spark philippines – Jellybeans in the City

Sony Music Entertainment Philippines and singer-songwriter Hazel Faith have partnered with charity, Rise Against Hunger, to support vulnerable communities locally impacted by food insecurity, whose situations have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This comes as part of Sony Music Group’s global ‘Season of Giving’ campaign, where the company and its artists are giving back to every local community in which Sony Music Group (SMG) operates. Across the world, SMG is supporting global organizations dedicated to providing aid for those facing food insecurity, homelessness and refugee support, as well as music industry relief and educational programs for communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hazel Faith x Sony Music x RISE Against Hunger

This also follows the support provided through Sony Music Group’s Global Social Justice Fund, to move the needle in broadening opportunities for underserved communities worldwide. In October, the company partnered with SPARK! Philippines to champion young women’s rights through music and film.

Beginning in the month of November, the Season of Giving program saw SMG committing sizeable amounts in each territory where the Company conducts business: Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Continental Europe, Latin America, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Since its beginnings in 2014, Rise Against Hunger Philippines has packaged over 543 million meals for vulnerable individuals across 78 countries, including over 7 million meals for people in the Philippines. With the funding from Sony Music Group, the organization will be able to reach 1.5 million people in communities most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, through the distribution of donated food items and relief packs to hungry households.

Jose Mariano Fleras, Executive Director, Rise Against Hunger Philippines, said, “COVID-19 has only worsened the hunger situation in the Philippines by costing people their livelihoods and making it more difficult for resources to reach those who really need them. We have unfortunately seen an additional four million households in the Philippines impacted because of the pandemic.”

“Through this partnership with Sony Music Group, we are in a stronger position to provide aid to vulnerable communities and double down on our outreach operations to address food and nutrition insecurity nationwide.”

As part of efforts to reach these communities, singer-songwriter Hazel Faith also partnered with the organization through a day of volunteering and performances for its beneficiaries. Hazel Faith is part of Sony Music Philippines’ Christian label WATERWALK RECORDS, which brings fresh Christian music infused with pop influences from faith-based artists to the new, streaming generation.

Hazel Faith said, “Food insecurity continues to plague many across the Philippines, and it is inspiring to see what organizations like Rise Against Hunger are doing to alleviate this problem. I’m grateful for the opportunity to perform for the beneficiaries of the program today, and proud to be part of a label that continues to give back to those in need this holiday season.”

In speaking of the seasonal initiative, Towalame Austin, Executive Vice President, Philanthropy and Social Impact, Sony Music Group, said, “Globally, SMG is committed to supporting local communities throughout the year. For the holiday season, we wanted to bring extra support and relief aid to those in need and dedicate our efforts to more than three million people worldwide. We’re grateful to our artists and international partner organizations who work on-the-ground to provide direct assistance to their neighbors.”

In addition to Hazel Faith, notable artists and songwriters who volunteered with partner organizations in their communities during a series of in-person events include India Shawn (Epic Records), Tyler Shaw (SME Canada), NOBITA (SME Philippines), Kobie Dee (SMP Australia), Tom Wilson (SMP Canada).

This campaign represents the Company’s ongoing philanthropic commitment to forge partnerships and support communities that need it most, inside and outside the music industry. For ‘Season of Giving’, every global organization selected to receive funding was determined by a group of global stakeholders including our internal task forces, legal and public policy teams. Learn more about SMG’s giving approach here.

Details and images provided in a recent press release.

Sony Music Entertainment Philippines and popular band NOBITA have partnered with Reach Out and Feed Philippines to support local communities impacted by hunger this holiday season.

This also follows the support provided through the Sony Music Group’s Global Social Justice Fund, to move the needle in broadening opportunities for underserved communities worldwide. In October, the company partnered with SPARK! Philippines to champion young women’s rights through music and film.

Beginning in the month of November, the Season of Giving program saw SMG committing sizeable amounts in each geography where the Company conducts business: Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Continental Europe, Latin America, United Kingdom, and the United States.

In the Philippines, non-profit organization Reach Out and Feed Philippines Inc., which provides food aid to children who have little or no access to nutritious food, had its outreach efforts hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the typhoons that struck the Philippines over the past two years. With this funding, Reach Out and Feed Philippines Inc. will be acquiring mobile kitchens that can provide meals to vulnerable communities where needed, reaching more children and their families through the organization’s ongoing feeding and nourishment programs.

Anna Pauline Castro, Executive Director of Reach Out and Feed Philippines Inc., said, “The funding from Sony Music Group will be a great help in pushing forward with our school and community outreach programs. We expect these mobile kitchens to reach 1,000 children and their households on ongoing feeding programs, as well as families affected by the pandemic and recent typhoons, to provide them with nutritious meals.”

“Ultimately, we hope that this will bring us closer to realizing our vision of seeing every Filipino child healthy, nourished, and empowered to reach their maximum potential for growth and learning.”

As a band that actively gives back to society, NOBITA also partnered with Reach Out and Feed Philippines Inc. to support outreach efforts and put on an intimate concert for some of the children who are beneficiaries of the organization.

NOBITA said, “It means a lot to be part of a label that strives to make a positive impact on society by reaching out to underserved communities. We are truly glad to have had the chance to spend time volunteering with Reach Out and Feed Philippines – seeing smiles from children and families whilst connecting with them through music was an unforgettable experience for us.”

In addition to NOBITA, notable artists and songwriters who volunteered with partner organizations in their communities during a series of in-person events include India Shawn (Epic Records), Tyler Shaw (SME Canada), Kobie Dee (SMP Australia), Tom Wilson (SMP Canada) – who volunteered with partner organizations in their own communities during a series of in-person events.

This campaign represents the Company’s ongoing philanthropic commitment to forge partnerships and support communities that need it most, inside and outside the music industry. For ‘Season of Giving’, every global organization selected to receive funding was determined by a group of global stakeholders including the Company’s internal task forces, legal and public policy teams. Learn more about SMG’s giving approach here.