In a simple yet meaningful act of community care, Komunida Initiative recently shared its support with the students of Amado T. Reyes Elementary School by providing raincoats to help them stay dry during the rainy season. This effort was made possible through the generous support of the students and community of The Raya School, who raised funds via their Kapitbahay Fair.

The word “kapitbahay” in Filipino means “neighbor,” and fittingly, the donations from The Raya School were brought to their very own kapitbahay school — Amado T. Reyes Elementary — highlighting the spirit of bayanihan and community care.

This initiative is part of Pahina ng Pangarap, Komunida’s flagship literacy program that brings stories and ideas to life for Filipino children. It is made possible through our collaboration with CANVAS and its One Million Books for One Million Children campaign, which also produced the children's activity books gifted to the students. More than just giving, this effort is a testament to the power of bayanihan and shared dreams for a future rooted in compassion, learning, and creativity.

To learn more about Komunida's work in building a thriving community of care and knowledge, visit www.komunida.org.

#KomunidaInitiative #PahinaNgPangarap #KapitbahayFair #1MillionBooksPH #CanvasPH

Setyembre 17, 2023 – Lungsod ng Maynila. Ipinapaabot ng Komunida Initiative ang taos-pusong pagbati at pasasalamat sa National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) para sa matagumpay na pagdiriwang ng Philippine Creative Industries Month (PCIM) ngayong taon. Sa selebrasyong nakatuon sa pagpapalakas ng malikhaing sektor sa bansa, aktibong nakiisa ang Komunida sa mga workshop session sa larangan ng performing arts, events management, music, at poetry writing at iba pa na inilunsad sa Luneta Park grounds.

Nagpapaabot din ng pasasalamat ang Komunida sa Samahan ng mga Papetir ng Pilipinas, Inc. (SPP) para sa kanilang walang sawang pagsusulong ng puppetry bilang masaya at makabuluhang anyo ng edukasyon para sa lahat—bata man o matanda, anuman ang pinagmulan. Ang kanilang adbokasiya ay hindi lamang lumalawak sa Pilipinas kundi umaabot din sa buong Asia-Pacific.

Bilang bahagi ng adbokasiya ng Komunida para patuloy na pagpapanatili at pagpapayaman ng kulturang Pilipino, hinihikayat naming ang kapwa kabataan na aktibong makilahok sa mga ganitong pagsasanay at pagtitipon upang higit pang mapaunlad ang lokal na sining at mapangalagaan ang ating mga artistang bayan at likhang-sining.

Patuloy ang Komunida sa pagsusulong ng makabayan at makabuluhang sining at kultura bilang susi sa edukasyon, pag-unlad, at pagkakakilanlan ng bawat pamayanang Pilipino.

#KomunidaInitiative #ArtsAndCulture #PCIM #NCCA

Pasig City, Philippines — August 26, 2023. In celebration of creativity, inclusion, and community, Komunida Initiative extended its support to children with disabilities (CWDs) and their families during the “Read, Set, Craft” workshop organized by Project SMILE in partnership with TheraWee. The event was held at Robinsons Galleria Level 1 Eat Street, gathering families, friends, and supporters for an afternoon of meaningful connection and joyful learning.

Through this initiative, Komunida distributed children’s activity books and sensory-friendly fidget toys — simple yet thoughtful gifts designed to inspire creativity, stimulate the senses, and support early literacy among CWDs. The workshop also featured engaging craft activities and interactive learning sessions tailored to the needs and interests of the children.

One touching moment came when a mall security guard approached the Komunida booth, shyly asking how much the books cost. With a warm smile, volunteers shared that the books were free — part of a nationwide campaign by CANVAS (Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development) to promote love for reading, ensure access to knowledge and impprove that ability to imagine among children. The guard gratefully accepted a book to bring home to his child, exemplifying how inclusive acts of generosity can reach even the most unexpected corners of a community.

Komunida believes that every child is special and deserves a safe space to play, participate, and discover their unique strengths. By supporting initiatives for CWDs and other marginalized groups, Komunida continues to foster communities where all children are seen, celebrated, and empowered to thrive.

Through art, storytelling, and shared experiences, Komunida envisions a more inclusive and compassionate society — one where no child is left behind, and every child, regardless of ability, is given the tools to dream and grow.

Caramoan, Camarines Sur — Noong Agosto 20, 2023, matagumpay na naisagawa ang Book Giving ng programang Tuloy ang Lakbay ng Project SMILE para sa mga batang anak ng mga seaweed farmers sa lalawigan ng Caramoan.

Layunin ng aktibidad na maghatid ng saya, inspirasyon, at pag-asa sa mga kabataang nasa kanayunan sa pamamagitan ng mga aklat na nagbibigay-diin sa kulturang Pilipino at kabutihang-asal. Bahagi ito ng patuloy na adbokasiya ng Komunida Initiative at Project SMILE na palakasin ang edukasyon at imahinasyon ng mga bata sa mga komunidad sa laylayan.

Nagpapasalamat ang grupo sa mga boluntaryo at katuwang na organisasyon, kabilang ang CANVAS – Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development, para sa mga librong ibinahagi.

Para sa mga nais tumulong bilang boluntaryo o magbigay ng donasyon, maaring magpadala ng mensahe sa aming Facebook page.

#OneMillionBooksPH #CanvasPH #KomunidaInitiative #PahinaNgPangarap

Bilang paggunita sa Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa at Araw ng mga Bayani, inilunsad ng Komunida Initiative ang kampanyang #PusongPilipino — isang online series na naglalayong itampok ang kahalagahan ng wikang Filipino bilang pamana ng lahi, salamin ng ating kultura at kasaysayan, at daan tungo sa tunay na kalayaan at kaunlaran.

Sa temang “Katutubong Wika: Pamana ng Lahi, Salamin ng Kultura at Kasaysayan, Daan tungo sa Kalayaan at Kaunlaran,” layunin ng seryeng ito na palalimin ang pag-unawa at pagpapahalaga sa wikang Filipino at mga katutubong wika bilang mahalagang bahagi ng ating pambansang pagkakakilanlan.

Magsilbi sanang paalala ang kampanyang ito na bawat salita, kuwento, at pagkilos ay maaaring maging ambag sa patuloy na pakikibaka para sa isang makatarungan, malaya, at makabayang lipunan. Sa pamamagitan ng #PusongPilipino, inaanyayahan ng Komunida Initiative ang lahat na muling yakapin at ipagdiwang ang ating wika bilang puwersa para sa pagkakaisa at pagbabago.

Santa Rosa City, Laguna — In an inspiring step toward empowering the next generation of digital citizens, Komunida Initiative launched its first-ever #DigiTalino Digital Literacy Awareness Program and #YOUTHink Book Distribution at Santa Rosa Science and Technology High School (SRSTHS). The activity reached over 200 Grade 9 and 12 students, teachers, and parents, marking a milestone in Komunida’s mission to build digital resilience among Filipino youth, August 18 2023.

Under its Linangin thematic Program, Komunida seeks to develop “digital heroes” — young people equipped to critically evaluate online content, combat disinformation, and engage responsibly in the digital world. This comes at a critical time, as nearly 51% of the 92 million active social media users in the Philippines struggle to detect fake news.

In today's digital age, the ability to navigate the vast landscape of online information is nothing short of essential. It is both alarming and eye-opening to discover that, among the 92.05 million social media users in the Philippines, nearly 51% struggle to identify fake news and misinformation. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, we designed the #Digitalino Digital Literacy Training program to equip young minds with the skills they need to discern fact from fiction in the digital realm.

The event featured a hybrid of training sessions and book distribution. Participants received copies of #YOUTHink, a media literacy book published by CANVAS (Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development). Recognized at the 7th National Children’s Book Awards, the book encourages critical thinking and awareness in consuming online information.

“This is not just a workshop—it’s a movement to ensure our youth are informed, empowered, and thoughtful participants in our digital democracy,” shared Casey Cruz, co-founder of KOMUNIDA, during the event.

The program was made possible in collaboration with UP STRATOS, Santa Rosa Science and Technology High School, and learning resource partners including Limitless Lab, Canvas PH, ASEAN Foundation, Google, and the Break the Fake Movement.

To further support the school community, Komunida also donated cleaning materials as part of Brigada Eskwela, helping prepare SRSTHS for the upcoming school year. Looking ahead, they are excited to announce their plans for continued collaboration with Santa Rosa Science And Technology High School throughout the year. Komunida's shared goal is to empower Filipino youth not only in the digital sphere but also in various aspects of their lives, helping them unlock their full potential.

Following the event’s success, Komunida is gearing up to support the roll-out of #DigiTalino to more schools nationwide. Strengthening digital literacy remains central to the Linangin Program’s vision: to cultivate capable, critically aware, and community-grounded youth in a fast-evolving digital landscape.

Pasig City, Philippines — July 22, 2024 | KOMUNIDA successfully launched its flagship storytelling and book-giving campaign, Pahina ng Pangarap, in celebration of National Children’s Book Month. The kick-off event was held last July 22 at Barangay Pineda, Pasig City, drawing young participants from the local community.

The session featured storytelling activities and the distribution of children’s books, with the aim of nurturing a love for reading among Filipino youth. Volunteers from various backgrounds came together to support the event, sharing their time and stories with the children.

This initiative was made possible through the generous support of CANVAS (Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development), which provided beautifully illustrated children’s books that explore Filipino values, history, and imagination.

"Through stories, we spark imagination and strengthen the sense of community among the next generation," said Shirley Songalia, Advocacy and Programs Lead of KOMUNIDA. “By providing access to culturally-rooted books, we are helping shape a future where every child sees themselves reflected in the stories they read.” she added. 

KOMUNIDA invites more volunteers and partners to take part in the Pahina ng Pangarap campaign as it continues to visit more communities in the coming months.

For those interested in volunteering or donating, messages can be sent directly to the KOMUNIDA Facebook page.