MANILA, Nov. 10,
2016 –
All over the Philippines, the iconic red and white logo of Coca-Cola always
evokes a feeling of refreshing ice-cold beverages that can be enjoyed and
shared with loved ones and friends to make meal times more special.
But in other parts of the nation, in
remote villages where water is scarce, in communities where women are
struggling to improve their household income, and in schools where students are
suffering from poor health, Coca-Cola has been a refreshing sign of hope and
progress, thanks to the various social responsibility programs of the company
through their social responsibility arm – the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines
Inc.
 |
Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines President
Cecile Alcantara leads the celebratory toast on their 30th
anniversary. Alcantara was joined by Coca-Cola Philippines President and
General Manager Diego Granizo and Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines Director for
Legal and Corporate Affairs Atty. Jorenz Tanada.
|
Since it was established in November
1986 as a manifestation of the commitment of Coca-Cola to corporate citizenship
in the country, the Foundation has helped improve the quality of life of
hundreds of thousands of Filipinos through education, health, water sanitation,
and livelihood programs. Through the Foundation, Coca-Cola has also provided
emergency assistance during disasters and implemented various environmental
conservation projects.
Celebrating 30 years of fulfilling the
mission of providing sustainable growth and well-being in Filipino communities,
the Foundation’s current programs this year are focused on enabling access to
safe water in underserved, rural communities as well as providing education and
development opportunities to the Filipino youth.
“At
Coca-Cola, we have a shared vision of growing our business and enhancing the
sustainability of local communities around the world. We are very thankful that
for the past 30 years, we have been given wonderful opportunities to serve
thousands of Filipino communities, share happiness and make a difference in the
lives of countless people through programs implemented through the Foundation
and our partners,” said Diego Granizo, Coca-Cola Philippines President and
General Manager.
The Happiness
Project
In celebration of its milestone year,
the Foundation will publish a 30th anniversary magazine, “The Happiness
Project”, which highlights its achievements in uplifting the lives of Filipinos
in various communities. The publication features amazing stories written by
University of Sto. Tomas-Journalism Society, and photos taken by De La
Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLSU-CSB) School of Design and Arts students
and faculty volunteers. They captured stories of struggles, hopes and dreams
that came true for beneficiary communities of Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines
and their program partners.
 |
Images that captured the many forms of
happiness brought by the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines in its various programs
were put on display at the Gateway Mall in Cubao.
|
The Happiness Project magazine, along
with videos and photos capturing these true stories of hope will be exhibited
from November 10 to 12 at the Activity Area of Gateway Mall, Araneta Center,
Cubao, Quezon City – a project made possible through a partnership with the J.
Amado Araneta Foundation and Araneta Group.
Among the “happiness” stories are that
of a barangay captain in Bato, Leyte and a 74-year-old man in Baao, Camarines
Sur who were blessed with finally having access to clean drinking water through
the Agos project of the Foundation, in partnership with the Alternative Indigenous
Development Foundation, Inc. and the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement.
The project uses a gravity installation, which brings water from upland sources
to communities downhill.
 |
| Coca-Cola Philippines Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications Atty. Adel Tamano and Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines Director for Legal and Corporate Affairs Atty. Jorenz Tanada, lead the ribbon cutting of The Happiness Project exhibit of the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines on its 30th anniversary. |
The Happiness Project also features
eye-opening stories of the hardships of young Tacloban students in the
aftermath of super typhoon Yolanda and a retired high school teacher in Butong,
Quezon province who both found the passion to continue learning and teaching,
respectively, after experiencing the Little Red Schoolhouse project which the
Foundation built. The two-storey, typhoon-resilient Little Red Schoolhouse
inside the Marasbaras Elementary School in Leyte has six classrooms, each fully
equipped with chairs, tables blackboards, and comfort rooms, while the Little
Red Schoolhouse at the Quezon National High School-Apyao Annex is the first one
built for middle school students.
“Our work in Coca-Cola Foundation rewarded us over a hundred-fold – with warm smiles and the sincere expressions
of gratefulness from the people we have met along the way. Even a tearful
speech of a grandfather who has turned hopeful that his grandchildren will have
a better life because they now have free flowing fresh water a few steps from
their home, beats any award or trophy,” said Cecile Alcantara, Coca-Cola
Foundation Philippines President.
The
Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. is a founding member of the League of
Corporate Foundations, and member of the Association of Foundations and the
Corporate Network for Disaster Response.
Social Plugin