How one man turned a failing orphanage into a beacon of hope in the Philippines
John Drake began his career as a travelling corporate executive in the US. His life changed when he visited the Philippines in the early 1990s for work. Years later, he would transform a struggling children’s home into a thriving centre that has helped hundreds of young lives. Drake first arrived in the Philippines on business, with no plans to stay. Decades later, in 2002, he was asked to take over a failing children’s facility in Toledo City. At first, he dismissed the idea.
A visit to the old Lingap Center changed his mind. The sight of 26 children living in poverty, with few opportunities, moved him deeply. Despite feeling unqualified, he decided to act and founded the Lingap Children’s Foundation in 2004. By 2006, the new Lingap Center opened its doors, housing 39 children. Over 20 years, it expanded its reach to support more than 800 young people. The centre earned the highest possible rating—Level 3 accreditation—from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Education became a core focus, with nearly 50 children graduating from college or vocational programs. The centre also provides tutoring, life skills training, counselling, music, spiritual guidance, and vocational courses. Even through challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic and Typhoon Odette, the mission continued. Now, Drake’s son Jeff is preparing to lead the centre forward.
The Lingap Center has grown from a small facility to a highly accredited institution. It has given hundreds of children access to education, skills, and stability. With a new generation taking over, its work is set to continue for years to come.
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