MANILA, PHILIPPINES – October 4, 2019 – Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft charity, together with Aboitiz Foundation, celebrated World Smile Day® through an art-filled afternoon with their beneficiaries and the Binibining Pilipinas 2019 Titleholders. World Smile Day®, celebrated on every first Friday of October, is dedicated to smiles and encourages people to do acts of kindness around the world.
Held at the office of Aboitiz Foundation at NAC Tower in Bonifacio Global City, over twenty Smile Train beneficiaries showcased their creativity in creating memorabilia plush toys with the help of the Binibining Pilipinas 2019 Titleholders. This was led by Bb. Pilipinas Universe Gazini Ganados, along with Bb. Pilipinas International Patch Magtanong, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Resham Saeed, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Emma Tiglao, Bb. Pilipinas Globe Leren Bautista, Bb. Pilipinas first runner up Aye Abesamis, and Bb. Pilipinas second runner up Samantha Bernardo.
Apart from this celebration, Aboitiz Foundation supports Smile Train by raising awareness and funds for children with clefts through KINDer by Aboitiz, an online platform where the public can donate to various advocacies that aim to help create a kinder world. In addition to Smile Train, KINDer supports other causes that benefit education, enterprise development, environmental, health, and other foundations.
“In less than a year, we have raised more than 60 percent of our target funds to support Smile Train and children with clefts through our KINDer website (kinder.aboitiz.com), as part of our efforts to advance business and communities by co-creating safe, empowered, and sustainable communities. Smile Train Philippines supports more than 5,000 surgeries every year and we would like to inspire others to support their life-changing work. We encourage more people to support Smile Train’s cause by donating through KINDer,” said Aboitiz Foundation First Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Maribeth Marasigan.
Since 1999, Smile Train, with the support of its donors and partners around the world, has supported more than 1.5 million cleft surgeries. In the Philippines, it has funded more than 60,000 cleft surgeries since 2001. Beyond surgeries, Smile Train has four active comprehensive cleft care treatment programs including orthodontics, speech therapy, nutrition and emotional support.
“As we celebrate World Smile Day® with our partners, Aboitiz Foundation and Binibining Pilipinas, we reaffirm our commitment to raise more awareness and inspire others to join our cause in spreading smiles in the country. We hope to partner with more companies and organizations that will allow us to reach more children in need,” said Smile Train Philippines South East Asia Area Director, Kimmy C. Flaviano.
For more information about Smile Train’s programs in the Philippines as well as the organization’s global efforts, and to make a donation, please visit smiletrain.org. Follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.
About Smile Train
Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally. We advance a sustainable solution and scalable global health model for cleft treatment, drastically improving children’s lives, including their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive. To learn more about how Smile Train's sustainable approach means donations have both an immediate and long-term impact, please visit smiletrain.org.
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