Painting for a cause

By Sigrid Peralta-Emralino

NAGA CITY --- A painting exhibit by renowned Bicolano painter Raul Alcomendes was successfully held last month at La Piazza Hall of Avenue Plaza Hotel whose proceeds will be used to help finish the construction of a rehabilitation and training center for abused women and children. The proposed center will rise at Bgy. Planza in San Fernando, Camarines Sur. JCI Naga Carinosa, thru the leadership of its president, Ms. Russel Pua-Tan, which is spearheading the project, dubbed the center as ‘legacy project’ as the local Jaycees celebrates its 25 years of creating beneficial projects for the community, empowering women and the youth and contributing positive change to the society. Construction for the center started in June this year, following the groundbreaking on March 4, 2018 attended by San Fernando Mayor Fermin Mabulo, whose local government unit donated the 1.7 ha lot. The mayor was joined by Vice Mayor Aris Ragay and memebers of the Sangguniang Bayan of San Fernando, Camarines Sur. Also present was JCI Sen. Rey Felix Rafols; Fr. William Parde, who officiated the blessing of the land; JCI Naga Carinosa President Russel Pua- Tan; and the entire JCI Naga Carinosa Board of Directors and its members. It was also thru the coordination and the undying support of JCI Sen. Leanne Zuniga-Montemayor, who was always behind the realization of the dream project. Records by the Camarines Sur provincial police office show that there were about 250 average reported cases of rape in the province each year, an alarming figure. These cases are mostly incest rape and marital rape. Unfortunately, many off the cases involved children as victims. JCI Naga Carinosa has visited several children ages 5-12; and women from 18-30; who have bravely reported their cases and that motivated the Carinosas to push thru with the said legendary project. Painter Alcomendas has generously given his “precious collections” upon knowing of the project, allowing the entire sum of his works that were sold to go to the proposed rehab shelter. Donations of construction materials, cash, or simply buying any of the Alcomendas paintings will help speed up the construction of the shelter for abused women and children. Interested donors may contact 09175811572 for more details.