It was an afternoon filled with games, creativty and a whole lot of smiles as beneficiaries of Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft charity, celebrated World Smile Day together with Binibining Pilipinas 2019 title holders and Aboitiz Foundation officials.
The children showed their enthusiasm for life and creativity as they made plush toys with Binibining Pilipinas Universe Gazini Ganados, Binibining Pilipinas International Patch Magtanong, Binibining Pilipinas Supranational Resham Saeed, Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental Emma Tiglao, Binibining Pilipinas Globe Leren Bautista, and Binibining Pilipinas first runner-up Aya Abesamis and second runner-up Samantha Bernardo.
Actor-singer Natalia Santamaria Escaño (“Annie” the musical) treated the kids and their parents to a song from the film “The Greatest Showman.”
With the support of donors and partners, Smile Train has supported more than 1.5 million cleft surgeries around the world since 1999. In the Philippines, over 4,000 children are born with cleft lip/palate and Smile Train has funded more than 60,000 cleft surgeries.
“As we celebrate World Smile Day with our partners, Aboitiz Foundation and Binibining Pilipinas, we reaffirm our commitment to raise more awareness and inspire others to join our cause in spreading smiles in the country,” said Kimmy Flaviano, Smile Train Philippines and Southeast Asia director.
Aboitiz Foundation supports Smile Train by raising awareness and funds for children with clefts through KINDer by Aboitiz, an online platform where the public can donate to various advocacies that aim to help create a kinder world.
“In less than a year, we have raised more than 60 percent of our target funds to support Smile Train and children with clefts through our KINDer website (kinder.aboitiz.com), as part of our efforts to advance business and communities by co-creating safe, empowered and sustainable communities,” said Aboitiz Foundation chief operating officer Maribeth Marasigan. —CONTRIBUTED
For more information about Smile Train’s programs in the Philippines or to make a donation, visit smiletrain.org. Follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.
