Miss Universe Catriona Gray helped raised some US$6,000 (roughly P300,000) for abused Filipino children during a short-noticed fund-raising event in Canada recently.
Gray thanked all those who supported the charity event for Bantay Bata 163, an organization that provides a multitude of social services for the children of the Philippines, such as a help hotline, medical assistance, feeding programs, and educational scholarships.
“Maraming salamat po to everyone who supported the Bantay Bata organisation this past weekend in Toronto, Canada!” Gray said on Instagram.
She added: “Big thank you to the members of @pidc.toronto who pulled together this event on such short notice! The total amount of $6000 raised from this intimate dinner will go towards serving and protecting our countries children.”
On its website, Bantay Bata 163 is said to be Asia’s model for child care services. Its toll-free hotline 1-6-3 remains as the country’s online helpline devoted to receiving and responding to child abuse reports.
Now on its 22nd year, Bantay Bata 163 has responded to almost 400, 000 reports since 1997- 2015.
It has likewise extended medical assistance to more than 56, 000 patients in partner hospitals. Bantay Edukasyon scholars, who are now in college or have graduated, pay the kindness forward by actively participating in Bantay Bata 163’s activities and mission.
“We are overwhelmed with love from all those who have supported us since our founding on Valentine’s Day in 1997,” said Jing Castaneda-Velasco, Bantay Bata 163 Program Director.
She said: “It is this same love that we hope to impart to more children as we strive to improve our services to adapt to an ever-changing landscape of abuse and exploitation.”
Source: Manila Bulletin, 3/27/2019