Culion Foundation, Inc.
Culion Foundation, Inc. (CFI) is a non-stock, non profit organization that aims to improve the quality of life of Filipinos through programs in public health, environment, and community development.
Health
Providing patient-centered interventions to improve health outcomes.
Environment
Championing environmental sustainability through restoration and education.
Community Development
Empowering communities for sustainable development and brighter futures.
CFI At A Glance
FR. JAVIER OLAZABAL Y MENDOZA, SJ
Founder of Culion Foundation Inc.
At 60, Javier Olazabal y Mendoza moved to Culion to fulfill his dream of serving leprosy patients, not to retire. Born on January 7, 1909, in St. Jean de Luz, he was a Spanish citizen. Ordained a Jesuit in 1946, he never abandoned his dream of serving in Culion, even while holding prominent roles in Spain.
In 1971, Father Olazabal was assigned to Culion, where he served for 18 years, affectionately known as Father Ola. Despite his ascetic appearance, he was a determined and compassionate figure. He found 700 leprosy patients living in hopeless conditions and worked tirelessly to improve their lives.
As the island’s chaplain, he provided regular church services, recruited Eucharist ministers, and solicited funds for infrastructure projects. He was a comforter and friend to the patients, organizing activities and offering personal support. Known for his kindness to children, he often gave them candy and cookies.
Father Ola lived simply, closely mirroring the lepers’ lifestyle. He wrote thousands of letters seeking aid and advocated for multidrug therapy (MDT) in the 1980s. He saw the first patients cured in 1987 but died on September 10, 1988. He was honored with both Philippine and Spanish flags at his burial and is interred in Culion’s Church of the Immaculate Conception. A monument stands in his memory. He once said, “My God, I want to go to the very end with these suffering people, whatever may happen to me.”
Don Jose Ma. Soriano Sr.
Founder of Culion Foundation Inc.
Don José María Soriano was a Spanish-American industrialist with business interests in the Philippines and a discreet philanthropist. In 1970, he became Minister Plenipotentiary of the Philippines to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Co-owner of San Miguel Corporation, he formed a group known as the “Three Musketeers” with Ramon Pedrosa, Antonio Infante, and Pedro Picornell.
A devout Catholic, Soriano was introduced to Culion by Father Olazabal at a Spanish community event. He and his “Three Musketeers” tackled the island’s challenges, leading to the formation of the Culion Foundation in 1976 with the Isabel Cultural Corporation and the Philippine Jesuits. This nonprofit aimed to improve public health and empower marginalized communities.
Don Jose Luis Gamarra
Founder of Culion Foundation Inc.
The Protegee & student of Father Olazabal and the President of Fundacion ANESVAD who funded hospitals for leprosy patients, granted educational support, and provided infrastructure assistance projects in Culion.
Learning from its rich experience in Culion, the foundation is promoting the lessons in leprosy control in other projects it supports elsewhere in the world, including China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, India, Ecuador, and Nicaragua.
Recent Post
CFI Management Training Series: Elevating Leadership Through Coaching and Positive Reinforcement
𝗖𝗙𝗜 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 As a continuation of the Management Training Series, CFI’s Trustee, Ms. Yolanda “Yoly” V. Ong, delivered a lecture on “Coaching and Positive Reinforcement.” She emphasized the dynamic qualities of...
CFI Management Training Series: Insights on Building a High-Performing Team with Mr. Alejandro Aquino
𝗖𝗙𝗜 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 As part of the ongoing Management Training Series, CFI’s Trustee, Mr. Alejandro "Alex" Aquino delivered a lecture on "Building a Great Team." He highlighted the essential principles on building a high-performing...
Padayon, Sorsogon! CFI Completes Successful TB Active Case Finding Initiative
𝐏𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐎𝐍, 𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐆𝐎𝐍! Culion Foundation, Inc. (CFI) successfully conducted the TB Active Case Finding (ACF) initiative in Sorsogon Province from July 4 to August 2, 2024. This achievement was made possible by the strong collaboration and active involvement of Local...
CFI Management Training Series: Elevating Leadership Through Coaching and Positive Reinforcement
𝗖𝗙𝗜 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 As a continuation of the Management Training Series, CFI’s Trustee, Ms. Yolanda “Yoly” V. Ong, delivered a lecture on “Coaching and Positive Reinforcement.” She emphasized the dynamic qualities of...
CFI Management Training Series: Insights on Building a High-Performing Team with Mr. Alejandro Aquino
𝗖𝗙𝗜 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 As part of the ongoing Management Training Series, CFI’s Trustee, Mr. Alejandro "Alex" Aquino delivered a lecture on "Building a Great Team." He highlighted the essential principles on building a high-performing...
Padayon, Sorsogon! CFI Completes Successful TB Active Case Finding Initiative
𝐏𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐎𝐍, 𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐆𝐎𝐍! Culion Foundation, Inc. (CFI) successfully conducted the TB Active Case Finding (ACF) initiative in Sorsogon Province from July 4 to August 2, 2024. This achievement was made possible by the strong collaboration and active involvement of Local...
Empowering Communities in Eliminating Tuberculosis
Culion Foundation, Inc. impacts Filipino lives through ACF
The Partnership of Culion Foundation, Inc. and the Municipality of Magdalena
47th Founding Anniversary
Empowering Communities in Eliminating Tuberculosis
CFI implements TB in the Workplace Project
Culion Foundation, Inc. partnered with the Quezon City Health Department and Samahan ng mga Manggagawa at Manininda ng Kamuning (SaMMPalKa) to launch the Tuberculosis (TB) in the Workplace Project. With this partnership, the group was able to empower their representatives through a capacity-building workshop, formulate their own TB workplace policy, and conduct lectures and information dissemination campaigns to educate and raise awareness about TB.
Culion Foundation, Inc. impacts Filipino lives through ACF
The Culion Foundation, Inc. is one of the players helping combat the TB epidemic. It continually strengthens its engagement with the DOH, LGUs, development partners, and the community to ensure that services such as active case finding are delivered to the underserved and vulnerable members of the community. Through the ACF project, CFI aims to make TB screening available and accessible, especially to those at-risk groups who have no financial capability to avail of chest X-rays (CXR).
The Partnership of Culion Foundation, Inc. and the Municipality of Magdalena
A Testimonial from Philippine Councilors League Laguna member Mary Grace Reodica
CFI had the privilege of witnessing the firsthand cooperation of a dedicated councilor of Laguna in delivering a transformative impact of free TB screening. The initiative from Magdalena Councilor Mary Grace Reodica has played a crucial role in preventing and controlling the spread of infectious disease within the municipality of Magdalena and amplifying it to the whole province of Laguna.
47th Founding Anniversary
Celebrating its Past and Sustaining Gains Towards Universal Health Care for All Filipinos
On June 9, 2023, the Culion Foundation, Inc. (CFI) celebrated its 47th Founding Anniversary with the theme “CFI: Stronger @ 47, Celebrating Our Roots.” The event marked a momentous occasion to reflect on CFI’s profound impact over the past four decades. President Mr. Alberto Lim highlighted CFI’s vision of Universal Healthcare, striving for equitable access to quality care for all Filipinos. Mr. Eugenio Caccam echoed the commitment to create a society where health is a human right, transcending mere ideals. CFI’s journey exemplifies resilience and innovation, uniting the staff to address health, environmental, and community challenges together. The anniversary celebration invigorated the team to march forward, reinforcing CFI’s unwavering dedication to its founding principles. As CFI steps into the future, it stands tall as a beacon of hope, promising a brighter and healthier future for the Filipino people, leaving a lasting legacy of care and empowerment for generations to come.
Certification and Accreditation
Culion Foundation, Inc. TB ACF Team Receives Service Award for Outstanding Contributions in Tuberculosis Active Case Finding in the Municipality of Cavinti, Laguna.
On the 4th of August 2023 at the 9th Sambalilo Festival, the Culion Foundation, Inc. TB ACF Team has been a recipient of a service award for their exceptional efforts and significant contributions as partners of the local government unit in providing free TB screening. This recognition highlights their unwavering commitment to combatting TB and improving public health outcomes.
Recent Projects
In celebration of the first Pista ng Kalikasan in Palawan: Culion Foundation Inc. in partnership with its LGU conducted the GForest Mangrove Planting activity in Culion, Palawan
Twenty (20) GForest beneficiaries from the sector of women and fisherfolks planted a total of 5,000 Rhizophora mucronata or bakhaw babae and Rhizophora stylosa or bakhaw bato mangrove seedlings that covered approximately 1 hectare of the reforestation site. With a...
Bridging the Gap in TB Detection: CFI’s 3-Day Active Case Finding in Tanay
Introduction: Culion Foundation, Inc. (CFI) made significant strides in tuberculosis (TB) detection by organizing a transformative 3-day TB Active Case Finding (ACF) activity in collaboration with three Rural Health Units (RHU), barangay officials, and the Municipal...
Fostering Workplace Health: CFI’s TB in the Workplace Catch-Up Session
Introduction: Culion Foundation, Inc. (CFI) continues its mission to improve public health, as demonstrated by its recent TB in the Workplace catch-up session with the Samahan ng mga Manggagawa at Manininda sa Palengke ng Kamuning (SaMMPalKa). This initiative, which...
CFI by Numbers