Newsletters | Peace Corps Alumni Foundation for Philippine Development

The PCAFPD newsletter, Balitaan, is published twice a year. All contributors receive the newsletter in the mail. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please send us your address. Click on the date of the issues below to view recent newsletters in pdf format.

Balitaan Spring 2026 (PDF) – Click to Open

Our board president acknowledges the progress of the foundation’s scholarship, reaching an all-time record number of applications, continuing the recent trend over the past few years. Recognition was also given to the seasoned board of directors, using technology and improved processes to handle such a large quantity of high-quality applications. We hear from a couple of our donors, who were part of the selection process this year, and their reactions to both the applicant pool and PCAFPD’s processes. Our long-standing board member, Maureen, writes a piece on the 65th anniversary of the Peace Corps. The newsletter editor shares a feel-good story about a pair of PCAFPD sibling scholars who are now both licensed professional teachers. Finally, we hear some insightful stories from some of our scholars majoring in finance, tourism management, and accountancy.

Balitaan Fall 2025 (PDF) – Click to Open

Our Treasurer shares the changing costs of supporting a scholar over the history of the foundation, including changes resulting Philippine Law and the digital era. Our Grants Manager discusses the new Human Development Grant awardees and the connection established with existing Peace Corps Volunteers. We also get to see some photos of the new batch of scholars and hear from our seasoned ones — including a story about how one of our engineering scholars applied knowledge gained from an internship at a semiconductor company in her research to improve marine protected area monitoring.

Balitaan Spring 2025 (PDF) – Click to Open

Our Student Affairs Coordinator shares important updates to our Scholarship Application to deepen our investment in our scholars and focus our resources where they can have the greatest impact. Long-time Board Member Maureen Carroll provides details on the commemoration of the Peace Corps through the establishment of a park in Washington, DC. Our Board President celebrates the continued success of the Human Development program and the increased importance due to the departure of the U.S. Agency for International Development from the Philippines. We hear words of thanks and accomplishments from current scholars and scholars graduating this semester – achieving honors like Magna Cum Laude.

Balitaan Fall 2024 (PDF) – Click to Open

PCAFPD celebrates its largest graduating class in the organization’s 40-year history. Unfortunately, that great news is offset some by the smallest year-to-date donation revenue in recent history. A special request related to that is shared by members of the board. We spotlight Jody Cestina, a team member of the Philippines Operations Team, by sharing her background, plans for the future, and identification with the organization’s mission. The issue features the faces of our newest round of scholars and we hear from some of the more tenured ones – including interesting coursework around agriculture and software development!

Balitaan Spring 2024 (PDF) – Click to Open

The Board President shares news that we received an all-time high for complete scholarship applications this past year – over 200. Justin also shares that we will be transitioning to an online application to help ease the burden of screening applications for completeness. The Philippines Operations Team also completed a multi-year effort to become an established non-profit in the Philippines. Updates are also shared on the grant program and the financial wellness of the organization. Of course, details are also shared on current scholars through their stories, and some data is presented on the newest batch.

Balitaan Fall 2023 (PDF) – Click to Open

Statistics and qualitative data of the 40th Anniversary Impact study are shared at the top of this issue. We also highlight two-time PCAFPD scholar, environmental professional, and instrumental Ituloy Team Member Jennifer Halili. We hear welcome stories of our scholars joining clubs and integrating into new social environments – a nice change from a couple years past. Also, stories of triumph over challenges. Finally, we provide a page for you all to check out the faces of our new batch of scholars! We’re excited to watch them grow and excel over the coming years.

Balitaan Spring 2023 (PDF) – Click to Open

PCAFPD puts a spotlight Donna Mae Bonares Jalipa, a new PCAFPD alumni now with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work! A story of her dedication and perseverance is shared. The board also highlights Rachel Briones, a humble member of the Philippines operations team (also known as the Ituloy Team). We are so thankful to have her as she is instrumental to so many part of the foundation. We also hear about the transition of board leadership in this issue, from Board President Paul Aleckson to Board President Justin Tabor. Scholars share experiences of returning to more in-person learning, and the story of a scholar gaining pride and the desire to inspire tribal youth of their community is told. Finally, Board Treasurer Mike Ollinger shares an important update on the foundation’s financial well-being.

Balitaan Fall 2022 (PDF) – Click to Open

PCAFPD Student Affairs Lead and Board Member Ricardo Espitia shares the good news about the new laptop program, including turnover ceremonies, the distribution, and quotes from some of the scholars about impactful this new benefit of our program is. Scholar Blessie Atonen shares great news about acceptance into a Food and Agriculture Office internship and also into the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellowship. The latter will allow for overseas travel and networking with other young leaders in Southeast Asia. There are scholar stories rejoicing the return of some in-person classes, and other celebrating graduation, while the expression of some college-stress is also worth a read (especially the insight of how our scholars are healthily dealing with the stress). Our grants manager shares about how our newest program is helping protect the ocean through environmental education. Finally, PCAFPD President Paul Aleckson shares about the loss of an exceptional RPCV whose family chose to help him continue to help Filipinos in the afterlife.

Balitaan Spring 2022 (PDF) – Click to Open

PCAFPD President Paul Aleckson recounts the John F. Kennedy award ceremony where Peace Corps Philippines Program Manager Ambet Yangco was a recipient of the prestigious 5-year award. Scholars share stories of perseverance and humility as pandemic restrictions continue in the Philippines. PCAFPD Grants Manager Justin Tabor highlights the success of the inaugural Grants Program where the first projects have now come to conclusion. Finally, we hear from our Treasurer, Mike Ollinger, on the financial status of the foundation, where some highlights include a $50,000 donation Group I PCV Eleanor Whitlatch’s estate and the mention of a new laptop sponsorship initiative beginning this year.

Balitaan Fall 2021 (PDF) – Click to Open

Philippines Ambassador to the United States in Washington, D.C. expresses appreciation for the work of the Philippines. RPCVs of the earliest groups to serve in the Philippines share stories and reflections of Peace Corps and the Philippines to commemorate the 60th anniversary. One of our Human Development Grant recipients, RPCV Sherry Manning, receives the honorable Sargent Shriver Award. Our grants manager shares some early success of another Human Development Project. Finally, scholars share stories of battling what one called “the new normal” – that is a college world mostly dominated by online learning.

Balitaan Spring 2021 (PDF) – Click to Open

It’s the 60th anniversary of the Peace Corps! This issue celebrates the occasion by showing differences in Peace Corps service from an RPCV in the very first Peace Corps Philippines batch and the accounts of a recent volunteer. The article also continues to share stories of perseverance of our scholars and how PC Philippines RPCVs continue to lead lives of service to support humanitarianism.

Balitaan Fall 2020 (PDF) – Click to Open

An Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteer’s (EPCV) account of the worldwide evacuation related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Announcement of the Human Development Grant – a new grant program by PCAFPD. Stories of out of the ordinary semesters by our current scholars.

Balitaan Spring 2020 (PDF) – Click to Open

A note from the standing Peace Corps Philippines Country Director, Monica Collier, on evacuation efforts related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. We receive details on a scholar’s leadership in assisting the Pandemic response in the Philippines. Scholars recount their first semesters in college, while others share their last story with PCAFPD of their college experience. Finally, a story about RPCV – Mark Harowitz’s visit back to his site many years later.

Balitaan Spring 2019 (PDF) – Click to Open

Scholar Alumni Rico Ancog wins the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines Outstanding Young Scientist award for 2019. We hear about a neat engineering research project by a current scholar and reflections on the recent semester including role play and opportunities to write for official student publications. Ituloy Team Member and previous scholar Hannah Catiis shares how rewarding her experience with helping PCAFPD operations is. Paul Aleckson, PCAFPD’s board president provides an update on new and graduating scholars and discusses exciting changes.

Balitaan Spring 2018 (PDF) – Click to Open

We hear from new scholar turned professional teacher and a new agriculturist. PCAFPD board president Paul Aleckson provides an update on PCAFPD operations including a report out on degrees and where our scholars come from. RPCV Cathy Garman (’78) tells about her visit back to see her host family 40 years later. Scholars share some humble stories, including those of community service, and the board bids a hard farewell to Dean Wylie (Group 1 RPCV), Edward Slevin (Previous Philippines Country Director), and Lilia Peters (PCAFPD Supporter and RPCV Spouse).

Balitaan Fall 2017 (PDF) – Click to Open

PCAFPD new board president Paul Aleckson talks about the new generation of support for PCAFPD. Board member Sarah McMeans reports out on the Peace Corps Connect conference. Further detail covers an entrepreneurship competition at the meeting – The Friends of ENCA Farm, founded by Philippines RPCV and PCAFPD supporter Sherry Manning (Benguet 2006-08), won the Judges Award. We hear the story of how one of our scholars overcame extreme hardship related to drugs and violence during her academic career. We also hear from a new alumni statistician and educator. Finally, Peace Corps Philippines Leader Nick Koen and PCAFPD Board Member Maureen Carroll talk about Peace Corps Philippines New Approaches & Initiatives.

Balitaan Spring 2017 (PDF) – Click to Open

PCAFPD gratefully receives its first ever legacy donation from RPCV Robert Stone (‘69). Various transitions occur with the PCAFPD board, including saying a job well done to Steve Dienstfrey who is stepping down as President. Scholars present stories of challenge, personal growth, and leadership opportunity. We also hear reports from scholars who have received internships with our partner the Hinrich Foundation.

Balitaan Fall 2016 (PDF) – Click to Open

This Fall 2016 issue highlights celebrations of the 55th anniversary of Peace Corps service in the Philippines and the enduring relationship between the United States and the Philippines. The newsletter also announces leadership transitions within PCAFPD, including the retirement of longtime editor Sarah McMeans and the appointment of new volunteers to manage the newsletter and database. Much of the publication features personal essays from scholarship recipients studying fields such as engineering, veterinary medicine, criminology, education, agriculture, and English, describing the academic, financial, and emotional challenges they faced while pursuing their goals, as well as the practical experiences and confidence they gained through internships, fieldwork, and community engagement. The issue also honors several deceased members of the Peace Corps and PCAFPD community, including notable volunteer Jim Turner, founder of the famous Hobbit House restaurant in Manila, while recognizing the contributions and generosity of donors who supported PCAFPD scholarships and programs during 2016.

Balitaan Spring 2016 (PDF) – Click to Open

This Spring 2016 issue of Balitaan, the newsletter of the Peace Corps Alumni Foundation for Philippine Development (PCAFPD), focuses on strengthening the organization’s future through new leadership, expanded partnerships, and continued scholarship support for Filipino students. President Stephen Dienstfrey reflects on the Foundation’s achievements since 1983, including nearly 200 scholarships awarded, while also calling for younger Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and new board members to help sustain the organization. The newsletter highlights new collaborations with organizations such as the Hinrich Foundation and All Transport Network, which provide scholars with financial aid, internships, and potential employment opportunities, and introduces twelve new scholarship recipients along with ten recent graduates. Several personal essays from graduates describe how PCAFPD support helped them overcome poverty, gain confidence, pursue careers in education, social work, and public service, and commit themselves to helping their communities in return. The issue also includes reports on donor contributions, memorial tributes to members of the Peace Corps community, a financial report showing strong fundraising growth in 2015, and updates about future PCAFPD and National Peace Corps Association activities.

Balitaan Fall 2015 (PDF) – Click to Open

The newsletter showcases the continuing impact of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers through initiatives such as the H.E.L.P. Foundation in Bukidnon, the ENCA Eco-Tourism and Organic Farm project in Benguet, and the Miribiris Garden and Nature Center in Albay, all of which support education, environmental stewardship, sustainable livelihoods, and cultural preservation in the Philippines.

Several articles focus on the strength of the Peace Corps community, including a report on the biennial reunion of Peace Corps Philippines Group I in Richmond, Virginia, where former volunteers renewed friendships, celebrated their shared experiences, and raised additional funds for PCAFPD scholarships.

The issue concludes with an inspiring letter from PCAFPD graduate scholar Ignacio Señara Jr., who credits the Foundation’s support for helping him achieve his dream of becoming a teacher and serving students in a remote, predominantly Muslim community in Zamboanga following the region’s recovery from the 2013 siege.

Balitaan Spring 2015 (PDF) – Click to Open

Several articles highlight the growing role of the PCAFPD Scholars & Alumni Association (PSAA), whose members organize leadership activities, mentoring programs, and volunteer projects that strengthen ties among current scholars and alumni while encouraging lifelong service.

The newsletter also reports on organizational developments within PCAFPD, including scholarship program updates, fundraising efforts, donor recognition, and continued collaboration between Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and Filipino partners to ensure the Foundation’s long-term sustainability.

Additional features recognize the accomplishments of alumni who have become educators, researchers, and community leaders, demonstrating the lasting impact of PCAFPD scholarships on both individual lives and Philippine development. Throughout the issue, the Foundation reinforces its core message that educational opportunity, sustained by the generosity of Peace Corps volunteers and supporters, creates lasting benefits for scholars, their families, and the communities they go on to serve.

Balitaan Fall 2014 (PDF) – Click to Open

A featured profile follows former scholar Jenifer, who overcame poverty to earn a degree in civil engineering and now works on water supply and environmental infrastructure projects, illustrating how educational opportunity can transform both individual lives and public welfare. The newsletter also includes reflective essays from current scholars studying fields such as engineering, education, psychology, and business, who describe overcoming academic setbacks, financial hardship, leadership challenges, and family responsibilities while gaining confidence through internships, student organizations, and community service. Additional articles report on Peace Corps alumni reunions, updates to PCAFPD leadership and scholarship activities, and fundraising efforts that continue to expand educational opportunities for deserving Filipino students, while recognizing the donors and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers whose generosity sustains the Foundation’s mission.

Balitaan Spr ing 2014 (PDF) – Click to Open

This Spring 2014 issue of Balitaan, the newsletter of the Peace Corps Alumni Foundation for Philippine Development (PCAFPD), celebrates the graduation of eleven scholarship recipients and highlights how PCAFPD support enabled them to overcome financial hardship and prepare for careers in education, engineering, business, communications, and agriculture. Featured essays by graduates such as Nahid Sulaiman and Krisna Ocong reflect on completing their degrees, balancing uncertainty about the future, and embracing a commitment to serve the Philippines through teaching, engineering, and other professions, while several graduates earned honors including magna cum laude and cum laude distinctions.

The newsletter also introduces a new class of scholarship recipients and reports on the continued growth of the PCAFPD Scholars & Alumni Association (PSAA), whose members mentor current scholars, organize community service projects, and maintain strong ties with the Foundation after graduation. Organizational updates include a review of PCAFPD’s 2013 finances, which showed particularly strong fundraising during the Foundation’s 30th anniversary campaign and ongoing support for Typhoon Yolanda relief efforts, as well as recognition of major donors through the inaugural “Lakan/Lakambini Honor Roll.”

Additional articles highlight a January 2014 meeting in Manila between PCAFPD board members and alumni scholars, announce leadership transitions including the appointment of Carol Hammaker Radomski to expanded responsibilities within the organization, and honor the memory of longtime Peace Corps staff member Bill Warren. Throughout the issue, the Foundation emphasizes that its success is measured not only by scholars earning college degrees, but by graduates who become educators, engineers, business professionals, and community leaders dedicated to improving opportunities for future generations in the Philippines

Balitaan Fal l 2013 (PDF) – Click to Open

A major feature recounts the experiences of PCAFPD graduate Ignacio Señara Jr. and his wife during the 2013 Zamboanga siege, describing displacement, trauma, evacuation, and the assistance provided by the PCAFPD community during the crisis. The newsletter also reports on multiple Peace Corps reunion gatherings, including anniversaries for Philippines Groups I, II, and X, where former volunteers renewed friendships, reflected on their service, and raised funds for scholarships such as the Rachel Singer Memorial Scholarship. Additional sections honor the life of Leonel Castillo, promote fundraising and donor outreach efforts for PCAFPD’s anniversary campaign, recognize contributors and memorial gifts, and express concern and solidarity following the devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines.

Balitaan Spring 2013 (PDF) – Click to Open

This Spring 2013 issue of Balitaan, the newsletter of the Peace Corps Alumni Foundation for Philippine Development (PCAFPD), celebrates the organization’s 30th anniversary and reflects on three decades of supporting Filipino students through scholarships funded by Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and supporters. The issue highlights the Foundation’s achievements, including more than 160 graduates and over $600,000 raised since 1983, while featuring testimonials from scholars and donors who describe how PCAFPD’s support fostered education, leadership, volunteerism, and long-term ties between the Philippines and the Peace Corps community. Several student essays discuss overcoming poverty, academic stress, workplace inequality, disability advocacy, and personal insecurity, emphasizing how education and PCAFPD assistance gave scholars the opportunity to pursue careers in psychology, education, law, engineering, and public service. The newsletter also honors the life and contributions of Lawrence Fuchs, the first Peace Corps country director in the Philippines, while encouraging renewed donor participation and outreach to former volunteers.

Balitaan Fall 2012 (PDF) – Click to Open

A major feature highlights former scholar Rico Ancog, now an environmental science professor and researcher at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, whose climate change research earned him an invitation to present at a conservation conference in New York City, made possible through PCAFPD fundraising and volunteer support. The newsletter also includes reflective essays from current scholars studying psychology, agriculture, biotechnology, business management, and social sciences, who describe balancing academic pressure, financial hardship, family responsibilities, and personal dreams while developing leadership skills and a commitment to public service. Additional articles describe new scholarship recipients, collaborations between the PCAFPD Scholars and Alumni Association and programs promoting educational accountability in the Philippines, as well as tributes to Julia Campbell through memorial scholarships supporting Filipino students.

Balitaan Spring 2012 (PDF) – Click to Open

Several featured essays describe scholars overcoming financial hardship, academic pressure, and career uncertainty while developing a strong commitment to service, including graduates working with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, public schools, environmental programs, and community organizations. The issue also reports on efforts to strengthen alumni and volunteer engagement through gatherings of the PCAFPD Scholars Alumni Association (PSAA) and collaborations with current Peace Corps Volunteers to promote mentoring and community development projects. Organizational updates include leadership transitions within PCAFPD, with longtime president Maureen Carroll stepping aside as Mark Holt becomes the organization’s new president, alongside reflections on the Foundation’s growth and mission. The newsletter concludes with a financial report showing successful fundraising during the Peace Corps’ 50th anniversary year, appeals for expanded donor support, and acknowledgments of the many contributors whose donations sustain PCAFPD scholarships and programs.

Balitaan Fall 2011 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Spring 2011 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Fall 2010 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Spring 2010 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Fall 2009 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Spring 2009 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Fall 2008 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Spring 2008 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Fall 2007 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Spring 2007 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Fall 2006 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Spring 2006 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Fall 2005 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Spring 2005 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Fall 2004 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Spring 2004 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Fall 2003 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Fall 2002 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Spring 2002 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Fall 2001 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Spring 2001 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Fall 2000 (PDF) – Click to Open

Fall 2001 commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the Peace Corps while celebrating the Foundation’s continuing impact on higher education in the Philippines, announcing four new scholarship recipients and highlighting the accomplishments of recent graduates entering careers in medicine, education, and public health. The issue also reflects on the broader Peace Corps legacy through an account of RPCV E. Edwin Sorenson’s return to the Philippines nearly four decades after his service, reports on community development projects supported by Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, and begins planning activities for the Foundation’s own 20th Anniversary in 2003.

Balitaan Spring 2000 (PDF) – Click to Open

Four new scholars were selected from 38 applicants by a committee that included Board members, former scholars, and an RPCV in the Philippines, increasing the Foundation’s active scholarship roster to 18 students. President Maureen Carroll reports that the Foundation is using the $500 Loret Miller Ruppe Award (received from the National Peace Corps Association) to begin building a scholar alumni network and to collect information documenting the long-term impact of PCAFPD scholarships. Several current scholars contribute first-person updates describing their academic work and campus activities. For example, Rosemarie Aldea writes about conducting research inside a rehabilitation center as part of her education coursework, while Maricyl Flores describes earning a place on the Dean’s List while pursuing accountancy. A feature reports that three men were convicted for the 1998 murder of Peace Corps Volunteer Robert Bock and nine Filipinos in Iloilo: two received multiple life sentences, while a third was sentenced to death under Philippine law at the time. The newsletter includes a touching story about Mrs. Soledad “Mama Choleng” Tejada, who hosted and cared for Peace Corps Volunteers in Catanduanes for nearly 40 years. In recognition of her lifelong generosity, former Volunteers established a scholarship in her memory after her death.

Balitaan Fall 1999 (PDF) – Click to Open

The Foundation received the prestigious Loret Miller Ruppe Award for Outstanding Community Service from the National Peace Corps Association at its August 1999 conference in Minneapolis–St. Paul. The award included a $500 grant and recognized PCAFPD as a model for other Returned Peace Corps Volunteer country-of-service groups. The citation noted that the Foundation had enabled more than 80 Filipino students to earn diplomas and degrees and that over 1,000 RPCVs had contributed, with most donations ranging from $25 to $50.

PCAFPD announced a Christmas reception at the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., hosted by Ambassador Ernesto M. Maceda, with proceeds benefiting the scholarship fund. The embassy could accommodate 100 guests, with a suggested contribution of $35 per person.

A “Whatever Happened To…” feature reconnects readers with former Peace Corps Volunteers, including David Szanton (Philippines 1961–63), who describes his work as Executive Director of International and Area Studies at UC Berkeley and his efforts to build university exchange programs between California and leading Philippine universities.

The issue concludes with a letter from a current Peace Corps Volunteer describing service in the Philippines, reinforcing the Foundation’s longstanding connection between current Volunteers, Returned Volunteers, and Filipino scholars.

Balitaan Spring 1999 (PDF) – Click to Open

Spring 1999 (Newsletter No. 28) marks a significant expansion of the Foundation’s scholarship program, announcing the selection of six new scholars, increasing the number of active recipients from 11 to 17 thanks to $11,317 in contributions received during 1998. The issue also provides one of the most detailed financial reports in the newsletter series, explaining how PCAFPD raises and spends its funds, introduces new Vice President for Philippine Operations Roland (“Mr. Blue”) de Jesus, and features updates from scholars describing both the challenges and rewards of pursuing higher education with Foundation support

Balitaan Fall 1998 (PDF) – Click to Open

PCAFPD learns of a Habitat for Humanity project in the Philippines in early 1999, soliciting support of the RPCV Philippines community. An in-country PCV shares his direct observation on community impacts of the PCAFPD scholarship program. RPCV Geri Maiatico shares her experience of the ongoing Asian Financial Crisis and we also hear the obituary of PCV Bob Bock who was murdered in a roadside in August 1998. In more positive news, PCAFPD learns of one of our first scholars, William Catubig, having their first baby. He also plans to assist the foundation by mentoring new scholars.

Balitaan Spring 1998 (PDF) – Click to Open

Spring 1998 celebrates another year of growth by announcing the selection of four new scholarship recipients, bringing the Foundation’s active roster to 11 scholars, while reporting that supporters responded generously to an appeal for increased giving to offset rising Philippine tuition costs. The newsletter also marks an important milestone by announcing that 57 Foundation scholars had graduated since 1983, highlights the appointment of Brenda Brown Schoonover, one of the first Peace Corps Volunteers in the Philippines, as U.S. Ambassador to Togo, and features detailed progress reports from current scholars describing both their academic challenges and successes. The newsletter also includes coverage of Philippines Peace Corps Group VIII’s 35th reunion in Hawaii, where more than 25 original Volunteers, together with family members and friends, reflected on how their Peace Corps service shaped careers in education, government, counseling, and international service.

Balitaan Fall 1997 (PDF) – Click to Open

Fall 1997 focuses on the Foundation’s financial stewardship and the expanding accomplishments of its scholars, explaining that scholarship expenditures had grown to more than $20,000 annually while administrative costs remained low because the organization continued to operate almost entirely through volunteers.

Balitaan Winter 1996 (PDF) – Click to Open

Winter 1996–97 celebrates the strengthening of the Foundation’s partnership with both the U.S. Embassy and the Philippine government, featuring an unprecedented reception hosted by U.S. Ambassador Thomas Hubbard for PCAFPD scholars and a meeting with President Fidel V. Ramos at Malacañang Palace. The newsletter also reports on the return of 206 Peace Corps Volunteers to the Philippines after the program’s 1990 suspension, notes that 19 Peace Corps Volunteers were serving in education and youth development while 187 worked in environmental and agricultural programs, and highlights the Foundation’s continuing scholarship program through scholar profiles and updates from graduates

Balitaan Spring 1996 (PDF) – Click to Open

Spring 1996 highlights the Foundation’s growing confidence in the long-term success of its scholarship program by announcing seven new scholarship recipients for the 1996–97 academic year while celebrating graduates who had already begun careers devoted to public service. The newsletter strengthens the Foundation’s ties with both the Peace Corps and the Philippine government, featuring a reception at the Philippine Embassy honoring Returned Peace Corps Volunteers during the 35th anniversary of the Peace Corps, and showcases alumni whose achievements demonstrate the lasting impact of scholarship support.

Balitaan Fall 1995 (PDF) – Click to Open

Spring 1995 graduate Jose R. Equia, now an elementary school teacher, describes participating in his school’s “One Teacher–One Child” program, mentoring children living on the streets and emphasizing the responsibility teachers have to serve as “second parents” to their students. Scholar Cresyl Maturan, a Radiologic Technology student at Cebu Doctors’ College, is recognized for publishing her original poem “Roses” in the college’s CDC Stethoscope Magazine, making this one of the few newsletters to highlight a scholar’s artistic accomplishments rather than academic achievements alone. Education scholar Liza G. Permelona reports serving as president of her school’s Mathematics Society, secretary of the Education Cultural Society, and secretary of the Inter-School Federation of Education Students (ISFES) in Naga City, demonstrating the Foundation’s emphasis on developing student leaders in addition to supporting academic success. The newsletter announces that Gale Metcalf and Joel Wallach have been appointed Co-Directors of Peace Corps/Philippines, highlighting their decades of international experience and signaling the continued strengthening of Peace Corps programs following their return to the Philippines.

Balitaan Spring 1995 (PDF) – Click to Open

President Maureen Carroll summarizes responses to the previous newsletter’s discussion of the Foundation’s future. Members overwhelmingly urged PCAFPD to maintain its scholarship mission, noting that the organization’s low administrative costs and direct educational impact were its greatest strengths. The newsletter also notes that college tuition averaged about $500 per student per year, giving donors a concrete sense of what their contributions could accomplish. Several graduates and scholars pay moving tribute to Modesto de Jesus, describing him as a mentor, counselor, and father figure whose personal visits, letters, and encouragement sustained them through difficult periods of their education.The newsletter announces the return of Peace Corps Volunteers to the Philippines, reporting the arrival of 23 new Volunteers assigned to improve English-language instruction by training teachers throughout the country—the first new group following the program’s suspension in 1990.

Balitaan Fall 1994 (PDF) – Click to Open

Spring 1994 is a deeply reflective issue centered on the death of Modesto de Jesus, the Foundation’s co-founder and longtime Vice President for Philippine Operations, whose decade of volunteer service made the scholarship program possible. The newsletter honors his extraordinary role in recruiting applicants, interviewing scholars, paying tuition, counseling students, and maintaining relationships with as many as 38 scholars at a time, while also announcing the graduation of another Foundation scholar and inviting members to help shape the organization’s future as it considered expanding beyond a volunteer-run scholarship program. An editorial examines the Foundation’s future after Mod’s death, asking members whether PCAFPD should remain an all-volunteer scholarship organization or evolve into a broader “Friends of the Philippines” organization with paid staff in the Philippines and expanded development activities. It is one of the first newsletters to openly discuss the organization’s long-term governance and sustainability.

Balitaan Spring 1994 (PDF) – Click to Open

Balitaan Fall 1993 (PDF) – Click to Open

Fall 1993 celebrates the graduation of nine Foundation scholars, one of the largest graduating classes in PCAFPD’s history, while presenting a series of personal reflections from graduates and continuing students that illustrate the long-term impact of scholarship support. The newsletter also looks beyond the Foundation by examining the Philippines’ improving economic outlook, noting that after decades of stagnation the country was beginning to attract new investment through economic reforms, and includes a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer’s observations on improvements in Philippine secondary education following a return visit. Together, these stories convey a sense of optimism that both the Foundation and the Philippines were entering a new phase of growth.

Balitaan Spring 1993 (PDF) – Click to Open

Spring 1993 marks a significant evolution in the Foundation’s mission, announcing that after supporting 61 scholars since its founding—including 38 graduates, 13 current students, 9 who withdrew because of health or family crises, and one scholar who died in a landslide—the Board voted to expand its work beyond scholarships by funding selected community development projects. The newsletter introduces its first non-scholarship initiative, a Peace Corps Partnership Program grant benefiting 26 day care centers serving approximately 2,000 preschool children in Romblon, while mourning the death of Foundation co-founder John Abernethy, electing new officers, and examining the Philippines’ worsening electrical power crisis and economic challenges. This issue represents an important turning point, demonstrating the Foundation’s transition from a scholarship organization to a broader development partner.

Balitaan Fall 1992 (PDF) – Click to Open

Fall 1992 shifts the newsletter’s focus from organizational milestones to the voices of the Foundation’s scholars, featuring extensive first-person reports describing their academic achievements, leadership experiences, financial struggles, and appreciation for donor support. Alongside these updates, the newsletter strengthens its cultural and educational mission by publishing a feature on acclaimed Filipino novelist F. Sionil Jose, reviewing his newly released Three Filipino Women, and providing commentary on the historic 1992 Philippine presidential election, which brought Fidel V. Ramos to office after one of the country’s largest democratic elections. The issue demonstrates the Foundation’s continuing role not only as a scholarship organization but also as a bridge connecting Returned Peace Corps Volunteers with contemporary Philippine culture and current events.

Balitaan Spring 1992 (PDF) – Click to Open

Spring 1992 reflects the Foundation’s growing confidence and maturity, announcing that it had supported 61 scholars since its founding, including 27 college graduates, while introducing five new scholarship recipients for the coming academic year. The newsletter reports on the Foundation’s increasing emphasis on long-term partnerships by recognizing the first recipients of the Liz Abernethy Scholarship and expanding the Individual Sponsorship Program, while also describing the devastating impact of the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo on several scholars and their communities. A distinctive feature of the issue is its focus on resilience, highlighting how scholars continued their education despite natural disasters, economic hardship, and rising educational costs, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to sustained, multi-year support.

Balitaan Fall 1991 (PDF) – Click to Open

Fall 1991 commemorates the 30th Anniversary of the Peace Corps, highlighting the national celebration in Washington, D.C., while showcasing the Foundation’s growing impact through the stories of its scholars and graduates. The newsletter announces the creation of the Liz Abernethy Scholarship, honoring one of the Foundation’s founders, and reports that seven Foundation scholars had graduated during the previous two years, demonstrating the program’s increasing long-term success. It also features a profile of Marilou Divinagracia, a medical technology student from Bicol University, whose perseverance despite severe financial hardship exemplifies the Foundation’s mission to support talented students with exceptional academic promise. A feature reviewing recently published books about the Philippines, reflecting the newsletter’s continuing effort to educate RPCVs and supporters about Philippine history and culture in addition to reporting Foundation news.

Balitaan Spring 1991 (PDF) – Click to Open

Spring 1991 celebrates a major milestone for the Foundation, reporting that it had supported 56 scholars since 1983, with 23 graduates, including 10 who completed their degrees during the previous year, while announcing the selection of three new scholars for 1991–92. The newsletter warns that Philippine college tuition was expected to increase by 30%, making donor support more critical than ever, and features excerpts from scholars’ annual reports describing their community service, professional training, and commitment to applying their education to Philippine development. Beyond the scholarship program, the issue highlights a $1,000 fundraising lecture by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Stanley Karnow, announces new Foundation officers, and celebrates an RPCV-assisted Philippine cooperative that won a 200,000-peso national award for rural development.

Balitaan Fall 1990 (PDF) – Click to Open

Fall 1990 is dominated by the Foundation’s response to a year of tragedy in the Philippines, combining the announcement of 20 new scholarship recipients with coverage of the devastating July 1990 Luzon earthquake and the suspension of the Peace Corps program in the country. The newsletter reports that the Foundation community contributed $710 to earthquake relief through the Philippine American Foundation, describes the death of Foundation-sponsored student Joey Wagan in a landslide following the earthquake and typhoons, and shares a firsthand account from scholar Annabell Madayag describing her survival of the disaster. It also details the emergency withdrawal of Peace Corps Volunteers after security threats, while reaffirming the Foundation’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities despite the upheaval.

Balitaan Spring 1990 (PDF) – Click to Open

Spring 1990 reflects on the Foundation’s remarkable growth during its first seven years, announcing a $20,000 scholarship budget to support up to 37 students—a dramatic increase from the three scholars funded when the program began in 1984. The newsletter presents one of the Foundation’s most comprehensive financial overviews to date, showing how its funding sources had diversified since 1983 while explaining the loss of Combined Federal Campaign eligibility, highlighting 21 scholars supported during the previous academic year, and profiling outstanding students and graduates whose achievements demonstrated the long-term impact of donor support. A distinctive feature of this issue is its strong emphasis on organizational accountability, using charts, financial data, and program statistics to show donors exactly how their contributions were being invested in Philippine education.

Balitaan Spring 1989 (PDF) – Click to Open

Spring 1989 celebrates the Foundation’s first major wave of success by announcing five new college graduates, bringing the total number of Foundation graduates to eight, while introducing an Individual Sponsorship Program that allows donors to support a single scholar throughout his or her education. The newsletter also highlights the Foundation’s growing community impact through a $1,000 contribution to rebuild a typhoon-damaged elementary school in Albay, reports that 27% of its 1988 income came through the Combined Federal Campaign, and strengthens ties with the broader Peace Corps community through new board leadership, alumni news, and educational outreach. A unique feature of this issue is its emphasis on graduates’ accomplishments—from engineering and community development to education and architecture—demonstrating that the Foundation’s earliest scholarship recipients were beginning to return tangible benefits to their communities.

Balitaan Summer 1988 (PDF) – Click to Open

The newsletter strengthens the Foundation’s connection with the Peace Corps by reporting on a meeting with Peace Corps/Philippines Country Director Ed Slevin, who agreed to include Foundation information in every Close of Service packet to encourage new Returned Peace Corps Volunteers to become involved, and highlights grassroots fundraising efforts that raised more than $800 at a Northern California benefit. The issue also demonstrates the growing impact of the scholarship program by showcasing graduates’ theses, sharing moving letters from scholars and Foundation representative Modesto de Jesus, and announcing a $1,000 contribution to help rebuild a typhoon-damaged elementary school through a Peace Corps Partnership project.

Balitaan Fall 1987 (PDF) – Click to Open

Fall 1987 marks a period of organizational maturity, introducing the Foundation’s 20 scholars for the 1987 school year, representing universities across the Philippines and a wide range of disciplines including medicine, engineering, education, nursing, architecture, and community development. The newsletter reports that the Foundation had already funded the equivalent of 50 student-years of education, expected to increase its roster to 23 scholars by the end of the year, and had expanded its donor base from 92 contributors in 1983 to 261 in 1986 while reducing administrative costs to a projected 15.4 cents for every dollar spent on scholarships. The issue also pays tribute to founding board member Elizabeth Abernethy, whose encouragement helped inspire the Foundation’s creation, and launches a new Individual Sponsor Program allowing donors to underwrite a scholar’s entire education at an average cost of $280 per year, reflecting the organization’s shift toward long-term financial sustainability.

Balitaan Spring 1987 (PDF) – Click to Open

Spring 1987 celebrates both the 25th Anniversary of the Peace Corps and the Foundation’s fourth year, highlighting how the national anniversary helped expand the Foundation’s visibility and fundraising efforts. The newsletter reports that the scholarship program had grown from 3 students in 1983 to 20 scholars, with plans to increase support to 25 scholars, while also celebrating the graduation of its first two scholarship recipients, Annaliza Candelaria (midwifery) and William Catubig (commerce), marking an important milestone in the Foundation’s history. It also describes highly successful fundraising events—including sales of commemorative T-shirts that netted more than $1,156 during the Peace Corps anniversary celebration—and outlines plans to broaden fundraising beyond Washington, D.C. through regional RPCV networks and partnerships with Filipino organizations. An article by Philippine Embassy official Alejandrino Vicente examined educational reforms under the newly ratified 1987 Philippine Constitution, including its emphasis on human rights, moral education, and poverty reduction through improved schooling.

Balitaan Spring 1986 (PDF) – Click to Open

Spring/Summer 1986 celebrates the Foundation’s third anniversary while documenting another year of substantial growth, announcing the selection of nine new scholarship recipients from 51 applicants, bringing the total number of scholars supported to 28. The issue reports that the Foundation had $49,282 in net assets at the close of Fiscal Year 1985, with approximately 84% of expenditures devoted directly to scholarship assistance, introduces newly elected board members, and announces the launch of a Development Education Program (DEP) to help Returned Peace Corps Volunteers share their Philippine experiences in schools and community organizations. Distinctive features of this issue include an update on the Foundation’s first scholar to graduate and pass the Philippine CPA examination, a tribute marking the 25th anniversary of Peace Corps, and a call for alumni to participate in both educational outreach and fundraising as the organization expanded beyond its original scholarship mission.

Balitaan Fall 1985 (PDF) – Click to Open

Fall 1985 highlights a milestone year for the Foundation, reporting that it was supporting 19 scholars at colleges and universities throughout the Philippines while receiving 43 scholarship applications for the coming academic year, underscoring both the program’s growth and the increasing demand for assistance. The issue features updates from several scholars describing their academic achievements and financial challenges, reports on fundraising activities and donor support that made the expanded program possible, and notes the Foundation’s continued efforts to keep administrative costs low while honoring its long-term commitment to existing scholars. A distinctive feature of this issue is its emphasis on scholar accountability and selection, explaining the rigorous screening process conducted in the Philippines and the difficult choices required because many qualified applicants could not be funded, illustrating how the Foundation was balancing growth with financial responsibility.

Balitaan Spring 1985 (PDF) – Click to Open

Spring 1985 focuses on the Foundation’s transition from a promising start-up to a sustainable scholarship organization. The newsletter reports that the Foundation had grown from supporting 2 scholars in 1984 to 13 scholars in 1985, while reducing administrative costs from 64% of expenditures in 1983 to about 30% in 1984, with a projected 21% in 1985—a key indicator of improving efficiency. It also explains the Foundation’s unique scholar recruitment process, in which Returned Peace Corps Volunteers nominate trusted local contacts throughout the Philippines to identify deserving applicants, celebrates reaching more than 1,000 newsletter readers, announces a fundraising celebration in Washington, D.C., and features letters from scholars describing how Foundation support enabled them to pursue careers in commerce, medicine, and other professions despite severe financial hardship.

Balitaan Summer 1984 (PDF) – Click to Open

Summer 1984 documents the Foundation’s first major expansion, announcing the selection of 13 scholarship recipients—including 11 new scholars and 2 renewals—chosen from 45 applicants representing 25 colleges and universities throughout the Philippines. The newsletter profiles many of the scholars and their fields of study, reports that the Foundation had already raised over $26,000 toward its long-term endowment goal, and describes efforts to establish a formal scholarship selection network through Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and local community contacts. A unique feature of this issue is its detailed introduction of the scholarship recipients as individuals, illustrating the geographic diversity of the program and the Foundation’s commitment to supporting students in disciplines ranging from engineering and agriculture to education, medicine, and business.

Balitaan Winter 1984 (PDF) – Click to Open

The inaugural Winter 1984 newsletter introduces the Peace Corps Alumni Foundation for Philippine Development, announcing its first scholarships for two financially deserving Filipino students and describing early efforts to build support through fundraising, alumni outreach, and partnerships in the Philippines. It also welcomes former Peace Corps/Philippines Director for Management Modesto de Jesus as the Foundation’s representative in the Philippines and reports encouraging public and donor support for its educational mission.