Buttons to Hope is One and Counting!

Buttons to Hope turned one on June 1! And we found it's the best reason to party!

On June 18, BTH team leader Jane Barcenas-Bisuna hosted a simple, no-frills first birthday party for BTH at the Linden Suites. It was to celebrate every bit of accomplishment BTH has reaped over the past year - money in the bank, continuous support from members and friends, and six college scholars now in the university!

It's been a year of sweet success for BTH. And it's just about time to roll out this wonderful idea, left and right! For more success, for bigger bucks, for more scholars!

As of June 2010, BTH is now almost half a million rich, with cash and receivables totalling P401,378.00 ($8,500.00). A total of P65,000 or 16% of the funds have been disbursed to support the first semester fees of the six BTH scholars. Each scholar gets a subsidy of P10,000 per semester.

The BTH fund came from F.A.R.M. sales, donations, monthly dinners and the proceeds from the HOPE event.

We said "no-frills" but then again we decided to give the evening an interesting flavor. Thanks to Mia Barandon-Bulalacao for the magnificent cupcake tree that made BTH's first birthday so bright and flaunty!

We also took a break from the usual "business" meeting at BTH dinners. For there wasn't a space left for that. We just had loads of food, wine and fun!

To the pretty and handsome faces of BTH, thank you, thank you for gracing the night!

Cheers to BTH at One! And for more to come!

Here comes the Bride (3)

Our newest F.A.R.M. bride pieces are amazingly cool and sweet that we've got no excuse not to name them after your favorite ice cream flavors....

blueberry sorbet

blueberry pecan

ube pistachio sundae

strawberry parfait

banana split

This utterly beautiful one would fit Bella...

twilight

Red's gorgeous with blue....

american bride

And teal, is a classic stunner.

teal

Based on our quick survey, you all watch out for new designs. We promise to give you more.

Our scholars are now in college!

It was a two-week holiday for the F.A.R.M. blog. And we are coming back with a very important news: F.A.R.M. and Buttons to Hope scholars are now in school!

F.A.R.M. scholars Grace, Nicco, Ronald and Manilyn are personally supported by Bernadette de los Santos, with funds coming from the sales of our famous F.A.R.M. bracelets. Your patronage, as we promised, is going a long way.

BTH scholars Christian, Christine, Babing, Christian, Enrique and Jam are the ones we collectively support through Buttons to Hope - an innovative, well-admired scholarship project in Baao that's now in full swing!

All 10 scholars go to the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, one of the finest state universities in the Bicol region.

Each BTH scholar gets P10,000 full scholarship grant per semester. BTH will arrange individual accounts for each scholar with the Baao Cooperative to encourage them to start saving and managing their resources wisely and efficiently.

Thank you for your support. Let us watch these young minds grow and succeed. In no time, they will become mighty graduates in their own fields and will take their turn in helping educate and empower Baao. Please, stay with us through this journey. Mabalos po!