Author: League of Corporate Foundations

5th Metrobank Foundation Award for Continuing Excellence and Service (ACES). For exemplifying “A Heart that Serves”, MBFI conferred 32 exceptional individuals consisting of teachers, police officers, soldiers, artists, journalists, and scholars with ACES. Joining them on stage (middle, from left to right) are MBFI president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, GT Foundation president Alfred V. Ty, and Metrobank president Fabian S. Dee. 

Celebrating its 45^th year this 2024, the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) continues to carry on the legacy of generosity of the late Dr. George S.K. Ty, founder of both the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank) and MBFI. With the vision to become the country’s premier corporate philanthropic foundation, MBFI is determined to engage and empower communities toward nation-building through its various corporate social responsibility programs on excellence recognition, visual arts, education, disaster response, and grant-giving.

To commemorate the milestone occasion, MBFI recognized exceptional individuals from its roster of awardees and scholars who continued performing their duties with excellence and contributing positively to their respective institutions and communities. They were conferred the 5^th Metrobank Foundation Award for Continuing Excellence and Service (ACES), having exemplified “A Heart that Serves”—the foundation’s anniversary theme for this year. 

“A Heart that Serves” is a philosophy that defines the foundation’s advocacies. MBFI believes that hearts at work symbolize the untamable Filipino character−sincere and selfless. The foundation takes pride in dedicating its energies to the empowerment of others, knowing that nation-building becomes an easy task when all hearts are working together towards its fulfillment. This has been MBFI’s mission since 1979.

This same heart can be seen in the enduring commitment of the exemplary individuals that MBFI honored during their anniversary celebration held at Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig last February 29, 2024.

“A heart that serves is powerful and transformative as we have seen through the last 45 years of Metrobank Foundation’s work. We celebrate it as the legacy of Dr. George S. K. Ty, the man who started it all. It was his corporate vision that the Metrobank conglomerate would pursue nation-building by serving the people who have been an integral part of the company’s acceleration. Service to the community is enshrined in the core values of the Metrobank Group, a payback, as much as a paying forward, the collective success of the business,” said MBFI president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña in his message.

More than 30 individuals were recognized during the event, each receiving the ‘Spiral’ medallion created by 1984 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) awardee, Roberto Feleo.

The honorees were chosen among the previous awardees of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos (OF), which recognizes exemplars from the academe, military, and the police, as well as of the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) program, which honors the talent and hard work of young Filipino artists. Also included in the roster are the Metrobank Foundation Journalists of the Year (JOY) awardees and Metrobank Foundation scholars.

ACES awardees from the roster of the Metrobank Foundation OF are: Roy B. Basa, Ph.D. (2016), Allan Moore S. Cabrillas, Ph.D. (2014), Allan M. Canonigo, Ph.D. (2004), Ernelea P. Cao, Ph.D. (2016), Thomas Edison E. Dela Cruz, Dr Rer Nat (2015), Ernani S. Fernandez Jr., Ed.D. (2015), Rowena R. Hibanada, Ph.D. (2008), Glendale B. Lamiseria, MS (2007), Lourdes L. Matan, Ph.D. (2009), Rejie F. Palmos, Ph.D. (2015), Samuel R. Soliven, Ph.D. (2003), Mark Anthony J. Torres, Ph.D. (2016), Catherine P. Vistro-Yu, Ed.D. (2012), Col. Wilfredo B Manalang Jr, GSC (2016), BGen Pedro Ramon L Sinajon Jr, AFP (Ret) (1999), PSMS Aida L Awitin (2018), PMAJ Helen L Dela Cruz (2011), PBGEN Joel B Doria, Ph.D. (2017), PMGEN Edgar Alan O Okubo (2013), PCPT Shiela May S Pansoy, MPsy (2017), PMAJ Anna Lisa R Reyes (2008), and PCOL Jemuel F Siason, MPA (2016).

ACES was also presented to MADE awardees: Leslie E. De Chavez (2003), Christopher L. Gomez (2012), Felix M. Miguel (1989), and Heidrun Milan, IDr (2010); to JOY awardees: Rodrigo “Jiggy” D. Manicad Jr. (2013), Horacio “Howie” G. Severino (2015), and Maria Teresa “Marites” D. Vitug (2015); and to former Metrobank Foundation scholars Mary Rachelle C. Batanes, MA, Maria Rosario P. Ilao, and Brian Gil S. Sarinas, Ph.D. 

Institutional partners were also honored during the special gathering, under the 4^th Metrobank Foundation Award for Partners in Empowerment, Advocacy, and Commitment to Excellence (PEACE) to acknowledge their collaborative efforts with MBFI toward nation-building. 

“We encourage you to continue with us in this noble call to nation-building, leveraging our modest resources, and amplifying your work as our partners to be there for the disadvantaged and the marginalized. Let us not get tired of doing what is right,” said Sobrepeña, addressing the partners of the foundation. 

Thirty (30) institutions that include national government agencies, non-government and socio-civic organizations, international organizations as well as the academe, business, and media received the ‘Kapit-Bisig’ trophy created by Architect Jonathan Dangue, 2011 MADE awardee.

From the National Government Agencies, MBFI acknowledged partners from the Department of Education, the Philippine National Police, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine Postal Corporation.

From Non-Government and Socio-Civic Organizations, MBFI honored Got Heart Foundation, Inc., Linangan Art Residency, BAYO Foundation, Inc., International Care Ministries, Metrobank Foundation Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators, BINHI English Literacy Foundation, Inc., Food for the Hungry, Inc. Branch Office, Philippine Business for Education, World Vision Development Foundation, Inc., and Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. 

Partners recognized from the business sector include City Savings Bank, Inc., China Bank Savings, BDO Network Bank/BDO Foundation, PLDT-Smart Foundation, Inc., Globe Telecom, and Manila Doctors Hospital.

The PEACE award was also presented to SEAMEO INNOTECH and Manila Tytana Colleges, as well as to media partners GMA Network, Inc., DWIZ (Aliw Broadcasting Corp.), and The Manila Times, and COVID-19 intervention partners, Ronald McDonald House Charities Philippines, DZRH (Manila Broadcasting Co.), Manila Water Foundation, and Ateneo de Davao University.

4th Metrobank Foundation Award for Partners in Empowerment, Advocacy, and Commitment to Excellence (PEACE). Metrobank Foundation honored 30 institutional partners from various government agencies, non-government and socio-civic organizations, international organizations, academe, business, and media with the PEACE award to acknowledge their collaborative efforts with MBFI toward nation-building. Joining them on stage (middle, from left to right) are MBFI president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, GT Foundation president Alfred V. Ty, and Metrobank president Fabian S. Dee. 

Another highlight of the occasion was the presentation of the gallant members of armed forces and police—Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos Soldiers and Police Officers who are promoted as star-rank generals. They were: GEN Romeo S Brawner Jr (2013); BGEN Elmer B Suderio PA (2017); BGEN Antonio Z Francisco Jr PAF (2012); BGEN Eliglen F Villaflor PA (GSC) (2016); PMGEN Eric E Noble (Ret) (2009); PMGEN Belli B Tamayo (2012); PMGEN Edgar Allan O Okubo (2013); PMGEN Ronald O Lee (2008); PMGEN Leo M Francisco (2010); PBGEN Alden B Delvo (2009); PMGEN Sidney N Villaflor (2010); PBGEN Wilson Joseph F Lopez (2007); and PBGEN Joel B Doria (Ret) (2017).

Star-rank Generals. Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos Soldiers and Police Officers who were promoted as star-rank generals were presented during Metrobank Foundation’s 45^th anniversary celebration. They were joined on stage by MBFI president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña and GT Foundation president Alfred V. Ty (middle). 

Recently, MBFI also recognized its internal stakeholders who were instrumental in helping realize its mission of corporate philanthropy through the Seal of Trust for Allies in Responsive Service (STARS).

MBFI was established on January 8, 1979, sixteen (16) years after Dr. Ty founded Metrobank. It is the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group, implementing various programs on education, facilitating excellence recognition among key professions in the civil service and visual arts, and extending grants to address disaster relief and response needs, as well as social development gaps.

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The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) was established on January 8, 1979 by Dr. George S. K. Ty, sixteen (16) years after he founded the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank). MBFI envisions to be the country’s premier corporate philanthropic foundation contributing a significant impact on social development.  Its flagship programs include the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos; Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE); Metrobank Scholarship Program (MSP); Metrobank MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC); Grants and Social Development Partnerships, Disaster Response, National Teachers’ Month (NTM) celebration, and the Metrobank Foundation Professorial Chair Lectures. MBFI is also the principal owner of the Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH), one of the leading centers of wellness in the country. As a development organization, MBFI aims to uplift individuals and the sectors they represent and strategically link with institutions for a shared purpose. By creating and propagating a culture of excellence and providing solutions to stakeholder’s needs, the Foundation continuously expands its scope of reach to be at the forefront of serving communities. As the heart of the Metrobank Group, “Excel. Engage. Empower” or the 3Es remains its roadmap.

PHINMA Vice Chairman Dr. Magdaleno B. Albarracin Jr. has been recognized by the University of the Philippines Engineering Research and Development Foundation (UPERDFI) for his unwavering commitment for the organization’s activities supporting the UP College of Engineering (UP CoE) in the past five decades.

Dr. Albarracin, a former UPERDFI chairman, was among the institution’s “Legacy Donors” or top ten benefactors since 1972 honored during the Thanksgiving Dinner on Feb. 7 at the Makati Sports Club.

The UPERDFI also recognized Dr. Albarracin as a Platinum Donor and PHINMA Foundation as a Gold Donor from December 2022 to November 2023 during the event.

To recall, Dr. Albarracin worked with PHINMA Foundation in providing funding for 11 professorial chairs for the UP CoE — of which six are still being used today.

Just last year, he donated P50 million for the upgrade of the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute laboratories. He also contributed to the Technology Development and Strategic Studies Fund, the Student Wellbeing Program, and the UPERDFI administration.

Dr. Albarracin also led a matching fundraising campaign in 2008 for the construction of the Engineering Centennial Dormitory Building 1, now known as the Concordia Albarracin Residence Hall, which caters to male graduate students of UP Diliman.

A UP electrical engineering alumnus himself, Dr. Albarracin believes in the importance of using business as a force for good by investing in the engineers of tomorrow.

“Education plays a crucial role in nation-building, which is why businesses and leaders like myself must take the lead in investing in our students. The future of our nation lies in these aspiring engineers who will map out the blueprint for progress and chart the course for further development,” said Dr. Albarracin.

The PHINMA Foundation has been empowering high school students from 13 different regional and science high schools, as well as college engineering students from 10 various colleges and universities across the Philippines since the inception of its Science Education and Engineering program in 2006 — a testament to its enduring commitment to fostering the potential of Filipino youth.

This academic year, the Foundation proudly supports 87 high school and 44 college students by ensuring they have the necessary resources and support to pursue and complete their college education.

Manila Water Foundation partnered with Odyssey Foundation, Inc. (OFI), the CSR arm of CDO Foodsphere Inc. for a WASH Pamayanan session in the Municipality of Cuenca, Batangas. ​

WASH Pamayanan encourages community members to be WASH advocates, enhancing knowledge, skills, and attitudes on hygiene and sanitation for healthier homes and communities. WASH Pamayanan was part of OFI’s Gabay Kalusugan Family Enrichment Seminar and concluded with the distribution of OFI’s VitaBun, a vitamin-fortified bread for undernourished children.​

The parent-participants received gift bags from Manila Water Foundation’s partner, Philusa Corporation. Each gift bag contains bottles of Cleene Antibacterial Foaming Handsoap and other essential hygiene items. The mothers and fathers also received Ascorbic Acid Poten-Cee vitamin supplements from Pascual Laboratories. The WASH Pamayanan session is part of a series of WASH events in celebration of MWF’s 19th anniversary.​

#WASHforAllCommunities#MWF19

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr., DOST Undersecretary Maridon Sahagun, and DOST-TAPI Director Marion Ivy Decena presented the prestigious award to PSFI, along with the 12 esteemed ‘Champions of Change’ chosen from their extensive network of partners nationwide. PSFI’s Program Manager for Education, Kath Valentin-Ringor, and Senior Program Officer for Education and Innovation, Crisille Villaluna, received the plaque for PSFI’s commitment to elevating the quality of STEM education and contribution to enterprise development through innovative initiatives such as Shell NXplorers and Shell LiveWIRE.

These programs have empowered young minds and contributed to cultivating a culture of scientific excellence in the Philippines. Since 2020, Shell LiveWIRE Philippines has supported almost 200 entrepreneurs creating more than 700 local jobs within the sectors of energy, environment and circular economy, and local prosperity. Meanwhile, Shell NXplorers has reached over 2,000 students and trained 300+ teachers nationwide since the program started in 2019 to cultivate STEM Habits of the Mind to address relevant community challenges on food, water, and energy.

As the social arm of Shell Companies in the Philippines, the Foundation has been a crucial instrument in partnering with DOST-TAPI to further youth capacity building, nurture bright ideas, support tech startups, and make technology accessible to underserved communities. Through DOST-TAPI’s mentoring programs including the promotion of Intellectual Property Rights, Shell NXplorers participants can be equipped with skills and mindset necessary to drive innovative idea generation. Moreover, the Institutes’ programs for inventors and startup founders present opportunities for Shell LiveWIRE cohorts to enhance their product and business development. The collaboration between PSFI and DOST-TAPI seeks to instill a passion for science among Filipino youth and entrepreneurs.

Shell LiveWIRE, the flagship enterprise development program of Shell, supports entrepreneurs and helps new business leaders grow. Similarly, NXplorers, Shell’s Global STEM Program, introduces young individuals to the complex and creative thinking needed for making meaningful change.

DOST-TAPI celebrated its 37th Anniversary with the theme: “Defying Boundaries, Celebrating Victories, and Sharing the Glory in Making History!,” which resonates with the achievements of PSFI and its fellow ‘Champions of Change’. We at PSFI extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners. Our collective efforts made this first milestone of 2024 possible. Just as the theme says, let us continue to push the boundaries of possibility and make more societal impacts on moving the Filipinos forward in the pages of history.

Learn more about PSFI programs: https://pilipinasshellfoundation.org/our-work-programs/

#PilipinasShellFoundation#FilipinoForward

Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) Executive Director Louie Boy G. De Real and Trustee and Corporate Secretary Melissa Aquino receive the Excellence Award for Communication Management in the 20th Philippine Quill Awards held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Newport, Pasay City.

Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) proudly clinched its 3rd Philippine Quill Award of Excellence, this time for being one of the best in employee engagement through its “Regalo Mo, Kinabukasan Ko” (RMKK) internal fundraising program for the scholarship provided to Security Bank guards, messengers, janitors and other agency personnel.

The award was received by SBFI Trustee and Corporate Secretary Melissa Aquino and Executive Director Louie De Real from International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines last January 23, 2024 at Marriott Grand Ballroom, Newport, Pasay City.

This is the 8th Philippine Quill trophy of SBFI since 2015 – now having 3 Excellence Awards (highest distinction) and 5 Merit Awards under its belt.

The RMKK program generated 40% of the annual fund needed for the scholarship of the Bank’s agency personnel, having an average of 100 employees attending each event in 2022 – with the Christmas Concert for a Cause event generating the highest attendance of 959. The SBFI, in partnership with the Bank’s other departments, implemented virtual activities such as Name It to Win It, The Singing Bee, Bingo Night, Family Feud, The Price is Right, 4Pics 1Word, Trivia Night, and Live Selling.

Notably, these activities gave valuable opportunities for employee engagement for both Bank employees who are on work from home setup and for employees stationed in provincial branches and offices, all while helping send more scholars to school.

Moreover, the RMKK program also allowed employees to adopt a scholar for a year through sponsorship of their full year tuition expense and allowances. Employees who accessed internal skill-building platform LinkedIn Learning also helped generate funds for the program with Php 1 for every hour spent in the platform – a program done in collaboration with Security Bank’s training and development arm, SB Academy.

The SBFI also ensured a variety of channels for donation which may be done either through cash deposit, credit card one-time or installment charging, and conversion of credit card reward points as donation.

Beyond raising funds, the program aimed to increase Security Bank employees’ awareness and interest of its companies’ CSR programs and its advocacy of education. The SBFI’s RMKK scholarship program has graduated 46 scholars in college, with 5 receiving Latin honors and 6 employed in Security Bank.

To learn more about Security Bank Foundation’s programs and how you can contribute, visit http://www.securitybank.com/foundation.

#BetterBankingIsSustainable #RegaloMoKinabukasanKo

La Union – On the occasion of its 43rd Foundation Anniversary, the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) acknowledged SFI’s support to the extension and outreach program of its Fisheries Research and Training Institute in a ceremony held on January 17, 2024.

SFI’s Area Officer Keselene Domingsil received the Plaque of Recognition from DMMMSU.

In the picture [from left to right] are: Dr. Junifer Rey E. Tabafunda (Chancellor, DMMMSU-Northern La Union Campus), Dr. Priscillo Fontanilla (Vice President for Planning and Development, Dr. Elsie Pacho (Vice President for Academic Affairs and Internationalization), Dr. Angelina Gonzales (Vice President for Research, Development and Innovation), Dr. Cristine Ferrer (CHED Region 1 Director), Dr. Cristeta Gapuz (Executive Director, Sericulture Research and Development Institute), Dr. Antonio Ogbinar (Vice President for Administration and Quality Assurance), and Dr. Joseph Panas (Executive Director, National Apiculture Research and Development Institute).

The recognition is a testament to SFI’s untiring efforts in helping nutritionally-at-risk households in Bgys. Paratong 4, Paratong 3 and Mindoro in the municipality of Bangar under its Tugon sa Gutom program. The partnership with DMMMSU in promoting fisheries production and fish processing would not have progressed well without the efforts of Dr. Andie John D. Tadeo, Director of the Fisheries Research and Training Institute and Ms. Regina Labiano, Municipal Agriculturist of Bangar and support of Mayor Joy P. Merin.

BDO Foundation partnered anew with Huawei Philippines as part of a shared advocacy to implement education-related initiatives.

The corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank and the global leader in information and communications technology infrastructure and smart devices agreed to co-fund the development of financial literacy videos, which will form part of an ongoing financial education program for the Philippine National Police.

The partners also agreed to finance the production of a second batch of curriculum-based videos on early numeracy, which will be used in the teaching of Mathematics and Science to Grade One pupils. Through the aforementioned projects, the partners aim to enhance the economic well-being of police personnel, help improve basic education and continue contributing to the government’s efforts to empower Filipino educators and learners.

The memorandum of agreement was recently signed by (from left) BDO Foundation trustee Evelyn Salagubang, trustee Lucy Co Dy and president Mario Deriquito as well as Huawei Philippines public affairs and communications department director Hu Weihua and public affairs manager Liang Jiahao. The learning resources on personal finance and early numeracy are the latest initiatives to be undertaken by BDO Foundation and Huawei Philippines, which previously joined forces for programs that benefitted public school students and teachers.

About BDO Foundation
BDO Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank. Founded in 2008, the foundation aims to contribute to nation-building by addressing the needs of underserved sectors of society through its disaster response and financial inclusion advocacies. Supported by the BDO Unibank community and in partnership with local government units and non-governmental organizations, BDO Foundation mounts relief operations, rehabilitates rural health units, constructs school buildings, implements financial education programs and undertakes COVID-19 response programs across the country. Its corporate citizenship initiatives have been recognized at the Retail Banking Awards of Asian Banking & Finance magazine and Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards of Enterprise Asia. For more information, visit http://www.bdo.com.ph/foundation/home, e-mail bdo.foundation@bdo.com.ph or call 8840-7000 local 36046.

BDO Foundation, Inc.
10th Floor BDO Corporate Center Ortigas
12 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center
Mandaluyong City 1550

The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement was led by Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña (third from the left) and Pilipinas Shell Foundation’s executive director Sebastian Quiniones, Jr. (fourth from the left). They were joined by Metrobank Foundation executive vice president Philip Francisco Dy (second from the left), grants and partnerships program manager Marievic Mariano, Pilipinas Shell Foundation’s program director Sherwin Yap, and senior program manager for Nutrition and Food Security Maria Pamela Castro.

Metrobank Foundation, Inc., (MBFI) and Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on 6 November 2023 in Makati City for the implementation of a three-year, community-based, and multi-sectoral program to address undernutrition in economically disadvantaged communities in Camarines Sur.

Dubbed as Roots to Shoots, the 7.2-million-peso program funded by MBFI will provide a holistic and integrated approach, and target at least 245 parents and caregivers, children under five years old, and public sector individuals from Barangay Santa Rosa del Sur, the second barangay with the highest incidence of malnutrition in Pasacao, Camarines Sur. Roots to Shoots will focus on three key areas. The Food Security and Livelihood component, which will be led by PSFI, will help improve food availability and food access in the community by providing agricultural resources and technical knowledge on sustainable livelihood. The Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene component, which will be overseen by the Manila Water Foundation, will improve the access to basic water and sanitation facilities to communities that will enable them to practice proper hygiene and sanitation. The Mother and Child Care component will focus on strengthening the capacity of mothers and caregivers as well as health and nutrition workers to provide adequate nutrition and holistic care to their children through nutrition education sessions and early childhood care and development. This will be co-implemented by World Vision Development Foundation, Inc.  The Roots to Shoots expansion will involve Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion in its implementation, ensuring all members of the communities have equal access to the program’s benefits, regardless of their gender, disability, or social status.

The program is aligned with the national agenda on health and nutrition, specifically RA 11148: “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Magnanay Act“, Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023-2028, and RA 8980: “Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Act”, and will forge strong collaboration with government agencies such as the Department of Health, National Nutrition Council, Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute, and the Local Government Unit of Pasacao, Camarines Sur.

“We are excited about this partnership because this signifies an important shift in the grant-making program that we do in the foundation and that’s really looking at how to support more integrated, more multi-sectoral, and more holistic programs that will address the different facets of the problems that we are trying to address,” said MBFI executive vice president Philip Francisco Dy. “We really want to see to the extent that we can help and to the extent that we can participate and make sure it becomes successful as we expand into Barangay Santa Rosa del Sur in Pasacao, Camarines Sur for this partnership project.”

The Roots to Shoots program was initially PSFI’s three-year program implemented from 2019 to 2022 in eight barangays in Bombon and five barangays in Pasacao, Camarines Sur. Its pilot intervention was successful in improving the nutritional and food security status of the families and children in these communities. Since the start of the intervention, PSFI reported a 10.57% reduction in stunting, 5.39% decrease in wasting, and a 6.91% decline in the number of underweight children. in Pasacao. In Bombon, on the other hand, incidences of stunting were also reduced by 7.45%, wasting by 2.46%, and decreased the number of underweight children by 4.32%.

“We can’t do this alone. It has to be all of government, all of nation approach and so we’re very proud to be able to show a model that actually works. We’re very proud to see it recognized by partners who are now willing to assist,” said PSFI executive director Sebastian Quiniones, Jr. “As our partnership goes forward, with the grace of God, we hope that we can make this little bit of a dent within our country which can then expand to the whole of the country so that we can then achieve the benefits of the demographic bubble that the Philippines is in now.”

With the launch of the expanded Roots to Shoots, MBFI and PSFI are committed to continuing the fight against undernutrition and food insecurity in the Philippines by supporting the national mandate and global targets through the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Smile Train closes out 2023 with a Guinness World Record.

World Smile Day proved to be a historic date for LCF member Smile Train as they celebrated achieving a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the largest online photo album of smiling mouths.

Setting this record has allowed Smile Train to raise awareness about cleft, share the challenges cleft-affected individuals and their families go through, and show the world that, truly, all smiles are beautiful.

Visit https://www.everysmile.org/ to see all the smiles Smile Train has gathered from friends, families, partners, patients – all of which has enabled them to hold this official Guinness World Record.