donation – Jellybeans in the City

Sun Life donates Php40 million to promote healthier lives among marginalized youth across Asia

Sun Life, a leading financial services company, is set to breathe new life into basketball courts and inspire healthier lifestyles among marginalized youth in communities across Asia with a generous donation of PHP 40 million. This philanthropic initiative, undertaken in partnership with Beyond Sport, a global sport-for-social-change foundation, aims to tackle the alarming rates of physical inactivity and sedentary behavior among children and adolescents in the region.

Answering the Call: Sun Life’s Response to Alarming Health Trends

The drive behind this inspiring endeavor stems from the findings of the 2022 Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance report, sponsored by Sun Life. This comprehensive study shed light on the troubling rise of physical inactivity among Asian youth, contributing to a slew of health issues including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, mental health challenges, and more.

According to the report, several Asian countries, including Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, scored dismally in terms of overall physical activity, with Hong Kong and Malaysia receiving a grade of ‘D,’ and Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam falling into the ‘F’ category. This means that fewer than 20% of children ages 6 to 17 are achieving an average of at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity throughout the week.

Sun Life Chief Client Experience and Marketing Officer, Carla Gonzalez-Chong, remarked, “Promoting movement is an important aspect of Sun Life’s health and wellness advocacy. We constantly explore fun and engaging ways to promote it among Filipinos, especially the youth. For this particular initiative, we took inspiration in our country’s love for basketball so we can encourage everyone to make physical activity a part of their lifestyle.”

Beyond Sport: A Collaborative Approach for Positive Change

Beyond Sport Executive Director, Fred Turner, emphasized that young people worldwide face barriers to accessing sports and the multitude of benefits it offers. Often, these barriers boil down to having a safe space to move and play. “We are proud to partner with Sun Life to improve physical and mental wellbeing outcomes for marginalized youth. We hope this program, built with community and sustainability in mind, will help them develop life-long habits that will allow them to thrive.”

#MovementMatters Gains Momentum

The ambitious initiative aligns seamlessly with Sun Life’s #MovementMatters campaign, which champions physical activity as a pivotal component of healthier living.

The campaign was launched with great enthusiasm through a 3×3 charity event held simultaneously in Manila and Jakarta, Indonesia, from August 18 to 20. In Manila, the “Sun Life 3×3 Charity Challenge” took place at SM Megamall, boasting a participation of 349 individuals, including celebrities and basketball influencers such as Gab Banal, Ael Banal, Brent Javier, Jollo Go, Andre Felix, Thor Gomez, Brent Paraiso, John Custodio, Axel Torres, Pat Sugui, Kirst Viray, Ralph Molina Martin Reyes, Miguel Aytona, Hendrix Jim, and Martin Javier.

Sun Life’s commitment to the cause was evident as they pledged PHP 4,000 for every participant in both Manila and Jakarta. Moreover, for every like, share, comment, and post on social media with the hashtag #MovementMatters, they contributed to a cumulative donation of PHP 40 million.

The event also dovetailed with the participation of Team Canada and its top players in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup taking place in Manila, with Sun Life serving as the Official Health & Wellness Partner of Canada Basketball.

“We’re thrilled about the momentum we’ve set for the #MovementMatters campaign and look forward to everyone’s continued support,” exclaimed Gonzalez-Chong. “With our concerted efforts, we can certainly help more people live healthier lives.”

Sun Life’s substantial contribution and dedication to fostering healthier futures for Asia’s marginalized youth exemplify the positive impact that corporate social responsibility can have on communities across the continent.

Details and images provided in a recent press release.

A few steps for my Kapamilyas: #100HakbangSaPagtutulungan

I do realize that I was among the lucky ones last December. When Typhoon Odette wrought devastation in many areas in the Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao regions, I was safely ensconced in my comfy home, preparing for Christmas celebrations with my family.

However, many of my countrymen were laid low by the storm, losing their homes, possession and livelihoods. Two months after Typhoon Odette, more than a million Filipinos are still struggling to get back on their feet.

I’ve contributed to some company-led fund-raisers for my co-workers affected by the storm but I felt that I could probably do some more.

100 steps can help our fellow Filipinos.

Fortunately, SKY, HBO and History Channel joined forces with ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Foundation’s “Tulong-Tulong Sa Pag-Ahon: Isang Daan Sa Pagtutulungan.”

Through their fundraiser, “Isang Daang Hakbang Sa Pagtutulungan: Kapamilya Virtual Run,” I could donate money and do the “100 Hakbang Challenge” to help provide aid to Odette survivors.

Papa Piolo said it best:

Want to join in on the fun and help our Kapamilyas while you’re at it? Here’s how to join:

Step 1: Create a Race Roster account at runrio.com.

Step 2: Donate by scanning any of these QR codes below or via bank transfer to the accounts specified. Take a photo or screenshot of your proof of donation.

Step 3: Register your category, which corresponds to the amount you donated.

100 Steps Challenge: Donate Php100 (to provide a food pack 1kg of rice and two canned goods for one person) or Php400 (to provide 1 5kg of rice and six canned goods for a family)
5K Virtual Run: Donate Php800 or 10K Virtual Run: Donate Php1,200 to provide food packs for more families.

Upon receiving your confirmation email, complete your registration by emailing your proof of donation to info@runrio.com with the subject “Isang Daang Hakbang Donation – Your registered name”. Your E-Bib will be sent to your email within the day.

Step 4: Complete your steps/kilometers from February 5 to 28, 2022. Take a photo or video of yourself accomplishing your 100 steps challenge, and share it on your Facebook or Instagram account using the hashtag #100HakbangSaPagtutulungan (set your post to public). Tag your Kapamilyas, friends, and colleagues so they too can do their part in helping the victims of Typhoon Odette.

For participants doing the 5K/10K Run, use a GPS, fitness-tracking apps, or your smartwatch to record your route and time. Activities can be cumulative.

Step 5: Upload your results to Race Roster. Log in to your account and submit either of the following:

Screenshot of your route
Photo of your treadmill dashboard
Photo of display of app or your fitness watch

Make sure that the date, time, and distance are indicated in your submission. For participants doing the 100 steps challenge, 100 steps are equal to 80 meters.

Step 6: Download your Finisher’s E-Certificate after completing your registered distance.

Are you excited to join? Papa Piolo’s got some more words of encouragement for you…

I’m happy to share that today, I completed my 5K run by sweating it out on my treadmill! This is my first real run after nearly a year of being sedentary. An achievement unlocked for the sake of my health, and, more importantly, to help my fellow Filipinos who are still suffering from the aftermath of Odette to rise up from this current crisis.

So I invite you to join me in taking those steps to help our Kapamilyas. Donate by joining this worthwhile fundraiser.

About the fundraiser

ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Foundation launched “Tulong-Tulong sa Pag-ahon: Isang Daan sa Pagtutulungan,” the second phase of their fund drive for the benefit of Odette survivors. As of January 25, ABS-CBN Foundation has delivered food and basic necessities to a total of 141,634 families in different areas in Palawan, Visayas, and Mindanao with the help of the donations. Through the fundraising efforts of the “Isang Daang Hakbang Sa Pagtutulungan,” ABS-CBN and the ABS-CBN Foundation hope to reach out and help more families in need. The campaign’s DSWD Authority/Solicitation Permit No. is DSWD-SB-SP-00026-21, valid nationwide until May 28, 2022.

Every step taken in this Kapamilya Virtual Run is for a good cause. Visit www.mysky.com.ph/100hakbang for more information about this fundraiser.

Fundraising mechanics provided by SKY in a recent press release.

Disclosure: 100 Hakbang sa Pagtutulungan is a project of SKY, the company I work for. I’m happy and proud to support this very good cause.

Bayanihan Musikahan raises additional 1.5M in 1 hour

Small donations amounting to PhP 1.5 million poured into the Bayanihan Musikahan fund-raiser in 1 hour during the live concert-from-house of music superstar Lea Salonga last night.

She began and ended her hour with composition by the principal organizer of the project, Ryan Cayabyab, National Artist for Music. Emphasizing citizen action in the face of a pandemic, Salonga encapsulated an emerging dynamic of citizens helping citizens through small contributions and exercise of talent.

The unusual spike adds this amount to the total of PhP 22,373,178.00 already raised by April 2, 2020. Ms. Salonga announced this figure during her concert, while triggering a outpouring of support from Filipinos on lock-down, watching from their homes in the Philippines and overseas.

The increased fund-raising momentum enables increased speed in delivery of food packs to the marginalized communities in Metro Manila facing the pandemic with extreme vulnerabilities.

The Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilya ng Pantawid (SNPP), a 70,000-strong urban poor organization, began distribution of the Bayanihan Musikahan food packs from a few days after the launch of the marathon concert series, and is increasing pace and reach daily. Nearly 15,000 food packs have been provided families in dense, inner city pockets.

Filipino musical artists giving one hour concerts kick-started and sustain the Bayanihan Musikahan fund drive that enables this quick-response citizen action to stave off the possibility of worst case scenarios among communities compromised by poverty in Metro Manila.

Among those who already performed are Martin Nievera, Ebe Dancel, Acapellago, Karylle Tatlonghari and Spongecola, Bullet Dumas, Rachelle Gerodias and Byeong-in Park, and Morisette Amon.

Donations came in at an increasingly fast clip as the Lea Salonga concert proceeded, and it was immediately clear to an audience of tens of thousands that the surge was driven by the experience of virtual, communal bonding around an admired singer, and heightened awareness of the gravity of threat to impoverished communities.

The citizen-led marathon concert series, livestreamed on Facebook, is an unusal partnership between and among the significant talents of the Philippine music industry and the most trusted of civil society organizations. Philippine Business for Social Progress receives, accounts for, and disburses the funds. The SNPP hit the ground running because it has a complete database on its membership.

Details and image provided in a recent press release.