UNICEF’s online auction raises over P3M for children

MANILA, Philippines - UNICEF Philippines, through its online fundraising Auction for Action held from Oct. 1 to 7, raised over P3 million to help the poorest and most vulnerable children in the Philippines.

The annual online auction is a collaboration between UNICEF and Daphne Oseña-Paez, UNICEF Special Advocate for Children, to bring the worlds of art, furniture and design together with advocacy to protect and promote the rights of children. 

This year’s auction had twice as many items as the first year, held in May 2011. More than 70 Filipino artists and designers brought together by Osena-Paez donated paintings, sculpture, furniture and jewelry items including famous names such as Ramon Orlina, Juvenal Sanso, Kenneth Cobonpue, Manuel Baldemor, Amina Aranaz, KawayanTech and Plet Bolipata.

Well-known pieces such as “Fly Up” from artist Michael Cacnio’s balloon series got the highest bid at P215,000 while Elmer Borlongan’s pastel on paper painting “Convoy” fetched over P90,000 from a starting bid price of P21,000. Jovan Benito’s “Solo Concierto” oil on canvas was the most hotly contested item, with a total of 64 bids from eBay buyers. 

“My heart is overflowing with gratitude to all the friends, artists and supporters who participated in our auction. In order to maximize funds going to children, we didn’t have a big, live event this year but instead worked through online promotion and harnessing the power of social media.  Filipino art lovers and netizens amazed me with their willingness to participate and generate much needed funds for disadvantaged children in the Philippines,” said Oseña-Paez.  

Bidders from all over the Philippines, the US and Singapore joined the auction through eBay Philippines.

Angela Travis, UNICEF Communication and Fundraising chief, added, “UNICEF Auction for Action provides artists and buyers an opportunity to come together and help children at the same time. Everyone who participated in our auction can be assured that through UNICEF, all the proceeds will go to education, health and nutrition, protection and emergency programmes for children who need it the most. Thank you again to everyone who helped make our second online auction a success!” 

To know more about UNICEF’s programs for children, visit www.unicef.ph.