After launching their Child Safety Initiative (CSI) campaign during the last Manila International Auto Show, Volkswagen Philippines is continuing their child welfare CSR projects, this time by donating 21 violins and 2 cellos to the students of the Center of Excellence in Public Elementary Education (CENTEX) in Tondo, Manila.
CENTEX is a project of Ayala Foundation, Inc. in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), other corporate sponsors, and local government units that seeks to provide intelligent but economically disadvantaged children with primary education at par with the best schools in the country. Two CENTEX schools have been built thus far, one in Tondo, Manila, and another in Bauan, Batangas.
“For our CSR projects, we have chosen to go into one of the most basic foundations of society, and that is the care of the ones that we love the most—our children,” Volkswagen Philippines president and CEO John Philip Orbeta said during the ceremonial turnover of the instruments last May 12 at the company’s BGC showroom.
“Music, in particular playing musical instruments, has countless benefits for children; it increases their learning ability and is an effective way of building team work and confidence,” Orbeta further explained.
In attendance during the ceremony were Ayala Foundation president Ruel Maranan and senior director for programs Rowena Lopez. Ayala Foundation, the social development arm of Ayala Corporation, has four key program areas, namely Youth Leadership, Sustainable Livelihood, Arts and Culture, and, Education (wherein CENTEX plays a crucial role). For this reason, VW PH has chosen this special project as their second CSR activity for the year.