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5 brand new high-speed sewing machines were awarded to the Rags2Riches Cooperative courtesy of the ABS-CBN early morning show, Umagang Kay Ganda. The provision of these machines was made during the January 14, 2010 episode of the show with representatives from Rags2Riches attending to receive them. This was made possible through Umagang Kay Ganda’s Bid To Give Project, the show’s Christmas endeavor, where works of art are put up to bid on live television and the amount raised to be awarded to selected organizations. Ms. Amina Aranaz-Alunan guested on this segment and offered a few of her designer bags for bidding, with Rags2Riches as her partner organization. Ms. Elsie Chua won the bidding. Read More >>

53 mothers from Payatas received free eye examinations last November-December 2009 courtesy of Sarabia Opticals. The mothers, all members of Rags2Riches, availed of this service through the generosity of Dr. Vivian Sarabia. Dr. Sarabia recently partnered with Rags2Riches to create designer contact lens cases for her company, and in return promised her services to all Rags2Riches members who were in need of prescription eyewear. This partnership was solidified through the common passion of empowering women in impoverished communities. Every week, the mothers trooped to the Sarabia Optical branch in SM North EDSA to get their eyes checked. They are then guided through the visual acuity tests by Dr. Noel Narciso and Dr. Lydia Acenas, and assisted by the staff led by Ms. Tina Caballes, the branch manager. The test results were passed on to Dr. Sarabia who fitted the mothers with new prescription eyeglasses three weeks later. Recipients of the eyeglasses were delighted with the clear vision it provided which would prove helpful in their increased production of rugs and bags. The Rags2Riches mothers were all very thankful for the opportunity to get their vision checked. Read More >>

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Selfless Love (based from a personal reflection of the same title)      By Jennilyn M. Ludovice, Community Relations Officer Payatas – an infamous place in the Metro, very known for its identity that has been long branded as [one of the] “dumpsites” of the entire metropolis. But for me, this place has recreated its new identity – an identity which I couldn’t actually think of the best words to describe it. I’ve seen, felt, and personally witnessed a new profound feeling in this place. A place of different stories, varying perspectives, different experiences, but all boils down to one meaningful phrase – Selfless Love. --- Susamarie Estabillo, or Ate Nhing, is a mother of 5, a leader in her own community - Nazareno, mentor of the Lupang Pangako Community, a family planning lecturer, and a very devoted servant of God – she’s just one of the many Nanays that help me see the beauty beyond the imperfection of Payatas. She was featured in one of the episodes of GMA’s Documentary Show I-Witness hosted by Kara David. The show featured her life in Payatas, as one of those who live by plowing tons of garbage being dumped at their place. It also featured how she lives her life vibrantly despite of the struggles she has Read More >>

The days that followed after Typhoon Ondoy (International Code Name: Ketsana) brought epic proportions of flooding and devastation in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces was truly a period of volunteerism for Filipinos. Relief operations were conducted by various groups and entities, and the Filipino spirit of “Bayanihan” once again shined amidst the onslaught brought by the typhoon. And our R2R Nanays joined the entire nation by sharing their time with other volunteers for the relief operations. “Natulungan kami ng R2R nung nangangailangan kami, oras naman para tumulong din kami sa iba (R2R helped us when we were in need, now is the time to help others as well),” shared by one of the Nanays. Despite the fact that they themselves were also victims of the typhoon, the Nanays open-handedly offered their day by signing up for a relief operations organized by Gawad Kalinga. With other volunteers from various schools and business organizations in the Metro, the Nanays spent the day repacking relief goods and joining Bayanihan lines to load all goods to the delivery vehicles.Despite of the heavy work load and uncomfortable environment caused by noise and heat in the venue, the Nanays never complained and seemed to enjoy the moment Read More >>