By Kian Ram C. Redelosa
Social responsibility is embedded in Filipino culture due to kinship and pakikipagkapwa (companionship), driving a shared identity among Filipinos, even strangers. Their common homeland and seas connect them deeply. While non-Filipinos might think the archipelagic nature of the Philippines separates its people, Filipinos feel more connected because the waters link their islands together.
When we combine pakikipagkapwa (companionship) with Philippine education, we get “Brigada Eskwela,” or School Brigade. This program was implemented by the Department of Education to address resource gaps faced by the department through partnerships with local communities. It is a voluntary initiative established in 2003 by DepEd to address school resource gaps. It involves volunteers performing repairs and maintenance in public schools.
Kitchen City, the biggest food concessionaire in the Philippines, actively embraces social responsibility. Despite being a corporate entity, they participate in events and organizations that benefit the community. Recently, they sponsored two events that incorporated corporate social responsibility (CSR).
On July 22, 2024, Kitchen City provided food sponsorship for 300 people, including pastries and beverages, to support the “Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan: Halina sa Paaralang PinaTATAG ng Bayanihang 1SOLIMAN” program at Raja Soliman National Science and Technology High School. This event, in collaboration with Sycip Law Firm, included donations of trash bins and chairs made from recycled plastic waste as part of the “Basurahan na Galing sa Basurahan” project. These efforts aimed to foster a more sustainable and environmentally conscious learning environment for students, promoting both education and environmental stewardship.
On the same day, Kitchen City supported the “Sama-sama Tayo Para sa Malinis at Maayos na Silid-Aralan: Brigada Eskwela 2024” program at Ugong Pasig National High School by providing 150 packed meals. This event also involved a collaboration with The Medical City, where volunteers, staff, and doctors worked to renovate the school grounds. They painted walls, cleaned chairs, wiped windows, and performed other maintenance tasks to create a cleaner and more conducive learning environment. These efforts highlighted the importance of community involvement in enhancing educational facilities and ensuring a better learning experience for students.
These events demonstrate Kitchen City’s commitment to its community. Their goal is to serve and nourish people, setting an example not only for corporate companies but for the general population as well. Social responsibility extends beyond organizations focused on community conflicts to everyone. Kabayanihan (heroism) is part of Filipino culture, connecting people despite challenges and reality.
