Smart Recognizes PayITFwd Awardees

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Smart Communications gave honor to ten of the best tech-based community projects during the first PayITFwd recognition event at the Jump Experience Center inside SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

Out of hundreds of projects that were sent to Smart, these ten programs stood out, and the brains behind them were awarded during the event.

Dr. Roel Cagape, one of the ten winners, started a text-based health center in General Santos City where the people can text him for health consultation.

Julio Babagay made old notebooks look like new again and even help the charity through his Notebook Exchange project. The dedication of the 13-year-old boy earned him the PayITFwd nod.

Reuben Herrera, an alternative learning instructor from Brooke's Point, Palawan, not just built the alternative learning setting to the people in the said town but also built a school for them. The efforts gave him a top ten nod too.

Also recognized in the awarding were the Santa Barbara Futbulilits. Rowena Silvederio, who represented the Visayas-based youth club, said that the program was made to teach soccer to the poor kids who could not afford to get formal soccer training.

The other winners were HABI, Switotwins, HOPE Project, ROTA, Hinabing Buhay, and RECOP.

The winners received five tablets each with Smart Bro Pocket Wi-Fi plus PHP3,000 worth of load credit and a technology grant of PHP50,000.

The second wave of nominations is still ongoing and will run until November 30. This is open to all individuals or groups not affiliated with a foundation, corporation, or an NGO that have social good programs that can benefit communities with the help of technology.

The individuals/groups can upload a three-minute intro video about their projects and their aims at www.smart.com.ph/payitforward.