UNICEF launches “Auction for Action” showcasing almost a hundred fun and play-inspired furniture and art pieces. The auction also offers unique jewelry and signed books. Video by INQUIRER.net’s Ryan Leagogo

MANILA, Philippines – Almost a hundred fun and play-inspired furniture and art pieces are awaiting participants of UNICEF’s Auction for Action that started on Monday.

During the auction’s preview on October 2, television host Daphne Oseña-Paez personally toured members of the media at the Yuchengco Museum in Makati City, where some of the items are on display.

Oseña-Paez, UNICEF’s Special Advocate for Children, showcased several interesting pieces of art from a Candy Crush-inspired brass sculpture by Michael Cacnio to colorful art toys by the likes of Elmer Borlongan.

unicef-ebay online art auction — Screengrab from www.ebay.ph/unicef

The auction, which is live on Ebay (www.ebay.ph/unicef) until October 27, includes paintings and furniture featuring children at play, as well as sculptures, jewelry and special items.

UNICEF country representative Tomoo Hozumi said, “We started the auction in 2011 with minimal expenses but with a lot of hope and determination…our efforts paid off and the auction has raised more than P4 million (in the last two years for programs for children).”

“This year’s proceeds will go to an innovative program on early learning called Supervised Neighborhood Play,” Oseña-Paez said.

Among the painters who donated their works are Philip Badon, Manuel Baldemor, Jovan Benito, Ramy Boquiren, Norberto “Lito” Carating, Antonio Daleon, Gregory Raymond Halili, Mia Herbosa, Jeannie Javelosa, Raymond Legaspi, Adler Llagas, Hamzah Marbella, Jun Martinez, Celso Pepito, Dominic Rubio, Popo San Pascual, Juvenal Sanso, Roceli Valencia, Alexis Vidal, William Yu and Willibald Zeck.

Designer furniture and home pieces were also made available by Kenneth Cobonpue, Arnold Austria and Sonny Sunga of Jagnus Design Studio, Betis Crafts, Jinggoy Buensuceso, Carlo Calma, Ed Calma for Lor Calma & Partners, Olivia D’Aboville for HIVE, Domicillo, Iñigo Elizalde for Catalina Embroideries, Niccolo Jose, Ito Kish, Daniel Latorre Cruz, Locsin International, Milo Naval, Daphne Oseña-Paez, Debbie Palao, Pietro Collection, Inc., Luisa Robinson for Luisa Home, Vikki Rodriguez for Accessoria, Wataru Sakuma, Vito Selma, Ricky Toledo & Chito Vijandre for FIRMA, and Triboa Bay Living by Vivere Lifestyles Co., Inc.

For non-art collectors, the auction also offers unique jewelry and signed books. The jewelry and accessories, which includes a brass-dipped clutch and “transformer earrings,” are from Amina Aranaz, Kristine Dee, Janina Dizon, Jewelmer Joaillerie, Joyce Makitalo, Ann Ong, Ana Rocha, S.C. Vizcarra, Paul Syjuco and Nicole Whisenhunt.

National Bookstore donated books signed by their respective authors: Mitch Albom, Dan Brown, Eric Carle, Chris Colfer, Todd McFarlane, Thomas Keller and Sebastien Rouxel, Robert Kiyosaki, Dwyane Wade, Cassandra Clare and David Levithan.

Michael Cacnio, Seb Chua, Olivia D’Aboville, Pete Jimenez, Ramon Orlina, Impy Pilapil and Danny Rayos del Sol also donated one-of-a-kind sculptures made from crystal, marble and metals.

But among the most eye-catching were the “special items” that included toy art and functional art from Leeroy New, Nemo Aguila, Elmer Borlongan, JP Cuison, Dex “Garapata Man” Fernandez, Epjay Pacheco, Kawayan Tech, Kohler, Vernon “Spoonman” Perez, Stanley Ruiz, Mitch Shivers, and Christian Tamondong.

Learning with play

Hozumi explained that the UNICEF’s Supervised Neighborhood Play aimed to address the fact “that only 3 out of 10 children have access to early child education because there is no affordable day care nearby or parents think they are too young.”

He said Supervised Neighborhood Play is an alternative form of Early Childhood Care and Development “using neighborhood play as a learning strategy…for disaster-affected communities and informal settlements.”

Oseña-Paez narrated her experience with neighborhood play during a UNICEF mission to Davao after Typhoon “Pablo” hit the province.

“Expression through play, song and dance can help children cope after experiencing tremendous fear and confusion,” she said.

Oseña-Paez said learning with play was crucial for the physical, social and emotional development of children.

Hozumi said children with at least one year of early child education were “less likely to drop out during early grades of elementary school.”

“The (saying) ‘first years last forever’ expresses how important exposure to early child education is in the formative years of life. It makes children prepare not only for subsequent schooling but literally (his) entire life,” Hozumi said.

Those interested to participate in the auction should visit www.ebay.ph/unicef and create a free account to be able to bid.