Twenty prints of a BenCab painting owned by Zonta Club of Makati & Environs past president Maritess Pineda will be for sale at the club’s annual bazaar called “Smartshop” on Sept. 21-22 at the Rockwell Tent in Makati. BenCab has graciously agreed to have the painting reproduced, and he will sign each one to show his support of Zonta. This is the biggest annual fundraising event of Zonta-Makati.
A new feature this year is the Art Walk—several art galleries will each have a booth showing chosen works of up-and-coming artists.
The two-day event is aimed at promoting women entrepreneurship, as it brings together skilled and capable vendors, 90 percent of whom are women. In effect, women will be helping their fellow women, the disadvantaged beneficiaries of the Zonta Club of Makati, who are given free medical and dental services and taught livelihood skills prior to extending to them small loans to help them start their own micro business. This is at the club’s Center for Women Empowerment at the Centennial Village complex along C-5 in Taguig, where the club also has a DECS-accredited free preschool for children ages 4-6.
In addition, the club runs a Psychological Center to rehabilitate sexually abused girls ages 6-17 at Marillac Hills in Alabang. There are an average of 250 girls in the DSWD-owned facility, with Zonta providing psychologists and trained nurses to help the girls overcome their trauma. Part of the program consists of art classes and dance therapies given by Zonta volunteers.
