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"Today, we celebrate our freedom to choose what is right and to do what is good. We honor those who gave their lives for our freedom through our relentless pursuit of a Philippines free from hunger, homelessness and landlessness. Mabuhay kayong mga bagong bayani."

- Luis Oquiñena, GK Executive Director

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, PHILIPPINES!

Huling hirit sa tag-init! Ikaw na lang ang kulang! Sama ka na?

Foodtrip ba hanap mo? Kasama ang mga bagong kaibigan?

Perfect excuse na makasama ang mga kaibigan? Pwede!

Pwede pang ihabol ang summer tan! Tara!

"Alam mo, para kang Lupang Hinirang."


"Bakit?"


"Kasi buhay ay langit sa piling mo."

Sinong gising na? O gising pa? Magandang umaga! :) #‎EndPoverty

Hello from Team Gabaldon!

Final leg of North Luzon's ‪#‎BayaniChallenge‬ culminates here in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija. Inviting everyone to join us. Volunteer and let's party together! See you tomorrow 'till June 13!
‪
#‎BrgyWalangIwanan‬
‪#‎EndPoverty‬

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CAVITE (Dasmarinas)

Magandang umaga, Cavite! Huling hirit sa tag-init! Excited na ako magkakulay ang mga bahay dito. Join us here starting today til Sunday! And we got families volunteering with us for the weekend! #‎EndPoverty

We began the Bayani Challenge 2015 in Dasmarinas, Cavite with a Holy Mass. "Our suffering and sacrifice for others will enlighten our mind. This is the manifestation of our love for God. Remember that in our sufferings and sacrifices, we are one with God." — Father Mike Cron

The energy was high throughout the next couple of days, as real-life heroes from various places in Southern Luzon and even Metro Manila gathered to count themselves in this challenge to help end poverty for Cavite. One of the main activities was the house build in the SMDC-GK Village in Dasmarinas, Cavite.

Everyone took their part in building new homes and new hope for the families who will soon live there, including families, students, soldiers, policemen, employee volunteers from Meralco & LBC (including Chairman Dino Araneta and his sons), and even our very own GK full time workers who took a break from their office tasks to be there.

For kids and kids at heart, we also had several fun games (longest line, anyone?) and the Paraisong Pambata thanks to our friends from iVolunteer. Thank you iVolunteer for spending your summer with GK and these kids. We are excited for next year! :)

While they were doing all these kalinga activities, the volunteers also had a whole lot of fun: from the Bayanihan Race and firehouse bath to the boodle fight and Kalinga nights. And of course, by the end of the Bayani Challenge everyone could dance the Unity Dance with ease.

At the end of the day, volunteers left Cavite with a summer experience that they will never forget.

"BAYANIHAN at its finest! Experienced it first-hand during our 3-day stay at GK Dasma. Nakaka-proud maging Pilipino! Sobra!!! Seeds were planted in our hearts...Awakening of dreams for our dear country. Inspired. Motivated. Empowered.

Sa susunod babalik tayo with more friends and family to volunteer. Sabi nga ni Ate Melai, when we give our time to volunteer sa GK, we see the goodness in other people and then we see the goodness in us."

— Nikki Bumatay,
GK Volunteer

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ILOILO (Iloilo City)

In the province of Iloilo, the Bayani Challenge finally makes it way back to Iloilo City, which is the 24th (out of 27) town/city that is participating in the Bayani Challenge this summer. Mayor Jed Mabilog of Iloilo City has committed that 179 barangays of the city will participate in Barangay Walang Iwanan.

On June 6, 10 and 11, this is exactly what the entire city did, one barangay after another. GK Head of Iloilo Rose Cacho says, "When you here firecrackers early tomorrow morning it signals the bayanihan clean up for the whole city, followed by Paraisong Pambata. Tara na lets all join the clean up!"

In Brgy. Boulevard, Molo, PECO (Panay Electric Company Inc) led the feeding and Paraisong Pambata program.

Volunteers also converged in GK San Isidro, where 2 more duplex homes are being built for more families. Other activities included the farm build, clean up drive, library painting, Brigada Eskwela, and even the Laro ng Lahi.

With love and gratitude, we would also like to thank our friends from LBC Foundation for giving 100 soccer shirts, 85 shorts and 11 footballs for the GK kids in the SIPAG program.

We close Bayani Challenge 2015 today but let us continue tirelessly and relentlessly to love the Philippines every day of our lives. Let us ask ourselves, "How can we show our love for our country?" This is a conscious effort. If we all move together in no time we will have a first class nation. — Rose Cacho, GK Head of Iloilo

The day after was Independence Day, and GK Iloilo volunteers participated in the parade around the city. It was a march of ordinary people with an extraordinary love for country. "It is not your business to succeed, but to do right; When you've done so, the rest lies with God." (C.S. Lewis) Para sa Ginoo, Para sa Iloilo, Waay Bayaay!

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LAGUNA (Santa Rosa)

The national launch of the Bayani Challenge 2015 was held in Santa Rosa, Laguna, 2 months ago. This time, 18 barangays of Santa Rosa converged once again for the opening parade and program of the last week of the Bayani Challenge. On June 8, 2015. Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas herself was there to rally the people of Santa Rosa behind the commitment to help end poverty and leave no one behind.

Volunteers were more than game to show their love and care for Santa Rosa, actively participating in various bayanihan activities:

House Build

Paraisong Pambata

Clean-up Drive and Kalinga Nights

Maraming salamat, Santa Rosa! Walang iwanan!

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NUEVA ECIJA (Gabaldon)

OPTUS SINGTEL GLOBE Gawad Kalinga Philippines 2015 from Enzo Maisano - Tell the Story on Vimeo.

Nueva Ecija was filled with heroism and fun as volunteers from other parts of the Philippines and even the world converged in Gabaldon for the last week of the Bayani Challenge. Volunteers from GK Singapore, Human Nature, Singtel, Optus, Globe, GK Ateneo, Bayani on Wheels, and many others temporarily left their comfort zones to work hand in hand with the people of Gabaldon and build hope for the poor.

Young and old, near or far, nothing could stop the volunteers as they worked together to repaint the colorful homes in GK Kalayaan, Gabaldon:

""Masaya maging malaya dahil pwede magpintura."

— Diwa Cruz,
GK Volunteer
Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija

Throughout the 5 days, volunteers got to spend so much time with the kids and adults, in many different activities:

On-going session with the Sagip kids! Everyone is excited to play basketball, volleyball and football! #‎Globe #‎SingtelSingapore #‎OptusAustralia

Thanks @oo_devera of GK Singapore for helping out in today's Arts and Crafts session with our Sibol kids! And for bringing along your friends too! #‎GKSG

Making Paraisong Pambata more fun and exciting with the special participation of Jollibee!! Thank you to our volunteers from @GKSingapore, @humanheartnature and PSYC for making 120 kids super happy today! Beeda any says sa Brgy. Brgy. Camachile, Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija.

Today's SIGA session is about learning Respect and Teamwork! Each team was asked to create a bridge by working together and they have to make sure that it is one strong bridge!

#‎Globe #‎SingtelSingapore #‎OptusAustralia

"What I liked most about this trip is the interaction with the community. The kids are very friendly and also the elder ones. They are happy that we are here. As a father and thinking of my family back home, I know that they were given a lot of opportunities and being in this community makes me want to be able to do more to help others."

— Sam, Optus Australia Volunteer

"I love volunteering because I want to serve. This is a great opportunity that allows us to spend time with the communities, help paint their homes, play and sing with the kids. I love it when we work together. I will treasure this experience for the rest of my life."

— Annet Chapman,
Optus Australia Volunteer

"I want to be able to give back to my country and Singtel has given us this opportunity. I am blessed to be selected to participate. I want to learn the struggles of the less fortunate and it gives me a wider perspective of life and really have a better appreciation of where I am now and where I am going. It's been fun doing activities with the GK Sibol kids and as a mom I am able to replicate what I do at home. GK gives the poor a better chance in life."

— Laurice Candy Guico,
Singtel Singapore Volunteer

#‎BC2015 update:

School refurbishing in Brgy. Malinaw. We visited a Dumagat tribe who makes handwoven crafts made of Cogon. They sell the plate for 20pesos each. They can make up to 4pcs a day. They have the skills but lack the proper market to sell it. Maybe we can help it promoting or selling it?

#‎endpoverty #‎walangiwanan #‎bayanichallenge

JUNE 12: Today, Bayani Challenge volunteers all over the Philippines are fighting for the poorest of the poor, helping them achieve their freedom from poverty through good homes, safe communities, and equal opportunities. Beyond building houses, Bayani Challenge is about helping millions of children break away from slum mentality. A good, stable home along with a supportive community, access to basic needs, good education, and skills development can help raise the nation's future leaders to dream big and to dream for a better, brighter Philippines.

"I've come to understand that freedom is less about the absence of strings or burdens. Rather, it's more about coming to terms with those; that we're accountable not just for ourselves but for others too. NOW is a great time to be a Filipino. Maligayang araw ng ating kalayaan!"

— Paula Nierras, GK Worker

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