#GirlsCan make a difference as World Vision culminates initiative for young Filipinas

As the world celebrated the International Day of the Girl last October 11, World Vision Philippines successfully mounted its #GirlsCan campaign which highlighted the need to support and empower girls for a brighter future. The advocacy was able to gain over 700 sponsorships since its launch last August, with the help of various celebrities, partners and sponsors.

Multi-awarded actress and World Vision Ambassador Jasmine Curtis-Smith, together with Miss Universe Philippines 2020 candidate and fashion entrepreneur Ericka Evangelista and content creators Janina Vela and Lyqa Maravilla led in voicing out that empowered girls, empower girls.

The Women Business Council of the Philippines (WomenBiz) along with the other partners – Globe Kmmunity, Ever Bilena, Hello Glow, Lazada, Shoppee, Club of Marikina North Rotary, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Hera and Plus Network, made it big for the campaign. Adarna House pledged part of their sales to aid programs for girl empowerment.

World Vision receives 20th Manuel Luis Quezon Gawad Parangal Award

The local government of Quezon City awards World Vision for its service to children in the 20th Manuel Luis Quezon Gawad Parangal ceremony held at the EVM Convention Center in Quezon City. The award is bestowed to outstanding Quezon City-based citizens and organizations that have made significant contributions to the betterment of the city and the nation as a whole.

Leading the ceremony were Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto. Aside from World Vision, the following individuals and organizations were also recognized during the event:

Philippine Coast Guard wins in Family Feud, benefits World Vision’s cause for children

They came, they fought, and they conquered.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) won big time against Philippine Air Force when they competed on GMA Network’s Family Feud. The Air Force were triumphant in the first round but the Coast Guards took the steal and headed for the win until the last set.

PCG dedicated their game for children and have identified World Vision as their charitable institution to receive a portion of their total winnings. Their pledge will go a long way in helping out the most vulnerable children in the country. 

PCG Spokesperson Commodore Armando Balilo, who himself was a former World Vision sponsored child, attested, “My World Vision sponsor gave me the opportunity, so now, together with my team, we would like to pay it forward, knowing that many children will be given the opportunity to live their lives at the fullest.” The support from the PCG team will indeed help transform lives.

World Vision awards One For Children seal to Delex Pharma International, Inc.

Honoring their remarkable support for children over the years, Delex Pharma International was the latest recipient of World Vision’s One for Children Seal. 

Awarded in their partner recognition ceremony called Project Salute, the plaque of recognition was given to Delex Pharma International to recognize the remarkable support the company has been providing World Vision and its projects for children.

World Vision Resource Development Director Jun Godornes, Donor Care Manager, Precious Basco, and Major Donor Engagement Specialist, Monseratt Luna, handed the award to Delex Pharma Managers present at the event. Joining the ceremony virtually were CEO & Chairman of the Board J. de Ruyter C. Oroceo and Vice President for Operations Noel B. Omandam. The ceremony was held at the Delex Pharma office in Sauyo, Quezon City.

World Vision, partners and ambassadors continue to provide emergency aid for Typhoon Odette survivors

Nearly 50,000 typhoon survivors assisted by relief efforts

Three months have passed since the Philippines was hit by torrential rains, violent winds, floods and storm surges due to Typhoon Odette (international name Rai). Overnight, the Typhoon displaced thousands of families, resulting in billions worth of damages as the country is still recovering from the effects of the pandemic. Since then, World Vision ambassadors continue to show their support for typhoon-affected communities through heartfelt activities to help raise funds for World Vision’s relief efforts.

Ogie Alcasid held a fundraising concert entitled Online Caroling for a Cause; Quest held the Bagong Yugto fundraising concert through Facebook Live in partnership with When In Manila; Christine and Julius Babao organized ArtReach 2021, a fundraising auction held by their Art PH advocacy in partnership with Art Rocks; and other World Vision ambassadors such as Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Joyce Pring, Juancho Trivino, and Marc Nelson provided donations to the relief efforts.

World Vision conducts climate change summit to intensify waste management in Cotabato

“Sustainability means leaving something for our children,” says guest speaker Ryan Fabay, Mindanao State University Faculty, in the recently concluded Climate Change Summit in Cotabato City. 

The Climate Change Summit aims to engage identified communities in improving their mechanisms on waste collection, waste segregation, recycling and other climate change adaptation practices. The initiative is organized through World Vision’s Adapting Solid Waste Management as Climate Crises Solution project in partnership with local government unit of Cotabato City.

“Basically the Climate Change Summit is the effort of World Vision and the local government unit to reach the communities and involve them in managing, conserving and protecting the city environment,” says Fabay. According to him, bridging the gap between the government and our community partners to work together will bring

Children remind peers about online safety

Adhering to local hygiene protocols and social distancing, children in some World Vision communities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao gathered to teach and learn about online safety to prevent online abuses and sexual exploitation of children. 

Using the hashtag term “#MayForeverOnline”, children and youth leaders led the orientation about online safety, reminding their peers to be extra careful when posting information on the Internet and social media. 

“The #MayForeverOnline campaign is our way of reaching out and telling other children and youth to be extra careful when posting information online because anything we post online are there forever even if we deleted them from our social media pages,” Francis, 21, World Vision’s National Children’s Federation president, explains referring to the digital footprints that leave trails on the Internet which can be used by other people to steal personal information and take advantage of a child. 

World Vision launches emergency appeal as Typhoon Odette leaves thousands of families affected in the Visayas

In the aftermath of Typhoon Odette (international name Rai), World Vision in the Philippines mobilizes its team to dispatch and respond to the emergency as several provinces in southern Philippines are left with destroyed homes and thousands of families displaced. 

“Our house lost the entire second floor because of Typhoon Odette. I felt fear and the weariness in my heart,” shared World Vision staff Lucille Antonio based in Cebu. “While the strong winds were raging, I received a message from my son, Jorrel, asking for help. I felt so limited, so helpless,” added Antonio. 

“We felt a very terrifying strong and howling winds last night,” texted Ramon Lucas, World Vision communications staff based in Bohol, one of the hard-hit provinces in the central Visayas. 

World Vision in the Philippines launches “Noche Buena” campaign to give joy to more children this Christmas

Christmas is truly in the air as World Vision in the Philippines kicks off its Noche Buena campaign for 2019, the child-focused organization’s annual initiative aimed at making Christmas celebrations more meaningful and joyful for the most vulnerable children and their families.

World Vision Ambassador Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Advocate Erwan Heusaff showed their support by teaming up in doing the Noche Buena with a Twist challenge. They produced an online vlog where they cooked their own version of one of the young Filipinos’ favorite Noche Buena dishes, Spaghetti.