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Be one of the 1 MILLION volunteers rebuilding Yolanda-affected areas this summer! Register for the Bayani Challenge 2014 now: www.bayanichallenge.com/register





Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis


"An Apostolic Blessing, in the secular language, is a declaration or support or an endorsement. But more than an approval, this means that The Pope is giving his blessing and praying for the success of the Bayani Challenge 2014 as well as for everyone who is a part of it. 


The Pope’s Apostolic Blessing is a reflection of Gawad Kalinga’s credibility, and more importantly, the fact that the Bayani Challenge is very much aligned to what Pope Francis values and holds dear: love for the poor, inter-faith dialogue, youth-led volunteerism, and care for the environment."

Mimo Perez




"GK has steadfastly prioritized the poor, not from requirement of religion, but from requirement of the human heart and spirit. Some who are part of GK are not Catholic although the vast majority are - and quietly, proudly so. Yet, Catholic or not, we are bound by the same love for the poor, bound by a personal choice to be our brother's keeper, and bound by a commitment to build a nation with faith and patriotism as cornerstones...

Now, Pope Francis grants the work and workers with an Apostolic blessing – as all those who would join the Bayani Challenge as a personal and collective expression of love for the poor, the weak, the sick, the homeless, and the despairing in calamity-hit areas. As Filipinos with a deep faith in our God and a deep love for country and neighbor."

Jose Ma. Montelibano



Other Endorsements

Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila



"I am inviting all faith-driven and nation-loving Filipinos to join the BAYANI CHALLENGE as a testament to our culture of malasakit and bayanihan...


Let me also extend this invitation to every parish and diocese. I encourage you to send your own teams and be part of the biggest collective action which apart from advancing solidarity with the poor also promotes inter-faith dialogue and the integrity of creation.


In a special way, I am calling on parents to join this celebration of selfless love along with their children. In helping rebuild the lives of others, it is my ardent prayer that your participation in the BAYANI CHALLENGE may be the best journey of faith that you can experience together as a family..."


Download the full endorsement HERE.





Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

Memorandum from the Chairperson


FOR: ALL CHED CENTRAL AND REGIONAL OFFICE DIRECTORS, ALL PRESIDENTS/HEADS OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (HEIs)



"In accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (R.A.) 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994", this Office hereby endorses the above undertaking organized by Gawad Kalinga (GK) for the support and participation of all concerned.


This summer, GK's Bayani Challenge 2014 aims to gather one million volunteers to aid in nation-building efforts for disaster-striken provinces in Visayas and Mindanao. Interested HEIs can choose from among the five-day out-of-school activities lined up: house build, paraisong pambata, health mission, clean-up drive, school refurbishing and tree planting..."


Download the full memorandum HERE.





Philippine Medical Association (PMA)

Message from the President



"Joining the one (1) million-strong army of volunteers banding together under the theme "WALANG IWANAN", I therefore encourage all individual members, component and specialty societies of the Philippine Medical Association including our allied health professional organizations and partners to at least dedicate five days of volunteer service to the 12 provinces struck by a series of calamities recently...


I urge everyone to work alongside the Bayani Challenge service teams on site in staging sustainable health missions and related projects that will directly benefit the affected communities.


Let us not miss the opportunity to be part of the biggest collective action ever that also advances crucial health and environmental issues that the PMA is strongly advocating."


Download the full endorsement HERE.





CARITAS FILIPINAS

National Secretariat for Social Action



"Those of us at the forefront of faith-driven advocacies should be thankful to note that more and more, volunteerism is becoming the new face of activism especially among our young people. In this regard, I encourage everyone to be part of the largest number of volunteers coming together to participate in the biggest ever volunteer action that will take place in our beloved country this summer.


Joining th call of the Archbishop of Manila, His Eminence, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, I enjoin our Social Action network throughout the country to support the BAYANI CHALLENGE 2014...


On behalf of the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA) / Caritas Philippines, I join the 1 million-strong army of volunteers in declaring: 'SA PILIPINAS NATIN, WALANG IWANAN!'"


Download the full endorsement HERE.