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  Christmas surely is a wonderful time. It is also the busiest time of the year, especially for Human Nature employees. With a lot of things going on, it is easy to forget that we're nearing what is supposed to be the happiest of seasons. When work demands bog us down, it is useful to remember why we do what we do. Many of us find inspiration in our families. Some are driven by the company's advocacies - Kusina ng Kalinga, Smiles of Goodness Dental Mission, and helping out various farming communities - to name a few. Of course, personal goals can also be key motivators. These are what keep us - and me, personally - going. But one more major factor that drives and excites me to go to work every day is my fellow Human Nature employees. Yes, you! I find fulfilment in knowing that we are all in this crazy work together. From the bayanihan that takes place each day, giving birth to a magalogue, staging another MTO, launching new products, to pulling off out-of-this-world ideas for Halloween… I'm truly inspired and humbled to be in your presence; to fight and celebrate with you. This year has definitely been a good year for all of us as we open new branches, opened new doors in retail and launched more products. Amazing, yes? All these wouldn't have happened if not for the bayanihan, hard work, blood, sweat and tears of each and every one of us. Congratulations, everyone! Bow ako sa kabayanihan ninyo at proud ako na makasama kayo. High-five all around! Wowie Meloto-Gonzalez Corporate Communications and Events Head Gandang Kalikasan, Inc. | |||
| It was a bright and balmy Saturday morning and the promise of a fun event hung in the air. Ate Rane Abendano, captain of Team One Ohana and Ate Trina Cruz, Human Nature's Community Initiatives Officer, led the pack of August new hires and fellow volunteers to the multipurpose hall of GK Bulaklakan's where they would hold Paraisong Pambata. Paraisong Pambata is a project of Gawad Kalinga that aims to provide a venue where kids can express themselves through play therapy, arts and crafts and other workshops and make learning fun and exciting. The area, which also doubled as a daycare classroom, had a chalkboard and an alphabet mural on one wall while across it is a popular cartoon character and her monkey friend were colorfully depicted. And while the floor was bare and one of the windows didn't have proper paneling, the kids seemed to feel at home automatically.  Even with the stifling heat outside, the warmth of the kids' smiles made the volunteers' discomfort disappear. The little ones started waving with glee, obviously excited for the day ahead and the sight of this thrilled the volunteers even more. "I didn't fancy being around kids until I became a mother myself. As a mother, it felt great that I would be able to extend help and to give joy to these children even just for a day," shared Ate Shiela Rodriguez, a volunteer. The program started with registration and foot tracing. The volunteers originally planned to give away slippers as gifts but since they wanted to give each kid a pair with the correct size, they decided to outline the kids' feet on paper. Once all the kids were signed up, Ate Tami Almario led everyone in warmup exercises. Kuya Vix Flores, Ate Gela Flores and Ate Diane Basino told a story about a pair of slippers titled "Ako si Kaliwa, Ako si Kanan." The children sat on the floor and listened intently as the volunteers animatedly read from the book and moved their props along.  "I enjoyed the storytelling activity. The kids were so attentive. They were giggling and talking about relevant experiences such as times when they couldn't find their slippers and outdoor games they liked. Some would even make funny comments on the illustrations," Ate Gela beamed when asked what her favorite part of the event was. The storytelling session was followed by a quiz and the kids who gave correct answers won prizes. Play time followed storytelling. The kids jumped for joy when they saw that they were playing the game mentioned in the story - tumbang preso. Ate Shiela and her sister, Ate Shaira, led the matches. The kids hurriedly got their slippers ready, arranged themselves behind the line and waited for their turn to hit the cans. As the children began striking the cans and fetching their slippers back, the room slowly filled with smiles and laughter!  After the game, everyone took a minute to catch their breath. While some kids munched on light snacks brought by the volunteers, some busied themselves comparing the prizes they got from the storytelling Q&A and the game. The volunteers also spent time rearranging the seats while bonding with the kids. When asked about the most memorable part of the day, Ate Tami said, "JI, the kid who climbed my back. I would see pictures of GK kids on the backs of volunteers and never thought it would happen to me. Feel na feel ko!"  As for Ate Gela, one of the children she vividly remembers is Jimboy. "He came to the activity wearing a polo shirt, slacks and leather shoes. Everyone else wore casual clothes. He was a bit shy at first and felt that he was left out because he couldn't join the tumbang preso game. But later on during our free time and snack time, I saw how he warmed up to us volunteers and the other kids. He even asked Vix to carry him around as Vix was giving piggyback rides to the other kids. He was smiling from ear to ear after the piggyback ride and the yummy treats he received," she recalled. Once everyone settled down, the volunteers started the arts and crafts activity. The kids were given pieces of colorful popsicles attached together and a piece of string which they used to assemble a house ornament. Each volunteer sat with groups of kids to help them make their art, and Ate Shiela shared a conversation with a little girl who touched her heart when she said, "Hi Ate! Idi-display ko ito kasi kasama kita nung ginawa ko ito, saka para hindi kita makalimutan. (Hi Ate! I will display this because we made it together, and so that I won't forget you.)" The arts and crafts session was followed by awarding ceremonies, and the volunteers acknowledged the kids who excelled in the different activities. The children also received one goodie bag each that contained school supplies. To commence the day, the volunteers shared a happy lunch with the little ones as well as with the GK residents who participated in the event.  As for the Team Captain, Ate Rane exclaimed how delighted she was to see the kids have a great time. "[I felt] fulfilled to have seen the kids enjoy the entire event. To see them smile and enjoy was just amazing!"  Stay tuned to Goodness Newsletter for the announcement of our return to GK Bulaklakan! You too can come and help give these kids a happy weekend and experience a day of pure joy. | |||
| in between for Halloween Last week, Human Nature's head office employees gave October a colorful and lively send-off as it celebrated its annual Halloween party and Trick or Treat! Some of the exciting department decorations included Finance's Super Mario, Branch Operations' Futuristic theme and Sales & Customer Service's Possessed Asylum theme, which won as Best Team Decor.    The Marketing Department channelled 1980s women to carry out their Titas of Human Nature concept, while the Human Resources Department busted out their wigs, face paints and drawing skills to pull off the characters from the movie blockbuster Inside Out.   Trick or Treat kicked off promptly at 5:30PM and an army of little kids in their adorable costumes lined up and went from one department to the next to get their share of sweet treats.  The three cutest tots who won the Best-dressed Awards Kids Category were Bughaw Vincent Cruz who came as Monster's Inc.'s Mike Wazowski, Jhorel Hernan who dressed as The Last Airbender's Aang and Ethan Matthew Bonuen-Pallones who came as a little king.  The grownups also had something to be excited about as judges picked the best dressed employees for the night. Finance Department's Jasmin Conte bagged the Best in Costume Female Category when she came as Super Mario's Princess Peach, while Merchandising Operations' Nikko David Oliva who dressed as a vampire, won the Best in Costume Male Category.  With loads of candy, upbeat music and squeals of excitement, everyone clearly had a great time at the Halloween party. Plus, Human Nature employees were able to showcase their creative, fun sides making the Halloween party even more successful. Stay tuned to the Goodness Newsletter for more updates on our exciting events! | |||
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Kusina ng Kalinga  Hunger ends where caring begins. This November, wear your hero's heart on your sleeve and help provide scrumptious meals with fellow volunteers at Kusina ng Kalinga! Bust out your cooking skills and your kitchen know-how and lead the way to preparing delicious food for 18,000 kids. Sign up now and bring joy to the schoolchildren in GK Sitio Pajo, Quezon City on Thursday, November 12, 2015. For more information, you may contact our friendly neighborhood community initiatives partner Katrina Cruz (katrina.cruz@humanheartnature.com). | |||
| Home Assistance Program  Join us in keeping the bayanihan spirit alive on Sunday, November 8, 2015 as we embark on a Bayanihan Build in Payatas 3 area in Quezon City. Register now and be a part of a team that transforms houses into beautiful homes. You may also contact Katrina Cruz (katrina.cruz@humanheartnature.com) for more details. But wait, there's more! Did you know that you can be a beneficiary of the Housing Assistance Program? Just approach your department head or get in touch with Katrina Cruz or Eena Meloto (eena@humanheartnature.com) for more information | |||
| Pasay Pups  Care for pets in Pasay's impoverished areas and be their human heroes through Pasay Pups veterinary mission and proper pet care education. Mark your calendars and come with us on November 28, 2015, Saturday as we help make dogs and cats in Pasay happier and healthier! For more details, please get in touch with Tami Almario (tami.al@humanheartnature.com). | |||
| Malinis, Masigla, Masaya!  Bring joy and the goodness of giving to little kids at House of Refuge Foundation. Celebrate Christmas early with adorable kids, play exciting games and help them learn more about personal hygiene. Sign up now and give the gift of sharing on November 21, 2015, Sunday. Help raise funds to give each child a school supply kit. It only takes P30 to sponsor a kit. For more details, you may contact Carly Galvan (carly.ga@humanheartnature.com). | |||
| Smiles of Goodness  Our project to give kids and adults alike more reasons to smile is still on full blast as Smiles of Goodness gets ready for two villages-GK Elizabeth Village and GK Aya in Parañaque. Be a part of our dental mission this November and help GK residents get rid of their toothy woes and flash happier, more confident smiles! For more information, please contact Barbs Benesa (barbara.be@humanheartnature.com). | |||
| Would you like to share your good news and heartwarming stores with the rest of our Human Nature family? Send your stories to Kin at korina.ma@humanheartnature.com. Your story may inspire others, so come and share the goodness! |
