MAKATI CITY, Philippines—National pageant organizations Miss Universe Philippines and Mutya Pilipinas Inc. launched their own donation drives to benefit those who are affected by the “enhanced community quarantine” that the government imposed to address the escalating rate of infection of COVID-19 in Metro Manila.
Miss Universe Philippines, the country’s youngest national pageant organization, launched a food donation drive for stranded students in dormitories at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, as well as families at the National Children’s Hospital (NCH).
“Due to the lockdown, the families and the students have limited access to food,” the organization said in a post on its official Facebook page.
National Director Shamcey Supsup-Lee is spearheading the drive, through her restaurant chain Pedro and Coi’s “BIyaheng Busog” project.
Miss Universe Philippines Creative Director Jonas Gaffud told the Inquirer in an interview via Facebook Messenger that 100 food packs were distributed at the NCH on Monday, while 100 more food packs were received at the Sanggumay Residence Hall in UP.
The organization will continue to distribute food packs to NCH and UP every day until Friday, he added.
Gaffud expressed gratitude to those who donated and signified interest in helping, and said, “let’s just help each other.”
Those who wish to donate are encouraged to visit biyahengbusog.com.ph to learn how to take part in the initiative. The company is offering free delivery for a minimum order of 50 food packs.
For food packaging materials and ingredients for donation, contact Ira at 8936-1963.
Mutya Pilipinas Inc., one of the longest-running pageant organizations in the country, announced on its official Facebook page on Monday the “Beauty in Giving” fundraising campaign.
The initiative is in partnership with the PGH Medical Foundation Inc. (PGHMFI) and aims to “support healthworkers and patients.”
Filipinos who wish to help may donate to PGHMFI’s bank accounts with the account name PGH Medical Foundation Inc.:
· Philippine National Bank, PGH Compound, Taft Avenue Manila, number 168370000933
· Banco de Oro (savings account), Pedro Gil Branch, number 002410071569
· Bank of the Philippine Islands (current account), Ayala Alabang Branch, Muntinlupa City, number 8291-0060-36
· Landbank of the Philippines (dollar account), Taft Avenue branch, number 0594-0012-22
The pageant organization also listed the following contact persons:
· Victor Zoleta, 09228317470, [email protected]
· Diane Dee-Liwanag, 09175199133, [email protected]
· Telesforo Gana, 09209142019, [email protected]
As of this writing, the Philippines has 462 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 18 recoveries and 33 deaths.
