On 31 August, BPI held its second Nationwide Volunteer Day in partnership with Gawad Kalinga that aims to lift up the members of society who are less privileged and less fortunate

BPI president and CEO Cezar Consing welcomes all the volunteers on a Saturday morning in the Gawad Kalinga Village in Barangay Putatan, Muntinlupa. ALL PHOTOS BY AL PADILLA

Whether you are tasting the luxuries of life or its misfortunes, it’s a natural thing to sometimes be in need of help. Life, after all, is not favorable at all times.

Sometimes, it goes left when you go right and sometimes when you go up, it goes downhill.

It is meant to teach us lessons that a textbook cannot. And the harsher reality is, it also teaches us that we shouldn’t always be on the receiving end of this “help.”

And for someone who is as powerful as the principal head of a financial body, it is the same thing.

Known to be the president and chief executive officer of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Cezar Consing went to the skirts of Barangay Putatan in Muntinlupa City because he believed that everyone is in need of help.

And with his platform and capability, he uses every golden opportunity to give back to the community.

“It doesn’t matter what your status in life is. Whether you’re the most powerful person in the community or whether you’re the poorest person in the community, you will still need help,” said the 59-year-old leader of a universal bank in the country.

At least 200 volunteers help in repainting the houses in the Manulife Gawad Kalinga Village in the city of Muntinlupa.

On 31 August, BPI held its second Nationwide Volunteer Day in partnership with Gawad Kalinga that aims to lift up the members of society who are less privileged and less fortunate.

Integrated with its Employee Volunteerism program, the Ayala-chaired banking institution has launched its nationwide volunteer program where a lot of its listed employees are doing volunteer works.

And the latest beneficiaries of their pursuit are the citizens of Manulife Gawad Kalinga (GK) Village in Muntinlupa City where the workers painted the houses.

The village, which was established last year, has provided free shelters to more than 100 families with a member working in the local government office of Muntinlupa.

“We are really thankful for the Gawad Kalinga and BPI because prior to transferring to GK Village, some of the families are really homeless or informal settlers,” Fernan Padilla, head of one of the families who are staying in the village and is currently an employee of the municipal hall of the city, said.

“Now, we feel secure and safe since the location of the village is not prone to floods which was my main problem before,” he furthered.

According to Consing, volunteerism has a personal meaning for everyone, and he is no different. This is what he has always wanted ingrained in his employees.

“For me, it’s about giving back. I suspect that’s true for a lot of people. This is a very good opportunity to do that,” Consing said.

“We want a BPI that truly helps in making a better Philippines. It’s more than just profits. It’s more than just operating results. What we choose to do is equally important to what we choose not to do. We’ll help create a country of the future.”