FedEx Express and Gawad Kalinga join forces to build safe water systems for eight communities across the Philippines

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The community of GK ICD Village in Bagac Bataan celebrates the completion of their new concrete water tank.

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. and one of the world's largest express transportation companies recently awarded US$50,000 to Gawad Kalinga, a local non-profit, as part of its Priority Earth Global Grant Program. This fund will go toward installing safer water systems to help improve the quality of life of over 3,000 Filipinos from eight disadvantaged communities across the country.

Children from the GK ICD Village in Bagac Bataan enjoy their new water source.

To mark the celebration, FedEx conducted a virtual launch event on June 14th where volunteers showed their support to the communities by conducting a webinar introducing hydroponics, a simple method of growing vegetables in water, to help the communities maximize the new water source and help strengthen their food security.

Members of Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm community in Angat Bulacan joined the virtual launch of the Priority Earth Global Grant Program on June 14, 2022.

This is part of the FedEx commitment to positively impact communities where we live and work. Access to safe water is critical, especially at a time of a global health challenges. According to the World Health Organization, water-borne diseases are still part of the top 10 health concerns in the Philippines.

Beneficiaries from Brgy. Tagbak Talakag Bukidnon celebrate the installation of their water tanks that pump fresh water from the nearest reservoir.

One of the beneficiaries of the grant is a small community in Talakag, Bukidnon, with more than 30 families residing in it. “We are grateful to finally have a water tank system in our community. This project has changed our lives for the better, not only does it provide us with clean drinking water but also comfort and security for our families,” shared Datu Sabunotan, the community leader of the Talaandig tribe. “We will make sure to maintain the water tank system as we pass it on to future generations of our community," continued Datu Sabunotan.

“Giving back is part of our FedEx culture. Around the world, we are doing our part in improving lives and communities. I am so proud of the Philippine FedEx volunteers for dedicating their time and effort to show support to our community engagement activities,” said Ranny Chua, acting managing director for FedEx Philippines. “We also thank Gawad Kalinga for working with us in bringing this important project to the communities that need it the most.”

Other community beneficiaries of the grant include:

Luzon

● Gawad Kalinga ICD Village in Bagac Bataan

● Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm in Angat Bulacan

Visayas

● Goodland Gawad Kalinga Village in Ormoc City

● Gawad Kalinga Manulife in Pob. Ilawod, Bugasong

● Gawad Kalinga St. Joseph Village in Hernani, Samar

Mindanao

● St. Anne Tomball Texas VII in Digos City, Davao

● Gawad Kalinga Village, Brgy. Poblacion, Cateel, Davao Oriental.

The FedEx Priority Earth Global Grant Program is the company’s community engagement solution initiative that aims to connect people and address social problems. This initiative is part of the FedEx Cares 50 by 50 campaign to positively impact 50 million people around the world by its 50th anniversary in 2023.

In the Philippines, FedEx Express has remained committed for 38 years in driving sustainable actions and supporting community development through innovative solutions that address key challenges in society.

About FedEx Express

FedEx Express is one of the world's largest express transportation companies, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments.

About Gawad Kalinga

Gawad Kalinga is a Filipino nonprofit that aims to end poverty by restoring the dignity of the poor. The organization employs an integrated and holistic approach to empowerment of the underprivileged, with values-formation and leadership development at its core. The organization was established in 2003, but the work began as early as 1994 in Bagong Silang, the biggest squatters’ relocation site in Manila. Since then Gawad Kalinga has expanded its work to over 2,000 communities in the Philippines, and to other developing nations like Cambodia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. Their mission is to end poverty for five million poor families by 2024.

PayMaya brings Php1-M 'grand aguinaldo' to QC employee and Gawad Kalinga

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For Stefan Ema Mae Corregidor, the joy of going cashless became sweeter when she learned that she won the Php1-million grand prize in the PayMayaguinaldo Raffle Promo. With this prize money, the 31-year-old employee from Quezon City is sharing and giving back the joy to her family by building a home for her mother who is currently residing in Davao City.

What made the news priceless for Stefan is also knowing that through the PayMayaguinaldo Raffle Promo, another Php1-million worth of "aguinaldo" is being given to the Gawad Kalinga School for Experiential & Entrepreneurial Development (GK-SEED) Philippines to help graduates who have set up their own enterprises accelerate the growth of their business.

As Filipinos celebrated a more somber holiday season due to COVID-19, PayMaya thought of how to make its PayMayaguinaldo promo more rewarding. First, it gave PayMaya users a chance to win 1 million pesos by simply paying via PayMaya QR and their PayMaya registered mobile number at partner merchants or purchasing prepaid load and other treats at the PayMaya in-app shop.

On top of this, PayMaya aimed to share the blessing with agri-entrepreneurs from underprivileged communities through GK-SEED Philippines. For the past three years, PayMaya has chosen GK-SEED as campaign beneficiary because of its track record in helping the youth overcome poverty through education and entrepreneurship.

“Amid the global pandemic, millions of Filipinos have joined the ‘cashless’ revolution for safer and more convenient payments. With our PayMayaguinaldo promo rewards and cashback, we provided a merrier way to pay. The experience was also made extra rewarding as our promo campaign gave our customers the means to give back to the community by helping support student scholars of GK-SEED and overall foster agri-entrepreneurship,” said Mark Dee, Head of Growth Marketing and Partnerships at PayMaya Philippines.

For Stefan, she discovered PayMaya during the community quarantine. After using the PayMaya app for government bills payments the first time, she has been continuously enjoying the convenience and rewards every time she pays bills, shops online, buys load, among others. From doing cash transactions, Stefan has also shifted to PayMaya for sending money to her loved ones and family members. It eliminated the hassles of travelling to payment centers and lining up to just to send funds.

“PayMaya helped in making my life easier amid the pandemic as it offered a safer, more convenient and rewarding way to pay for my transactions whether online or in-store. With this, I’m able to enjoy the benefits of going cashless and avoid the use of cash which can be the source of the virus.” said Stefan.

Meanwhile, for GK-SEED, PayMaya's "aguinaldo" will go towards providing a combination of live and virtual mentorship to its graduate scholars and kickstart resources to support their agri-enterprises.

“We’d like to thank PayMaya for the continued support for our young students who are the greatest gems of our institution. This 'PayMayaguinaldo' will help strengthen our mission in empowering agri-entrepreneurs to build a better and stronger country,” said Mark Lawrence Cruz, GK-SEED School Director.

Getting your own PayMaya account and enjoying the rewards of going cashless is very easy. Just download the PayMaya app at https://official.paymaya.com/CAK1/425eb133 and register an account to find out what it’s like to go cashless with the fastest, safest, and most rewarding way to pay for anything online and in stores! Remember, for your everyday needs, don’t pay cash. PayMaya!

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, communities, and government. Through its enterprise business, it is the largest digital payments processor for key industries in the country including "everyday" merchants such as the largest retail, food, gas, and eCommerce merchants as well as government agencies and units.

Through its app and wallet, PayMaya provides over 28 million Filipinos with access to financial services. Customers can conveniently pay, add money, cash out or remit through its over 200,000 digital touchpoints nationwide. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 37,000 partner agent touchpoints nationwide serves as last-mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to digital services. To know more about PayMaya's products and services, visit www.PayMaya.comor follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

 

Globe, Gawad Kalinga unveil partnership to power residents with affordable internet

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Globe Telecom formally announced their new partnership with Gawad Kalinga to provide access to high-speed, reliable, and low-cost internet for Gawad Kalinga village residents in Parañaque, Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Imus, Cavite last December 10.

This recent initiative is part of Globe’s long-standing mission to sustain and develop communities by providing and enhancing internet access for underprivileged Filipinos who have zero or limited access to basic connectivity, which is a critical need for learning, livelihood, and work online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the active support of the Parañaque, Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Imus, Cavite local government units, the project allows Gawad Kalinga village residents in the respective areas to connect to the internet through KonekTayo WiFi — for as low as P15 per day, without any need to spend for devices, monthly fees or modems.

Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO said, “During this time, internet access serves as a vital means for communities, especially for the disadvantaged, to empower them to access health services, livelihood opportunities, financial services, online education, and work from home. We are happy to be partnering with Gawad Kalinga so we can make connectivity within reach for families that need it the most.”

Globe’s KonekTayo WiFi and Gawad Kalinga’s partnership is set to bolster efforts to widen the availability of affordable internet in Gawad Kalinga villages with the deployment of KonekTayo WiFi across various locations in the country which include Quezon City, Laguna, Trece Martires, Cavite, Iloilo City, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City.

Luis Oquiñena, Gawad Kalinga Chairman remarked, “We thank Globe and KonekTayo WiFi for this partnership that puts community support and nation-building through digital transformation and inclusion. And, of course, we are grateful for the leadership and support of Sta. Rosa, Laguna Mayor Arelene Arcillas; Imus, Cavite Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi; and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, paving the way for this shared vision to come to fruition. By capacitating our residents with an affordable means to connect, we’re able to empower them to meet their everyday needs, whether it is for distance learning, remote working, accessing digital services or starting their small online businesses.”

Paranaque

Standing from left to right: Cong. Eric L. Olivarez, Congressman First District of City of Paranaque, Jane Roanne Choi, Business Development Director, Channel Management Group of Globe; Dan Bercasio, Executive Director of Gawad Kalinga

Imus

Standing from left to right: Hon. Emmanuel L. Maliksi, Imus, Cavite Mayor; Head of New Business of Broadband Business Group, Debbie Obias; Luzon Coordinator of Gawad Kalinga, Bods Oquiñena; Edgar Purification, Gawad Kalinga Head, Cavite

Sta. Rosa

Standing from left to right: Janis Racpan, Globe Digital Solutions Group Director; Hon. Arlene Arcilla, Sta. Rosa, Laguna Mayor, Luis Oquiñena, Gawad Kalinga Chairman; Mari Oquiñena, Gawad Kalinga CEO

Formerly known as KapitWiFi, KonekTayo WiFi is a fast and secure community WiFi service that aims to provide households with affordable internet. With KonekTayo WiFi, customers simply need to connect to a KonekTayo WiFi hotspot, purchase a promo, and surf all day.

Globe supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically UNSDG No. 9 which emphasizes the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.

“Love You Loads” campaign with Electrolux, lightens the loads of moms and women with washing machine donation

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Leading global appliance company Electrolux Philippines, together with its supply chain partner CEVA Philippines, has donated 200 washing machines to mothers, communities and organizations in the Philippines.  

Called “Love You Loads”, the program was designed to help lighten the loads of Filipinos through modern appliances. The washing machines will go towards Gawad Kalinga’s and GMA Foundation’s beneficiaries and programs.

“May is the time where we recognize and share our appreciation for mothers and all the hard work that they do. Electrolux wants to express our support for moms and families all over the country,”  Electrolux Philippines Country Marketing Manager Andrea Soto-Pionilla shared during the turnover ceremony held at the Electrolux office, Bonifacio Global City. 

“Mothers have so many concerns to juggle – from work to taking care of their children and the house on top of that! Laundry should be the last thing they need to worry about. Having a washing machine in their household can make this chore faster and easier so that she can move to more important things and families can spend more time together,” she added. 

Aside from benefiting households, washing machines will also be donated to GMA Kapuso Foundation’s partner organizations who need the units to serve the underprivileged.

Meanwhile, Mark Hoolahan, Human Resources Director of North Asis Cluster of CEVA, said “CEVA Logistics is immensely proud of our long term business partnership with Electrolux. We are privileged to be able to partner with Electrolux in assisting such worthwhile causes as the GMA Kapuso Foundation and the Gawad Kalinga community.” 

Employees of Electrolux Philippines also participated in the program by creating cards for each washing machine, sharing a personal message of encouragement for the beneficiaries. 

Through the advent of technology, modern appliances have helped to transform the home life of Filipinos, allowing homemakers to do chores more efficiently and giving them more time to enjoy with family. 

The program is also in line with the aim of Electrolux, which is to shape living for the better and improve the everyday lives of Filipinos. It means a renewed focus on what their products and solutions can help people achieve, to create experiences that will elevate everyday life and to be a driving force in sustainable living. 

For more information on Electrolux Philippines and Love You Loads Program, visit www.electrolux.com.ph and follow @ElectroluxPhilippines on Facebook and Instagram or @ElectroluxPH on Twitter.

Microsoft and Gawad Kalinga leave no one behind

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Barangay Walang Iwanan gearing to end poverty for 5M Filipinos

The Philippines is a country undergoing rapid transformation as it navigates the 4th industrial revolution. Today, digital technologies are transforming the lives of many Filipinos in regions across the country. 

(L to R) Jose Luis Oquinena, Executive Director of Gawad Kalinga, Irwin Lee, CEO of Rustans Supercenters Inc., Hans Bayaborda, Managing Director of Microsoft PH, Mayor Joan Lorenzano-Aquende of Castilla, Sorsogon, Tony del Rosario, Gawad Kalinga Trustee, Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, President, HARI Foundation, Inc. Cong. Karlo Nograles, Chairman, 2018 Budget & Committee, Fr. Ben Nebres S.J., Former President of ADMU

As the country moves forward, we mustn’t forget that approximately 21.6% of the Philippine population still live below the poverty line and have limited access to much needed resources.

Hans Bayaborda, Managing Director of Microsoft Philippines reiterated their commitment to serving the underserved. “Our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Through advances in technology like cloud computing and IOT, we enable people and organizations to reach those that the market may not be able to reach.” 

Through partnerships with several organizations, Microsoft continues to transform industries through four key pillars: engaging users, empowering employees, optimizing operations, and transforming institutions. 

In the recent Social Business Summit 2018 in Angat, Bulacan, Gawad Kalinga (GK) launched “Barangay Walang Iwanan” (BWI), an enabling and empowering technology-based platform and ecosystem developed in partnership with Microsoft to help end poverty.

“There was a need to harness technology for effective and cost-efficient communication, timely reporting, data consolidation and storage, transparency, accountability, and sustainability,” said Bayaborda.

GK works on the frontlines of disaster preparedness and response in the Philippines. One of the applications of the BWI platform is during disasters when GK’s global network of volunteers is mobilized to bring help where it’s needed the most. Important information on the local population such as household composition, income, and livelihood provide GK with insights for better-informed and quicker decision-making. 

In addition, GK helps members of the community get back on their feet by linking them to sustainable livelihoods via BWI. Through data gathered on the ground, BWI can shorten supply chains -- from manpower to food resources -- effectively cutting the middle layers and increasing profit at the lowest level.

“Barangay Walang Iwanan is a testament to GK’s mission of ending poverty, as well as Microsoft’s commitment to empowering everyone. We’ve been working with GK for more than 9 years now, and this ambitious project is a product of that strong relationship,” added Bayaborda.

Microsoft has a long history of supporting GK on technology and programs that aim to equip all youth to be future ready. Projects such as Raising Social Innovators, WeSpeakCode, and Innovate have provided underserved Filipino youth with access to digital skills which will be critical for their future. 

Through BWI, GK and Microsoft hope to create a culture of caring within the community and to build solidarity by connecting resources where they are needed so that no one is left behind. 

“BWI is a great step forward to ending poverty in the Philippines. Microsoft will continue to work with GK towards this mission of inclusion. Through technology, data can be used to drive value, development, and economics transition to more communities across the Philippines and ensure that nobody gets left behind, walang iwanan,” added Bayaborda.

To learn more about how Microsoft Philanthropies is advancing a future for everyone, visit www.microsoft.com/philanthropies.

Join "Meet and Greet" NBA Allen Iverson promo

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Allen Iverson will be in town early November for “All In” --- a charity basketball event presented by PCWorx at the Mall of Asia Arena on November 5, 2014.

More than just watching Allen Iverson call the shots as his Ball Up Streetball team take on former NBA superstars and local cage names, lucky fans will also have a chance to be up close and personal with the 11-time All-Star.

The former NBA MVP will have Gilbert Arenas, Eddy Curry, and DerMarr Johnson.

Tickets may be purchased thru online at www.smtickets.com or call (02) 470-2222 and PCWorx branches or call the hotline at (02) 6232877. Prices are pegged at P6,500 (VIP), P5,500 (Patron), P4,500 (Lower Box), P2,000 (Upper Box), and P600 (General Admission).

Starting today until October 9, 2014 --- the first 500 ticket buyers of any section will be invited to the closed door shootaround of Iverson and Ball Up Event. From the 500 lucky patrons, 40 fans will be randomly selected on the spot for photos and autographs with Iverson and his team.

Winners will be announced on October 13, 2014 on PCWorx’ “All In Basketball Game’s official” Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Aiming to raise funds for Gawad Kalinga to build homes for impoverished families, “All In” is brought to us by PCWorx, organized by I-Kurot and supported by Samsung, NBA Café, Accel, Solaire Resort and Casino, Rapoo, AOC and Fox International Channels.

The Jazz scene’s finest musicians to perform on Philippine shores! Stars coming for "Heal Our Land"

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International jazz fusion and smooth jazz pianist, composer, and producer David Benoit, a five-time Grammy Award nominee, will be heading to the Philippines with yet another noble cause—joining the line-up of the star-studded benefit concert “Heal Our Land,” which is set to be mounted at the Mall of Asia Arena on January 31, 2014.

Benoit, having made a name for himself time and time again, gained popularity through both his moving solo performances and notable collaborations. Over the years, he has arranged, conducted, and performed musical numbers for many popular artists, including the likes of Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin, Faith Hill, Brian McKnight, and the Walt Disney Company.

Apart from his numerous accomplishments in his career as a musician, he is also the music director for the Asia America Symphony and the Asia America Youth Orchestra.

“Heal Our Land” will also definitely not be the first of Benoit’s participation in causes that go far beyond plain performances, as he has been active in a number of benefit concerts around Asia, including Korea and the Philippines.

Also joining “Heal Our Land” are singers David Pack and Kevyn Lettau, with keyboardist Brian Simpson, American saxophonist and singer Jessy J, percussionist Richie “Gajate” Garcia, and guitarist-singers Ray Parker, Jr. and Jonathan Butler, whose song has inspired this concert’s title. Saxophonist Michael Paulo, pianist-singer-songwriter Spencer Day, pianist Gregg Karukas Freddie Schreuders, Eric Valentine, and Nate Phillips of the LA All-Star Band will also be part of the concert’s lineup.

Joining the Jazzfest, some of today’s local talents will also be including in the concert - Sitti, Side A, South Border, Free Style, Mulatto, Zoo, True Faith, Chad Borja, and recent “voice of the Philippines” contender Thor Dulay. The concert will be directed by the Philippines’ own Bert de Leon.

“Heal Our Land” is produced by All That Jazz Promotions, Inc., with the support of ABS-CBN, Lifestyle Network, and other partners.

All the participating artists in “Heal Our Land” chose to generously wave their fees for this concert, directing proceeds to the relief efforts of ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya and Gawad Kalinga projects.

Tickets are available at SM Tickets. For more information, please contact 470-2222 or visit www.smtickets .net.

A Benefit Concert Titled “Heal Our Land” with International Jazz Artists

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The jazz scene’s brightest stars will be coming together in a night filled with the finest music, which will also be a benefit concert titled “Heal Our Land,” set to be mounted at the Mall of Asia Arena on January 31, 2014, produced by All That Jazz Promotions, Inc., with the support of ABS-CBN, Lifestyle Network, and other partners.

The benefit concert is set to be the most star-studded Jazzfest yet, unique in that it will be led by pianist David Benoit and singers David Pack and Kevyn Lettau, with keyboardist Brian Simpson, American saxophonist and singer Jessy J, percussionist Richie “Gajate” Garcia, and guitarist-singers Ray Parker, Jr. and Jonathan Butler, whose song has inspired this concert’s title.

“Heal Our Land” with Filipino-American saxophonist Michael Paulo, pianist-singer-songwriter Spencer Day, pianist Gregg Karukas—and Freddie Schreuders, Eric Valentine, and Nate Phillips of the LA All-Star Band.

Some of today’s local talents will also be joining the Jazzfest, including host Billy Crawford, Sitti, Side A, South Border, Free Style, Mulatto, Bituin Escalante, Zoo, True Faith, Chad Borja, and recent “voice of the Philippines” contender Thor Dulay. The concert will be directed by the Philippines’ own Bert de Leon.

All the participating artists in “Heal Our Land” chose to generously wave their fees for this concert, directing proceeds to the relief efforts of ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya and Gawad Kalinga projects.

Tickets are available at SM Tickets. For more information, please contact 470-2222 or visit www.smtickets .net.

Carenival, A Day of Smiles for the Kids of Gawad Kalinga

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Gawad Kalinga Quezon City (GKQC), in cooperation with The Expressions Company, brings Carenival, a day for the children of GKQC villages.

This will be on December 15, 2013 (Sunday) at the Ateneo de Manila University MVP – Roof Deck from 10 am to 5pm. Fun booths and a variety show will be setup to entertain more than 200 kids. Here are ways on how you can take part in this celebration of caring and sharing: Be a volunteer ate and kuya for a day! 

Gawad Kalinga is about inspiring and engaging its workers, partners and volunteers to care for more than just themselves and share the best of their talents, skills, time and resources to help the poor in reaching their fullest potential. I was with CFC Kids For Christ when I was in the north area of Quezon City. Advocates in CFC KFC's passion as bringing kids to the Lord and building a bright new world. 

Join this Carenival event and share this delight to other children.

Everyone is welcome to meet and mingle with the kids. Bring your family and friends too! Donate in kind or in cash. Feeling like you need to outgrow your fascination over you precious Care Bear set, Voltes V action figures, or Barbie doll collection already? Donate them and bring joy to the beneficiaries’ faces. Excess toy donations will also be sent to the kids in areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda. Bring your toy donations on the event itself or leave them at UP Circle of Administrator’s designated drop-off points at UP Diliman NCPAG Lobby or UP Circa Tambayan, until December 13. Cash donations are also welcome and will be used to provide more materials for the children.

Youn can be a volunteer performer. Are you a puppeteer, magician, balloon twister or any kind of kiddie party performer? Share your talent to the kids and be their heroes!

For more information, about the event and future bayanihan opportunities, visit and like GKQC on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/teamGKQC) and

Twitter (@TeamGKQC)

Tony Meoto, as I call him Brother Tony, the head of Gawad Kalinga, inspires many of us where I started in the community of Couples for Christ (CFC). He became an active member of CFC and quickly rose in leadership, becoming instrumental in the setting up of the CFC Family Ministries in 1993. This expanded the reach of the mission beyond couples, to include children, youth and young professionals.

Gawad Kalinga (GK) is an organization geared towards building a nation empowered by people with faith and patriotism; a nation made up of caring and sharing communities, dedicated to eradicating poverty and restoring human dignity.

Gawad Kalinga sparks hope in the dream for a poverty free world – one family, one community and one country. GK777, the vision of building 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities in 7 years was launched year 2003 with the Couples for Christ community members, and all sectors of society to engage with GK. 

Gawad Kalinga espouses volunteerism and relies on able and willing nation- builders in carrying out its mandate. In line with the mission of ending poverty for 5 million families by 2024, GK Youth Quezon City (the youth development arm of GK QC) takes care of 87 communities in the city. The team contributes to community development and youth empowerment through organizing monthly builds, holding of workshops for developing the youth, and undertaking various community-building events.

Mabuhay Restop’s Manila Vanilla!

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Enjoying wonderful world to sing, dance and dine for Bayanihan with Mabuhay Restop’s Manila Vanilla! Last week, we had awesome homestyle dinner, with regional Philippine specialties and family favorites. The place is so nice and spacious venue for meetings and special occasions. People can have breakfast, lunch or dinner meetings, Filipino-Themed Children’s Parties and Family Reunions.

We enjoyed the experience of MANILA VANILLA , the Cultural Dinner Show while we having  a sumptuous Filipino buffet dinner!

MABUHAY RESTOP in Roxas Boulevard , near Manila Ocean Park, and Rizal Park, offers a unique tourism experience of the Philippines, with the Filipinos. Enjoy Filipino homesyle cooking, different Philippine regional specialities, and some family recipes and favorites with a Filipino twist. 

It is a widely known fact that Filipinos are very hospitable people, so much so that they greet guests not by asking, “Kumusta (How are you)?” but by asking, “Kumain ka na ba (Have you eaten)?” Such quirks and other peculiar Filipino traits are celebrated in Mabuhay Restop’s Manilla Vanilla--a unique musical comedy directed by Nestor U. Torre, with music composed by Ryan Cayabyab.

The show tells the story of a Filipino family as they prepare to open their home as a bed & breakfast. Served with deliciously self-deprecating humor and lighthearted song and dance numbers, the show will tickle your funny bones and serve as an enjoyable introduction to those new to Filipino culture.

Aside from a night of pop-cultural entertainment, audiences will also get to enjoy a delicious Filipino buffet of home-style dishes and different regional specialties.

Mabuhay Restop’s Manila Vanilla! stars Celine Fabie of the Ryan Cayabyab Singers and Spotlight Artist Centre's "Katy: The Musical," Astarte Abrahan of Resorts World Manila's "The Sound of Music" and Repertory Philippines' "A Portrait of the Artist as a Filipino"; singer and comedian Andy Bais; and entertainer and Gawad Kalinga volunteer Edward Fernandez.

As a museum, travel café, and social enterprise in one, Mabuhay Restop is devoted to promoting Philippine culture and heritage in creative ways while making a difference. The social enterprise has committed to give 30% of Mabuhay Restop’s net income to Gawad Kalinga, a Filipino nation-building movement dedicated to eradicating poverty and restoring human dignity through building empowered and sustainable communities

“At Mabuhay Restop, we want our guests to get to know and experience the Philippines like never before,” says owner and president Rose Cabrera, a UCLA-educated California lawyer and GK advocate. 

“We don’t just offer great food and entertainment; we also offer voluntourism tours and other avenues to provide visitors with an opportunity to create better lives for communities who need it most.”

Other attractions to its repertoire of shows, Mabuhay Restop also offers something for the kids and kids-at-heart with Mga Kwento ni Tita Beauty, also written and directed by Nestor U. Torre. A spin-off from Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang, the show features creative and theatrical storytelling featuring 6 original Filipino and English tales imbibed with valuable moral lessons. This will be Saturdays (3pm) show and includes special Pinoy Merienda for the kids!

For a different Philippine travel experience, Mabuhay Restop offers the Voluntourism or Kalinga Tours. 

They provides visitors a totally different Philippine travel experience by taking them not just to beautiful tourist spots in Bicol, Bacolod, Palawan, and Davao, but also to several Gawad Kalinga villages, where they can experience the warmth and hospitality of the Filipinos, practice compassion in action, and understand the soul of bayanihan. 

Additionally, Mabuhay Restop also offers the Bayan Tour, a 3-hour guided and interactive tour in Rizal Park for visitors who wish to learn more about the Philippines and the Filipino. This tour features the one-of-a kinds "I am Filipino" art exhibit with 12 Filipino artists like Ugu Bigyan, Nemi Miranda, Ramon Orlina, Ryan Cayabyab, JC Buendia and Ernie Francisco, and Albert Badz Magsumbol.

 Stained glass art displayed above their buffet table

Ultimately, Mabuhay Restop aims to make a difference in the lives of Filipinos through social tourism and entrepreneurship. “We want to be able to set an example to other entrepreneurs by showing it is profitable to invest in the poor and partner with them through social enterprises.”

Let's experience the Philippines like never before by joining a KALINGA TOUR which will take you not just to Philippine tourist spots, but also to a Gawad Kalinga village where you will experience the much vaunted warmth and hospitality of the Filipino, practice compassion in action, and discover hope.

More pictures, click Here.