Under the #UniteForHapag campaign, Globe’s Hapag Movement recently orchestrated a collaborative effort among volunteers for a supplemental feeding program aimed at supporting vulnerable families in Marikina City, as part of its observance of World Food Day.
Teaming up with Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) PH, Globe coordinated a volunteer activity in Barangay Concepcion Uno, Marikina City. Volunteers collectively prepared 300 meals, which were subsequently distributed in Barangay Tumana, Marikina City, serving a total of 300 individuals. Led by Globe employees, Team Globe of Good influencers, and media partners, the volunteers worked hand in hand to prepare and deliver hot meals to beneficiaries.
The recipients included children from low-income and food-vulnerable families in a community susceptible to flooding.
Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, emphasized the significance of hands-on engagement, stating, “Through hands-on engagement, our volunteers actively participate in community initiatives, food drives, and educational programs that also tackle food waste. By fostering a spirit of volunteerism, we not only contribute to immediate relief efforts but also empower communities to address the root causes of hunger and food waste in a sustainable manner.”
Kerwin King from Team Globe of Good, a participant in the feeding program, highlighted the role of influencers and content creators in advancing the cause. He stressed the importance of using social media platforms like TikTok for effective communication while being cautious about misinformation to encourage more people to contribute to helping fellow Filipinos. He expressed confidence that everyone can rise above challenges collectively.
Another Team Globe of Good Ambassador, host, model, and entrepreneur Mela Habijan, extended an invitation to everyone to join the Hapag Movement. She said, “Through uniting with Hapag, we will be able to not just feed our Filipino families but make them feel hopeful in these trying times. Sa pamamagitan ng pagsasama-sama, ang pag-asang ito ang magiging dahilan para tayo ay maging buo bilang nasyon” (Through coming together, this hope will be the reason for us to remain united as a nation).
Spotlight: SOS Philippines
The initiative exemplifies the impact of the Hapag Movement, a campaign initiated in 2022 to address involuntary hunger in the Philippines, exacerbated by accelerated inflation during and after the pandemic. Among its partners is SOS Philippines, an organization dedicated to tackling food waste.
According to the Food Consumption Survey by the Department of Science and Technology–Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), the Philippines witnesses a staggering 1,717 metric tons of daily food wastage. Highlighting this issue, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines reported that the average Filipino discards about one tablespoon, or 14 grams, of rice daily, resulting in a daily monetary loss of ₱23 million from wasted rice alone.
In response to these alarming figures, Arthur Winston Bitangcol, SOS Director of Operations, emphasized, “We estimate that we waste a third of the food that we produce. So that’s the reason why SOS and similar food rescue organizations exist to hopefully divert and redistribute food that is otherwise serviceable and fit for human consumption, from the landfills. We encourage food companies with surplus to reach out to us through our social media pages so that we could work together.”
While SOS primarily addresses commercial food waste, Bitangcol acknowledged the persistent challenge of residential food wastage. He urged everyone to practice individual responsibility and be mindful of their consumption, regardless of their location.
The #UniteForHapag campaign calls on individuals and organizations to unite behind a shared vision: to end hunger, reduce food waste, and improve the lives of all Filipinos. The movement emphasizes unity, believing that collectively, they can ensure every Filipino has access to a nourishing meal.
For more information about Globe and the Hapag Movement, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.
