The Quest for Love soon on ‘G Diaries’

CEBU, Philippines — For its second season, “G Diaries” takes it up a notch by featuring the transformation of communities one after the other. Led by former DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) secretary Gina Lopez, the show will soon highlight the efforts of various organizations through “The Quest for LOVE” movement.

Through “The Quest,” the Investments in Loving Organizations for Village Economies (ILOVE) Foundation, which Lopez founded – social enterprises, cooperatives, NGO’s, and other socially-oriented organizations all over the country are called to bring forth their plans for their respective communities for the chance to gain financial and technical support in their endeavors of transforming their communities into sites for sustainable development through agro-forestry, fisheries, or ecotourism.

The project was officially launched March 8 at the Palm Grove, Rockwell Club in Makati in partnership with private and government sectors led by Sen. Loren Legarda, Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Mark Villar, and Department of Science and Technology secretary Fortunato Dela Peña.

Starting off with 16 organizations chosen from online entries all over the country and judged by their track record, leaders, and potential impact, these organizations will participate in a three-day training where candidates are tasked to pitch their preliminary plans to a panel of judges. These judges, called “I LOVE” assessors will choose eight among the 16 candidates to go through the “I LOVE” mentoring and support program, receive P100,000 in cash, as well as direct access to government support.

The journey of these eight semi-finalists will be shown on “G Diaries” aired over ABS-CBN come July.

Last Tuesday, Lopez and her I LOVE team came to Cebu to take the show on the road. Through the “Kapihan Para sa Bayan” event at A Space Cebu, Lopez and her partners met with Cebuano change-makers to explain the thrust of their program. They will also be taking the “Kapihan Para sa Bayan” gathering to Davao and Legazpi City.

“If people are making money by crying, singing and dancing, why don’t we show them that we can earn by transforming our communities by making the most of our resources,” Gina says as she met with the members of socially-oriented organizations in the Queen City of the South.

She also shared how the “Quest for LOVE” program was able to bridge and unite two different networks in the name of charity. The movement has procured a carefully curated list of mentors comprised of successful entrepreneurs and visionaries who are tasked to guide the semi-finalists. One of these mentors is multi-awarded Kapuso actor Marvin Agustin

“He’s a Kapuso but he’s here with us. He’s not allowed to do something with ABS-CBN because he has a contract with GMA but when I spoke to them they allowed him. Because it’s for charity naman eh,” Lopez says of the waiter-turned-restaurateur’s participation.

Lopez had also visited Kinatarcan Island in Bantayan, Cebu with her family for the Holy Week, and met with Geraldine Labradores, executive director of the Southern Partners and Fair Trade Corporation, for their community transformation project in the said island. With partners and sponsors, they built healing gardens, and glamping (glamour camping) sites in the area, as well as trained and brainstormed with the residents for their preferred plans in improving their hometown.

Former Pinoy Big Brother Season 7 Lucky Teen Edition housemates Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber also visited Kinatarcan Island with Lopez for “G Diaries” and held an impromptu concert for the residents. The young celebrities, collectively known by their love team moniker “MayWard,” graced the show as new members of the “G Squad,” a group of Kapamilya stars who will take viewers with them along the “G Diaries” journey throughout various destinations all over the country from Samar, Lobo in Batangas, Sibuyan Island in Romblon, Iba in Zambales, Kinatarcan Island, and even along the iconic Pasig River.

Other G Squad members include Sue Ramirez, Gretchen Ho, Loisa Andalio, Kristel Fulgar, Antoinette Taus, Young JV, and BoybandPH’s Joao Constancia, Russell Reyes, Niel Murillo, Ford Valencia and Tristan Ramirez.

“Yeah they [MayWard] went there one weekend. Ay naku! She’s so funny and he’s so nice. She’s [Maymay]  very natural and genuine. She’s not plastic at all,” Lopez quips of her guests.

“I love the youth. They’re great. They’re dynamic, and I love their spirit,” she adds when asked about how responsive and engaging the new generation has been in terms of protecting the environment.

“We’ve decided to take an island in Cebu as a model island. It’s Kinatarcan in Bantayan. Now we’re [G Diaries] working on projects we’ve already done. It shows the work in motion while it’s on the go. It should be quite exciting,” Lopez supplements.

For now, Lopez muses that “The Quest for LOVE” movement is her main priority. When asked if she would also like to bring back educational show for kids with the likes of “Sineskwela” and “Hiraya Manawari,” Lopez quips that she has her sights on the ground community transformation from now on.

“I love this movement. You know nothing is ever easy in life but I just love connecting to people and putting this together. It makes me really happy. This is why we need partners. I’m just a dot connector. We’re looking for partners on the field so we can do more. I haven’t even seen the whole Philippines, and if we can get the Philippines out of poverty, just imagine.”