“Biyaya!” The little boy cried out loud as he hurried along Dr. Basa St. to invite his friends. It was around 9 o’clock in the morning when we ventured around Manila to distribute some Christmas goodies to the homeless. We prepared packs of daily essentials and food. We were more than ready to spread the love!
Just a few days before Christmas hit, we had the fourth #FeedtheCityPH #TheDiscoverMNLAdvocacy run. It’s is the annual advocacy event of DiscoverMNL, a food, travel and lifestyle blog based in the Philippines.
Photo by Jonathan Matienzo
The volunteers were divided into three small groups. Each has their own cars and routes. Thanks to Toyota Motor Philippines and Aisela Travel and Leisure Corporation, we maximized the scope of our activity. Our team drove along the streets of Metro Manila, Makati, Paranaque, Quezon City, Fairview, Mandaluyong and Taguig with a few short stops in small baranagays along the way.
Photo by Waltz Siy
Photo by Rocky Chua
Photo by Red Rivera
Photo by Rocky Chua
Photo by Red Rivera
Every time we give them food and care kits, as we see their bittersweet expressions, our hearts ache in compassion. We managed to share a little chit chat with some of them. They shared their moving stories about family and life. Some of them were plain grateful to be with their young ones. Some were abandoned by their kinfolk. As we listened to their testimonies, we all felt delighted to give them a reason to be happy that day.
Photo by Red Rivera
Photo by Jonathan Matienzo
Participating in charity work is a humbling experience. The small things that we’d typically take for granted mean a whole lot more to them. Paying it forward adds a new dimension to our personality. You’d be surprised how it unloads burdens in your heart, just by knowing that you were able to do humanity some good.
Photo by Red Rivera
Photo by Red Rivera
Photo by Jonathan Matienzo
As Catriona Gray put it: “To see situations with a silver lining. And to assess where I could give something.” Let’s always cast the glimmer of hope, whenever we can. This movement has always been aimed to create an impact by sharing what we have to our less fortunate brothers and sisters, in the hopes of triggering a movement within our community to do the same.
Photo by Red Rivera
For this run, we were able to give out 900 meals from McDonald’s Philippines and Jollibee.
As well as 200 care kits for the homeless families and individuals that each have timba, tabo, banig, kulambo, raincoats, slippers, bath towels, canned goods, noodles, bottled water, juice packets and blankets.
This movement will not be possible without the support of our very generous partners and sponsors. Feed the City PH 2019 is in partnership with Toyota Motor Philippines and Aisela Travel and Leisure Corporation. Co-presented by Skinstation, McDonald’s Philippines & Jollibee Philippines.
Major Sponsors: Overdoughs, Elait, Raw, Chemworld and The Food District Signatures on 5th (Inihaw & Hawker Chan Philippines)
Minor Sponsors: CBTL, Safeguard Philippines, Deftac Rockwell, Tang, The After Six Club, Castro Communications, Toblerone PH and Ripple 8.
Photo by Red Rivera
Special thanks to: Harvard Uy de Baron, Nicca Fronda and family, Kassy Pajarillo, Jec Rivada, Lady Adarve, Iza Gallego, Cocoy Ponce, Zyllah Taberdo, Joanna Ng, Bianca Landicho, Patrick Rivera, PJ Estevez, Franco Rulloda, Julius Macalagay and Team Ripple 8, Maureen Manuel, Jensine Fatima, Alex Hung, Rain Ramos, Ivan Lantin and Marie Macatugal for the generous donations!
And of course to this year’s team of volunteers! From packing the goods, loading the cars and distributing, everyone did so great!Until the next, #FeedtheCityPH run.
#DiscoverMNLxToyotaPH | #ExploreWithAisela | #DiscoverMNLxSkinstation | #DiscoverMNLxJollibee |#DiscoverMNLxMcDoPH
Words by Iris Hung
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