Sama-Sama, Salo-Salo sa Pasko
The Christmas season has always been the most joyous and significant time of the year for Filipino families. During this time, celebrations would always mean the most delicious and special food that every family, rich or poor, can prepare. Noche Buena is one of the highlights, where families come together to share stories of love and hope over their favorite Filipino meal.
But the Christmas of 2020 brought challenges in the way many Filipinos celebrated Christmas. Due to the pandemic, many Filipinos have lost jobs and are unable to feed their families. It is estimated that 7.6 million Filipino families went hungry during the crisis, going below the poverty line and experiencing "involuntary hunger." Most of these families may not be able to afford to put food on the table or even think of preparing Noche Buena. And because of this, Standard Insurance supported Brand Aid: Noche Buena Para Sa Lahat. It is the first-ever collaboration of some of the biggest food companies in the Philippines to spark hope and bring Noche Buena to Filipino families in need.
For only a P300.00 donation, one Filipino family was assured of a delicious Noche Buena kit. These Noche Buena kits contain ingredients to create traditional Christmas dishes, helping Filipino families continue a beloved tradition and strengthen bonds despite these difficult times. With the Company's and the Associates' personal contribution, Standard Insurance was able to sponsor 1,500 families.
As the Standard Insurance family celebrated Noche Buena and partake in the blessings of bountiful meals. And as we enjoy the good food set before us, we are comforted with the gift of knowing that each one helped make it possible for some of our fellow Filipino families to eat and enjoy the Christmas season.
As this pandemic continues, everyone's generosity is needed more than ever. Around the country, affected families desperately search for a source of living to afford to buy food to survive as the pandemic has worsened hunger emergencies. No other Christmas gift matters more than food for a starving family or a meal to feed a hungry child.