Quezon City's Emergency Responders Receive Mental Health Support from PLDT and Smart

In times of crisis and emergency, Quezon City’s frontliners keep communities safe and protected. But who ensures that these frontliners remain strong, supported, and ready when called upon to serve?  PLDT and Smart, in partnership with the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA), recently conducted a holistic stress management workshop for the emergency response frontliners of the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QC DRRMO) and Quezon City Citizens Services Department (CSD). The initiative reinforces a shared commitment to strengthening resilience and safeguarding the mental health of those on the frontlines of crisis response. This is part of the broader initiative of PLDT and Smart through its #KonektedForResilience advocacy program that focuses on community resilience and disaster preparedness.

The workshop centered on key challenges faced by responders, including burnout, secondhand traumatic stress, and the cumulative emotional toll of emergency work. Participants were guided through practical coping mechanisms such as managing personal stress responses, building healthier habits, and developing strategies to sustain both mental and emotional well-being amid high-pressure environments.

 

For QC DRRMO Head Bianca Perez-Diamante, the initiative is both timely and necessary, given the nature of their work. “Our responders are the ones who face emergencies every single day—from vehicular accidents and trauma cases to rescues during extreme weather conditions. They see things that most people are not prepared to handle, and it takes a toll on them. This workshop is important because it reminds them that they are human too—that they also feel tired, overwhelmed, and affected by what they experience. It gives them the space to pause, to breathe, and to acknowledge their own vulnerabilities,” Perez-Diamante said.

 

Acting Chief Administrative Officer Estelita Mañalac of the QC Citizens Service Department, who is one of the participants from the workshop, highlighted the value of self-care in effective public service. “One of the most important things I learned is that you have to take care of yourself first before you can truly help others. This workshop gave me a better understanding of stress and how it affects people at all levels. It also equipped me with ideas that I can share with my staff so we can better support one another. As frontliners, we need to remain resilient and manage our stress properly so we can continue to serve effectively, especially during emergencies,” Mañalac said.

 

From the perspective of responders on the ground, the workshop provided practical and personal insights. Another participant, Jeramen Devisfruto, who is the Acting Deputy of Team Delta Emergency Medical Services under Operations, reflected on the importance of mental stability in their line of work. “I realized how important it is to have stable mental health because it directly affects how we respond to emergencies. When your mind is not okay, your body follows, and it becomes difficult to do your job properly. This workshop helped me understand how I can better manage panic, anxiety, and personal challenges so I can continue to perform my duties and support others effectively,” Devisfruto said.

 

Beyond mental health support, the initiative also introduced opportunities for additional livelihood. A brief segment by Smart NCR Wireless Sales highlighted the Smart Retailer program, which enables individuals to earn extra income by selling prepaid load and digital services within their communities. For frontliners and emergency responders, this presents a flexible and accessible way to supplement their income, further supporting their overall well-being and financial resilience.

 

PLDT and Smart underscored their commitment to supporting those who serve at the frontlines. PLDT and Smart Stakeholder Engagement Assistant Vice President and Head Stephanie V. Orlino emphasized the broader purpose of the initiative. “At PLDT and Smart, we believe in creating safer spaces not only for communities but also for the people who serve them. Our frontliners and first responders play a critical role in delivering aid during times of crisis, and while they continuously provide help to others, it is equally important that they receive the support they need. This workshop is a testament to our continued commitment to their well-being, particularly in ensuring that their mental health is cared for as they carry out their vital work.”

 

These initiatives reflect PLDT and Smart’s commitment to holistic community support— reaffirming the importance of mental health care as an integral part of disaster response, aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) 3: Good Health and Well-Being, 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Filipino Digital Bayanihan in Action: Php 64M Raised via GBayanihan to Support Local Communities and Causes

GCash, the Philippines’ leading mobile finance super app, continues to advance financial inclusion and community initiatives through its tech-for-good efforts, as Filipinos raised ₱64 million in 2025 via GBayanihan, its in-app digital donation platform. GBayanihan removes barriers to giving by connecting millions of GCash users directly to vetted NGOs nationwide, enabling seamless and transparent contributions using their mobile phones.

 

Making bayanihan always-on for Filipinos

 

By integrating donations directly into the GCash app, GBayanihan connects Filipinos to NGOs in remote and underserved areas where traditional donation channels are limited. The platform offers a seamless, transparent, and mobile-first experience that removes barriers to giving. It also enables overseas Filipinos to contribute directly to local NGOs without having to navigate complex remittance channels, and fosters a culture of giving that extends beyond borders.

 

Users can explore various vetted advocacies, donate instantly using their GCash wallet, and receive immediate confirmation, all while ensuring contributions reach credible organizations that hold public solicitation permits and Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) accreditation.

 

Turning holiday celebrations into community support

 

Partnering with the Manila Symphony Orchestra, the year-end concert “A Yule Concert: The Magic of Christmas” brought together partners from the public, private, and advocacy sectors to celebrate digital bayanihan. GCash also contributed on behalf of guests to assist partner NGOs, advocacy partners, and the communities they serve, which demonstrates GBayanihan's role in mobilizing nationwide community assistance.

 

Strengthening the bayanihan movement with new advocacy partners

 

A three-day ceremonial signing was held in July 2025 with 27 accredited NGOs, signaling the start of their onboarding to GBayanihan. 11 more partner organizations will be available on the GCash GBayanihan feature starting December 2025, while more PCNC-vetted NGO partners are expected to be onboarded in 2026, expanding access to millions of GCash users and potential donors nationwide.

 

NGO partners have highlighted how GBayanihan has strengthened their reach and improved transparency. Claudine Manuel, assistant program manager at Megawide Corporate Foundation, noted that digital donations eliminate delays and tracking challenges common in manual systems. Tricia Anne Mandap, resource mobilization officer at ABS-CBN Foundation, said the platform allows them to connect with more Filipinos while ensuring contributions remain safe, transparent, and aligned with their mission. Charlene Diaz, manager for marketing and donor relations at Ayala Foundation, described GBayanihan as a meaningful way for donors to support communities both online and in person.

 

"With GBayanihan, Filipinos can easily support NGOs that respond to disasters, serve marginalized groups, and provide access to health and education," explained CJ Alegre, GCash head of sustainability. "This is more than a program—it's a movement."

 

Through its full suite of digital tools, GCash continues to help Filipinos contribute to meaningful causes while supporting NGOs in reaching more communities efficiently and transparently, driving inclusive growth, and fostering a culture of giving that benefits every Filipino.

 

To learn more about GBayanihan and its NGO partners, including ABS-CBN Foundation, ACAP, ACAY Missions Philippines, Angat Buhay, CFC Ancop Global Foundation, CRIBS, Hero Foundation, InLife Foundation, Let’s Save the Brain, Philippine Red Cross, PHINMA Foundation, PSFEI, RMHC, Save the Children, UNICEF, Virlaine, and World Vision Philippines, visit the Help Center.

 

Pru Life UK Employees Champion Bayanihan Spirit in Brigada Eskwela 2025

Pru Life UK once again rolled up its sleeves for Brigada Eskwela, the Department of Education’s nationwide schools maintenance programme, rallying employee volunteers last month in support of Pleasant Hills Elementary School in Mandaluyong City.

The initiative began at the Pru Life UK’s headquarters, where employees painted pots and planted vegetable seedlings. These were later donated during a school outreach, part of a wider effort to prepare classrooms for the new academic year.

Volunteers spent the day painting walls, cleaning rooms, and organising books—bringing fresh energy to the school community. Pru Life UK also provided painting materials to support ongoing refurbishment needs.

“It’s fulfilling to give back in such a tangible way,” shares Maria Junifer Maliglig, one volunteer. “Seeing the impact first-hand is what makes it all worth it.”

A long-time participant in Brigada Eskwela since 2012, Pru Life UK’s commitment to education goes far beyond paintbrushes. Through its flagship Cha-Ching Financial Literacy Programme, the company has empowered over 1.5 million students across the Philippines with essential money management skills. Read recent story on expanding and fully integrating it in Bicol region here. The Pleasant Hills Elementary School is also a partner school for Cha-Ching.

Complementing this is the Adopt-a-Madrasah initiative, which supports Islamic schools in Mindanao with learning resources, teacher training, and tailored content on Takaful (Islamic insurance), digital skills, and sustainability. In 2025, the programme aims to reach over 1,500 learners across nine madaris.

These efforts reflect Pru Life UK’s broader mission: to foster inclusion, champion financial education, and empower communities—one classroom at a time.

Pru Life UK volunteers painted pots and classroom walls in support of Pleasant Hills Elementary School in Mandaluyong City’s Brigada Eskwela programme.

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Pru Life UK volunteers helped prepare the classrooms of Pleasant Hills Elementary Schoolin Mandaluyong City for the new academic year.

Manulife Philippines Continues Expanding its Impact Agenda with Zambales Reforestation Program

Manila, Philippines — As part of its global Impact Agenda, a long-term commitment to deliver meaningful programs that empower sustained health and well-being, drive inclusive economic opportunity, and accelerate a sustainable future to preserve the planet, the domestic arm of leading global insurer Manulife recently expanded its collaboration with leading nature conservation organization Haribon Foundation through the Forests for Life movement. 

“As we reach and engage more communities across the country through our Impact Agenda, we will continue to strengthen our community investments that will not only help us build a better business to better the world, but also foster kindness, generosity, and the bayanihan spirit among many Filipinos,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines.

11,250 seedlings to be planted in 2024 

 

Through Haribon Foundation, Manulife Philippines commits to plant 11,250 native tree seedlings, in Masinloc, Zambales this year. This expands Manulife’s collaboration with Haribon, which commenced in 2022 with a commitment to help restore Philippine rainforests by planting 15,000 seedlings in Quezon and Rizal provinces. 

The reforestation area is part of the Zambales mountains called Important Bird and Biodiversity Area in the town of Masinloc, covering 30,000 hectares of land and has been home to various endangered bird and non-bird species. The area previously hosted chromite mining operations, which resulted in the destruction of its biodiversity. Today, reforestation and protection are much needed for the damaged ecosystem to recover. 

To help advance positive environmental change, Manulife has been working on implementing its sustainability action plans. In 2022, Manulife contributed USD 25.1 million in total community investments globally. There are also 1.3 billion trees planted by Manulife Investment Management all over the world since 1985, testifying to its longstanding commitment to create more nature-positive world for its communities*. 

Manulife Volunteer Days launched in 10 markets in Asia, including the Philippines

Employee giving and volunteering is also part of Manulife’s community engagement initiatives for its Impact Agenda. During the “Season of Giving” last year, the company launched its Manulife Volunteer Days, a week-long program that provided more than 56 volunteering opportunities for employees globally to volunteer for chosen organizations within their communities. These range from tree-planting, financial literacy activities for students, and other engagement activities for ethnic minorities, elderlies, and various communities in need. 

In addition, Manulife also launched the Move for your Community in Asia, where more than 1,700 employees from 10 markets, including colleagues from Manulife Philippines, Manulife China Bank Life and Manulife Investment Management Philippines, accomplished various step goals in five days, achieving 34 million steps in total. These recorded steps were converted to community investments, such as the 900 Peso Smart learning kits for elementary school students in the Philippines through the Corazon Sanchez Atayde Memorial Foundation and Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation. 

“Since 2017, our financial literacy program Peso Smart has been instrumental in promoting the value of basic financial skills such as saving, budgeting, and investing among young children,” Rahul added. “As Peso Smart has expanded over the years to cater to broader segments -- including parents, educators, and university students -- we hope we can financially empower more Filipinos to live worry-free and confidently, while securing a better future.” 

Other community investments from the Move for your Community in Asia include lunches with reusable boxes for students in Cambodia from the Rabbit School across all its campuses; 10,000 lunches for students in Vietnam through the Lotus Charity Foundation; and a public sanitation facility and a clean water facility in Indonesia through Dompet Dhuafa.

For the full story on how Manulife advances its Impact Agenda in the Philippines, watch this video or visit https://www.manulife.com.ph/ImpactAgenda. For more information about Manulife, visit https://manulife.com.ph.

Have a Joyful and Rewarding Experience with Jollibee’s New Joy Rewards Card!

Satisfying your Jollibee cravings is about to get more rewarding with the launch of the new Joy Rewards card! This new loyalty card offers exclusive promos aside from earning of points.

Customers can get their new Joy Rewards Cards in all participating Jollibee stores for only P100. Simply register in 2 easy ways – via the website at www.happyplus.com.ph or via SMS, to open the door to a world of joyful experiences. The Joy Rewards card lets you earn points as well when you purchase food products from participating stores of other brands like Chowking, Greenwich, Mang Inasal, and Red Ribbon. Every P50 spent earns a point that, when collected, can be used to purchase even more of your favorites. Earn points as well when you fill up your cars at participating Caltex stations.

On top of that, new members are entitled to a welcome gift of a free Jolly Spaghetti with a minimum purchase of P300 using the card upon card registration. Customers can use the Joy Rewards card for cashless transactions – just top-up their cards Jollibee stores and use it to pay for their food purchases for Dine-In, Take-out, Drive-Thru transactions.

Head to your nearest Jollibee store now and get your own Joy Rewards cards to take advantage of exclusive offers and start earning points with every joyful meal!

Jollibee celebrates Filipino pride and joy with ‘Pusong Pinoy’ featuring Sarah G and Billy Crawford

Every June 12, the country beams with pride as it celebrates its independence and freedom from colonial rule. But in today’s context, what does it mean to be Pinoy and Proud and how can this be embraced by every Filipino?

As the country commemorates its 123rd Independence Day, Jollibee once again ignites the hearts of Filipinos all over the world with its new song titled “Pusong Pinoy.” Performed by world-class celebrities Sarah Geronimo and Billy Crawford, “Pusong Pinoy” celebrates an ever-present Pinoy Pride rooted in the Filipinos’ innate ability to give joy and hope, as well as rise above challenges by embodying the spirit of Bayanihan and helping one another.

“We wanted to highlight an admirable trait of Filipinos - while we are known as being resilient and being joyful people, what drives this is our malasakit sa kapwa which enables us to face any challenges that come our way. The Bayanihan spirit has always been a part of our culture, and we see now that it is still very much alive in modern times. So, we should all be proud of our Pusong Pinoy”, says Francis Flores, JFC’s Philippines Country Marketing head and Jollibee PH Marketing head.

“Para sa akin, ang ‘Pusong Pinoy’ ay laging handang tumulong, mapa-Pilipino man o ibang lahi,” shared Jollibee ambassador Sarah Geronimo. “Kahit saan ka magpunta, talagang ang puso ng Pinoy iba magbigay ng pagmamahal at pag-aalaga.” Sarah added.

In the video, Sarah and Billy sing about how Filipinos spread pride and joy, with scenes depicting acts of selflessness and compassion for others specially during challenging times. These examples show how Filipinos overcome hard times by uplifting each other with a kind of joy that comes from within. And how, in this celebration of Independence, they give meaning to their freedom by sharing it with those around them.

When asked what makes her proud of her Filipino heritage, Sarah said, “Yung mga katangian ng Pilipino ang talagang hinahangaan ko sa bawat isa sa atin. Lalo ngayon, mas nakikita natin ang pagiging matulungin, matatag, at mapagmahal ng bawat isa. Sa maliit o sa malaking paraan man, lahat ng Pilipino kumikilos para sa kapakanan ng kanyang kapwa.”

Billy Crawford also shared how Filipinos can take advantage of their freedom to bring joy to one other. To him, holding on to the hope that better days are about to come is one way to remain inspired as Filipinos move forward. “This is the best time for us to remain humble and take everything in life as it goes. With a brand like Jollibee giving us joy through the song ‘Pusong Pinoy’, they are able to make us feel the kind of love na magaan at mapagpalaya, ‘yan ang hindi napapantayan ng kahit anong bagay.”

With Jollibee capturing what it’s like to have ‘Pusong Pinoy,’ Filipinos around the globe can definitely be proud of the joyful spirit that allows them to move forward, no matter the obstacles.

Sing Jollibee’s Independence Day 2021 anthem with Sarah Geronimo and Billy Crawford by watching the “Pusong Pinoy” music video on Facebook and YouTube.

How a Young Entrepreneur Helped more than 1,700 Daily Wage Workers and Raised more than P1M during the ECQ

The rise of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines followed by the announcement of an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) have restricted the movement of people in Metro Manila and Luzon, leaving many daily wage earners and informal workers with no jobs.
Due to the ECQ, businesses were forced to halt operations - thus leaving so many of our daily wage workers with no jobs, and no means to provide for their families.

Despite these challenging times, the ‘bayanihan’ spirit of the Filipinos prevailed. Many companies, members of the private sector, and individuals took the initiative to assist fellow Filipinos who are in need.

Joey Gamos, a young entrepreneur, founder and owner of the brand Tara Baraha!, is among the many who stepped up to help those who lost their means of living. ‘Tara Baraha!’ is a small local business selling playing cards that showcase the beauty of the Philippines. The deck comes with 52 info cards that would take you on a visual journey around the Philippines, and three joker cards that serve as bucket lists to top destinations around the country. Gamos mobilized her own network and made use of her business’ Facebook and Instagram page to start a donation drive, “Tara Tulong Tayo!”, for the daily wage earners and their families.

“It started as a personal concern about our daily wage worker kababayans and their families. In the news that preceded the start of ECQ, I saw the struggle of so many of our workers who had to endure so much just to get to their place of work as public transportation was put to a halt - a foreshadowing of the hardships that they will go through for the rest of the quarantine period. They expressed their worries and concerns on how they’ll be able to feed their families,” Gamos shared. “Without their income, they would go hungry and possibly resort into other means of surviving. It could lead to crimes and disorderliness in the community - it will be a domino effect, really.”

Gamos felt restless and after speaking to a couple of friends about her worries, she had the urge to do something to help from home. She started by creating a compelling poster through online design platform, Canva, for the visual materials of her initiative. She then launched the fundraising drive on March 16, first day of the ECQ, which aimed to give Php1,000 cash assistance to affected daily wage workers.

Her close friends and family eventually joined her as the donations poured in as they all helped with the day-to-day operations. For the past 3 months, the whole Tara Tulong Tayo! initiative has become a collective effort by generous individuals, small local businesses and communities as some even mounted their own donation drives/online sales and chose ‘Tara Tulong Tayo’ as their beneficiary.

As of June 14th, and Day 89 of the initiative, they have been able to raise Php 1,741,353.00 and have sent out cash assistance to 1,741 of our daily wage worker kababayans. The initiative’s beneficiaries include our workers whose livelihoods have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic: food establishment crew, PUV drivers, maintenance personnel, vendors, construction workers, salon staff, etc.

“Through the generosity of so many kind souls, we have been able to send help to those who need it the most, especially in these tough times. It was great to have been able to create a platform that enabled many of us to be able to help from home. May the kindest and best in us emerge as we continue to fight this global pandemic,” Gamos said.

ABOUT CANVA

Launched in 2013, Canva is an intuitive online design and publishing platform with a mission to empower everyone in the world to design anything and publish anywhere. Featuring a simple drag-and-drop user interface and a vast library of templates ranging from presentations, social media posts, posters, invitations to resumes, a huge collection of stock photography, illustrations and fonts, anyone can take an idea and create something beautiful. Canva is available on web, iOS and Android.

Akbayan Calls for Vigilance Against Corruption and Abuse amid Humanitarian Crisis

Just over a week, since President Duterte signed the Bayanihan to Heal as One (BAHO) Act, the emergency powers vested on him bared its fangs on the Filipino people.

Alongside the increase of cases of COVID-19, there seems to be an outbreak of violence and rights violations too. Last March 27, a teacher and her son were arrested in General Santos City for criticizing the mayor's inaction on food distribution. On April 1, the NBI filed a case against Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto for insisting on ferrying health workers with tricycles in the city. Later that evening, in reaction to public protest by residents of Sitio San Roque to clamor for food, Duterte ordered the military to "shoot them [any protesters] dead" in a nationwide address. In the morning of April 2, Atty. Chel Diokno released to the public that the NBI has filed subpoenas to individuals for critical opinions on social media.

It is clear in these cases how the BAHO Act has been weaponized to punish and silence critics of the government's insufficient response to the pandemic. The Filipino people need food, cash aid, and solidarity but are instead met with fear and threats of violence. This litany of abuses against civil liberties will continue to grow if we are to turn a blind eye to their actions - precisely what they want by keeping the people silent.

Our vigilance is part of our social solidarity. Government has launched today the social packages for the 18 million families. While we welcome this to aid struggling Filipino families, we demand the transparent and detailed breakdown of the P275 billion. We warn against red tape, unauthorized fees and other impediments in accessing the assistance. We continue our vigilance against corruption and abuse amidst this humanitarian crisis.

The solidarity of the people keep us strong. The health workers who take long shifts, the farmers and fisherfolk who put food on our table, and the ordinary volunteers and donors have kept us safe and strong in the middle of this crisis. While the government continues to threaten us while failing to keep us safe, we must continue to stand for each other against the sickness and the excessive violence they throw at us.

Santé Kicks Off the Annual Business Conference 2018

Santé recently held its Annual Business Conference (ABC) 2018, entitled The Big Shift: Building a Future-Proof Business on August 30 at the Bayanihan Center, Pioneer Avenue in Pasig City. It was attended by more than 500 leaders and entrepreneurs.

“We are happy to hold the Annual Business Conference with speakers who get to share their expertise and experience to people who have the same interest in the business. This event marks our commitment to building a strong foundation for our business owners so they can grow with us,” said Joey Marcelo, CEO of Santé.

One of the prominent speakers present in the event is Jayson Lo, a best-selling author and entrepreneur, who talked about culture. He shared his experience with companies and how he helps them better understand the culture they belong in. Chinkee Tan, a wealth coach, author, TV, and radio personality, also gave insights on being an influencer. The keynote speaker during ABC is internationally-acclaimed best-selling author and world-renowned trainer in direct selling, Tom ‘Big Al’ Schreiter, who talked about leadership.

Other presenters during the conference include Randell Tiongson, finance coach, best-selling author, and column writer; Eugene Sugian, digital marketing whiz kid; Alexine Sy, radio DJ and social media influencer; and Dodong Cacanando, motivational and business leadership speaker. They delved on the topic of finance, digital marketing, personal branding, and entrepreneurial, respectively.

“Education is a lifetime process. The things we know in the past may not be applicable today. As a progressive company, we want to make it a point to continously enhance the skill levels of our business owners,” said Marcelo. “Our objective for them is to compete globally. That is why we continue to search for new trends in the industry that are applicable to our business.”

Paul Caluag, Chief Network Development Officer of Santé added that, “the Annual Business Conference’s purpose is to really educate and empower business owners. We want to give them more information … We impart them with knowledge, then we provide avenues for them to convert this knowledge to ability.”

Santé’s Annual Business Conference started in 2015 and has since then been a highly anticipated event among Santé entrepreneurs. ABC is part of Santé’s Engage training series.

To know more about Santé International and their exciting natural products, visit their website at https://main.santebarley.com