SOME PEOPLE TALK THE TALK WITHOUT WALKING THE WALK. THESE EXTRAORDINARY MEN AND WOMEN ARE WALKING, CHAMPIONING CAUSES THAT WILL TRANSFORM THIS SIDE OF THE WORLD, SAYS TARA FT SERING. PHOTOGRAPHS BY AT MACULANGAN
MON CORPUZ, ZER CABATUAN AND EDWIN KARGANILLA ARE HELPING SCHOOLCHILDREN
Filipino schoolchildren in remote areas suffer the lack of something many take for granted: school supplies. Black Pencil Project is a collective initiative committed to providing pencils, pens and paper to public schools for indigent communities in remote areas across the country.
It all started on June 2008 when hobbyist photographers Mon Corpuz, Edwin Karganilla and Zer Cabatuan went on a photo safari in the famous Batad’s Amphitheater Rice Terraces in Ifugao. Mon recalls, “It was the start of the schoolyear and so the three of us brought a bag of pencils for the kids.” Struck by the people’s gracious hospitality, they realized the value of social responsibility and pledged their commitment.
Since then, the grass-root level organization has made it their mission to reach out, teach and inspire early learners — kids in daycare up to grade three — to go to school, promoting education. Almost immediately, the small advocacy has grown, garnering support from private individuals, mountaineering groups, photography clubs, foreign tourists and Filipinos based overseas. From the initial beneficiary of Ifugao communities, Black Pencil Project now also serves the Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Mt Province, Tarlac and Davao Del Sur Norte. Black Pencil Project conducts immersion programs like art workshops and pencil treks. “Even private corporations are requesting exclusive Black Pencil Project treks.”
Big things start from small beginnings. Mon says, “We’re happy we’ve surpassed our set goals — from pencils to complete study kits.”
HELP THE CAUSE
Black Pencil Project solicits donations. To make a contribution, email info@blackpencilproject.org
NEVA KARES TALLADEN IS GETTING WOMEN BACK ON THEIR FEET
It all started with a personal need: Neva Kares Talladen had very sensitive skin but couldn’t find the right product for it in the market. So the enterprising 30-year-old writer took matters into her own hands and founded Leyende, Spanish for “legend” or “story”, a line of environmentally friendly, handmade, natural and organic bath and body products. The real story, however, is the way the skincare line is changing the lives of the women who make these products.
“I kept crossing paths with young single mothers struggling to make ends meet and fulfill their roles as both breadwinner and nurturer,” recounts Neva. She decided to employ these women and help them rewrite the stories of their lives. “Leyende’s advocacy stems from my belief that women from all walks of life can empower themselves through honest, independent livelihood and education.”
Currently, Leyende also offers training and employment opportunities to young women from International Justice Mission, including those who were rescued from human trafficking and abuse. The part-time staff also includes single mothers and working nursing students from Global City College in Bonifacio Global City.
HELP THE CAUSE
Visit their online store at www.leyende.com
CROMWELL BACAREZA IS HELPING KIDS GET HEALTHY FOR LIFE
Among the more than 12 million children enrolled in public elementary schools in the country, 97% suffer from tooth decay, 67% are infected with intestinal worms, and 30% are malnourished. Diarrhea and respiratory tract infections are the leading causes of death in children, yet these diseases are preventable. This is what Cromwell Bacareza, program coordinator for the Fit For School, Inc, seeks to change. “When you visit schools, especially in very poor areas, you can’t be indifferent,” says Cromwell. “Either you feel completely hopeless or you feel a fire inside pushing you to do something.” He chose to fan his flame.
Now Cromwell is part of the global village, one that includes the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the World Bank, banding together to get the job done.
“The Fit for School, Inc, a Philippine non-government organization, has a number of activities, the most notable is its implementation of the Essential Health Care Program or EHCP. It teaches kids the basics: how to wash their hands with soap, brush their teeth with fluoride, wear footwear, and get dewormed — all habits that impact their quality of life. But the health campaign also gives communities a sense of responsibility for their own well-being, so they source water and build washing facilities where there are none.
“The program is really about change, a change in habits among children,” Cromwell says. Currently, more than 900,000 schoolchildren are receiving access to basic hygiene interventions in 25 provinces all over the Philippines.
HELP THE CAUSE
For more information on the health program, visit www.fitforschool.ph
ANI DE LEON IS MAKING WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIT, HEALTHY AND HAPPY
For super athlete Ani de Leon, a sound body makes a sound mind. “Being fit and healthy, I have plenty of energy to do activities outside of work and training.” That’s why she’s passionately committed to two advocacies: Pinay In Action, which empowers women through fitness, and SuperTriKids, which encourages children’s physiological and social growth through triathlons.
“Filipinos need a boost in these areas,” says Ani. “I feel bad for so many women who work so hard but have no time to take care of themselves. I want to teach them how easy it is to do.” Senator Pia Cayetano shared her sentiment and Pinay In Action was born. Together they organize nationwide information campaigns and seminars on running, fitness, violence against women and children, breastfeeding and cervical and breast cancer prevention.
SuperTriKids, a program affiliated with the Triathlon Association of the Philippines, holds regular training and races throughout the year, with distances for every age group. “At the end of the day, all you want is for everyone to finish. They all get medals when they cross the line.” When they do, it’s a badge of confidence they carry all their lives. And that’s the sweet reward that makes Ani’s work worth her sweat.
HELP THE CAUSE
To get in on the action, visit www.pinayinaction.com and www.superkids.triathlon.org.ph
TOMAS LEONOR IS RAISING AWARENESS FOR KIDS WITH CANCER
On January 11, 2010, Tomas Leonor will walk the length of Luzon, from the top of Pagudpud to the tip of Sorsogon, to raise awareness for the Cancer Warriors Foundation (www.c-warriors.org), an organization that supports the needs of children afflicted with cancer, in particular, those with no access to institutionalized health care, and whose families have little or no resources to combat the disease.
Tomas’s walking project, Step Juan, is simple. With a lightweight buggy to carry a few pieces of personal effects and a collapsible tent, he will walk for 40 days and live off the kindness of strangers. “I plan to walk an average number of kilometers a day,” says Tomas, who has already plotted out his route. “As much as my body can take without pushing it or abusing it.” This will hopefully raise awareness and funds for the Cancer Warriors Foundation. The logos of his corporate sponsors will be sewn on Tomas’s walking jersey and all proceeds will go directly to the foundation.
HELP THE CAUSE
Click on www.stepjuan.com
MIKE DIMAGIBA IS HELPING MAKE HUNGER HISTORY
In 2008, Mike Dimagiba was with his wife Pinky on a farm in the Tuscan countryside when he got a call from John Concepcion, a former boss. Did Mike want to teach people to farm? Mike had just turned 40. He was ready to work for the greater good of others.
“Pinky and I have a blessed life. I had a wonderful career at Unilever and have seen the world. It was time to give back.”
Mike now heads Bayan Anihan, an NGO with a mission to end hunger in the Philippines. “Our mission is to put food on the table with food-sufficiency programs. We provide Gawad Kalinga or GK communities with farms — 10m2 plots and initial seeds for growing organic vegetables. Through farming, we will kindle a culture of productivity.”
Since its launch in March 2009, the program has been a smashing success.
To date, they have 107 farms across Luzon that have harvested a total of 66 metric tons of produce. “We are also seeing the people become more confident, and more partners are wanting to help us as they see the results that we deliver.” Mike’s ultimate goal is to set up 2,500 farms all over the country, feeding half a million Filipinos for life.
HELP THE CAUSE
Email mnd1107@gmail. com or visit www.bayan-anihan.com
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