A Cristalle heart

For years, I have continued to be fascinated by how Cristalle Belo Henares has maintained her innate simplicity. Despite her comfortable upbringing, the fame that comes from her heading Belo Essentials and Sexy Solutions as well as being the daughter of Dr. Vicki Belo, Cristalle has always come across as the girl-next-door, the friend you would not hesitate to call to invite for a movie night at home or to sing a duet with in a karaoke club.

Cristalle, a member of Victory Christian Fellowship, practices her faith with a quiet commitment. The desire to reach out to a cause bigger than herself also manifested when she devoted an entire year teaching pre-school children in Malaybalay, Bukidnon under the Jesuit Volunteers Philippines (JVP). Keenly aware of her many blessings, Cristalle threw herself into working with the members of one of the country’s poorer communities in part as a way of coming to terms with her privileged social status. Living the life of the “rich and famous” was something this lady has never felt completely comfortable about.

Cristalle recounts, “I applied to JVP blindly, not knowing where they will send me or what job I was going to do. I just knew that I wanted to serve and I would devote a whole year of my life to it. It wasn’t easy to get in. Many signed up for it but it was JVP’s job to filter only those who were serious about committing a whole year. After all, it was JVP getting into a contract with the various NGOs that needed help and support by providing them volunteers. Through interviews and psychological tests, JVP determined that I am fit for the job description of a pre-school teacher. And of all of the different locations, they sent me to one of the most beautiful places — Bukidnon. I was blessed!”

Cristalle continues, “From being active in our student council in Assumption College to being a core member in our church group, I fell in love with reaching out to others, making people happy and being immersed in different walks of life. Not only was I able to touch the lives of other people, there was also a certain fulfillment on my end. I grew up with so much blessings coming my way — having parents who were able to support me all throughout school — and I felt that I needed to give back in a big way. I also wanted to do it independently from my family. Doing this volunteer work with the Jesuits was amazing because they incorporated spiritual formation in the program. This was the foundation of our work, our love for God and sharing that love with others so the people receiving it can feel His presence. It felt good being used as an instrument of God.”

This February, Cristalle has formally announced her active partnership with Habitat for Humanity (HFH). She says, “Habitat for Humanity aims to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live. There is a huge deficit of housing in the Philippines and Habitat for Humanity aims to cover at least 20 percent of the deficit. The organization is able to provide private companies, organizations or individuals a venue to help give homes to fellow Filipinos — not just by donation but also through sweat equity. Sweat equity is when volunteers and people who have already been blessed with houses put in time and hard work to contribute to building houses for others.”

Belo Medical Group has currently donated 20 houses to Habitat for Humanity. “On a personal level, I really enjoy building houses and participating in activities like the Youth Build. This is where the organization is able to gather thousands of high school and college students to build together. I call it productive hangouts. It’s a great bonding experience for friends and co-workers,” she adds.

It is easy to see how Habitat for Humanity’s mission statement would agree with Cristalle’s Christian and civic beliefs. The organization aims to seek to put God’s love into action. Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

Habitat for Humanity Philippines supports the United Nations Millennium Development Goals through partnerships with organizations that develop communities and share the objectives of the UN-MDG. According to its website (www.habitat.org.ph), these are the involvements of the organization to better the lives of the people:

1. End poverty and hunger

The organization enters into partnership with the private sector for feeding and livelihood programs that contribute to the financial sustainability of families in Habitat communities.

2. Universal education

Habitat builds libraries and day-care centers in communities for the children of home partner families. Partner organizations and volunteers implement tutorials and reading sessions to augment the education of children.

3. Gender equality

Families in Habitat communities form homeowners’ associations to empower them for community-led projects. Women play significant roles as officers of these associations. They also actively contribute in various decision-making and community-building processes.

4. Child health

Health-focused partners of Habitat implement medical missions and health seminars. Other Habitat communities have medical clinics in partnership with the Philippine College of Surgeons.

 5. Maternal health

Seminars on maternal health and parenting are done by partner organizations and corporate volunteers in Habitat communities to assist mothers in their needs.

 6. Combat HIV/AIDS

Habitat promotes awareness of HIV/AIDS through articles and seminars in partnership with organizations that are focused on this area.

 7. Environmental sustainability

Tree planting and vegetable gardening are among the projects that Habitat does with its partners and families. Proper waste disposal, solar panels and use of renewable energy are also implemented in Habitat sites.

 8. Global partnership

The Philippine branch of the organization works with various Habitat affiliates throughout the globe for various programs, ranging from volunteerism (Global Village program), youth empowerment (Youth Build) and resource development. It also partners with international organizations and multi-national corporations in its mission of building decent homes and communities.

(For interested volunteers, visit www.habitat.org.ph for more information.)

Photos courtesy of CRISTALLE BELO HENARES