In a remarkable fusion of art and social consciousness, Kwentoon, a Philippine start-up dedicated to connecting young audiences with thoughtfully curated visual content, has partnered with the Hapag Movement to combat involuntary hunger.
As part of this impactful initiative, 10% of all ticket sales from the recent Kwentoon Festival 2023 were pledged to the Globe-led movement. Hapag Movement is a social endeavor focused on eradicating involuntary hunger in the Philippines through supplementary feeding and livelihood training for those facing hardships.
The Kwentoon Festival 2023, hosted at SM Megatrade Hall 3, featured over 150 exhibitors and artists, attracting a total of 1,439 visitors. The event showcased an array of engaging activities, including workshops, talks, and the Mango Boot Camp Graduation in collaboration with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines. A highlight of the festival was the Philippine Children’s Content Awards, which aimed to celebrate the creativity and originality of Filipino comic artists, affectionately known as “kwentoons.”
“We are thrilled to be part of the Hapag Movement, not only to promote local talent but also to address crucial social issues,” said Isa Songco, Co-Founder of Kwentoon.
She further explained, “Filipino artists possess immense talent, but unfortunately, many of them are outsourced to foreign firms. This hinders the growth of intellectual property in the fields of animation and manga, delaying our progress compared to neighboring countries. The Hapag Movement is close to our hearts, as it not only fights hunger but also creates opportunities for fellow Filipinos, contributing to local job creation.”
Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, expressed gratitude to Kwentoon for their support. She emphasized the unique power of art in raising awareness about pressing social issues, particularly hunger.
“Art has the ability to evoke empathy and compassion like no other medium can. We are grateful to have Kwentoon as a partner in the Hapag Movement, leveraging visual storytelling to draw attention to the problem of involuntary hunger,” Crisanto said.
Established in 2020, Kwentoon’s mission is to inspire and equip local artists to create kid-friendly visual narratives. Through its platform, young audiences are connected to curated content that promotes values such as love of country and family, camaraderie, and hope.
The collaboration between Globe and Kwentoon exemplifies the power of innovative alliances, enriching local artistry while addressing vital societal challenges. The partnership also reflects the growing importance of the comic and manga communities becoming more socially conscious, driving positive changes with a profound impact on society.
To find out more about Globe and their initiatives, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.
