What do Ateneo de Manila University’s student council president, an international karate medallist from De La Salle University, a musician from the University of the Philippines, a varsity basketball player from the University of Santo Tomas and a radio DJ from San Beda College have in common? They wear Good Karma Shirts for a good cause.
Good Karma Shirts are part of a youth movement formed by the UP Industrial Engineering Club (UP IE Club), Ateneo’s Environmental Science Society (Ateneo ESS), University of Asia & the Pacific’s ER+GO and University of Santo Tomas’ Junior Pharmacists’ Association-Gamma Chapter (UST-JPAGC).
In four different colors, each shirt represents a particular mission for social change in the Philippines. Profits from the blue shirt will go to Save Philippine Seas; green to Haribon Foundation; white to KRIS Library; red to the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.
Ateneo Sanggunian president Gio Alejo said he wears the Good Karma shirt because he considers himself “an agent of change.” He wears the white shirt because his favorite advocacy is education. “I’m very lucky to have been able to study well—have a good opportunity to hone my skills and my talents. But, sadly, a lot of people…do not have that same chance,” he explained.
Jenica Dizon, president of the Ateneo Environmental Science Society, dons a blue shirt in support of Save Philippine Seas, where she’s a “creative director.” “The Philippines is the center of marine biodiversity in the world,” she said. “We should protect (our marine resources).” Moreover, the country’s resources “sustain many Filipinos,” she added.
Raissa Waga of the University of Asia & the Pacific, wears green, “[My most notable achievement] is…that I get to serve people and promote the cause of my organization.”
Sarah Carlos of San Beda College wears red in support of poor children with cancer and other diseases and who find it difficult to pay for their medical expenses. She is a student jock on RX 93.1, “Good Karma’s about supporting charities,” she said. “They’re trying to make the world a better place.”
Other wearers of Good Karma shirts are: Paulo Pe, who plays UAAP basketball for the UST Growling Tigers and dreams of becoming a successful civil engineer; Jules Herrera-Lim from UP, who leads the Junior Marketing Association and who wants to become a social entrepreneur; Anton Tiongson from the UA&P, who’s a licensed scuba diver and who wants to rebuild coral reefs; Abbygayle Placido from La Salle who leads various Catholic youth groups; Joseph Miranda, also from La Salle, who is an international gold medallist for karate; and Tonio Arellano from UP, who’s a passionate musician.
Good Karma Shirts send the message that if many college students can go beyond their schools to dream and achieve extraordinary things, then more can be done if youths act together.
As Abbygayle Placido said, “I want to be [someone] who can change the world—but little by little.”
Visit https://goodkarmashirts.weebly.com or text 0999-5609435.