Write, Breathe, Live: World Vision

Showing posts with label World Vision. Show all posts

Thursday, June 30, 2016

We Ran for Children's Health and Nutrition at World Vision Run 2016!

My husband and I believe in supporting advocacies that benefit children because they are our nation's future generations of leaders who need good foundations to become upright citizens in the years to come.

enthusiastic kids who joined the 500m race

On its fifth year, the annual charity event continues to promote a healthy lifestyle through running, while also raising funds to help secure a better future for thousands of Filipino children. This year's World Vision Run, co-presented by Run Rio Inc., not only called for support for children's education but also for their health and nutrition.

Marc Nelson, Miriam Quiambao, and Gelli Victor
before the 10k gun start

Did you know? Malnutrition is still the leading health problem among Filipino children. In fact, according to the National Nutrition Survey, 2 out of 10 kids under the age of five are malnourished and that, each year, 10 million children die before they reach their 5th birthday due to preventable diseases.

with my barefoot running boys

Zing Rewards Promises AmaZing Experiences

Ruth Floresca advocacy , event

One of the things that keep customers coming back to certain stores are loyalty rewards. I should know because I've redeemed rebates and gifts from establishments I've frequented over the years. I have to admit though that carrying various loyalty cards in my wallet can become very burdensome so I leave some at home to let my wallet breathe and then regret not having them when I suddenly happen to find myself inside a particular store.

According to Ed Limjoco, President and CEO of Jabez Infinity Group, Inc., merchants have already seen the need to keep their customers many years back thus the birth of loyalty programs. However, loyalty cards in the Philippines are still usually specific to individual stores.

Yup, my Zing has arrived! :)

During Unboxed, the Zing Rewards launch last August 1, Limjoco explained that many merchants have their own loyalty cards but consumers do not really get emotionally attached to a certain card and that many cards have limited use. Conversely, Zing Rewards, Jabez's universal loyalty card, can be used for multiple stores and aims to revolutionize how businesses rewards their customers.

Tim Torres, PR and Marketing Head, Zing Rewards

The rewards card has partnered with insurance company AIG to further give customers purchase and wallet protection. That means, a cardholder's purchase is insured for 30 days after the sale, for up to P20,000 in case his/her wallet gets lost.

Jabez Infinity Group, Inc.

"We believe that Zing is an amazing product that will delight a lot of consumers. In the past, there's not much excitement about having a loyalty card," shared Limjoco. "We would want to step up a bit more by creating experiences that will delight cardholders to encourage them to go back and use their card even more."

To earn points, cardholders only need to swipe their card at any merchant partner terminal when paying for items. Points can be used for exclusive deals, fun freebies at partner stores, or can be converted to cash that could be transferred to an existing bank account. One point equals one peso. Cardholders can also increase points by sharing Zing Rewards with friends.

Mr. Limjoco hands over Zing's gift to World Vision representatives

What got my attention most on the info card given to me though is the advocacy component. It says, "Be part of the meaningful consumption movement through Zing. Your purchases from Zing merchant stores will help fund the World Vision foundation." Since I've been a WV sponsor for more than 10 years now, I give two thumbs up to that!

Julieanne

Present during the launch to entertain guests were singer Julieanne and magician Erik Mana who showed us some really cool and amaZing tricks! As of the launch date, Zing Rewards already has around 100 merchant partners with the goal to expand to 500 merchant partners by the end of 2014.

Erik Mana (left) and a volunteer apprentice

For more information, like Zing Rewards on Facebook, follow @zingrewardsph on Twitter, and @zingrewards on Instagram. Register now for an account at zingrewards.com and kindly put "writermom" on the referral space. Thanks!

Celebrities Help Make Children's Future Brighter Through World Vision's Race for Hope

Ruth Floresca advocacy , celebrities

I've been blogging about World Vision for years because I believe in its commitment to uplift the lives of poor children through education. As a mother and a WV child sponsor, I believe in how important it is to raise children with proper education as well as values that can help them be good citizens and responsible adults in the future.

Jun Godornes, Miriam Quiambao, TinTin Babao, Anthony Valenzuela

This year, before another school year starts, World Vision Philippines launched a new fundraising campaign called Celebrities for Children: The Race for Hope. Four well-known Filipino personalities, who are already sponsoring children through World Vision have pledged that they will find more sponsors for at least 1,000 poor children in the country by encouraging their family, friends, and fans to also send at least one child to school.

During a press con held the other day, two of the four participants who responded to the call and accepted the challenge joined WV staff and members of the media to affirm their desire to help. TV host Christine Bersola-Babao and beauty queen Miriam Quaimbao were there to answer questions while entrepreneur Cristalle Belo Henares and movie/TV actress Ann Curtis sent messages through video clips.

World Vision Associate Director for Public Engagement Jun Godornes shared, "Through this project, World Vision celebrities will have the opportunity to experience deeper and meaningful engagements, making them ambassadors for children and fundraisers-in-action."

He added that all four may use any fundraising strategy as long as it abides with World Vision's ethical guidelines and child protection policies. "They may tap as many channels as they wish: social media, conduct of special events, media guestings, etc. But the celebrities themselves shall initiate these engagements," clarified Godornes.

The campaign is considered a race because the first celebrity to gather 300 sponsors before July 23, 2013 will get to visit a World Vision-assisted community in Africa. Now that's a nice prize! The ladies assured everyone though that it would still remain a friendly competition

It was likewise great to hear the story of Cherry Marcelo, a former sponsored child, first hand. Because of what she went through, she developed a heart for helping children and is now a staff of World Vision. She, and others like her, such as the Philippine Coast Guard's Commander Armand Balilo and Kariton Classroom's Efren Penaflorida (who has also been hailed CNN Hero), are actually making a difference in our country today.

TinTin and her funny hashtag

Support your favorite celebrity and help World Vision in this campaign by visiting this link to know more: http://worldvision.org.ph/campaigns/celebrity-for-children/index.html

Someday, the Philippines may have more leaders that were former WV sponsored children. Wouldn't it be great to know that they were not only educated well but were also raised with Godly principles? This is made possible because a World Vision child sponsorship assures the overall well-being of children. It provides children access to basic healthcare, education, values-formation activities, and sustainable livelihood for their families.

TinTin, Miriam, Cherry, and Jun

By sponsoring, you will help secure the future of not only your sponsored child but also his/her family and their entire community as well. Moreover, you will know where your money is going because you will receive regular reports and updates about your sponsored child.

Be part of the solution. Donate for this worthwhile cause and sponsor a child in need!

* To see more photos taken during the press con, please click here.

A Call for Child Sponsorship Through World Vision

Ruth Floresca advocacy , education

We often hear the phrase "Children are our future" and I personally believe that to be true. It is up to us, parents and teachers, to help shape and mold them into good human beings so that, one day, they could fill our shoes and, perhaps, do things better than we did.

Everyone needs education to advance in life. Unfortunately, not all adults are equipped to raise kids well. In the Philippines, it is common to see children selling stuff or begging on the streets. Poverty is a reality in our country and it continues to be a hindrance for many parents who dream of sending their children to school.

This is where World Vision and its supporters come in through the child sponsorship program, a channel for people to help send underprivileged children to school. For P20 a day or P600 a month, one child will already be able to acquire the knowledge he/she needs to slowly, but surely, reach her dreams. In addition, the community where the child lives would also benefit from the sponsorship because World Vision also helps create livelihood programs that encourage parents to work harder for their families and empower the community as a whole.

I have been a World Vision child sponsor since 2003 and it has been a wonderful journey. Every year, I receive an annual report about how my sponsored child is doing. It's heartwarming to see her grow bigger through the photos World Vision sends me. She writes me short notes once in a while as well as a homemade greeting card every Christmas. Those things show me, and other child sponsors I know, where our small contributions have been going. It is also a continuous source of wonder that those children, whom we haven't even met yet, are being given a chance to have a good future because there are people in other parts of the country who care.

If you are compelled to help this advocacy of providing education for poor Filipino children, be a World Vision sponsor today. Together, we can make a difference, one child at a time.

This is MY World Vision ... What's yours? :)

* Find out more ways how you can help. Please log on to www.worldvision.org.ph today or call 372-7777.

Pantene’s Healthy Hair for Healthy Water Campaign

Ruth Floresca advocacy , health

Many of us take our clean drinking water for granted when we have plenty of supply and our sources are very accessible. Many of you who are reading this can probably just buy bottled water from the nearest store or have several gallons delivered by a trusted water station whenever needed.

Still, there are many parts of the world where it's still hard to acquire clean water for drinking. Thankfully, Procter & Gamble (P&G) Philippines’ hair care brand Pantene joins the cause to give children safe drinking water with the launch of its “Healthy Hair for Healthy Water” Campaign.

The initiative supports the P&G Children’s Safe Drinking Water (CSDW) Program, a long-term global advocacy program that focuses on reducing sickness and death that result from water-borne illnesses caused by drinking contaminated water.

This 2012, Pantene, with P&G’s CSDW program, will provide water purification packets in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia. Filipinos are encouraged to donate one day of clean drinking water through online pledges at the Pantene facebook page (www.facebook.com/PantenePhilippines).

Dr. Greg Allgood, Director of the P&G CSDW Program is excited to have Pantene strengthen the campaign in the Philippines. After a recent visit to Siargo, he affirmed that the program will provide more than 17 million days (equivalent to 34 million liters) of clean drinking water during the next year for more than 25,000 of the most vulnerable people living in remote areas that only have contaminated water sources.

According to P&G’s External Relations Leader, Clint Navales, their goal is to be able to get 10,000,000 pledges all over Asia, "So we would like to invite Filipinos to support our campaign by visiting the Pantene Facebook page and giving their pledge. We’ve seen through recent calamities how difficult it is to have access to something as basic as clean drinking water, and also how important clean water is to prevent disease in these situations. With the Pantene Healthy Hair Healthy Water campaign, you now not only get healthy hair, but you help give a child good health through clean drinking water”.

The P&G CSDW Program started in 2004 using a powdered water-purification technology developed in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Imagine, one small packet can quickly turn 10 liters of dirty, potentially deadly water into clean, drinkable water!

The program collaborates with more than 120 partners worldwide to respond to the greatest needs for clean water. To date, clean drinking water has already been provided in over 65 developing countries.

Recently, P&G’s CSDW was able to donate clean water to communities hit by Sendong through a partnership with World Vision Philippines. They were able to distribute 600,000 water purification packets to the survivors, including more than 500 families in Mandulog and nearby communities, which was one of the areas hardest hit by the typhoon in Iligan.

Through the Pantene Healthy Hair for Healthy Water program, P&G is hopeful that the campaign will touch and improve the lives of the people who need it the most. “I’m very grateful to P&G and World Vision Philippines for the work they’re doing to reach the most vulnerable people in very remote places where clean drinking water will make a big difference in improving and likely saving lives." emphasized Dr. Allgood.

I just made a pledge at Pantene's Facebook page. It's easy and there's no purchase required. You just choose one of three pledges about things you'll do to keep your hair healthy then click the submit button. Join this worthwhile cause now!

World Vision & Seattle's Best Coffee Tie Up for Christmas

Ruth Floresca advocacy , World Vision

'Tis the season to be brewing as Seattle's Best Coffee launches its Christmas Inspired Drinks along with its partnership with World Vision Philippines. Four new coffee flavors -- Chocolate Cherry, Coffee Hazelnut, Cookies and Mint, and Coffee Cream Pie -- are now available for a limited time at various SB locations nationwide.

Long time readers of this blog would know I have been an advocate of child sponsorship through World Vision for many years now. Once again, I encourage everyone to start making a difference in the life of even just one child. At the moment, the organization is instrumental in improving the lives of more than 120,000 children and 16 million Filipinos in 33 provinces and 44 cities nationwide.

This coming Christmas season, customers can help provide more children a chance to go to school when they buy Seattle’s Best Coffee’s new holiday or classic drinks from October 22, 2011 to January 22, 2012. Each purchase corresponds to a sticker for the "dream card" that requires a total of 18 stickers which can be used to redeem a leather journal with. The journal contains coupons for free music, goodies, food and drinks, and up to 24 hours worth of free wifi at selected Seattle’s Best Coffee shops.

But, unlike past holiday promos, this year, instead of receiving one sticker, customers will receive two – one for their own Dream Card and the other for the World Vision Dream Tree. The trees will be installed in every Seattle’s Best Coffee shop where customers can stick their second stickers on. In the spirit of giving this holiday season, for every journal a customer redeems, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to World Vision, which will in turn be used to send underprivileged children to school.

In addition to the stickers, there will be World Vision donation boxes in every Seattle’s Best Coffee location where customers can give more to those less fortunate this holiday season.

"The Seattle's Best team knows that being the best does not just happen,” says Rea Cruz, General Manager for Seattle’s Best Coffee. She goes on to share, “It takes work, it takes effort and sometimes, it takes a little help for someone to be able to achieve the best that they can be. This is why the partnership with World Vision is something that we are passionate about. We believe in what they are trying to achieve and we want to help make a difference in the lives of these children."

Jun Godornes, World Vision OIC NRD Assistant Director, shares similar sentiments, stating, "The SBC – World Vision Partnership is something we've eagerly waited for. SBC is giving us another venue to engage the public and give them an opportunity to create lasting change in the lives of the children and families we serve. We feel that SBC is a strong ally in raising a generation of givers among Filipinos… especially the coffee lovers! At World Vision, we believe in the joy of giving. SBC is now providing an excellent channel for that."

Be Counted. Make a Difference! Join World Vision's COUNT ME IN 2011 Launch!

Ruth Floresca advocacy , education

I'm sure many of you who are reading this are already enrolled (if you're a student) or have already enrolled their kids (if you're a parent) for this school year.

Unfortunately, thousands of poor Filipino children also yearn for a good education but could not go to school because their families lack enough funds for tuition fees and school supplies. Help change the statistics. Learn more about Child Sponsorship and become a World Vision sponsor now so you can give a life-changing gift.

Your sponsorship of P20 a day or P600 a month will go a long way in ensuring that there would be at least one child who will be able to attend school this June. This month, when classes are just starting, is the best time to sign up and become a sponsor.

Tomorrow, June 8, World Vision is launching the Count Me In 2011 Program at the Trinoma Activity Center in Quezon City. This worthwhile endeavor aims to send 11,000 children to school this year. Please help make this goal possible.

There would be a “Gallery Walk” at 10AM and other activities throughout the day. The concert starts at 6PM with World Vision celebrity friends Nikki Gil, Chris Tiu, Cristalle Belo, Julius and Tintin Babao, and many more. This event is open to everyone.

For more details on how to sponsor a child, please visit WorldVision.com.ph

For those who are wondering, yes, I am a WV child sponsor and have been since 2003. I receive annual reports about how my sponsored child is doing and how she is growing up to be a fine young woman. In my own little way, I am grateful to be able to help change and make a child's future brighter.

Ice Cream for a Cause

Ruth Floresca advocacy , food trip

Summer is officially here and it's super hot, hot, hot! The other day, I accompanied two of my sons to BPI Family Bank to open Jumpstart Savings accounts for each for them. We're starting afresh no thanks to Banco Filipino which, unfortunately, still harbors all my sons' savings since they were small :(

Anyway, after walking under the hot afternoon sun, we dropped by Star Mall in Alabang to buy a new battery and charger for Josh's dying mobile phone. We also made a detour to Robinson's Supermarket to buy some grocery items.

Feeling hot and tired, we were drawn towards the ice cream freezers. I was contemplating if we really NEED to buy a tub or not. Then I saw this sign on top of one of the freezers. It says, "For every purchase of ice cream products, Robinsons Supermarket will donate to the World Vision Feeding Project for 250 children." And so we ended up buying two flavors of ice cream with the thought that the purchases would be able to help a feeding program.

Still, if you'd really like to help poor children, please do consider sponsoring a child via World Vision. It costs P600 a month to send an underprivileged, but deserving, child to school and help put up livelihood projects in the community he/she lives in. For more info about child sponsorship, please read WV's FAQs.

Graduates “Fly High” with World Vision

Ruth Floresca advocacy , education

Last March 24, child-focused development organization World Vision recognized its over 2,000 graduates nationwide. The graduation celebration, dubbed "Flying High" was held at the PS Bank Center in Makati.

Amid the increasing number of out-of-school children and school drop-outs in the country today, World Vision takes pride with the children it is able to graduate each year through its Child Sponsorship Program.

Twenty students were selected from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to represent all the WV sponsored children who are marching closer to their dreams as another school year ends. The chosen 20 students are graduating with the highest honors in their batch. They came from as far as Misamis Occidental, Palawan, Aklan, and Cebu.

Fying High is World Vision's way of giving due recognition to children who excel in academics despite their plight in life. WV Marketing Director Boris Joaquin reveals how proud they are of how the students continue to persevere and work hard to reach their dreams despite the limitations of poverty.

It was a joy to watch those 20 kids being acknowledged for giving their best. Some of the children's sponsors were present and it was very touching to see them make the effort to be there and join in the celebration. My husband and I are also sponsoring a child each via World Vision so I know how happy the sponsors are at seeing how their support have made a difference in a child's life.

Read here the story of Shena, a born achiever who will be graduating from elementary as Valedictorian this April.

Two years ago, the first Flying High celebration was graced by World Vision Ambassadors Lea Salonga and Nikki Gil who both gave inspiring messages to the children.

This year, World Vision invited selected youth achievers from Jollibee’s Yumbassadors led by teen star Sam Concepcion who himself has been a long-time World Vision Ambassador. He was joined by Bam Aquino, youth leader and social entrepreneur who pioneered the HaPinoy project; Carmela Lao, first Filipina to bag International Mathematical Olympiad medals, Sunshine Plata, renowned coffee painter whose fan base includes Ripley’s Believe It or Not!; and Miro Frances Capili, the youngest three-time Palanca awardee.

The Yumbassadors represent young Filipino achievers who have excelled in different fields through talent, hard work and determination – values that World Vision also hopes to impart to its graduates. WV Chairman of the Board Atty. Liwayway Vinzons-Chato also graced the event and shared an inspiring message to the graduates.

"World Vision believes that nobody is bound to poverty all their life; but with education, poor children are given wings to pursue their own passions and soar high and reach their dreams," adds Joaquin.

World Vision extends its special thanks to its event partners and sponsors Cebu Pacific for the students’ airfare, PS Bank for the venue and food, Gohotels.ph for accommodations, Jollibee, Italdesign and Dunlopillo, Hobbes and Landes, and Unisilver.

World Vision’s Community Development initiatives are present in 29 provinces and 33 cities nationwide. Children from these assisted communities are enlisted for Child Sponsorship and linked to willing sponsors for support. Children in sponsorship are provided access to education, healthcare, child protection and values formation. The organization works to ensure that they stay in school, and are equipped and motivated to pursue excellence. Nationwide, over 112,000 children are being supported by World Vision through their sponsors.

As early as now, before another school year starts, please consider sponsoring one child so he/she could go to school this June. You just have to share P600 of your monetary blessings each month. To know more about World Vision and the Child Sponsorship Program call 372-7777 or log on to www.worldvision.org.ph.

Pinoy Youth Icons Take the Spotlight in Jollibee’s New Yum TVC

Ruth Floresca advocacy , inspiration

Last October, Jollibee unveiled nine young ambassadors via a photo exhibit. This month, six of these young people once again take the spotlight in the new Yum TV commercial. Don't you just love those wonderful, vibrant colors?! :)

Press Release:

Today’s youth know how to live life to the fullest and have fun, even as they play a vital role in society and bring pride to the country. Jollibee’s latest campaign featuring six Pinoy youth icons - also known as Yumbassadors - showcases the rich pool of talents the country has and encourages today’s generation to pursue their dreams and make a difference.

“We decided to put the spotlight on the Jollibee Yumbassadors. They are the perfect role models for their fellow young Pinoys. They embody the Yum life: they celebrate their individuality and world-class excellence. At the same time, they are just like any other youth who knows how to enjoy a bite of their all-time favorite Yumburger,” shares Albert Cuadrante, Jollibee’s VP for Marketing. “As the Filipino youth grow up, have fun and continue to share a common love for this unique Pinoy taste, they also learn how to reach out, showcase their talents to the rest of the world, and give the country pride.”

Niño, Carmela, and Sam

The Jollibee Yumbassadors featured in the campaign ads champion different causes in academics, sports, literature, arts and social entrepreneurship. They are Bam Aquino, social entrepreneur and youth leader; Sam Concepcion, multi-talented performer and World Vision ambassador; Reese Fernandez, Rags2Riches co-founder; Francis “Niño” Alcantara, World Top 30 Tennis Player; Carmela Lao, International Math Olympiad medalist; and Miro Capili, three-time Palanca Awardee. Young as they are, they’ve already made the country proud by putting the Philippines on the world map through their winning ways and inspiring efforts. Read more of their achievements and individual profiles here.

“It feels great to be part of this campaign and be recognized. It’s not just about having talent but it’s also how you manage to work hard to be the best at what you do.” says tennis ace Nino Alcantara, who is currently on an athletic scholarship at the California State University in the United States.

Bam, Reese, and Miro

Yumbassador Bam Aquino encourages business-minded Pinoys through the HaPinoy Store Program, a project he pioneered which aspires to be the leading partners of micro-entrepreneurs. Bam says, “Growing up in this global village has given young Filipinos today the tools and knowledge they need to make a difference. It’s in the youth’s power now to bridge people, organizations and ideas for a greater, synergized good.”

The World Economic Forum Young Global Leader awardee also adds a piece of advice to the youth, “Huwag matakot. If you feel that serving others and helping people leads you to your happiness, then go do it. Only the brave are able to change the world.”

Popular entertainer Sam Concepcion agrees: “To deeply touch others, you have to sing and dance with your heart. Young Pinoys who are truly gifted only need to overcome their shyness, let go of their fears and pursue their passion. When you are giving your best, others will be inspired and encouraged by what you do.”

The proudly Pinoy fast-food chain fuels the youth by reminding them through the Yumbassadors that they too are just as capable of bringing pride to the country with a simple and heartfelt declaration – “I am young. I am proudly Pinoy. I Yum.”

Urgent Appeal: Help make a poor family happy this Christmas

Ruth Floresca advocacy , call for help

I believe we can help change the world little by little through a simple act of kindness one at a time ...

This boy's family barely survives on P42 every day. What do you think he’s having for Christmas Eve?

Recent SWS Survey records over 4 million households or 20 million people experiencing hunger regularly. According to the World Bank, 70% of Filipino families live on a P42.00 daily budget-- barely enough to provide for the basic minimum of food to survive, let alone prepare for a Christmas Eve meal.

Millions like this boy go to bed hungry every night… If you help, we can make this Christmas Eve different for them.

Noche Buena is one of the most important Filipino traditions where families gather around a bountiful dinner table to celebrate the gift of Jesus’ birth and the joy of being with loved ones during the season. Often, Filipino favorites like lechon, pancit, hamon, quezo de bola, and lumpia are main attractions of the festivity.

Sadly, this ideal Noche Buena scenario isn’t possible for millions of poor Filipino families. The “bountiful” Noche Buena table can range from the abundance of lechon and hamon for the moneyed ones, to rice and a can of sardines for the less fortunate.

From Luzon, Visayas to Mindanao World Vision will once again bring the spirit of Christmas this year to less fortunate families through its “Noche Buena Caravan”.

In the midst of the urgent hunger problem in the country with some 20 million people almost starving, World Vision desires to spread the blessings and joys of Christmas to families in very poor areas by providing them with Noche Buena gift packs containing a special Christmas Eve meal their family can share.

Set to visit 11 provinces and over 50 barangays, the Caravan targets to reach 34,000 families in the coming weeks. Target provinces/areas include: Baseco, Malabon, Cavite, Isabela, Zambales, Cebu, Aklan, Antique, Leyte, Missamis Occidental, and Palawan.

On such a special time of the year, World Vision desires for every child and their family, despite their plight in life, to have the chance to celebrate Christmas Eve over a special meal.

Send a Noche Buena Gift Pack on its way to a family in need!

Here’s how:

• For a donation of P1,000 you will be able to send two (2) Noche Buena gift packs to two (2) families in the province of your choice.

• Each Noche Buena gift pack contains the following: spaghetti noodles, spaghetti sauce, a can of fruit salad, a carton of cream, a bottle of sandwich spread, cheese, a pack of milk, coffee, and powdered juice.

• Plus, a portion of the donation will be pooled with the rest to allow communities to hold a big Christmas party!

• For existing World Vision Child Sponsors, you have the option of providing one (1) Noche Buena gift pack, and a special gift for your “child”.

• Donations may be made through World Vision mall booths at SM Megamall and Trinoma Mall, or by filling out the online form.

To ensure that your gifts have been received by the family, donors will be sent a thank you card. All Noche Buena gift pack items are purchased at discounted rates courtesy of Robinsons Supermarket

Ways to Teach Kids About Social Responsibility

Ruth Floresca advocacy , education

Last month, I posted a press release in my other blog about a seminar called Giving Children the Winning Edge where 2009 CNN Hero Efren Penaflorida was one of the speakers.

Inspired by his talk, I wrote an article on teaching kids the value of social responsibility. The writeup can now be viewed at HerWord.com.

Photo borrowed from http://www.ormazabal.cn

Part of the article reads:

Whatever ways you use to teach your kids about the essence of social responsibility, keep in mind that plans need not be elaborate or complicated. They just have to be meaningful enough for the kids to understand and remember so that they will carry these lessons of compassion as they grow and let them always have a sense of purpose in giving.

Please read the rest of it here.

Jollibee introduces nine ‘Yumbassadors'

Ruth Floresca advocacy , inspiration

As a parent, I happily support programs that encourage and recognize excellence in young people. Last Oct. 26, Jollibee unveiled nine "Yumbassadors" through a special photo exhibit in Makati City.

This new breed of young Pinoy achievers have spoken: I am young. I am Pinoy. I Yum. And their three declarations sum up the vibrant lives that they lead as they excel in their chosen fields and inspire nationalism along the way.

Press Release:

As the youth’s number one ally, Jollibee has been known to promote individuality and excellence through fun, relevant and highly-engaging activities. Strengthening its advocacy in youth empowerment, Jollibee names nine Pinoy Youth Icons who champion causes in academics, sports, literature, arts, and social entrepreneurship.

They are Francis “Niño” Alcantara, 2009 Australian Open doubles junior champion; Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, youth leader and social entrepreneur who pioneered the HaPinoy project; Miro Frances Capili, the youngest three-time Palanca awardee, Sam Concepcion, youth role model and topnotch performer; Reese Fernandez co-founder of social business enterprise Rags to Riches that benefit the women of Payatas; Carmela Lao, the first Filipina to bag International Mathematical Olympiad medals; Nasser Lubay, a self-taught visual artist who placed 2nd at the Celeste Prize in Germany; Stefano Marcelo, world-class karting driver who is a top 10 finalist in the 2008 ROK World Championship, and the only Asian team member of Tony Kart, and Sunshine Plata, renowned coffee painter whose fan base includes Ripley’s BelieveIt or Not! and whose works were also featured in the Martha Stewart Show in
the US.

The portraits of the Yumbassadors were shot by noted fashion photographer Arlu Gomez.

“From a brand that espouses real Pinoy taste and experience, Jollibee has evolved to become an advocate of Pinoy pride,” said Albert Cuadrante, Jollibee Vice President for Marketing. “Our biggest patrons, the youth, can attest to that as they enjoy the unique, langhap-sarap goodness of our Yumburgers. Dynamic and unique as they are, the young ones still come together at our stores because their love for world-class Filipino products and services stems from their inherent love for the country.”

As the Jollibee Yumbassadors represent the best in every young Pinoy, they form a new breed of role models that the country can proudly present to the rest of the world.

The company also recognizes the efforts of many other young Pinoys who, in their own ways, are contributing to Filipino pride and the greater community. Like the Yumbassadors, many young people are seeking support from others as they live out their passion and help others. Join Jollibee as they continuously recognize the vision of the youth, and help build a nation that is filled with compassionate and civic-minded young citizens.

Sam: World Vision Ambassador

The Yumbassadors photo exhibit remains open to the public until October 30 at The Gallery of Greenbelt 5 in Makati. To view all the Yumbassadors' individual posters, click here. To view their profiles so you can know more about each of them, please visit my other blog post.

Eat Nothing, Do Something!

Ruth Floresca advocacy , World Vision

Regular readers of this blog know how much I believe in the advocacies spearheaded by World Vision. Please consider supporting their latest program called 12-Hour Famine.

When: November 6, 2010, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Where: Flying V- Arena, San Juan, Metro Manila
What: For 12 hours, hundreds of Filipino youth will come together as one lending their voices to this global fight against hunger and poverty.

The P300 registration fee includes a famine kit containing with a pass, shirt, baller band, and information materials.

Anybody who's 15 years old and up is invited to sign-up and join the World Vision 12-hour Famine by calling the Famine Hotline 8-FAMINE (8-326463) or registering online. You can also join WV on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Please Be a Hero to A "Last Chance" Kid

Ruth Floresca advocacy , education

My husband and I became World Vision sponsors in 2003. Back then, I chose a six-year-old girl whose birthday was closest to the day our third son was born. We figured, since James can't go to school (he has severe cerebral palsy), we could help another child finish her studies instead.

When we decided to sponsor another child, my husband chose someone called a "Last Chance" kid. The boy was already 13 years old at the time. He was one of those children who have been waiting for weeks, months, even years, for someone to sponsor them.

Marvin, the former last chance kid and our second sponsored child, is now a sophomore high school student. He sends us letters every now and then through World Vision and we are very happy to know that he is doing well in school.

Because donors often prefer cute and younger looking children, "Last Chance" kids would often see their younger counterparts get sponsored before them. Sadly, many last chance children are not able to have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams because their names eventually had to be removed from the list of potential sponsored children to give way to younger kids.

Recently, World Vision Philippines launched the Heroes of Hope appeal for Last Chance Kids. Please visit their website and find out how you can help.

We may not be able to tackle the thousands of problems in this world by ourselves, but each of us can still do something. Start by making a difference in the life of ONE child today. You may not know yet just how much impact you'll make with this small act of kindness, but you'll soon find out how much difference it would make in your life from now on.

If you are not able to sponsor a child at the moment, you can still help 500 Last Chance Kids get sponsors within August 2010 by spreading the word. Thank you very much!

Make Mothers' Day Extra Special for Your Mom and Be Part of Online History

Ruth Floresca family , for kids

I have been a World Vision sponsor and staunch supporter for several years now and I can vouch that it is one of the most worthwhile organizations to send help to. Please take this opportunity to make Mothers' Day special for your mom and, the process, help poor Filipino kids and their families. If you want to do more, kindly consider sponsoring at least one child so he/she can go to school this coming June.

Johnson’s Baby and World Vision have partnered to come out with a different kind of Mother’s Day celebration this year. Titled "Baby Your Mom Day", the campaign aims to create the longest online Mother's Day greeting using videos and photos submitted by users.

And for every submission, Johnson's Baby will donate P50 to World Vision to help send underprivileged children to school. We invite everyone to join us and support this great cause. Send us your submissions through this Facebook profile, through our YouTube channel or via email at babyyourmomday@gmail.com.

Deadline for submission: May 7, 2010.

For more information, please check out this Facebook page.

Official Press Release:

Manila – May 1, 2010

This May 9, the Philippines will go for online history as it pursues the Guinness record for the longest online Mother’s Day Greeting.

Johnson’s Baby and World Vision have partnered together to create a different kind of Mother’s Day celebration this year that will give Filipino moms a special kind of Mother’s Day greeting, will help send underprivileged children to school, and will hopefully create Mother’s Day online history.

Entitled “Baby Your Mom Day”, this project invites Filipinos to send their own special Mother’s Day greetings online, and for each greeting Johnson’s Baby will donate P50 to World Vision to help send underprivileged children to school. Famous celebrities and World Vision ambassadors have in fact signed up to share their own special Mother’s Day greetings through the program - Sam Milby, Marc Nelson, Sam Concepcion, and Julia Clarete to name a few.

Unlike traditional Mother’s Day greetings, this program aims to show a different kind of appreciation to all Filipino moms. Especially for Pinoy mothers, their children will forever be their “babies”, hence this Mother’s Day, Johnson’s Baby and World Vision will give Filipinos a chance to flip roles and greet their moms by “babying her” instead.

"Johnson's Baby is closely associated with that special bond that links Mother and Child. What better occasion than Mother's Day to celebrate that amazing relationship and help put underprivileged kids through school. It will make our Filipino moms so happy and proud”, noted Christine Balingit, Group Brand Manager of Johnson’s Baby.

Jun Godornes, OIC Manager for Direct Marketing for World Vision added, "When the Johnson's Baby team approached us for this campaign, we knew that it was great project. Not only is it a good fundraising effort, it is a nice and unique way to celebrate our moms on their special day in the year. Our World Vision brand ambassadors jumped right in, lending their support to this effort. We hope that the Philippines as a whole will do the same."

The motivation for creating the longest Mother’s Day greeting is driven by two factors as explained by Jaycee Garcia, Senior Brand Manager for Johnson's Baby. "For one, the more submissions that we receive, the bigger our donation to World Vision will be and the more children we will be helping out. Secondly, we plan to put the Philippines on the world map via the Guinness Book of World Records by generating the longest online Mother's Day greeting ever created. It is unique in our culture to remain really close to our mothers even as we grow up and Filipinos should be proud of that. "

This campaign was rolled out on May 1, 2010 on Facebook and Youtube. Online greeting submissions via videos and / or photos will be featured on these sites, complemented by a dedicated online Mother’s Day wall at www.babyyourmomday.com for everyone in the world to view.

Everyone is invited to join the campaign and submit their videos and or photos. To learn more about “Baby your Mom Day” and support this great cause, people can go to www.facebook.com/babyyourmomday for more details.

From “Happy Mother’s Day” to “Baby Your Mom Day”, calling all Filipinos to unite in creating Mother’s Day history not just in the Philippines but hopefully the world.

A Salute to All World Vision Volunteers

Ruth Floresca advocacy , event

Among the many NGOs out there, World Vision remains on top of my and my husband's list of trustworthy organizations. Thus, when Typhoon Ondoy hit and we were compelled to reach out in whatever way we can, we chose to course our help through WV. We even encouraged our two oldest kids to do their share by repacking relief goods when WV needed extra hands.

I reposted the call for volunteers as often as possible in my Facebook and Twitter accounts. I was happy to see several of my friends also reposting My WorldVision's status messages. Many of them (with their friends and families) also volunteered their time to the relief efforts these past four weeks.

Last Friday night, WV held its Volunteer Appreciation Night at Crossroads77 in Quezon City. It was a resounding success in the sense that kindred souls in strangers' bodies assembled in one venue to celebrate the Filipino spirit of bayanihan and the existence of boundless hope for a better country.

Miriam Quiambao and Boy Kulot (sorry! forgot your real name) hosted the event while various celebrities, music artists, and bands like True Faith, Akafellas, Gab Valenciano, Acel Van Ommen, Sam Concepcion, etc. freely gave their time to perform on stage.

Special commendation was rightfully given to the members of the Philippine Coast Guard headed by Lieutenant Commander Armand Balilo (who was actually a former WV sponsored child) because they were the first volunteers to take action.

Here's recognizing too the staff of World Vision Philippines for bringing thousands of strangers -- with helping hands and hearts -- together.

*Kindly visit http://worldvision.org.ph/ for more info on how you can continue to help. Also, please consider sponsoring a child today.

Christmas is for kids

Ruth Floresca advocacy , call for help

Most of us must have already decided about what to give our kids, nieces, nephews and godchildren for Christmas. How fortunate these children are, having people who care so much that they are sure to receive not just one or two gifts but lots.

But can we stop for a moment and think of the thousands of poor children in our country? Kids whose only wish for Christmas may be perhaps three complete meals just for that special day, or to be able to hold even a tiny doll or toy car in their hopeful little hands.

Help change a poor child and his family’s lives now! Give the Gift of Hope and sponsor a child today!

For only P450 a month or P15 a day, you can already send a poor child to school, provide him/her with basic necessities and health care; help him/her develop good values, and assist his/her family and community put up livelihood projects that will eventually help improve their way of life. This is made possible by pooling your monthly child sponsorship donation with those of other child sponsors.

World Vision has been helping poor Filipino children since 1957. Over 200,000 kids have already benefited from World Vision’s child sponsorship program. Currently, more than 88,000 poor children nationwide are under World Vision’s care.

Please join the vision of sending every poor child to school by sponsoring at least one child now. YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CHANGE THE WORLD, BUT YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD OF ONE CHILD.

Visit the World Vision booth in Glorietta now. They will be there until the end of December. Inquiries on how to sponsor a child are welcome at 372-7777 or contact Mr. David Liban Jr. at 0927-5612704. You can also visit their website at www.worldvision.org.ph

On a personal note, may I share with you that my husband and I decided to sponsor a six-year-old girl last year (the same age as our James who is a special child but is not able to go to school due to his disability) and we are sure glad we did. I am blessed by how much Rutchie (that’s her name, close to mine) has grown from the first picture I saw of her last year to the annual report sent to us lately. We correspond through letters (coursed through WV) although her mom is the one who’s writing for her as Rutchie is still young and can’t write long letters yet. She was an honor student in her preschool class last March and how that made us so proud of her! Nowadays, when I’m buying stuff for my four boys, I would also be thinking of her and wonder what she’d like to have. We have sent her simple gifts already and she wrote back how much she loved them. That sure warmed up this surrogate mommy’s heart :)

Thank you for reading this far. I pray that God will touch your heart today.

Do you know that for P15 a day, you can already help an underprivileged Filipino child and his family?

Ruth Floresca advocacy , education

Fact: There are so many poor Filipino children who want to go to school but can't. Majority of them are forced into child labor to augment their family's income. Still, what they earn is not enough to live on.

Right now, there are 6,000 Filipino children who need your compassion. They come from the poorest of the poor barangays all over the country. Would you kindly spare them your help?

Be part of World Vision Philippines' sponsorship program. Focusing on the child’s needs and partnering with the community, World Vision helps Filipinos find permanent solutions to poverty, through child sponsorship.

Child sponsorship works when a person pledges to give a monthly donation of P450 (or only P15 a day) to a child. The monthly sponsorship is used to ensure that his/her sponsored child will get formal education, value formation, safe drinking water and sufficient health services. Moreover, the community in which the family lives will be provided with livelihood projects.

Last year, SM Supermalls and Glorietta in Ayala Center gave WV free-rent space for one month each to hold the mall campaign child sponsorship project dubbed “Gift of Hope”. From the two-month campaign, they were able to invite and encourage 1,200 mallers to become child sponsors. At the moment 88,411 children are already under World Vision's care, but 6,000 more are still waiting to be sponsored.

As the school year comes to an end this March, the start of another in June is fast approaching. The 1,200 kids who were sponsored from the last campaign will now go to school. But there are still 6,000 waitlisted children, a number of which have already been waiting for several years now. It is really heartbreaking to think that some of these kids are getting older and older every year while waiting for that chance to get a sponsor.

Kindly visit the Gift of Hope Booths in these locations:

Robinson's Galleria (at the back of the fountain near the elevators) -- until March 31, 2004

The Enterprise Center in Makati -- bridal/debut/bar mitzvah fair -- March 25 and 26

Shangrila Plaza -- April 1-30

SM Megamall and SM City -- starting May 1

Thank you so much!

Advocacy Announcement

Ruth Floresca advocacy , World Vision

Announcement: World Vision Philippines has been granted an extension of the Gift of Hope project in Glorietta Mall from Nov. 20 - Dec. 20, 2003.

Please do visit their booth and know more about how you can help change the life of a child and his community. Let us share our blessings to others in need. Thank you!

Thursday, June 30, 2016

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