Bench launches 1M for 1M campaign

MANILA, Philippines - The stars throw their support behind their chosen charitable institutions, as Bench undertakes its “1M for 1M” campaign.

For every 100,000 Twitter followers to @benchtm, and for every additional 100,000 followers up to a ceiling of one million, Bench will endow the charity with the most votes, with P100,000. A total of P1 million will be donated to charity, divided into 10 in order to help more institutions.

Among the celebrities who have joined the cause to tweet and promote their own chosen institutions are Paulo Avelino (Philippine Red Cross), Jessy Mendiola (Missionaries of Charity), Dingdong Dantes (YesPinoy Foundation), Lovi Poe (Childhope Asia), Diether Ocampo (K.I.D.S. Foundation), Kris Aquino (AGAPP), Jake Cuenca (C.R.I.B.S.), Lucy Torres Gomez (K.I.D.S. or Kapatid Iwas Droga sa Tulong ng Sports), Sam Concepcion (World Vision), Rocco Nacino (Cancer Warriors Foundation), John Prats (National Children’s Hospital), Jason Francisco (Mother of Mercy Home for the Elderly), Iya Villania (School for the Deaf), Karylle (CHILDHaus), Isabelle Daza (Ephesus, Home of the Abused Girls), Jon Avila (Philippine Orthopedic Center Auxiliary Board, Inc.), Kris Lawrence (World Vision), Janine Gutierrez (White Cross), Anthony and David Semerad (World Vision).

These foundations are very close to these endorsers’ hearts, chosen, as they were, for the celebrities’ personal connections with them.

“I celebrate my birthday every year with C.R.I.B.S. This is my way of giving back,” says Jake Cuenca.

“When I was in high school, I was able to visit a lot of institutions. I fell in love with [Ephesus] and that’s why I wanted to help them,” shares Isabelle Daza.

“I chose CHILDHAUS because I’ve been working with the kids for a long time. My family and my friends are fortunate that the kids have let us in their hearts. The money will go a long way to help the families who stay in Manila with the medical treatments and living expenses while their kids have to go to the hospitals,” says Karylle.

For Iya Villania, the cause speaks to her very own nature as a performer, and as one who reaches for her aspirations. “Despite their disability to hear and speak properly, they aren’t giving up, and are taking the initiative to make their dreams come true. They aren’t limiting themselves and I have high respect for that. With that, I want to help them reach their dreams.”

“My reason would be kids. Bimby’s age now have access to preschool education. As of end of February 2012, AGAPP has completed 253 classrooms spread in all regions of the Philippines; 52 are under construction and nine new schools have been selected and due to start soon,” shares Kris Aquino.

“I have always appreciated how Bench has always incorporated social responsibility in their company’s vision and mission, even long before that was expected or demanded of every big company. This promo is, but one of the many they have already done and will do. What makes this special though is how this coincides with Bench’s celebration of its 25th year in the business, and again they are giving back in a very big way. I chose K.I.D.S foundation because I believe that the children are the hope of the nation and if at a young age they are trained to be healthy in both body and mind, there is no way for the country to go but up. Drug addiction is reality. It is a pressing problem and everyone can be a target, regardless of social standing,” says Lucy Torrez Gomez. “A sport is a fun way to instill important core values like discipline, self-control, patience. It also builds character by letting a child experience firsthand what it is like to not only win, but also lose. It cancels out an idle and bored mind, which is the playground for evil vices like drug addiction. In sports, a child is trained to be a winner in more ways than one.”