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IBzQ's activities include an annual medial mission in partnership with various Filipino medical groups, sports events, financial literacy programme, and regular gift-giving programme for distressed Filipino workers

Giving back to the community, especially to our kasimanwas (members), and paying tribute to our late president, are the reasons Ilonggo Beezz Qatar (IBzQ) is organising a blood donation campaign, said the group's current President Wilver Labanero.
It'll be the first time the regional organisation is launching an activity, mainly in honour of their former president Glenn Bern Palabrica who died of heart failure during operation two years ago. IBzQ is expecting at least a hundred participants from their own members and other groups to support the noble cause which they intend to host annually as a way of commemorating Palabrica's death.
The 1st Glenn Bern Palabrica Blood Donation Drive will be held at Hamad Medical Blood Donor Center in Al Rayyan Road on August 5 from 8am to 12noon.
"Glenn was the president of Ilonggo Beezz Qatar from calendar year 2012 to 2014. He died on July 8, 2014 during operation. He needed some blood donor and we had difficulty during that time. Most of the officers of our organisation donated during that time. As such, we have decided to conduct this activity in his honour. He himself had planned this kind of activity during his term. We plan to have this activity every July of the year," Labanero said.
IBzQ comprises Filipinos in Qatar coming from various provinces in the Philippines such as Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Antique, Aklan, Guimaras and other Ilonggo-speaking areas in Mindanao. It was formed in 2006 and currently has approximately more than 600 registered members and more than 1,000 followers on its Facebook group page. Its members are prominent community leaders including former UFOQ (United Filipino Organizations in Qatar) chair and President of Philippine Nurses Association Frank Jamandre and Virgilio 'Jhun' Bunda, a former UFOQ Vice Chair, and president of Filipino Bowling Club.
According to Labanero, the blood donation drive is an initiative of the current officers of IBzQ motivated by their respect for Palabrica. Stressing the importance of the upcoming event, Labanero fondly shared the legacies of their former leader.
"Glenn was such a kind leader, charismatic, visionary and enthusiastic to help everyone. Most of the current and former officers owe him a lot, as he was not just our President but also our mentor, our adviser, our beloved friend. It was he who encouraged most of us to join and help him strengthen the organisation. He guided and mentored the organisation for three straight years as its president. He enthusiastically led the IBzQ to become one of the most active Filipino community groups recognised by the Philippine Embassy through various projects, activities and gatherings under his leadership. Upon his death, he was honoured by the Embassy for this service and was the first Filipino community leader to be given such a tribute," the current President of IBzQ said.
Being one of the most active and prominent organisations in the country, IBzQ takes pride in its various contributions to the community which includes annual medial mission which they hold in partnership with various Filipino medical groups, sports events including basketball tournament, financial literacy programme in partnership with Pinoy-WISE, and regular gift-giving programme for distressed Filipino workers housed at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.
The group also extends assistance in the Philippines. Their previous missions back home included distribution of medical kits throughout the region of Western Visayas, giving out education television package for some remote areas in their region, sponsoring feeding programmes during Christmas season, and extending assistance during calamities.
"The objective of IBzQ includes promoting the Ilonggo community in Qatar by presenting our native products, cuisine, folk arts and dances during the celebration of special civic, social or religious events in Qatar such during the celebration of Philippine Independence Day and Christmas. We also extend assistance to our members in employment, medical, labour and other expat concerns. We also aim to establish linkage with other Ilonggo organisations from other parts of the world and explore the possibilities of what, how, when and where other major socio-civic projects could be jointly planned, organised, managed, financed and carried out in the Philippines," Labanero said.
The group is also pushing for implementation of other projects including the creation of scholarship foundation to handle financial expenses of poor and promising Ilonggo high school graduates with the goal of producing competent scholars and quality university graduates, and the establishment of public libraries in their region.
Aside from Labanero, the leadership of IBzQ also includes Orville Mathew Gayatin (Vice-President), Janbeth Alindog (Secretary), Arlene Franco Bonete (Assistant Secretary), Jane Coleta Asong (Treasurer), Jesus Villaflor (Assistant Treasurer), Robert Biazon (Auditor), Roy Cylde Tacuyan (Assistant Auditor), and Angelita Luisa Pagayon and Elynon Dolor (Public Relations Officers). The group is also guided by a Board of Directors and council of consultants and advisers.

HOW TO BE A MEMBER OF IBZQ
Regular members:
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Natural born Ilonggo whose father or mother is an Ilonggo
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Those who at the time of their membership are residents of an Ilonggo speaking place in the Philippines
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Those whose legal spouse is a regular member
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18 years old and above holding a valid Qatar residence permit
Honorary Members:
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Vested to any person 18 years old and above and holding a valid Qatar residence permit who has contributed to the development, promotion and furtherance of the aims of the association
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Recommended by any member of the Board of Directors and upon the approval of the body
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Honorary member has all the rights, duties and privileges of a regular member except the right to vote and be voted upon or appointed to any office
Note: QR 30.00 one-time membership fee upon joining the association. No monthly/yearly dues will be collected
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24/07/2016
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