Any call for action to help humankind involves not only ideas and funding, but also partnerships and human resources. Amidst the fast-paced environment of Metro Manila, there are citizens who offer personal time and effort to worthwhile campaigns and causes. The opportunity that volunteerism presents is what Humanist Alliance Philippines, International (HAPI) would like to take so as to fulfill its goal of inspiring goodness throughout the country and the world.
On December 16, 2017, at 11 AM, HAPI Metro Manila Chapter led by its Lead Convener, Janice Buenaventura, signs the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with iVolunteer Philippines as represented by its Public Relations Officer, Jerry Artagame, pending review and approval by HAPI Board of Trustees. In attendance at the momentous event is Rhadem Camlian Morados, HAPI LGBT National Representative; Edwin Alejon Bulaclac, Jr., HAPI Chief Financial Officer; Jamie Del Rosario Martinez, HAPI Executive Secretary; McJarwin Cayacap, HAPI Content Editor, and Writer; Emmanuel Ikan Astillero, and James Sacuan, HAPI volunteer.
iVolunteer is the Philippines’ first volunteer portal built by volunteers for volunteers to spread the passion for volunteerism. They take pride in pooling over 16,000 volunteers, most of whom are in the 20-29 age group. Their other partner organizations have sought the help of volunteers in events that benefit children, education, health, environment, and extremely poor communities.
So far, they have succeeded in manning over 1,600 events and still counting. The role of iVolunteer is clear — supplement the few but quality membership of HAPI Metro Manila Chapter which is on the way to launching recurring and seasonal projects in 2018.
Some of the ideas discussed were a feeding program that sources unsold leftovers from local fast food restaurants; a permanent drop-off facility for in-kind donations to sustain support for disaster victims; an overnight shelter for the homeless; a pop-up store of factory overruns for the scarcely clothed; a year-start cleanup drive of the Manila Bay; a sponsorship at the Manila Biennale in Intramuros for recruitment and marketing purposes; a new partnership with student organizations of the University of the Philippines Diliman; and a series of holistic talks about secular humanism that would be housed in Makati City.
HAPI thanks Pineapple Lab for hosting the signing of the MOA and the year-end meeting of the Metro Manila Chapter. Pineapple Lab is a creative art space and gallery dedicated to finding innovative ways to showcase the works of Filipino and international artists, and collaborators. It is located on R. Palma Street of Barangay Poblacion in Makati City.
For independent volunteers who are interested to help the Metro Manila Chapter in making the above ideas a compelling reality, please join our Facebook group, click here and a Public Relations Officer will be in touch with you to answer your questions about membership and HAPI.
Article Author:
McJarwin Cayacap
HAPI Metro Manila Member
Web Content Editor
National Events Officer-in-Charge
Coordinator for Foundation Beyond Belief
He’s currently in between careers, so he busies himself with anything that works for the good of humanity. Other than being a humanist, he is a realist, an art aficionado, a frugal foodie and a weary wanderer.
