Three cheers to Hands-On Manila!

I just got home from the Hands-On Manila (HOM) event, Servathon 2008, held at the SM Convention Center (SMX) Mall of Asia. Unbelievable, the place became a sea of red!

The reds, of course, were the more than 1000 volunteers from different private institutions (Cibo, Ateneo Law Batch '85, Krispy Kreme, Max's, Accenture, FEU, Rockwell Land, Philippine Daily, Inquirer, and many more!) who shared their time, money, and energy for the HOM cause.

The people in white (some also in red) were the Sherpas of HOM, who considered the Servathon as a time to enjoy and build bonds with others.

And of course, HOM volunteer Marc Nelson, served as the host for the event. He's so macho in person pala! I believe he embodies the new renaissance man: a great body, sharp mind, and a big heart.

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Before the grand lunch and giving of certificates at the SMX, we spent our morning at different HOM-identified centers: Baseco Compund, Nueve de Pebrero Elementary School, CHILD Haus, Habitat for Humanity-Pasig, etc). Na-assigned kami ni Kuyatot as coordinators for the Rockwell Land group, na gagawa ng kitchen area ng The CHILD Haus sa loob ng PCSO compound. Kasama namin dito si Zarah, who proved to be a wonderful person and has served as my muse for the day.

Dahil walang documentor ang isa pang grupo na na-assign naman sa garden area ng CHILD Haus, ako naa rin ang nagsilbing documentor nila. This group was the TAMVOLS, or the Tamaraw Volunteers of the Far Eastern University. Sila ang gumawa ng plot/trellis para sa mga bagong tanim na ampalaya. Ang mga HOM coordinator naman nila ay sina Chito, John, at Dell.

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I have met new friends with my volunteer work with Hands-On Manila. Andaming ipinakilala sa akin ni Kuyatot na matagal na miyembro ng organisasyon (Salamat po sa mainit na pagtanggap sa akin!). At ang sarap isipin na lagi, iisa ang aming advocacy: to serve people in need.

Sana mas marami pang private institutions ang sumama sa Servathon next year, at sa isa pang taon, at sa isa pa, at isa pa...

P.S. Marc Nelson promised to host next year's Servathon program. Hay, nakaka-amaze siya talaga!

More pictures sa Multiply site ni Kuyatot!

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