After Haiyan | A Journey to Wonderful.

When Supertyphoon Haiyan (local name Typhoon Yolanda) unleashed its fury a year ago, it left a trail of unimaginable devastation to lives and properties. One of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded, Haiyan left 6,300 casualties in the Philippines alone. Yet, despite the bleak scenario, hope continued to exist as public and private sectors as well as the international community joined hands to bring the country back on its feet. Globe Telecom was among the first companies to respond to the call for help.

“Globe recognizes how every little effort counts in rebuilding the nation, thus, it went out of its way to rally the employees, customers, partners, and other stakeholders to raise funds for the construction of homes and school buildings and for the creation of livelihood opportunities in areas hardly hit by the disaster. Project Wonderful was born out of this desire to aid in nation building. Ten months since it was launched, we now see the fruits of our efforts but we are not stopping until we fulfill all our commitments,” said Yoly Crisanto, Senior Vice President, Globe Corporate Communications.

Newly-constructed homes in Gawad Kalinga, New Washington, Aklan.

At present, Globe together with Gawad Kalinga, has completed a total of 162 homes in Brgy. Tambulilid, Ormoc, Leyte and Brgy. Fatima, New Washington, Aklan, as well as in Brgy. Tugas, Madridejos, Bantayan Island, Cebu via sponsorship of SingTel. An additional 28 houses are scheduled for construction in Libacao, Aklan early January for a total of 190 units. Globe is also set to give out 600 shelter kits to Libacao before yearend aside from the 940 shelter kits distributed in Madalag, Aklan earlier.

Shelter kits.

In addition, Globe also became a Development Sponsor for Aklan under the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR) where it spearheads initiatives in housing, education, livelihood, and health to help seven of the hardest hit municipalities: Libacao, Madalag, Banga, Batan, Altavas, Balete, and New Washington.

School construction site.

Globe not only provides houses for Aklan but is also working on building schools for its seven areas of concentration. With the help of Habitat for Humanity and Ayala Foundation, the company is building in two phases. The first phase involves the construction of “Noah’s Ark”-type classrooms that double as evacuation structures during calamities as they are equipped with three toilet and bath facilities each as well as a kitchen. The second phase is comprised of more than 30 regular but “built back better” classrooms to be funded from proceeds of the company’s enterprise-wide waste management program, as well as from parent-company Ayala Corporation.

To top it off, Globe also launched Project 1 Phone to educate Filipinos on the importance of proper disposal of electronic waster or e-waste and to contribute to the building of classrooms in Aklan. Under this project, everyone can support the efforts in Aklan by donating their old, non-working mobile phones for recycling at participating Globe Stores. Proceeds of the program will be used as additional funding for the schools. Cash donations of 5, 20, 50, 100, 500 denominations may also be sent directly to Habitat for Humanity by texting DONATE HABITAT and send to 4438.

'Suits' star Gabriel Macht to visit Ormoc for Project Wonderful.

Oh yes, you read it right! Another Hollywood star is coming to town - to Ormoc, Leyte, to be exact.

Gabriel Macht known the world over as legendary law practitioner Harvey Specter in the provocative television drama 'Suits', is confirmed to arrive in the Philippines on 8 March 2014 to visit Ormoc in the province of Leyte.

His visit is made possible by Globe Telecom, the country’s leading telecommunications company, in fulfilling its commitment of building a wonderful and resilient Philippines through its Project Wonderful nation-building efforts by helping Typhoon Haiyan survivors in Ormoc City, Leyte.

'Suits' lead star Gabriel Macht is scheduled to arrive in Ormoc City
to raise awareness and financial aid for survivors of Typhoon Haiyan.

In partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Globe has been granting business to beneficiaries identified by DSWD as part of its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), a community-based capacity-building program that seeks to improve the socio-economic status of program participants.

“We are committed to contribute to nation-building by providing relevant entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities among typhoon Yolanda survivors in Ormoc City so they can rise again and move forward,” said Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu. “We hope that through this project, we will be able to teach them to manage sustainable micro-enterprises that will help them move from survival to self-efficiency,” he added. 

“Project Wonderful is thankful to Mr. Gabriel Macht for coming in to support us.”

As part of its Project Wonderful program, Globe takes strides in rebuilding the nation with initiatives which will benefit schools, homes, and livelihood opportunities. Bringing global attention to its commitment to livelihood, Project Wonderful is hoping that through the support of a high- caliber actor such as Macht, more support will come in months to come.

“Witnessing the devastation of typhoon Haiyan, I felt compelled to raise awareness and financial aid to help thousands of people still struggling to get back on their feet. There is so much work still to do. I'm excited to be a part of rebuilding and I'm hoping that so many more will join the effort,” Macht shared.

Project Wonderful is a program that reinforces Globe Telecom’s commitment to subscribers, businesses, and the nation. Project Wonderful has three (3) pillars: Nation-building, which aims to build a wonderful and resilient country with programs that will rebuild homes and schools as well as provide livelihood opportunities to individuals and families in need, Culture-building, which shapes Globe to become a more customer-centric organization, fueled by a common passion to help and live a culture of service guided by its renewed mission, vision, and values, and Brand-building, which brings to life the telco’s passion and commitment to the customer as a strong challenger brand that leads the industry with innovative and relevant products and services.

Globe and Gawad Kalinga Inaugurate Tattoo Village in Ormoc, Leyte.

One love, one heart... let's get together and feel all right! 
So goes Bob Marley's epic song 'One Love'. I can't help but hum this song to myself each time I hear or read of stories about people coming together to help even more people in need.

Case in point, Globe Tattoo's partnership with Gawad Kalinga and their continuous efforts to rehabilitate the typhoon-stricken areas in the Visayas. Just recently, Globe and GK formally inaugurated the Tattoo Village in Barangay Tambulilid in Ormoc, Leyte. The unveiling of the new village was formally instituted through the actual building of the first five houses in the village, with Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu, Gawad Kalinga Executive Director Luis Oquinena, and Ormoc Mayor Edward Codilla spearheading the event.

Globe unveiled the marker for the Tattoo Village led by the Globe Senior Leadership Team, Gawad Kalinga and Ormoc’s local government unit. (From L-R) Globe Chief Finance Officer Albert de Larrazabal; Gawad Kalinga Executive Director Luis Oquinena, Tattoo brand ambassador Georgina Wilson; Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu; Ormoc Mayor Edward Codilla and City Council; Globe Head of Human Resources Ato Jiao; Tattoo Brand Ambassador Mars Miranda; (Seated L-R) Globe Chief Operating Advisor Peter Bithos; Tattoo Brand Ambassador Liz Uy; Globe Senior Vice President for Broadband Business Gilbert Simpao and Globe Vice President for Tattoo Nomadic Broadband Business Dong Ronquillo

Joining Cu, Oquinena and Codilla were Globe Chief Finance Officer Albert de Larrazabal, Globe Head of Human Resources Ato Jiao, Globe Chief Operating Advisor Peter Bithos and Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications Yoly Crisanto. The Tattoo team also came in full force with Senior Vice President for Broadband Business Gilbert Simpao, Globe Vice President for Tattoo Nomadic Broadband Business Dong Ronquillo and brand ambassadors Georgina Wilson, Liz Uy and Mars Miranda.

Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu painting the wall in one of the houses.

The Tattoo Village is part the company’s rehabilitation initiatives coming from the aftermath of typhoon Yolanda. Now holistically referred to as Project Wonderful, the rehabilitation initiative is part of a unified platform for the company’s brand, culture, and nation-building efforts.

Globe Chief Operating Advisor Peter Bithos preparing the cement for hollow block laying.

As Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said, “The official unveiling of the Tattoo Village testifies to our dedication to spark hope and progress for the country. Globe is going beyond providing relief assistance to affected communities and instead move towards initiating sustainable efforts like building homes and providing livelihood opportunities, so we can help create a wonderful world for our fellow Filipinos in need.” 

Globe Chief Finance Officer Albert de Larrazabal and Senior Vice President for Broadband Business Gilbert Simpao do the prep work for hollow block molding.

As a response, Tattoo pooled its resources resulting to a P15M grant to Gawad Kalinga to aid in rebuilding homes for 100 families. Together with the initial donation, another P1.2M was raised through a charity dinner hosted by Cu, his wife Arlene, and Ronquillo, attended by Tattoo’s brand ambassadors, business partners and friends from the media. The broadband brand also brought its brand ambassador Bamboo to Brgy. Tambulilid last December led by Globe Vice President for Tattoo Home Broadband Business Jurist Gamban, bringing with them truckloads of toys for children in time for the Christmas season.

Dong Ronquillo and Georgina Wilson help lay the hollow blocks in one of the houses

Project Wonderful ambassador and long-distance advocacy runner Mac Milan also played his part at the event by bringing with him the toys he collected from his fundraiser runs. Milan is gearing up to add a toy library that will benefit the children of the Tattoo Village. The Toy Library aptly called ‘Aralaruan’ consists of educational materials suited for kids of different ages.

Project Wonderful ambassador Mac Milan mingles with the children of Brgy. Tambulilid.

Divided into different groups, Globe executives led groups of employees and friends from the media on various activities throughout the Gawad Kalinga build. Each one had a chance to experience hardworking tasks that included house painting, hollow block laying, hollow block making and sand sifting.

The whole Globe Team joined by Gawad Kalinga and some friends from the press geared up to volunteer for the GK build that also stands as the inauguration of the Tattoo Village.

Georgina Wilson spent some of her time playing with the kids.

After all the hard work, Brgy. Tambulilid residents gave the Globe team a heartwarming thanks through the GK Unity dance. They were joined by Dong Ronquillo, Liz Uy, Georgina Wilson and Mars Miranda.

For over 10 years, Globe Telecom has fortified a successful partnership with Gawad Kalinga. Fundamentally anchored on a common calling to uplift the lives of marginalized Filipinos, Globe and Gawad Kalinga have supported each other and banked on their respective strengths to be able to build and support communities, especially in times of great need or rehabilitation.

A Very Merry Christmas with Bamboo!

Heads up, music enthusiasts! Rock icon Bamboo will take the center stage at the Music Museum on December 20th for a special benefit concert.

Dubbed as BELIEVE: Christmas @ Home with Bamboo, this concert aims to raise more than a thousand toys, which will in turn be given to the children survivors of Typhoon Yolanda. Together with Tattoo Home Broadband, this event aims to provide assistance to our 'kababayans' who have been devastated by the super typhoon, and give our young survivors something to smile about this holiday season.

Bamboo!

You can make this event a smashing success through your simple donations. There are two ways to donate:

1. Purchase a pair of toys via TICKETWORLD and get tickets to Bamboo's benefit concert.

Ticket prices* are as follows:

Balcony - Php 400/pair of toys

Orchestra Side - Php 600/pair of toys

Orchestra Center - Php 700/pair of toys

*Service charges may apply.

2. Post an Instagram video message to donate a toy.

From December 17 onwards, you can post your video messages or Christmas song covers on Instagram and dedicate them to the kids affected by #YolandaPH. Remember to tag @ChooseTattoo and use the hashtag #UnwrapHope to make your entries valid. Globe will reply to your entries once validated, and for every valid entry, a toy donation will be made by Tattoo Home on your behalf.

Mark your calendars, friends, get ready to post some creative video messages, and see you at the concert! :)