Winning the Bb. Pilipinas-Universe title and eventually placing fourth runner-up in the Miss Universe pageant exposed me to many problems in society. But I am particularly touched by the issue of homelessness, because it is something I can personally relate to.
I did not grow up in an ideal house. My family and I survived with a makeshift shelter in the middle of farmlands made from improvised materials. It was what we called home. I grew up with ambitions of someday being able to build a nice house for my family. This is a dream I share with most Filipinos.
That is why I was not only saddened to hear about a recent fire in Caloocan that left more than 70 families homeless, but I also could not help but act on my urge to help in some way.
I have made it my personal advocacy to help the homeless. This incident motivated me to finally act on this desire.
Last March 24, Gawad Kalinga (GK) was kind enough to honor me to participate in their Builders Night, a monthly event that seeks to deepen and intensify the commitment and passion of GK partners and volunteers. That particular night, the organizers aimed to raise enough resources to build homes for the over 70 families that survived the fire and transform their place into a safe and beautiful Gawad Kalinga community.
The City of Caloocan sees itself as:
“A city that is clean, peaceful, orderly, progressive and conducive to live in, characterized by a government with a heart, conscience, sensitive and responsive to the needs of its constituents.”
Caloocan also already has GK villages, including Bagong Silang, the first GK community. Through the said event, Caloocan reaffirmed its ties, its partnership with GK and sponsors.
The Church of Caloocan was also a big part in these efforts aim to eradicate poverty and raise the dignity of the poor in Caloocan. In fact, a Holy Mass was celebrated by the Most Rev. Antonio Tobias, D.D., Bishop of Novaliches prior to the Builders Night held at the Rockwell Tent in Rockwell Center, Makati. The theme for the evening was Realizing The Community’s Dreams: Bayanihan Towards the Continuing Transformation of Caloocan.
It was heartwarming to see the overwhelming support of longtime and new partners of this cause. It was truly an event to remember. I hope that this commitment gets even stronger as we all work together to provide a home for every Filipino family.