The Battle Against Ignorance (BAI) Foundation is gearing up for its first-ever BAI Golf: Celebrity Invitational Tournament of the South, a special event designed to shed light on the struggles of those battling addiction, depression, and homelessness in Cebu. Set to take place from April 4 to 5, 2025, at the Liloan Golf and Leisure Estates, this exciting tournament is more than just a fun day on the greens—it's a chance to make a real difference in the lives of some of Cebu’s most vulnerable individuals.
The Heart Behind the Foundation
Founded in 2011, BAI Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to offering support to those who are often forgotten: individuals suffering from addiction, mental health challenges, and homelessness. Working alongside Safehaven Recovery Village, the foundation provides personalized treatment plans to help people rebuild their lives.
Despite the foundation’s many successes, there’s still much more to be done. BAI Foundation Executive Director, Lito Gruet, reflects on the early days: “It was frustrating. We had a noble cause, but it felt like no one was paying attention. People often make fun of or even mistreat those who are struggling, not understanding the deeper issues at play.”
Lito, who knows these struggles firsthand as a former addict, has made it his life’s mission to help those who find themselves in similar situations. “I’ve been on the streets. But by God’s grace, I recovered and eventually became a rehab director for 11 years and a drug abuse resource speaker for 25 years. This is my way of giving back.”
Golf for a Cause: Turning Passion into Action
To keep their work going, BAI Foundation leaders, Ronnie Delos Santos and Lito, are inviting celebrities and golf enthusiasts to participate in the *BAI Golf Tournament*. Lito explains, “Celebrities have a massive influence. When we win their hearts, their support brings awareness to what we do, helping the foundation grow.”
This year, a number of A-list stars, including Tonton Gutierrez and Glydel Mercado, Cesar Montano, Gary Estrada, Vince Hizon, and Pat Sugui, will be hitting the greens for a great cause. But it’s not just about the celebrities—it’s about rallying everyone to get involved. Local government units, stakeholders, and corporate partners are also stepping up to support the event.
For Ronnie, the tournament is just the beginning. “We’re raising funds to ensure we have the resources to continue our mission. We want this to be an ongoing effort, not just a one-time event,” he says.
Creating a Better Cebu for All
The *BAI Golf Tournament* is more than just a fundraiser. It’s part of a larger effort to make Cebu a safer, cleaner, and more welcoming place for everyone. “By hosting this event, we’re sparking curiosity and encouraging people to learn more about what we do,” says Lito.
Looking ahead, Lito shares the foundation’s broader vision: “Our goal is to help clean the streets of Cebu. We want to restore dignity to the homeless and mentally ill, and in doing so, we’re also making Cebu a more beautiful place for residents and visitors alike.”
How You Can Get Involved
The *BAI Golf Tournament* is only the start for the foundation, and they’re calling on people everywhere to lend a hand.
To learn more about BAI Foundation’s work and how you can help, visit [https://www.battleagainstignorance.com](https://www.battleagainstignorance.com), and don’t forget to follow them on Facebook
[@baifoundation](https://www.facebook.com/baifoundation) and Instagram [@bai_foundation](https://www.instagram.com/bai_foundation/).
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