CEBU, PHILIPPINES — Until that evening two weeks before Christmas, 22-year-old Michelle Camus had never been to the cinema. She had only seen movies on television, hearing from friends all about the “ambiance” in a movie theater.
“They say inside the cinema it’s lights off. I thought the lights were turned on. I really wanted to experience this, watching in the cinema. This is not just my wish. Ginusto ko talaga makarating sa cinema (I really wanted to go to a cinema). And at the age of 22, I’m here. So napakasaya naman nito (I’m really happy about this)!” she excitedly said.
Michelle is among 69 scholars of the Tzu Chi Foundation who were treated to a full cinematic experience organized by Globe’s Hapag Movement, with support from the We Are Ayala Business Club – Cebu (WAABC-Cebu). The scholars enjoyed a private screening of Disney Animation’s latest musical comedy, Wish, on December 12 at the Ayala Malls Central Bloc.
Indeed, it was a wish come true for the scholars, all students of humanities classes under Tzu Chi, among Hapag Movement’s implementing partners. Not only did they get to watch the movie in a private screening in one of Ayala Cinemas’ most comfortable theaters, but they also got to enjoy fun games, prizes, food, drinks, and other surprises.
“For me, it’s a great privilege. Bihira lang maka-join lalo sa ganitong pagkakataon, especially with scholars of Tzu Chi Foundation and together with the Hapag Movement. We’re so blessed. And hopefully marami pang matulungan ang Hapag at napaka-blessed namin sa taon ngayon dahil isa kami sa naimbita sa araw na ito (It is very seldom that we get this kind of opportunity, specially with scholars of Tzu Chi Foundation and Hapag Movement. We’re so blessed and hopefully, there will be more people that the Hapag Movement will be able to help. We are really blessed this year because we got to be invited to be here today),” said Shyrwin Rondina, also among scholars invited to the screening.
Mariel Ybañez, Certified Commissioner at Tzu Chi Foundation Cebu, shared, “These activities will help our scholars learn more about life through movies. In Tzu Chi, we teach them values and through this movie Wish, they will learn a lot. That’s really the teaching of Tzu Chi, for us to become a star for other people.”
At the special screening, Patrick Gloria, Globe Group Vice President for External Affairs, spoke to the scholars about the Hapag Movement and thanked collaborators who made the event possible.
“This special screening organized by Globe is supported by WeAreAyala Business Club – Cebu for the benefit of the Hapag Movement. The Hapag Movement is a program where we help the most vulnerable people in society, especially children. We make sure we feed them right and give their families livelihood training so that they will have a sustainable source of income to put food on their table. Thank you for doing this with us and let’s do this again next year,” Patrick said.
By leveraging technology and partnerships, the Hapag Movement aims to help 100,000 families battling involuntary hunger through supplemental feeding and livelihood training.
To learn how to help, visit here.
