, nanalo ng fishing trip for two! Sinong isasama mo (chika!)

Lucky winner of Shiseido assorted perfume products

Ang napaka-lively at energetic nating host... ang Kris Aquino ng New Zealand... Si Carina Ferrer, with a lucky raffle draw winner (Shiseido products worth over $300!)

Si Tito Allan (ang kabiyak ni Tita Emma) nagbigay ng prize on behalf of Tita Kit

Si Tito Allan ulit... thanks ulit kay Tita Kit for the prize donation!

Si Ate Leonor, gusto ulit magpa-picture

Ako po (Weng Docot) with Jess Gregorio, ang nanalo ng Isang Daan show tickets

Ang energy drinks mula kay Tito Rod, humabol sa raffle

Ang daming natuwa sa movie tickets... salamat Jen T, all the way from Hamilton

Movie tickets winner ulit

Si Viv, bumili ng 20 raffle tickets, nanalo ng movie tickets

Si Trish din, at si Ate Leonor... ulit sa photo op

Ate Leonor....ulit

Si John ng I-Remit naman

Oi, si John ang dami ring photo-op!

Si John, nag-donate ng 12 I-Remit bags

Hand shake naman

Isa pa

Bagay po sa outfit, Lola

Ganda ng pose, Ate

Paris Hilton's the man bag look ni Blauw

Thanks for coming, Tita Edith!

Si John ulit

Woohoo dinner for two!

Si Gelmar ang nanalo ng $500 makeover, maikli ang buhok kaya binigay sa kanyang minamahal na Ate (pakibasa na lang po ang press release for more details)

Nanalo ang officemate ni Tita Emma ng Kablon Farm goodies... yum yum

Split! Hating kapatid! Tig $250 sila

Mga magkakaibigan, nagkikita-kita

Ganda ng stage, buti na lang binalikan ang mga banners sa bahay ni Tia Cez (naiwan kasi sa sobrang excitement hehe Salamat Lou!)

Ang daming tao!

Lahat seryoso, baka kasi manalo

Hi tech ang set-up

Laura German, former GM of Shiseido and a UP Diliman graduate, isa sa mga major donors natin, salamat po!

Lou and Ram Tan, busy sa stage set up

Salamat sa mga tumulong sa ticket selling, you know who you are!

Si Dorothy, ang tumawag sa kin, ang ating official DTI representative

Oi, emote si Carina!

Ang mga Dignadices (except si Ate Leonor hehe) singing the NZ National Anthem

Mama San and Call Girls, ang gagaling nyo!

Salamat sa hard work Tita Cez and Tito Romy

Ang daming prizes

Ilang oras ba kinabit ang mga banners?

Ang galing ni Oneal!

Ang mga cable boys, Tito Ram, John and KU

Si Tita Emma, expert sa stage design

Mga prizes ulit, sana next year marami pang mag donate (hint hint)

Ilan sa mga Shiseido giveaway items

Thank you to all our sponsors, donors, volunteers and friends who supported us. The memory of smiling faces will linger and live on. Mabuhay tayong lahat!