Spreading smiles, one remote community at a time: Marking 3 years of ‘Pencil for a Smile’

MANILA, Philippines — Heavy rains, thick fog and steep, zigzagged roads didn’t hinder the representatives of home improvement retailer MR.DIY on a grueling eight-hour journey to bring smiles to schoolchildren in Benguet for “Pencil for a Smile.”

With the help of the RECU Cordillera K9 Unit, together with representatives of the Pagna’t Imontanosa Group, the team braved roads to reach the isolated communities in the town of Tuba, where Ligay Elementary School, Ligay Daycare Center and Bes-ig Daycare Center were located.

The teams were welcomed with the warm hospitality of the community that seemed to be on a literal cloud nine—all with big smiles on their faces in a place where the clouds seemed to be within arm’s reach.

A total of 80 students from Ligay and Bes-ig received essential hygiene kits and school supplies to aid in their day-to-day activities and schooling.

A child receives a haircut from a member of the RECU Cordillera K9 Unit.

Representatives of Ligay Elementary School, Ligay Daycare Center, the local barangay and other partners delivered their message to mark the occasion, where the students also enjoyed free haircuts made possible by the RECU Cordillera K9 Unit, followed by an encouraging talk about anti-bullying and violence against women and children by Jenelyn Bingwasan, Chief for Police Community Relations of Tuba, Benguet.

As an integral part of MR.DIY’s overarching corporate social responsibility program, Acts of Kindness (AOK), the company continues its steadfast commitment to students’ well-being and success with Pencil for a Smile together with its partner, the Pagna’t Imontanosa Group.

For the last three years, MR.DIY and Pagna’t Imontanosa have conducted various outreach efforts geared toward enriching the lives of schoolchildren in different isolated areas across Benguet and Mountain Province.

In July 2023, they partnered with local police units for a haircutting session and distributed hygiene kits and school supplies to students in Bokod, Benguet. They also conducted similar activities in Bilig Elementary School in June 2022 and provided household gift packs and rechargeable lights to students and families in Bontoc, Mountain Province in December 2021.

Speaking to students present at the event, Charles Salecina, deputy head of marketing of MR.DIY Philippines, spoke of how simple gestures make a huge difference in the lives of children, especially those in far-flung areas.

“Every day, we have opportunities to help, encourage and share a smile. These small gestures can transform the lives of these young children in a big way. At MR.DIY, we believe in the impact of Acts of Kindness (AOK), and together with partners like the Pagna’t Imontanosa Group, we continue our commitment to empowering education and enriching children’s lives,” Salecina said.

As MR.DIY expands to open more stores to serve various parts of the country—with 574 stores to date—the Pencil for a Smile activity shows MR.DIY’s commitment to go the extra mile to provide help where it is needed most.

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