Meralco marks 105th year with ‘Fun-tastic Friendship Fair’ for kids

Catherine Ramirez, five years old, was one of 82 children from Martha’s Vineyard Learning Center in Mandaluyong who was recently treated to a fun-filled day at the Meralco Compound in Ortigas as the company marked its 105th anniversary. For Catherine and the rest of her schoolmates, it was a delightful day of fun and games, carnival rides and puppet shows as part of the “Fun-tastic Friendship Fair – Pambatang Regalo ng Meralco.” Little did they know that it was more rewarding for the Meralco employees who got to experience a meaningful day with these little angels.

Meralco holds an annual “employees’ week” for its anniversary celebrations. This year’s event, however, turned out to be more significant with an outreach activity for children from different institutions. Apart from Martha’s Vineyard, 70 children from ‘Iskul ni Bobby’ of Pasig; and another 70 children under the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Taytay, were invited by Meralco during the week-long affair from March 10 to 15, held at the Fitness Center Oval of the expansive complex.

These children, ranging from streetkids, orphans, and the underprivileged, were “adopted” for a day by their “ates” and “kuyas” from Meralco to make the anniversary celebration a more worthwhile endeavor. The moment they were shuttled into the site, the children were warmly welcomed by the employees, treated with an entertaining program, given yummy food and snacks, and allowed to frolic at the grounds where carnival rides and game booths awaited them.

The activity is the brainchild of Meralco chairman Manolo Lopez, to invite children to their anniversary event. “Mr. Lopez really has a soft spot for children. For every outreach activity we have, it’s a priority for him to spread cheer to the kids. It’s also a way of establishing relationships and making sure that the community is part of our celebration,” said Christopher Yap, head of Meralco’s Corporate Social Responsibility Office. 

The beneficiaries were likewise chosen by Lopez, especially Martha’s Vineyard whose president is his wife, Maritess Lopez. “We have partners in Pasig and Taytay and they have always been supportive with our projects. So in return, we decided to reach out to the children from their community,” Yap added. 

For this year, Meralco employees were particularly involved in the planning and preparation of the outreach activity, knowing that they will be inviting “special” visitors to their compound. Different committees were given specific tasks, among them the manning of the kiddie booths, hosting and organizing the program, and serving as ate or kuya for the children. The employees themselves willingly pitched in for the loot bags and prizes that were given away to the children.

The oval was even transformed into a virtual playground with 12 game booths, carnival rides such as the moon rocket, merry-go-round, ferris wheel, and two inflatable rides. There was also the special basket truck ride, which simulates the experience of being a Meralco lineman who fixes towering electric posts.