| 14 July 2010
Dear Members,
Thank you for supporting our Raffle Ticket Draw to raise funds for our Philippine Affiliate, KATARUNGANG PANGSAMBAYANAN INC., to enable it to educate our Kababayans about the Jury System and benefits it would bring to our country.
The Philippine Jury International (PJI) officers here in the UK have been actively campaigning not just here but also in other countries like Belgium through emails, our website www.philippinejury.com and personal visits.
One such campaign activity is the sponsorship of a “Philippine Jury International” basketball team, which competed in the KAMPI WEST WINTER LEAGUE, here in London. Another is the participation of PJI in the 5 June 2010 Independence Day Celebration sponsored by the Philippine Embassy. The Philippine Jury International Choir contributed a number of Filipino songs. All of these activities, and others in the future, require funding.
This was why we sponsored the KAMPI WEST BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT AWARDS NIGHT 2010. Experience has told us that celebrations such as parties make very little profit; they break even; or worse, lose money. Consequently, we decided to run a Raffle Ticket Draw in conjunction with the PJI-sponsored KAMPI WEST celebration.
The PJI-sponsored KAMPI WEST celebration was held in Baden-Powell House Conference Centre, South Kensington, on 12th June. Winners of the Raffle Ticket Draw were: -
- TICKET NUMBER 01191. The First Prize RETURN TRIP TICKET TO THE PHILIPPINES was won by Mr Roberto M., a Filipino Engineer;
- TICKET NUMBER 00357. The Second Prize RETURN TICKET TO EUROPE was won by Mr A. Gates; and finally,
- TICKET NUMBER 01373. The Third Prize JUMBO BOX donated by JIREH INTERNATIONAL CARGO & TRAVEL LTD., was won by Mrs Vikie J., Filipina housewife and businesswoman.
The Raffle Ticket Draw raised around £800. This sum was disappointingly low, considering the time and effort expended by the PJI members who had sold tickets before the event.
This event, to honour the players and to present trophies to the league’s category winners, should have been a success. It was not – due to the amateurish attitude of the basketball teams themselves, who numbered 75. They all refused to pay the £12.00 entrance fee (which included dinner and disco) although they had previously agreed to attend, and knew that it was a charity event based around their own end-of-season awards ceremony. Even the 15-man PJI-sponsored team did not turn up!
To make matters worse, neither the players nor the President of KAMPI WEST informed PJI or their own officers of their refusal to attend; until over an hour after the actual event had started. By then all preparations were made, monies spent, and many guests had arrived!
WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT THIS TRAIT OF SOME FILIPINOS?
“PATHETIC” is to say it mildly!
This is a trait PJI should fight against; otherwise, we, as a nation are doomed.
KAMPI WEST has now started their summer league which some of PJI officers would still like to sponsor. I have suggested that PJI sponsorship of the tournament be terminated immediately and the players’ uniforms (that each PJI member has paid for) be returned; so that they can be worn by another team more worthy of sponsorship.
Remember, we sponsor the PJI basketball team to reflect the values of our organisation. We do not feel that their recent actions do this.
These facts are being published because it is high time that members and officers of PJI are reminded what our organisation’s ethos is.
PJI has to encourage Transparency and Accountability. If we are not willing to be transparent, in order to avoid embarrassing friends, then we will never succeed in demanding transparency and accountability among our politicians and leaders.
KAMPI WEST and the players received benefits from our sponsorship. But they gave nothing in return. This is not the way PJI works. We give respect, but we expect respect in return.
Do we withdraw our sponsorship now, or do we carry on as though nothing has happened?
The readers are invited to comment on this issue.
Comments
In most organizations when people are invited to an event they are not usually expected to pay. Maybe they are given an opportunity to make a contribution voluntarily. But we should consider a)why they have been invited, and
b)can they afford to attend.
Let us leave an open door to them who is willing to support us with their hearts and not necessarily with just money. So many ways to contribute.
why don't we give them a chance to collect their Awards this coming first Anniversary of PJI? And let's reduce the entrance fee into a more affordable for everyone. Hope and Pray that we could find a way to build a good foundation of Hope, Unity, Integrity and Solidarity among us. God Bless!
Merle Soquila
We thought KAMPI WEST will promote our image. They did not.
1. None of their 75 players registered as members;
2. None of the 15 PJI team players signed-up as members;
3. None of the players turned up at the event organised by PJI to honour them;
4. They did not warn us of their planned boycott; lastly,
5. They have not apologised for the wrong they have done.
They were not invited guests. They were part of the Kampi West organisation. If they were not, KAMPI WEST did not tell us. Besides, is PJI out of its mind to give free meals to 75 players, half the capacity of the venue? PJI is a charity not a philantrophist.
Is £12.00 affordable? Can they not afford 2 McDonalds or Burger King meals in one week?
You must remember that KAMPI WEST charges £500 joining in fee. Can PJI afford £1000 for the previous and current tournament?
Merle, think it over. Action speaks louder than word. They did nothing before, why should PJI believe their word?
Then secondly, you have to look at the organisers of this league. There was very poor communication about this awards party, very poor promotion of it during the games and also why charge £12 per player after we've just paid £500 per team to enter the leage. So you champion team have to pay £12 to collect their trophy?
Finally, PJI should not blame the filipinos in general especially the basketball players. There was no boycott of the awards night, it was just poor organisation from the organisers. Simple as... Basketball players these days, just want to play basketball. They dont want to get caught up with the politics and the sponsorship drama that happens in the background.
One final thing I want to mention... I do think that you were over promised by the kampi west organisers. Throughout my whole basketball playing life, thats what they are good at... overpromising and under delivering...
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