by Althaea T. Gumangan
A sight that appealed to one’s heart…
This was how the Atlas Fertilizer Corporation employees generally described their experience after joining the company’s outreach activity held at the Virlanie’s Babies and Toddlers’ Home in Makati on October 9, 2015.
The said program was part of AFC’s celebration of its 58th Founding Anniversary. AFC officers Atty. Sweet Faith A. Secio, VP/Chief Compliance Officer/Legal and PMIRD, and Mr. Medel A. Enriquez, SVP for Marketing Group graced the event. Mr. Atsumi Nanji and Mr. Shengbin Ding from the Sojitz Corporation’s Tokyo Head Office also joined the group.
The Virlanie’s Foundation Inc., which runs the child care institution, is a non-profit, non-government organization supporting abandoned, abused and homeless children, as well as some selected marginalized families all over the Philippines. The group’s objective is to provide special care and protection to the juveniles, building a sense of family and belongingness which they lack of.
AFC chose to spend the special day at the Virlanie’s in alignment to the company’s mission to care for the next generation, exemplifying the spirit of unity and camaraderie as One Atlas while paving the way to a corporate transformation creating bridges that extends to AFC employees and their families. It was AFC’s simple way of reaching out to the communities, as it takes part to find common ways to making the country a better place to live in.
A children’s party was organized by arranging favorite kiddie food. Clowns and magicians were also invited to entertain the young audience. Another highlight of the program was the face painting activity that gave the kids the chance to showcase their creativity.
According to Allen V. Santos of AFC’s Bulacan Satellite Warehouse, “It was a humbling experience that we were able to share to the less fortunate kids. We should do this more often so that we can make more children happy even if it’s just for a day”.
Atty. Secio and Mr. Enriquez also spearheaded the turnover of donations that includes milk and other basic needs like toiletries to Mr. Marlon Dela Cruz, Virlanie’s Engagement and Communication Officer.
Michelle D. Azagra, AFC’s Internal Audit Office, believed that “the choice of activity for the 58th AFC Anniversary was meaningful…taking care of the children from the Virlanie was a breath of fresh air as we temporarily separate ourselves from the usual corporate setting. Overall, it was fun”.
