Giving time for a meaningful cause

Cancer-stricken children and the elderly spend a meaningful day through Time Please

Marj Sia (standing, left) together with other volunteers give kids diagnosed with cancer an experience they can never forget

The experience of making a difference in the lives of other people is an opportunity not given to many but through Time Please, a volunteering program of Globe Telecom, thousands of volunteers were able to do just that.

Be beautiful

Lifestyle blogger Marj Sia, together with Make-A-Wish Foundation, had her first ever volunteering experience through "Be Bold and Beautiful with Marj Sia," where 10 kids from the Philippine General Hospital who are diagnosed with cancer were treated to a day of make-up session. Marj was assisted by 25 other volunteers composed of some of her friends and fellow bloggers.

Make-A-Wish Foundation is an international non-profit organization that organizes experiences for children with life-threatening medical conditions by granting their wishes.

The objective is to create an uplifting and positive mindset while going through the sessions. The girls are reminded in a fun way that they are beautiful inside and out, and nothing can stop them from feeling pretty. After the session, Marj and her friends distributed make-up kits to the girls.

When asked if she would volunteer again, Marj said: "Absolutely. I also recommend that people do this kind of advocacy in their life. I think I have achieved most of the things I want in this life but it's a different kind of feeling to bring joy to others."

One of the beneficiaries, 14-year-old Arabella, was glad to have made this experience with other girls and newfound "Ates."

"Naging masaya ako na may nakasama akong ibang bata, at may nakilalang bagong mga Ate. Naging masaya ako na natutunan ko ng konting bagay tungkol sa makeup at masexcited nang mag-ayos ng sarili,” said Arabella, who has sarcoma, a tumor that affects the connective tissue.

Arabella is in Grade 8 and spends most of her time in the hospital. Her only interaction was with other patients her age. The visit from Marj and other volunteers provided her with a different perspective on life. She is more confident now and sees beyond her illness. Like many teen girls, Arabella now has developed a liking for makeup and feeling good about herself.


Giving back

Radio jock DJ Chacha of MOR 101.9, for her part, has a soft spot for the elderly and signed up for Time Please to volunteer and visit GRACES Home for the Aged where she also celebrated her birthday in advance. DJ Chacha has been doing this for six years now. Accompanied by her fans club members, DJ Chacha provided food, entertainment, and gave donations in kind consisting of blankets and new clothes.

DJ Chacha brings entertainment and gifts to the elderly

DJ Chacha recognizes the loneliness the elderly feel being without their families. "I want to make them feel that they are remembered and loved even by strangers like us," she said.

"I am grateful for all the blessings I am receiving from our Lord and in return, I wanted to share it with other people. I’ve always had a soft spot for the elders as I don’t have grandparents anymore. Visiting GRACES makes me happy and I will do it over and over again,” she said.

DJ Chacha added: “Some have wealth, some have talents, some have time. Whatever gifts we have been given, large or small, we should share generously. When we do, we make the world better for someone else and find true meaning and satisfaction in our own lives."

To date, Globe and Disney’s Time Please program has reached over 13 million volunteer hours through small acts of kindness nationwide. This is a testament to the Filipinos’ sense of malasakit and bayanihan.

As Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications said: “We are grateful to all volunteers who shared their time and talent to help others in need. We hope our collective effort will truly make a difference to the lives of all beneficiaries.”

Time Please provides a platform for volunteering activities that match individuals or groups of volunteers with various opportunities around the country. Companies, organizations or groups with existing volunteer programs can also enlist their volunteer activities in the www.timeplease.ph portal developed by Globe and other partners to get their volunteer hours registered in this initiative. Time Please ends August 31, 2018.