What do educator Gang Badoy, businessman David Bonifacio, CNN Hero of the Year awardee Efren Peñaflorida and celebrity personality Karylle have in common? Apart from being achievers in their own rights, all four have inspired countless people in more ways than one. More significantly, they were tapped to be among the outstanding individuals who personify the ideals of the My Pharmaton MVP campaign.
“The My Pharmaton MVP campaign is our way of recognizing outstanding individuals who excel in their respective fields and are nominated by their friends, workmates, family etc.,” enthuses Pharmaton group brand manager, Maureen Javier “By highlighting the stories on how they became achievers, we hope to inspire more people to unleash their potentials and bring out the best in them.”
My country, my business
Gang Badoy started Rock Ed Philippines in 2005 to encourage the youth to become active participants in society. Gang thought it’s high time to mold the minds of the young generation and be critical thinkers.
Realizing that most teenagers would not take social issues seriously, Gang devised a unique way to reach out to her audience. By fusing music, visual arts, poetry, and other forms of art Gang and Rock Ed Philippines were able to speak the language of today’s youth. As Gang puts it, “The arts and artists became my arsenal in this battle to promote nation building.”
To get the message across, Gang tapped the support of popular bands, musicians, photographers, artists, and even bloggers to engage the youth in fun yet worthwhile activities. Gigs were set up to raise funds for a worthy cause. School tours were scheduled with volunteer celebrities, musicians, and writers among others acting as substitute teachers.
“You don’t have to be marching down the streets to get your message out. You can still be cool and rock the night away to the tune of popular songs while inculcating the need to actively participate in important social issues,” states Gang.
As Rock Ed Philippines enters its sixth year, Gang said the organization will concentrate more on its provincial outreach programs. They are also exploring online channels in reaching out to more individuals with the group’s new executive director, Pepe Diokno at the helm.
Click here to read about David Bonifacio and Efren Penaflorida.
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Read on about David Bonifacio and Efren Penaflorida.
Transforming communities, transforming lives
“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”
So goes David Bonifacio’s favorite quote from Harry S. Truman. His unselfish involvement in community development started early on when at the age of six, his father brought him in a squatter’s area. Despite the innocence, he already realized that most of the people in the country lives in this situation and something had to be done. With this seed of awareness planted in his mind and in his heart, little David grew up facing the Goliaths that oppress the marginalized sector.
David remained true to this calling in spite having a successful business and a flourishing career in the arts. Together with Dr. Joey Castro, David started Real LIFE Foundation, which is aimed at providing a better future for underprivileged Filipinos by giving them access to a good education and transforming their communities through community service. These projects have enabled David to fulfil the value in affecting a change in people’s lives.
David further states that one does not need to be a special kind of person to carry out this noble deed. There are three things he considers as key to making change happen. First, one should be willing to be responsible and respond to the needs one sees around him. He adds that there should also be a genuine interest to invest in the lives of people.
Second, one should be willing to start small. He recalls the day when they started Real LIFE Foundation, no one practically knew about them but as time went on, the baby steps they took became leaps of faith. As David aptly puts it, “There’s something that happens when you’re willing to plant a seed, when you’re willing to be faithful, and when you’re willing to work hard.”
Lastly, another important factor is the ability to recognize the value of people. “I have a background in Economics and Finance and these have made me realize that everything has value, and there is nothing else that has more value than people,” David says.
Not your ordinary hero
By now everyone already knows about the award-winning hero that is Efren Peñaflorida whose commendable work has put the Philippines on the map of socially responsible nations. From his humble beginnings, Efren defied the odds to better his life and hopes others will be inspired to unleash their potentials.
Behind the accolades, Efren still carries with him the valuable lesson he learned from his mentor. “My mentor would always remind me that even a poor person can make a difference in the lives of others. Even with limited resources, you can think of ways to help other people,” Efren shares. He adds that even age should not be a hindrance to give back to society. More importantly, he learned the value of education in one’s life.
“I came to a point when I really thought of quitting school,” Efren recalls. “But I was constantly encouraged and reminded that if you love and embrace learning, it will love and embrace you back.”
With this life lesson taken to heart, what happened next was sort of a group hug – a group of young people gathered together hugging education and loving it as their own. This vision and passion gave forth to the formation of Dynamic Teen Company (DTC).
Formally organized in 1997 by four teenagers, Efren included, from Cavite National High School. The initial group had around 20 members who saw the group as a friendship club aimed to divert the attention of students from joining violent gangs and fraternities in schools.
Click here to read on about Efren Penaflorida and Karylle.
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Read on about Efren Penaflorida and Karylle.
“It was not easy forming the group in the beginning. During those times, it was just me and some classmates who share the passion to reach out to our schoolmates. We tried to put up activities, talent enhancement programs, and peer counselling so we will be able to attract more members. We even helped each other in school assignments and research projects. From there, our number grew and new batches came along to join our group,” Efren explains.
To win the hearts of the children in slum areas and get them into studying, DTC took the proven route to everyone’s heart – food. “We would gather the kids and promised to give them food after their lessons. Some stayed while there were still some who were there just for the food,” says Efren.
It didn’t take long for the group to literally take the makeshift classrooms to the streets with their famous “kariton.” “At first we were ridiculed,” Efren relates. “They said we would not be able to achieve anything. People in the neighborhood saw us as istorbo sa daan.
“But we persisted. Even I myself get encouragement from the determined volunteers who are really passionate with what they’re doing. The fulfilment comes whenever we get to encourage a child to go to school. It’s definitely priceless and it pushes us to continue doing this,” he concludes.
Diva’s own
With a showbiz diva for a mom, one would think people will readily roll out the red carpet for Karylle. At some point, yes, for this is one of the perks that glamorous people under the klieg lights are entitled to. But for Karylle, it’s all part of a job that requires one to be dolled up and admired. Sans make-up and designer clothes, Karylle is your girl-next-door who has bloomed to become a respectable and responsible lady. As a proof, she is never short in giving words of wisdom for people her age who want to aspire for big things.
“You have to be open to learning,” states Karylle. “There are times when you will fail but you have to get up, get back there, learn from your mistakes, and stay positive. Sometimes you can even learn from other’s experiences. That’s why for me it’s important to meet other people and seek good people.”
The singer-actress has had her share in the limelight. With numerous successful shows, acclaimed movies and drama series, and a promising recording career under her belt, Karylle shoots her way to stardom thanks to her talent and supportive family and friends.
“I think I’m very lucky with the people around me. The people I pretty much need whenever there is something I want to achieve will suddenly and magically show up. Everything just falls into place!” she confides.
Click here to read on about Karylle and how to nominate your own MVP.
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Read on about Karylle and how to nominate your own MVP.
But once behind the cameras, Karylle stays grounded and true to her humanitarian heart. She is a staunch supporter of a number of charitable organizations and animal welfare groups. Extending a
helping hand to the needy comes naturally to the young artist. It is also her way of setting an example among people her age to do their part in making a difference in society. “I am so blessed with my career and the love I get from everyone. It’s only proper to pay it forward,” Karylle says.
To nominate your own MVP:
1. Log on to www.pharmatonmvp.com, register and enter the name of your nominated MVP accompanied with his/her photo.
2. Include a brief description as to why your nominated person is an MVP.
3. Campaign and vote for your MVP by purchasing two Pharmaton capsules. Log on to the website and click your choice of the nominated MVP. Scratch the promo code found at the back foil of the Pharmaton capsules and enter it in the field provided. Every promo code is equivalent to two votes.
4. The nominated MVP must garner the most number of votes to win P100,000 in cash and an all-expense paid trip for 10 to the newly-opened Universal Studios Singapore. P50,000 and P30,000 await the second and third highest number of votes.
5. Nominate your MVP and get the chance to win P50,000 in cash if your MVP garners the most number of votes. Five lucky voters also get a chance to win P10,000 each. A daily winner of P1,000 and Pharmaton gift packs are up for grabs, as well. Simply achieve the highest score in the Pharmatolympics section of the website.
6. Nominate and vote for your MVP now. Voting ends at 12 noon of October 4, 2010.
For more details, visit www.pharmatonmvp.com.
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