It has been three months since Typhoon Yolanda left a path of utter destruction in Eastern Visayas, a tragedy that broke the hearts of millions of Filipinos. But while the focus of the country has already been sidelined by other hot issues like Sen. Bong Revilla’s privilege speech and the infamous mauling of actor Vhong Navarro, Coca-Cola tried to bring back the attention of the public to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.
Together with partners Red Cross Philippines and Habitat for Humanity, Coca-Cola hosted #RebuildPH, an on-ground venue calling for more volunteers and donations to help step-up rebuilding efforts in the Visayas region. Hundreds of volunteers attended the event last January 30, at the Araneta Open Grounds in Cubao, Quezon City. Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon and Habitat for Humanity CEO Charlie Ayco were present in the event, where they both shared how their organizations were able to provide immediate assistance for typhoon victims.
The youth also had representatives on stage via the Coca-Cola Happiness Ambassadors – Enchong Dee, Kathryn Bernardo, Joseph Marco and Julia Montes. Despite their young age, these children proved that age doesn’t matter when they recounted their own small acts of kindness for Typhoon Yolanda victims.
It was also great to see other familiar faces in the event like famous businessman Fernando Zobel and former Ms. Universe Margie Moran – whose presence in #RebuildPH only bolstered my respect for them. It also gave me high hopes that the future of typhoon victims is really in good hands.
Meantime, this year’s 40 Bb. Pilipinas candidates brightened the night with their beautiful and kind smiles, further encouraging people to enlist as volunteers.
It was truly a night of inspiration. My only hope is for people to continue in helping rebuilding efforts in Eastern Visayas. Yes, a lot has already been done for super typhoon victims. But with the amount of devastation left by Typhoon Yolanda, there is still so much we can all do. Let’s all hold hands and together try to share whatever we have and do whatever we can.
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Front: Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines President Cecile Alcantara, Coca-Cola Philippines President & General Manager Guillermo Aponte, Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon, Philippine Red Cross Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang, Habitat for Humanity Managing Director & CEO Charlie Ayco and Habitat for Humanity Chairman Fernando Zóbel de Ayala
Back: Coca-Cola Happiness Ambassadors Enchong Dee, Julia Montes, Kathryn Bernardo and Joseph Marco | |
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| Open Happiness. Coca-Cola Philippines President & General Manager Guillermo Aponte (center) with Coca-Cola Happiness Ambassadors Joseph Marco, Kathryn Bernardo, Julia Montes and Enchong Dee |
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| Team Coca-Cola: Enchong Dee, Joseph Marco, Miko Raval & Robi Domingo with Senior IMC Manager Nikki Lee-Benitez, Marketing Activation Manager Rogie Delena, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Cecile Alcantara, Michael Mendoza, Jose Javier Coscolluela and Ronnie Ignacio |
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| Kapamilya actors Enchong Dee, Joseph Marco & Miko Raval with Team Habitat for Humanity |
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| Active: Coca-Cola Ambassador Enchong Dee helping out at #RebuildPH Red Cross booth |
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| With a Smile: Coca-Cola Ambassador Joseph Marco excited for his latest small act of kindness |
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| Pretty and Kind: Coca-Cola Ambassador Kathryn Bernardo charms Red Cross volunteer with act of kindness |
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| Beauty Inside and Out: Lovely Coca-Cola Ambassador Julia Montes volunteers for Red Cross |
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| Red Cross Ready: Actor/model Miko Raval attracting more Red Cross volunteers |
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| Kung Hei Fat Choi: Mr. Chinatown 2013 winner Randy See welcomes Chinese New Year by enlisting as volunteer |
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| All In: Chinito member Jerome Tan's turn at the Red Cross booth |
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| Helping Arms: Chinito member Sky Yang ready for Red Cross |
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| Cute and charming: Chinito member Sydney Du all in for Red Cross |
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| Gorgeous girl: Ms. Resorts World Manila 2013 Nikita McElroy shows inner beauty as Red Cross volunteer |
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| Inspiring. Coca-Cola Foundation President Cecile Alcantara tells group’s deeds for Yolanda victim/s |
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| Always There. Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon shares organization’s initiatives in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda |
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| Building Homes. Habitat for Humanity CEO Charlie Ayco asks volunteers to help bring Yolanda victims home |
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| Power House. Coca-Cola General Manager Guillermo Aponte watches Rebuild event with former Ms. Universe Margie Moran and Ayala Corporation President Fernando Zobel |
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| Join Forces: (L-R) Coca-Cola General Manager Guillermo Aponte, Ayala Corporation President Fernando Zobel, and Habitat for Humanity CEO Charlie Ayco united in helping #RebuildPH |
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| Heartthrob Volunteers: Mr. Chinatown 2013 winner Randy See (third from left) with his court (L-R) Sydney Du, Jerome Tan, and Sky Yang call on more volunteers via social media using #RebuildPH |
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| Big Band Syndicate vocalists: Tutti Caringal, Kleggy Abaya, Eunice Evangel Jorge and Kean Cipriano |
