Keeping the spirit of volunteerism alive

Cover photo by Mike Amoroso

Manila, Philippines -  An anniversary usually means a celebration; the higher the number, the grander the affair. Yet when global leader Citibank was approaching its 200th founding anniversary, it chose a unique way to mark the occasion. It sent out invitations to hundreds of thousands of employees around the world to celebrate through service and give back to the communities where they live and work.

Citibank in the Philippines gladly accepted and set out to plan a series of volunteer events for all its employees, including family members and friends.

“We are proud to have a strong tradition of volunteerism here where our employees welcome the opportunity to serve their communities, taking on causes we each believe in, whether it’s caring for the environment, empowering the less fortunate or painting a brighter future for children,” says Sanjiv Vohra, Citi country officer for the Philippines.

200 Years = 200 Homes

The anniversary is actually on June 16, but for Citibank volunteers, the celebration started as early as May 26. On that day, more than 200 volunteers trooped to Tanza, Navotas to help build 200 homes for families displaced by typhoons that recently hit Metro Manila.

Sanjiv Vohra: Citi country officer for the Philippines. Star photos by Mike amoroso | Additional photos courtesy of Citibank

The site is on the outskirts of Tanza in Navotas, a very hard place to get to, but still, the volunteers came in full force.

Even more impressive, the following week, not even rain could dampen their spirit. Over 600 volunteers came back to Tanza to continue working on the houses. With Typhoon Ambo on the horizon, the skies were dark and rain would trickle on and off but there was no stopping Citibank volunteers from building homes, or teaching the young children of families from nearby villages.

According to Ana Herrera, Partnership Development Head for Habitat for Humanity in the Philippines, they have been working with Citibank since 1999 as a global partner, and since 2001 here in the Philippines. “Citibank is the second largest donor of Habitat for Humanity around the world, and our long-term partnership has taken many forms, from building homes to increasing the capacity of our home partners through a microsavings program.”

Herrera adds the support of the Citibank volunteers will be felt in Tanza long after the 200 houses have been built. “Beyond the homes, more importantly, Citibank has given them hope for a brighter future.”

Global Community Day

On top of the mammoth challenge of building a new community in Tanza, Citibank is also fielding volunteers to other parts of the country, engaging in a wide range of activities that include cleaning up beaches to repainting classrooms to planting trees to mentoring street children.

“All these events are part of Global Community Day, a tradition that we started in 2006. In the past, we would hold this in October but this year, we moved it earlier to coincide with our 200th anniversary,” relates Aneth Lim, Citibank’s Head for Public Affairs and Corporate Citizenship.

Every year for the last six years, thousands of Citibank employees from different parts of the globe take part in Global Community Day. This year, Citibank expects to register the highest turnout, and here in the Philippines, they already broke the team record. “We had nearly 2,800 volunteers last year and we passed that mark weeks ago. By June 16, we are confident that more than 4,000 volunteers would have used their skills and expertise, and made a difference in their communities,” says Lim.

Not even typhoon Ambo could dampen the enthusiasm of Citibank volunteers

Apart from Habitat for Humanity, Citibank also teamed up with Childhope Asia Philippines, Gawad Kalinga, and Philippine Business for Social Progress to plan relevant events for both the beneficiary communities and the bank’s employees. All the events are receiving wide support, including the one with Childhope Asia Philippines.

Last June 9, over 200 street children from different parts of Manila came to the community center in Paco and engaged in arts and crafts projects with Citibank volunteers. Helen Quinto, Assistant Program Manager of Childhope Asia Philippines warmly thanked the volunteers, and also gave recognition to Citi Foundation for supporting their street educators project for several years now, funding a program to provide financial education to the street children in their care.

“It’s heartwarming to have a successful company like Citibank choosing to celebrate their anniversary in this way, and we look forward to strengthening our partnership with the company and with their volunteers for more years to come,” says Quinto.

“Global Community Day presents a unique opportunity for us to demonstrate our core principle of Common Purpose — one team with one goal: serving our clients, stakeholders and communities,” adds Vohra.

Heroism alive and burning in Citibank

The spirit of bayanihan truly comes to life in Citibank through Global Community Day, and the volunteers all agree this was the best way to celebrate the company’s 200th year anniversary.

Armed with paint brushes and rollers, Citi volunteers get down to work to repaint classrooms in a Citi-adopted school right before the opening of classes.

“I am proud to belong to a company that puts a premium on social awareness and development,” shares Danna Toledo-Bawalan, a volunteer from Makati who has been with the bank for eight years now.

Hershey del Rosario echoes the sentiment. “Even though it is tiring and we give up a part of our weekend, the feeling of having been able to help and contribute to the community is very rewarding and worth it.”

For some of the volunteers, the work is not just about laying bricks and building houses; it is about reconnecting with the self that you sometimes lose when one gets so entrenched in work and stress.

“I volunteered because I wanted to contribute in my own small way. There is nothing more fulfilling than knowing that you were able to help. And seeing hundreds of volunteers working together for a common cause proves that we can do great things when we are united,” says Francis Caberoy, who has been with Citibank for the past 13 years.

For Arcus Fernando, his visit to Navotas was a humbling experience. “The experience gives all volunteers a new perspective on things. You get a good sense of how blessed you are and that you have a moral responsibility to give back,” says Fernando.

For its 200th year anniversary, Citibank celebrates through helping the community and giving back, keeping the spirit of volunteerism alive. Citibank inculcates not just professionalism and efficiency in its employees but also a sense of community and of compassion as well. Through the Global Community Day, Citibank makes sure that their employees have a holistic experience unparalleled by other companies. 

“For two centuries, Citi has been part of the fabric of the communities we serve throughout the world. And there is no better way to honor our history and embrace our future than by participating in Global Community Day on our 200th anniversary,” concludes Vohra.

Last June 9, volunteers engaged more than 200 street children in arts and crafts activities in Paco, Manila