Most people don’t feel any remorse when they waste bowls and bowls of rice down the drain. This might be because they know that however the day may end, they’ll still have some for the next.

But what if you’re one of the almost 100,000 children that call the streets of Metro Manila home? What if you live day by day scrounging for anything that can ease your hunger-stricken stomach?

A non-profit organization that strives to provide a better future for street children, Virlanie Foundation has helped give home and education to some 13,500 children since 1992 through their 12 Homes and 12 programs within and outside Metro Manila. Just recently, the organization decided to share the opportunity of helping these kids through a program that wishes to address the scarcity of rice available to these street children- Rice Up for Street Children campaign.

“Street children are not only living in poverty; but more so, they are abandoned, neglected, abused and in need of special protection. They are the poorest of the poor,” shares Dominique Lemay, Virlanie Founder and President.

Through Rice Up for Street Children, Virlanie aims to collect enough pledges to accommodate its monthly needs of 50 sacks of rice per month for its homes and outreach programs in slum communities.

“Everyone knows that rice is an important part of any Filipino child’s diet—unfortunately, for one reason or another, not every child is given his share of it,’ notes Lemay. “ Not only is rice the only carbohydrate that contains the essential amino acids needed for a developing child, it’s a cultural staple for any Filipino family.”

To find out more about Virlanie Foundation and how you can participate in the “Rice Up for Street Children” campaign, please visit www.virlanie.org or contact us through: Tel: +63 2 895.3460, Fax: +63 2 895.5232 or Email: frcom2@virlanie.org.

Text and photo by: GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications Inc.

Social remittances refer to ideas, practices, identities and social capital that flow from receiving to sending country communities. It was coined by sociologist Peggy Levitt in her book “The Transnational Villagers and she describes social remittances being transferred by migrants and refugees that are exchanged by letters or other forms of communication that includes phone, fax, the internet or video. She suggested that social remittance affects family relations, gender roles, class and race identity, as well as have a substantial impact on political, economic and religious participation.

This concept isn’t something new for the Philippines. In the 1800s, this was already seen through the newspaper La Solidaridad and the novels of Jose Rizal. Like them whose ideas paved . In the 21^st century, blogging is the new form of social remittance of Filipinos working and living abroad.  Through their blogs they are publishing their stories online to inspire others. They also advocate for causes, help others and muster support from their readers to help effect change in their own little ways.

With globalization, Filipino migrants are beginning to realize the power of harnessing the potential of social remittance. They may be students pursuing a higher education, a professional with a white-collar job or a migrant working as house help; but all of them have something in common: an economic goal and aspiration.

This year the Pinoy Expat/OFW Blog Awards or PEBA 2011 is geared to recognize the contributions of Filipino bloggers abroad. This year’s theme is dubbed as “Ako’y Magbabalik, Hatid Ko’y Pagbabago.” (I Will Return, I Will Bring Change) as Balikbayans not only send back their monetary remittances; but social remittances as well.

For this year PEBA opens a new blog search called PEBA’s Any Blogger, Anywhere for all Filipino bloggers in various categories, at home or abroad. This year’s blog contest will look into narratives as to how returning Expats/OFW will make use and share their social remittance or their talents, skills and fortunes to bring change to their families, communities and country. Expats/OFW bloggers who will be joining the contest will be required to write a blog entry on the said theme. There is also an ongoing blog contest for OFW supporters.

For 2011, VIPinoy, a service and perks for overseas Filipinos and OFWs offered by Ayala Malls is the biggest sponsor of PEBA. Ayala Mall is providing Trinoma Activity Center as the venue for the awards nights on December 9, 2011 and Market Market as venue for its photo exhibit from December 9, 2011. PEBA is equally supported by one of its long time partner NOKIA and communication giant Globe Telecom.

PEBA will exclusively invite some 200 guests who can make their reservation and confirmation/RSVP of their attendance through VIPinoy Lounges in the different Ayala Malls and the awarding will be watched by a thousand or more and will be telecast live for OFWs to watch.

For more information regarding PEBA, please visit http://www.pinoyblogawards.com/.

Texts by: GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications Inc.

It’s the same story: mommy prepares veggies; child says no; mommy chases, threatens, and bribes; child cries and finally mommy relents and prepares hotdogs.  This is the case for every other household you visit in the country – but what about those children who aren’t even given a cupful of rice; much less a choice between vegetables and hotdogs?

According to a report from UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization), there are 1.5 million street children in the Philippines – and guess what, you encounter 100,000 of them everyday right here in Metro Manila.

Virlanie Foundation is a non-profit organization striving to provide a better future for these children by giving them a home, a family and an opportunity to study. Virlanie has helped over 13,500 children since 1992 through their 12 Homes and 12 programs within and outside Metro Manila. This October, Virlanie shares the opportunity to help street children through their latest effort—the Rice Up for Street Children campaign.

“Every child’s well-being starts with a healthy meal”

“Street children are not only living in poverty; but more so, they are abandoned, neglected, abused and in need of special protection. They are the poorest of the poor,” shares Dominique Lemay, Virlanie Founder and President.

Through Rice Up for Street Children, Virlanie aims to collect enough pledges to accommodate its monthly needs of 50 sacks of rice per month for its homes and outreach programs in slum communities.

“ Everyone knows that rice is an important part of any Filipino child’s diet—unfortunately, for one reason or another, not every child is given his share of it,’ notes Lemay. “ Not only is rice the only carbohydrate that contains the essential amino acids needed for a developing child, it’s a cultural staple for any Filipino family.”

“Doing well by doing Good”

One is acknowledged as the society eventologist in the Philippines and the other is recognized as one of the top public relations firm in the region—and a gathering for street children is the last place you’d expect to see them together. But for Tim Yap and GeiserMaclang, it has always been about doing well in their respective industries, while giving back to the community.

“In GeiserMaclang, we’ve found a way to put social benefit at the heart of a successful business model,” shares GeiserMaclang Communications Director, Amor Maclang. “We don’t just sell broadband internet, we do it in such a way that grandchildren teach their lolos and lolas to use the internet; we don’t just promote a resort, we find ways to increase tourism and generate jobs inside of communities; we don’t just write press releases; we aim to bring the “social” in social marketing. And this is exactly how we have been working with Virlanie Foundation this past year.”

On the other hand Tim Yap will be taking the lead in Rice Up for Street Children campaign as Virlanie Foundation’s new Ambassador of Goodwill.

“At the end of the day, empowering children to have a brighter future, will always be greater and more important than individuals, affiliations and beliefs,” says Lemay. “And we hope that in the coming years, more and more people will realize this and find ways to help children, especially the disadvantaged ones, to become self-reliant, productive and independent.”

To find out more about Virlanie Foundation and how you can participate in the “Rice Up for Street Children” campaign, please visit www.virlanie.org or contact us through: Tel: +63 2 895.3460, Fax: +63 2 895.5232 or Email: frcom2@virlanie.org.

Texts and photos by: GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications Inc.

Barrio Fiesta's traditional Palayok Logo

The picture of classic beauty in the frame is Mama Chit, the matriarch of the  family that has created Barrio Fiesta. After 52 years since Barrio Fiesta has been officially launched in Highway 54, Caloocan City their presence has expanded to over 20 branches both locally and abroad.

GREENHILLS

In my recent visit to Barrio Fiesta Greenhills, their transformations are very much evident in the furnishings and yet they have maintained the colors of the festivities (as such, the fiesta) in the art pieces and the new menu cover. These said changes, maybe to be abreast with the modern times, has retained the traditional taste of Filipino dishes that we have been loving while growing up.

THE FOOD, OF COURSE

Being the inventor of Crispy Pata (crispy fried pork knuckles) and has popularized Kare-kare (a local variation of curry), their other dishes are as exciting too like  Kilawing Tanigue (my favorite), Sizzling Sisig, Laing, Kuhol sa Gata (aka the “escargot” hehehe).

Crispy Pata

Kilawin Tanigue

Sinalab

Vin's Chocolate Ganache Cake

Barrio Fiesta is able to imbue its patrons with pride for authentic Pinoy taste.

One of the eight children of Mama Chit who heads the Greenhills and Dela Rosa branch is Corazon Ongpauco Tamayo (left). Zee with renowned bloggers Arpee and Juned

Download menu here:  Barrio Fiesta Greenhills Menu

Barrio Fiesta Greenhills also owns and manages FiestaInternational Catering Services, a full-service catering companythat offers an array of international cuisines, elegant dining set-upsand good value for money.

Function Room of Barrio Fiesta Greenhills

Art Pieces by Ton Raymundo in Barrio Fiesta Greenhills

Contact information:

EDSA Greenhills – 7267836

Dela Rosa Carpark 2, Makati –

8920850

Good Mixes,

Valero Carpark 2, Makati –

8934206

Fiesta International Catering Services –

5141000

website: www.fiestainternationalcatering.com

Divine ice cream pleasure is HEAVEN Ice Cream.