Meralco launches Maliwanag ang Pasko 2009

MANILA, Philippines - Angel Locsin, Anne Curtis, Richard Gutierrez, Kris Aquino, Sharon Cuneta, among others joined relief operations in the aftermath of Ondoy and Pepeng. Through the bayanihan spirit, the country has survived one of the most challenging times in recent history. Celebrating this accomplishment, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) recently launched its annual Maliwanag ang Pasko (MAP) campaign with unity as this year’s theme.

During the launch, representatives from the six charitable institutions gave heartwarming performances. Meralco employees performed Christmas songs. Meralco executives, led by chairman and CEO Manuel Lopez, president and COO Jose de Jesus and VP and Corporate Marketing head Miguel Lopez came in full force.

The launch also marked the opening of the Meralco Christmas display areas — Barangay Maliwanag and Santa’s Village — which are open to the public and the symbolical lighting of the Meralco parol, a reminder of the beauty of the bayanihan spirit.

Acknowledging the importance of unity as we continue to face one crisis after another, MAP 2009 enjoins Meralco customers to join a Christmas lighting program, where 15 winners will receive P25,000. Winners will also get the chance to choose among six charitable institutions — Caritas Manila, Hospicio de San Jose, Ladies of Charity AIC, White Cross, Tahanang Walang Hagdanan and Manila Boystown — to which they will donate another P25,000.

Meralco-appointed personnel will visit and evaluate registered households according to the following criteria: brightness (40 percent), creativity (40 percent) and safety (20 percent). To register, customers can call the MAP hotline 1-800-10MaPasko for provincial entries and 885-7049 for greater Manila, approach the MAP On-Ground Team or visiting the MAP website www.maliwanagangpasko.com.

Final judging will be on Jan. 14, 2010.

Also part of the MAP 2009 program are charitable institution lighting, contests with charitable components, kids’ and charities’ delightful Christmas, Handog ng Meralco sa Pasko (Executives’ Christmas Giving), Project Kasambahay (for service personnels), and Lingap Kapwa sa Kapaskuhan (for indigent parishioners).