MANILA, Philippines - The drive of Filipino youth to be relevant has stirred Chowking to give more than satisfying meals as a reward. This time around Chowking is gifting them with a brighter future.
Led by the Chowking Franchisees Association (CFA), the company is nourishing the dreams of the youth of ERDA Tech. Together with the Jollibee Foundation they support the technical and vocational school. Chowking’s successful sale of their halo-halo radios has raised a total of P3 million for the benefit of the school.
“We are very happy to be part of this great endeavor of transforming lives,” says Jollibee Foundation president Grace Tan Caktiong. “We believe that our help will only be meaningful and successful to the extent that those whom we help are also striving and taking initiative to improve their lives, just like this institution and its students.”
In a ceremonial turnover, the CFA, led by its chairman, Roberto C. Sison Jr., signed the Memorandum of Agreement and turned over the Project Grant Funds to ERDA Tech, represented by its chairman, Fr. Johnny Go, SJ, principal Jane Natividad and assistant principal Peter Magsalin. As Chowking president Fernando Yu Jr. said, “What we are doing is really something special. Chowking will continue to help its franchisees to help build a better education for children.”
Also joining the Jollibee Foundation and Chowking Franchisees Association were ERDA Tech Foundation president Fr. Pierre Tritz SJ, Jollibee Foundation vice president Belen Trillo and officers and executives of Jollibee and Chowking.
Founded by its president, Fr. Pierre Tritz, SJ, ERDA Tech is a technical and vocational school that ranks 12th among the tech-voc schools in Manila. The school prides itself on bringing quality education and training to deserving young men and women, offering a unique, five-year high school program that prepares the youth for work through various training programs that provide both in-school and in-company training. These chosen children that benefit from ERDA Tech’s practical education are given a chance at a better life, not only for themselves but also for their families.
As assistant principal Peter Magsalin enthuses, “Thanks to the assistance of Jollibee and Chowking, the weight of the mission of ERDA Tech becomes less burdensome. We salute their efforts to go the extra mile, not to just be among the giants in the food industry but more so in your silent and humble ways and means to provide our students continuing education.”