In the past few months, I’ve been targeting to revisit Rizal to do another voluntrekking activity with my friends. I am also planning to have a 1-week voluntravel at Camotes Island and a 3-day voluntour to Palawan to support DENR’s “No Mining to Palawan” campaign. But because of the unfriendly weather, conflict in schedules, and budget issues, all of these stay on hold.
But lucky me, God really has plans for us. On August 20, 2011, my supervisor approved my leave, the weather is fine, and this trip is sponsored to us by GOLDEN ABC, owner of leading brands Penshoppe, Oxygen, ForMe, Regatta, Tyler, and Red Logo together with Fleishman Hillard, GOLDEN ABC’s trusted PR agency.
Then I was reminded, no need to travel far to promote volunteerism, guys. Cavite (just 15 minutes away from my house) has Dynamic Teen Company. Yes, it is the group founded by 2009 CNN Hero of the Year, Mr. Efren Penaflorida Jr.
On our way to Cavite, (yes, that’s me looking at the window feeling like making an MTV, haha) I remember spending my grade school days in one of Cavite’s historical town, which is Imus. So I can say this province really has a big place in my heart. So I am glad that my come back here, even just for a single day, would benefit its townspeople.
Around 7:30 a.m.
GOLDEN ABC (GABC) executives gave us a little background about the company and a little briefing on the guidelines when we are on the site. GABC, one ofthe country’s leading fashion retail company promotes its mission on corporate social responsibility or CSR to both their employees and loyal customers.
Ms. Pat from GABC provided us Penshoppe’s “I AM PINOY” merchandise, shirts and towels (and I was like, “thank you, Lord” as I forgot my extra clothes, haha) (“,)
Passed 8 a.m.
Yey! We have reached Barangay Caridad, Cavite City which houses KarBil (Kariton Building), the product of Kuya Efren’s winnings. The DTC volunteers have already left and they headed to the public market. We found them setting up Kariton Klasrum.
Every Saturdays, Dynamic Teen Company conducts feeding, tutorials, and first aid treatments to children living nearby the public market and public cemetery (where Kuya Efren lived nearby before).
Every Saturdays, DTC volunteers gather unprivileged children living nearby, set up big mats on sandy floors, put tarps as their protection from heavy rains or sun’s rays, and push carts just to teach and share the value of education. Look at their sacrifices. Simple yet make significant difference in other people’s lives.
I, together with the 12 bloggers and GABC employee volunteers participated in their activities that day. We helped in assisting the kids and we also played with them.
I am proud to share the caught-on-cam pictures of the kids who are really hungry for education and who really embrace their learning at Kariton Klasrum.
Then a little later, I saw a man in black wearing a white baseball cap… to my surprise, it’s Kuya Efren, the modern-day hero of Cavite! Another dream come true for me, meet the CNN Hero of the Year for 2009. (I voted for him!)
He’s so down to earth. He talks with the street kids and plays with them. What you saw on TV, that’s still him… no change at all… still humble…
DTC also arranges schedule for outside volunteers who want to donate food, so while the family volunteers assigned that morning started the feeding program, we took the chance to interview Kuya Ef and take pictures with him. We also interviewed DTC volunteers. DTC needs support for their feeding program, so please long on to www.dtc.org.ph to work on something with your friends, family or even co-workers.
Almost 12 noon…
It’s our turn to push the Kariton Klasrum! There are 4 push carts namely Kari, Toni, Tres, and Trio but only 3 are working that day.
Ning, Ate Janese, and I (bloggers) and Sir Ram Bucoy and Sir Edwin Padillo of Fleishman Hillard chose to push the Kariton Klinik. I estimated our way from the public market to KarBil about 700-800 meters. Who would imagine PR executives push carts that far? We didn’t really feel tired. Sir Ram said, “Think of it as a gym workout program.” I’m really happy to meet these two executives. As travellers say, the best journey is measured with the experience with your friends (newly-found friends), not with the miles (meters for us, hahaha).
Quarter to one…
Lunch Time! Love Ko ‘To! (You know what our lunch is, right?)
Oops, oops, oops, we’re not yet done! The time has come to know why we are really gathered here.
Do you love to shop for your getup? Do you love to join Kuya Ef in his cause but no time to do it?
Well, here now is your chance to get involved!
Over the past two decades, GABC has been actively involved in various foundations that further the cause of people development. It has branded its corporate social responsibility platform as “GET UP”. GABC pledged to assist in providing knowledge to underprivileged kids in Barangay Caridad, an urban community in Cavite City.
Starting September 1, if you spend P1000 on your shopping at Penshoppe, Oxygen, ForMe, and Regatta, P25 will go to the company’s advocacies including DTC’s Kariton Klasrum.
Our P25 will go a long way as Kuya Efren said that Kariton Klasum is only done every Saturdays but the feeding program is done every night, they feed the children at dinner time. DTC wishes to ease every child’s hunger before going to sleep. KarBil only serves as a tutorial house for those who have finished Kariton Klasrum level. KarBil already has a number of books, toys, and school supplies which they lend to the kids. Food supply now is their first concern.
To find out about GOLDEN ABC and GET UP campaign, please log on to www.goldenabc.com and www.getup.ph respectively.
Passed 1:00 p.m.
I heard manong driver telling Ma’am Cosette (PR Executive), “Ma’am, si Efran Penaflorida po ba yun?” (Ma’am is he Efren Penaflorida?) Pwede magpa-picture?” Nakakatuwa si manong. May pahabol pa! Then we took pictures of them from the window.
On our way back, ssssssshhhhhh…. the others are already asleep but Ning of ning4u.blogspot.com and I are still inspired by that voluntravel.
It’s really true when travellers say, after you come home from a trip, your disposition change and that’s true!
