BRIEFS: Aboitiz Foundation celebrates World Smile Day

Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft charity, together with Aboitiz Foundation, celebrated World Smile Day® through an art-filled afternoon with their beneficiaries and the Binibining Pilipinas 2019 Titleholders. World Smile Day®, celebrated on every first Friday of October, is dedicated to smiles and encourages people to do acts of kindness around the world.

Held at the office of Aboitiz Foundation in Bonifacio Global City, over twenty Smile Train beneficiaries showcased their creativity in creating memorabilia plush toys with the help of the Binibining Pilipinas 2019 Titleholders. This was led by Bb. Pilipinas Universe Gazini Ganados, along with Bb. Pilipinas International Patch Magtanong, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Resham Saeed, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Emma Tiglao, Bb. Pilipinas Globe Leren Bautista, Bb. Pilipinas first runner up Aye Abesamis, and Bb. Pilipinas second runner up Samantha Bernardo.

Apart from this celebration, Aboitiz Foundation supports Smile Train by raising awareness and funds for children with clefts through KINDer by Aboitiz, an online platform where the public can donate to various advocacies that aim to help create a kinder world. In addition to Smile Train, KINDer supports other causes that benefit education, enterprise development, environmental, health, and other foundations.

“In less than a year, we have raised more than 60 percent of our target funds to support Smile Train and children with clefts through our KINDer website (kinder.aboitiz.com). Smile Train Philippines supports more than 5,000 surgeries every year and we would like to inspire others to support their life-changing work. We encourage more people to support Smile Train’s cause by donating through KINDer,” said Aboitiz Foundation First vice president and chief operating officer Maribeth Marasigan.

Since 1999, Smile Train, with the support of its donors and partners around the world, has supported more than 1.5 million cleft surgeries. In the Philippines, it has funded more than 60,000 cleft surgeries since 2001. Beyond surgeries, Smile Train has four active comprehensive cleft care treatment programs including orthodontics, speech therapy, nutrition and emotional support.

“As we celebrate World Smile Day® with our partners, Aboitiz Foundation and Binibining Pilipinas, we reaffirm our commitment to raise more awareness and inspire others to join our cause in spreading smiles in the country. We hope to partner with more companies and organizations that will allow us to reach more children in need,” said Smile Train Philippines South East Asia Area Director, Kimmy Flaviano.

Save the Children Philippines salutes Filipino teachers

Save the Children Philippines hails teachers for instilling values, shaping young minds and striving to ensure that learners reach their full potential.

Alberto Muyot, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Philippines, said teachers significantly impact children’s growth and development. Global and national studies affirm that effective teachers contribute to progress in children’s learning and wellbeing.

“We salute the hard work, dedication and talents of our teachers who stand side by side with Save the Children Philippines to ensure that children continue to learn and develop,” said Muyot in a statement.

Save the Children Philippines partners with the Department of Education (DepEd) by supporting teachers and enabling them to better assist learners. Through the partnership with DepEd, Save the Children provides technical assistance and direct support in strengthening teacher professional development, improving pedagogical practices and enhancing the general capacity of teachers to support learners inside and outside the classroom.

Even if issues on facilities, teaching and learning resources, workload and pay, among others, pose challenges, teachers continue to strive to provide best learning opportunities for learners.

“Teaching is a noble and challenging task as teachers work to address the needs of all learners, particularly for the case of the most deprived and marginalized,” said Muyot. The most deprived and marginalized learners suffer from compounding difficulties that requires support beyond classroom instruction. We salute the unfailing commitment of our teachers.”