Ria Atayde, Save the Children aid 3,300 typhoon-stricken households in Catanduanes with lifesaving essentials

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Save the Children Philippines Ambassador Ria Atayde joins Save the Children in a recent distribution effort to help the recovery of thousands of children and families in Catanduanes affected by the devastating impact of typhoons Molave (local name: Quinta), Goni (Rolly), and Vamco (Ulysses).

Atayde and Save the Children Philippines, distributed 3,300 household kits, 3,300 hygiene and water kits, and 2,440 education kits to some 16,500 beneficiaries (including 2,440 children) in the municipalities of Virac and San Andres.

Super Typhoon Goni – the strongest typhoon to hit the world in 2020 – battered numerous parts of Luzon Island in the Philippines on 31 October and 1 November. The devastation was compounded by the aftermath of Typhoon Molave, which made landfall in Bicol almost one week prior to Goni, and Vamco which arrived in mid-November. Collectively, they have caused widespread destruction causing agricultural and infrastructural damages estimated at USD 869 Million.

Through the HKD 3.31 Million grant from the Disaster Relief Fund, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and support from Save the Children Hong Kong, Save the Children Philippines was able to procure non-food items to help alleviate the suffering and meet some of the most pressing needs of children and families in the said region.

Save the Children Philippines, now celebrating its 40th year, has been in the front line of humanitarian action since the 1990s, working closely with national and local authorities, children, and their families.

“Our six-month recovery program for the typhoon victims in Catanduanes is a testament of our commitment that when crisis strikes and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave,” said Atty. Alberto T. Muyot, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Philippines.

Atayde and the Save the Children Philippines humanitarian response team, turned over lifesaving essentials and learning kits to the people in Barangay Comagaycay. “I was able to see how the kits we distributed can help them in rebuilding their lives,” said Atayde.

“I witnessed the importance of helping each other and unity. When it comes to crisis, solidarity and community will help us get through,” Atayde added.

Atayde also visited families who received support from Save the Children through the multi-purpose cash assistance and teachers from Comagaycay Elementary School.

Muyot commends the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, members of the Save the Children movement, partners, and stakeholders for their unwavering support to ensure that the most vulnerable Filipino children have access to shelter, clean water, food, education, healthcare, and protection at all times.

“On behalf of Save the Children and as one of their Ambassadors, I would like to thank all of you who donated to our Typhoon Rolly response. Up until now, we are still continuing to assist. Children need your support. The faster we can respond to disasters, the more we can save lives,” said Atayde.



Atayde is celebrating her 29th birthday this year and has launched a fundraiser to continue to help children in need, especially those affected by the pandemic.

WWF-Philippines, BPI Foundation Team Up to Build Food Sheds Across the Philippines

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A woman tends to crops inside her communities’ food shed in Bago City, Negros Oriental. Each food shed requires the teamwork of whole communities to manage and maintain them, and can help boost food and livelihood security in areas racked with poverty. Photograph © WWF-Philippines

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines and the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) have partnered up to oversee the construction of food sheds in rural communities across the country.

The project, entitled PagSibol, is the latest development in WWF-Philippines’ multi-year effort to advance food and livelihood security in distant communities across the archipelago. Known as the Sustainable Farm to Table Program, the project has helped communities to organize and govern themselves and their savings, while supporting them in the development of agribusiness enterprises.

PagSibol looks to extend the gains made by the Sustainable Farm to Table Program, by improving the food production capacity of partner communities. 

Community members pack crops from their food shed in preparation for the marketplace. Food sheds bring the promise of sustainable prosperity for rural communities. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines

Food and livelihood security continues to be a major problem for millions of Filipinos. 5.2 million Filipinos experienced hunger in 2020, while 4 million Filipinos were unemployed as of January 2021.

“We’re very excited for this recent development. Our partner communities have come a very long way since we first started off with the project, but there is always room to do more. These food sheds that the BPI Foundation is helping us to put up will help guide our communities to further, more sustainable prosperity,” said WWF-Philippines Project Manager Muneer Hinay.

A food shed in Rizal. Each food shed allows for the year-round cultivation of crops and small animals in a way that is much less land and labor intensive compared to older farming methods. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines

A low-cost, modular agricultural technology, each food shed allows for the growing of a variety of crops in a multi-level structure that requires less land than an open-air farm. Sheltered from the elements under a roof and maintained through simple hydroponics, each food shed allows for the growing of crops year-round, with space for the cultivation of small animals, such as poultry.

With the added, consistent production provided by a food shed, each of the PagSibol projects’ partner communities will be able to provide for their needs, while selling any surplus for additional income.

PagSibol’s partner communities include Barangay Bantog in Tarlac City; Barangay Dolores in Ormoc City; Barangays Balugo and Sibulan in Negros Oriental; Barangay Ara-al in La Carlota City; Barangay Mailum in Bago City; Anajawan Island in General Luna, Surigao del Norte; Barangay Basagad in Baloi and Barangay Binuni in Bacolod, both in Lanao del Norte; Barangay Tigbalabag in Zamboanga City; Barangay Kidalapong in Malita, Davao Occidental; and Barangay Dailag in Arakan, North Cotabato.

“This is a wonderful step forward for all of us, and we are very thankful to have BPI Foundation on board supporting this effort. It is our hope that one day, all communities can enjoy the benefits of a thriving food shed. That day will come, thanks to projects like PagSibol,” added Hinay.

In the face of rising food and livelihood security for millions of Filipinos, the PagSibol project hopes to give communities a chance to dream toward sustainable prosperity. Support WWF-Philippines, and help bring an end to the food crisis.

Cover photo caption: A woman from Pampanga, beneficiary of the Sustainable Farm to Table Program, pumps water for the communal farm behind her. The Sustainable Farm to Table Program has promoted food and livelihood security all across the Philippines. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines 

Tanikala Brings You Stories of Hope and Healing with Stars Lara Quigaman-Alcaraz, Karen Timbol

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CBN Asia brings you two brand-new films about hope and healing amid the pandemic on its much-awaited Holy Week special – Tanikala presents Habang May Ngayon and Isa Pang Hiling, airing this Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on GMA.

In Habang May Ngayon, seasoned actress Karen Timbol tells the true-to-life story of Carla Manas who battled the deadly virus. As she fell seriously ill, Carla faced harrowing experiences and fear of death in the shadow of COVID-19.

“Compared to my previous roles, this is something different. What I liked about this character is that, in the middle of the storm, she saw hope,” Karen said.

Thrilled about her first Tanikala role, the actress shared that she could relate to Carla’s journey, “I see myself in her. Whatever happened to her in the past, she used it for good. Many people went through a lot of challenges during the pandemic, I hope that they will be inspired through this story.”

Meanwhile, actress and beauty queen Lara Quigaman-Alcaraz takes on another challenging role as a mother in Isa Pang Hiling. Lara plays Jarolyn Moulder, whose world turned upside down when her husband and son suffered from COVID-19.

In utter desperation, Jarolyn pleaded with God to allow her to be infected too so she can stay in the hospital and take care of her son, Vincent. Sandro Muhlach portrays Vincent.

Lara felt the deep connection to her character right off the bat, “We are both mothers who are willing to do everything for our children, to the point that we’ll pray, ‘Lord, let me bear this, please spare my child.’ That’s where I pulled all the raw emotions from. When it’s about our child, we will really cry to God.”

The actress continued, “I was in awe after shooting the scenes because I realized that the story and character I portray happened in real life. So prepare your tissues not only because the scenes are quite tearful, but because you will see how good our God is–how He wants to heal and save us. And you should look forward to that!”

Habang May Ngayon is directed by Joash Bermejo while Isa Pang Hiling is directed by Timmy Yee.

 

Witness stories of hope and healing in Tanikala presents Habang May Ngayon on Maundy Thursday, April 1, and Isa Pang Hiling on Good Friday, April 2, at 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on GMA.