“GIVING or helping reduces stress and anxiety and actually makes people happy." – Minette Sison
Maria Mercedes “Minette” Sison, president of Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) Philippine Chapter, image consultant, public speaker, business trainer, and mentor passionately spoke about rediscovering vitality through altruism before the crowd at the “Wine and Cheese” gathering at the Negros Museum on October 19.
Hosted by the ladies of Kasanag Centre, an organization for the development of women, the event aimed to spread awareness of the various projects and advocacies of the center especially that of the Visayan Center for Hotel and Restaurant Services (VCHRS).
VCHRS an endeavor geared towards poverty alleviation by providing scholarships to underprivileged young women and helping them gain employment in the service industry.
Because of its ultimate dream of bringing dignity of work, VCHRS education not only focuses on Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) accredited competencies and skills but also in work ethics and values taught through the subjects of human philosophy, virtues and spirituality, as well as personality development.
As shared during the event by VCHRS directress, Maria Teresa “Inday” Javellana, the impact of this holistic training could be felt not only by the students but by the families and communities they belonged to. With the shift in mindset and attitudes, positive habits and decision-making skills are developed and practiced.
It is with these encouraging results that the ladies of Kasanag continue to call out to concerned individuals to help and get involved in whatever way possible as there are still thousands of underprivileged young women who are struggling to live a decent life and can benefit from the scholarships offered by VCHRS.
Other projects of Kasanag through its study center include homemaking classes, youth catechism and literacy program, and the University Seminar Asia Pacific which is the academic congress for university students during Holy Week.
As wine and cheese can be symbols of celebration and transformation, Kasanag Centre’s Wine and Cheese at the Museum was not just a night of dining and entertainment but a special moment of people coming together for a truly worthy cause.
To know more about The Visayan Center for Hotel and Restaurant Services, please visit https://vchrs.wordpress.com.