Verde Creatives Gives Back to Payatas

February was certainly a lovely month especially for the folks from Verde Creatives. They're a public relations and creative agency who's always had a knack in combining what they could do for PR and combine it with social advocacy. I've had the pleasure of working with them in several occasions, and I could see the passion burning every time they go out for campaigns, including how they care for the media too. 

This time it's different, as they took off their gloves for work and changed into plain clothed angels together with partners at community organization Munting Hiling, all for the people of Payatas in Quezon City. 

For those who don't know, Payatas was previously a dumpsite for Metro Manila and nearby cities. For years, it has been converted into communities, but still have some who are poverty stricken. Armed with their gusto to bring LOVE, JOY and SUPPORT, Verde Creatives and Munting Hiling held an event called "Verde Gives Back for Feb-Ibig" last February 13th at Payatas B Elementary School. Taking cues from their theme "All Kinds of Love!", they prepared gift bags, ice cream and more treats for folks at the venue. They also taught the concepts of universal love, family, romantic love, having dignity and inclusivity for everyone and several groups. This "Verde Gives Back" activity is just one of the many things that Ms. Bemz Benedito (their Founding Managing Director) used to do back in college, and still continues to this day. Her immersions were done in the same area, with the same people from Munting Hiling.

For them, this is now their CSR activity, which all started from that old academic requirement. She reiterates this kind of love to reach everyone, no matter what social or economical level they're in, especially those who are often overlooked. Ms. Bemz Benedito has been the previous chair for Ladlad Partylist and still continues to support LGBTQIA+ organizations til now. 

 

She also received the Global Transgender Hero award from the True Colors Fund which 80's icon Cyndi Lauper co-founded. She plans to do this service with Verde Creatives and Munting Hiling for the poorest of the poorest sector. She hopes these gestures would create more opportunities for the townsfolk, and have them gain access to help with health, social programs, food security, love, equality and more.

This certainly has helped a lot, but seeing how their efforts continue and include more sustainable ways is like teaching them to fish. It's a good thing. You are doing awesome work Verde Creatives and Munting Hiling! 

Dion Ignacio Brought Joy, Celebrates Birthday in Bagong Silangan Elementary School

Kapuso hunk Dion Ignacio together with his sponsors and GMA Artist Center spent an afternoon with kids at Bagong Silangan Elementary School. It's one of the most densely populated public schools in Quezon City and most of the students here come from nearby depressed areas. Dion and the rest of the guys wanted to not only bring joy to these kids but also reach out to them as a way of giving thanks for their support to GMA Artists all these years.

 Though they are not that well off, the school administration made it a point to teach them worthwhile skills that would hone their talents as they grow older. I'll update this post later with a video so you get to see their drum and lyre band.

The kids waited so eagerly on the sidelines for Dion Ignacio. When he got there the kids erupted with joy! But he had to change clothes first as required by his sponsors, now where's mine Petrol?! LOL

Tess Bomb hosted the show. As usual, she was really hilarious! I felt they are not just here to promote themselves but to become closer to their audience... The masses. They have 1500++ students who will graduate this January. They invited us also for that occasion.

Then he came in! :)

And because it's his birthday, he's going to be the one to give gifts to these kids! :)

Dion gave them spanking brand new band instruments for the school's Drum and Lyre corps.  Dion Ignacio would like to thank his sponsors Sweet Escape, Petrol, YSA Skin Care, Afficionado, Barbie and Elle, Sundance, Jockeylina Food Services Co. for the catering, and Cihris-Carl Stuffed Toys for the gifts they gave to the kids.

Doin Ignacio also appears in afternoon show INAMORATA so if you want to spend the afternoon with him, you can easily do that!

When I asked him about the time he went a little out of the radar, he didn't answer me with workshop reasons as a silly excuse for that. He proudly came back to me and says that he goes to church regularly and came to believe in God. That was the time he says that he truly felt he knew God. That really made him busy during those days. He says he's really blessed and so thankful that he let himself be guided by him when he needed help.

Has insecurities but always stays true. Sometimes he wants to be showbiz but he can't. He apprieciates spending time with the kids and says he understand where they are coming from. Being also the bread winner of the family, he knows how hard it is to make a living. He's also helping his kins to finish their studies. He's so humble, and even talked to me when I was a little nervous when I was beside him. He even talked about my headphones and told me about a cheaper one that works quite the same :)

They had fun, they had the time of their life. I really like these events that Artist Center put up. They get their stars exposed to the public schools where kids like me (lol) would both get entertained, happy and get inspired. Thanks for inviting me to these outreach projects! You guys have the coolest ideas to celebrate birthdays!

Ciao!

KUMAGCOW

Men's Lifestyle Redefined!

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