Gretchen Ho, Tippy Dos Santos on sponsoring kids’ daily allowance

MANILA, Philippines — More than receiving gifts, celebrities Gretchen Ho and Tippy Dos Santos find fulfillment in sharing to others their fortune, especially this Christmas, the “season of giving.”

Gretchen and Tippy recently traveled all the way to a remote “baranggay” in Bohol to meet and bond with World Vision-sponsored children in the southern part of Visayas.  

Gretchen is sponsoring a child for P25 per day or P750 per month through the foundation, enough to cover a kid’s daily allowance.

“I’ve been passionate on helping children. Before, I’m with Ateneo Christian Community and we used to go to Payatas. Now, I’m with World Vision,” the “Umagang Kay Ganda” host said.

For Gretchen, World Vision really fits what she looks for in a foundation.

“World Vision is aligned with my vision so much kasi mahilig talaga ako sa bata, super! And I think I appreciate the holistic formation of the child na hindi lang basta magbibigay o magdo-dole out kundi you make sure that a child grows in a good environment, which I think is very crucial,” Ho explained in an interview with Philstar.com.

At her first site visit, Gretchen was amazed on how World Vision gives impact to children’s lives. “You could really see it. Parang ano, ‘ito yung mga batang tinutulungan naming,’ parang ‘pag nandon siya sa harapan mo, it becomes so much real. You donated 25 pesos, 750 monthly, those are just figures. When you go to the site and when you see them how much they value and appreciate that help, d’un mo mare-realize yung impact.”

Tippy, meanwhile, has been with World Vision for eight years or since her high school days. For her, her experience with World Vision in helping less fortunate people and calamity victims is fulfilling.

“Ang ganda nang nagagawa ng World Vision not only for the people na mga nangangailangan kundi para din sa mga taong gustong tumulong,” the singer said, adding: “I think what’s great about this partnership is you can see multinational corporations really realizing you don’t need to help individually. You have a big corporation, use it to make a difference.”

Gretchen played volleyball  with the kids, inspiring them to work really hard if they really want to become professional volleyball players. Likewise, she reminded them to balance the sport with their studies.

“Side by side yun eh. Kung magaling ka sa laro, dapat magaling ka din sa aral. Dapat performer kayo sa lahat. Wag kayong matakot. Lahat ng bagay posible,” she espoused.

Gretchen Ho playing volleyball with the kids of Bohol. Philstar.com/Jan Milo Severo 

Meanwhile, Tippy sang with the band of children, bonding with them and reminding them that success cannot only be achieved through perseverance, but also through a good heart.

“Kahit anong mangyari sa mundo, maging succesful ka man, and importante ay maging mabait tayo sa isa’t isa kasi ayan din ang magpapabuti ng mundo natin,” Tippy said.

Tippy Dos Santos entertained Boholenos with a song. Philstar.com/Jan Milo Severo 

Both celebrities admitted that they love to travel. Apart from encouraging Filipinos to see the beauty of the Philippines, they invite others to book their travel with AirAsia as the company will donate P5 per travel to the World Vision thorough the campaign “See The World.” For every seat booked or sold in the Philippines from December 1 to 31, P5 goes to the foundation’s child sponsorship program.

“AirAsia, as a global brand, is honored to partner with an international relief, development and advocacy organization as we both share the same commitment and passion in helping communities especially children see the wonders of the world through sponsorship programs in education,” the company’s regional Chief Operating Officer Pete Chareonwongsak said.

Gretchen Ho (left) and Tippy Dos Santos (right) with AirAsia flight attendants. Philstar.com/Jan Milo Severo