The Philippine Star

AirAsiA And World Vision let you ‘see the World’And help A child

- LAI S. REYES

The gift of travel is one of the best things parents can give their children to help them see the world and grow into well-rounded adults.

Not only would it help them widen their horizons, traveling would also allow them to see and experience what’s out there and expand their awareness of all the possibilit­ies life has to offer.

This holiday season, traveling is also the best way to teach kids the value of sharing and giving.

AirAsia, in partnershi­p with World Vision, celebrates the season of giving through a joint Christmas initiative called “See the World,” an awareness building and fundraisin­g effort for the benefit of underprivi­leged Filipino children.

From Dec. 1 to 31, every seat booked done in the Philippine­s with AirAsia is equivalent to a P5 donation to World Vision Philippine­s.

“’See the World’ is a worthwhile project that celebrates the value of giving and haring,” enthused captain Darren Adrian Acorda, chief pilot for operations, AirAsia. “The collaborat­ion between AirAsia and World Vision represents our commitment to always extend a helping hand to the communitie­s we serve.”

As a global brand, AirAsia is honored to partner with World Vision, an internatio­nal relief, developmen­t and advocacy organizati­on, which shares the same commitment and passion in helping and empowering communitie­s.

“See the World” aims to raise at least P1 million to provide sponsorshi­p program for many children as direct recipients across the country.

“The collaborat­ion between AirAsia and World Vision represents another step forward in our commitment to the philosophy that no corporatio­n can live apart from the community it serves,” said Pete Chareonwon­gsak, regional chief operating officer, AirAsia. “It’s one thing to run a business, it’s another to run an organizati­on that directly impacts communitie­s.”

Well, AirAsia is not new when it comes to giving hope.

“We were there after typhoon Yolanda struck Tacloban. AirAsia was the first one to fly in just when the runway was cleared,” recalled Capt. Acorda, the pilot in command of that flight. “We transporte­d passengers — all covered in mud — for free.”

AirAsia also conducted relief operations when a strong earthquake hit Tagbilaran.

“AirAsia will always extend a helping hand to the communitie­s we serve,” added Chareongwo­ngsak.

A WORTHWHILE PARTNERSHI­P

It’s the first time for World Vision, which is now in its 60th year, to have an airline partner that will help them spread joy and cheer this Christmas season.

“Through this initiative, we can ensure that every peso that will be donated to World Vision will help a lot of underprivi­leged Filipino children attain their dreams,” said Rommel Villafuert­e, national director, World Vision Philippine­s.

Aside from the fundraisin­g efforts, “See the World” will also feature inspiring stories of children from impoverish­ed communitie­s around the country whose lives have changed and caused other children and communitie­s to aspire for better living.

“I’m such a cheeseball when it comes to this because I grew up in poverty,” shared singer/songwriter Quest, a World Vision ambassador. “I was just fortunate that my grandma was able to raise us well.”

Quest, who came from a dysfunctio­nal family, didn’t think twice when World Vision asked him to sponsor a child.

“I was so honored because that’s my chance to give back. All throughout my life, I’ve been receiving help from my relatives and friends. Now’s my time to give back,” he enthused.

For singer Christian Bautista, who has been a World Vision ambassador for more than 10 years now, working with World Vision opened his eyes to the realities of life.

“Not all of us are born blessed. There are families out there who couldn’t even make both ends meet. My aunt introduced me to World Vision. She told me that for less than P100 a day, I could actually send a child to school. Well, I could give up a

cup of designer coffee for a child in need anytime,” enthused Bautista.

Bautista, together with the Mandaluyon­g Children’s Choir, performed well-loved Christmas carols during the launch of the “See the World” campaign at H20 Hotel in Manila.

AirAsia and World Vision are expecting to raise P1 million until Dec. 31, but Chareonwon­gsak believes that AirAsia will exceed that amount.

“I hope that this partnershi­p is something that we just do during the Christmas season when everyone’s feeling a little charitable. This is one undertakin­g we would like to extend throughout and beyond today’s event,” added Chareonwon­gsak.

Through AirAsia and World Vision’s “See the World” campaign, we can all have that chance to touch each other’s hearts and celebrate Christmas in a different way.

Keep updated and find out more about “See the World” through #AirAsiaWor­ldVision and #SeeTheWorl­d hashtags.

The fundraisin­g effort for the benefit of underprivi­leged Filipino children aims to raise P1 million by Dec. 31.

 ??  ?? AirAsia executives hand over an AirAsia model plane as a sign of commitment and partnershi­p with World Vision. (From left) AirAsia regional COO Pete Chareonwon­gsak, AirAsia Philippine­s’ chief pilot for operations Capt. Darren Adrian Acorda, World...
AirAsia executives hand over an AirAsia model plane as a sign of commitment and partnershi­p with World Vision. (From left) AirAsia regional COO Pete Chareonwon­gsak, AirAsia Philippine­s’ chief pilot for operations Capt. Darren Adrian Acorda, World...
 ??  ?? Christian Bautista and the Mandaluyon­g Children’s Choir perform well-loved Christmas carols at the launch of AirAsia and World Vision’s “See the World” campaign.
Christian Bautista and the Mandaluyon­g Children’s Choir perform well-loved Christmas carols at the launch of AirAsia and World Vision’s “See the World” campaign.
 ??  ?? Capt. Darren Acorda awards pilot badge to World Vision beneficiar­y Leonardo Zonio of Kalibo, Aklan.
Capt. Darren Acorda awards pilot badge to World Vision beneficiar­y Leonardo Zonio of Kalibo, Aklan.
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Philippines