LONG before the terms “charity” and “philanthropy” were popularized, Don Ramon Aboitiz held close to his heart the values of capacitating and helping people, sustainability, and organizing groups and institutions.

Among his earliest endeavors included the establishing of Cebu Boys’ Town – where Don Ramon donated a five-hectare lot in Punta Princesa and pledged Php. 100,000 for the construction of the buildings to house the boys and their vocational training. The Cebu Boys’ Town rose on March 5, 1955.

Don Ramon, as fondly remembered by many, was a generous man who held a penchant of helping others. He was known to help his employees in times of emergencies and beggars by giving them paper bills of small denominations (of ten and twenty centavos).

He believed that “the best way to get along is to always, when you get a chance, do a favor for your fellowman.”

His care for those in need ran deep; and he shared these values with his children and grandchildren. These values – of upholding the dignity of man by working with communities to elevate their well-being – continue to be lifeblood of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) we know today.

On November 16, 1966, Don Ramon established the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., a testament of his commitment towards helping the least, the lost, and the last. It was his birthday when the foundation came to be.

Fifty-six years ago, the foundation extended assistance to schools, feeding programs, institutions like Boys’ Town, and community welfare centers like Asilo de la Milgrosa. RAFI’s initial program focus was vocational education, supporting programs like the Islandcraft project by the Good Shepherd nuns and the vocational training programs of the Don Bosco Youth Center.

As the foundation evolved over the years, its reach and programs have expanded – serving more communities within the Visayas, Mindanao, and the Visayas.

The foundation celebrates its 56^th Founding Anniversary this year; with it, its growth and impact internally and externally. What started as a foundation run by only two staff has turned into an organization of over 2,600 employees across the country.

From its humble beginnings of supporting vocational education, RAFI has evolved as a social development organization by keeping at its core the values Don Ramon espoused and the foundation’s values of God-centeredness, integrity, respect, and service. These, we see at the core of every RAFInian as we work with the communities we serve.

“Our approach in RAFI is grounded in this respect for each person we encounter. We seek to understand their hopes, their dreams and do what we can to help them get there. We harness their strengths and ideas to co-create solutions, without imposing ours on them,” shared Amaya Aboitiz-Fansler, President of RAFI, during the 56^th Founders’ Day celebration of RAFI.

The leaps and bounds of the foundation could not have been possible without people at its core. To honor and celebrate every RAFInian, RAFI held its 56^th Founders’ Day celebration on November 16, 2022. With it, RAFI recognized RAFInians who have worked with the foundation for the last 5, 10, 15, and 25 years.

On the occasion of RAFI’s Founder’s Day, the organization also recognized the RAFI Exemplary Employee of 2022, an award given to an outstanding employee who served the foundation’s mission throughout the different crises in the last two years. Procurement Head Joan Ruiz is this year’s RAFI Exemplary Employee.

Over the last 56 years, RAFI has kept its core strong. Our people remain mission-driven and anchored on the foundation’s vision and mission to best support communities, each other, and the organization.