Dream Big, Share Blessings: Our Day with the Children of SOS Village Mariveles
By Eloiza Mariano Serate
Some days leave a mark on your heart forever. Our recent Quarterly CSR event at SOS Village Mariveles, Bataan was one of those days. Ninety-one children, each living in a unique open-community setup that feels like a real family, welcomed us with warm smiles and open hearts.
What made it even more special? It wasn’t Christmas. It wasn’t a holiday. It was simply a day to show them they matter.
A Community Like No Other
When people think of orphanages, they often picture gated compounds, cut off from the outside world. But SOS Village Mariveles is different. The children live in small houses, each with a “Nanay” to care for them, creating a home-like environment. They are part of the community, not hidden away from it.
This family-style setup amazed us. It’s not just shelter; it’s belonging
The Heart of My Message to the Children
During the visit, I gave a short speech, but it carried a lifetime of lessons that shaped me to who I am today. I told them three simple things:
1. Mangarap ng malaki. (Dream big.)
2. Mag-aral ng mabuti at huwag maglakwatsa. (Study hard and avoid distractions.)
3. Makinig sa matatanda. (Listen to your elders.)
I shared my own story, how I dreamed of going to Europe as a child and promised my mother I would take her there when I grow up. A dream too big and quite impossible as a child.
I shared how that dream came true years later. God was so amazing he made it possible and I did not have to pay for the trip, I got it for free as one of the perks of my husband for working 10 years for a cruise ship. A whole month of cruising across Europe.
Even though I couldn’t take my mother there before she passed, I carried her dream in my heart.
The message was simple: nothing is impossible when you work hard, use your time wisely, and trust that God will provide more than you could imagine.
More Than Just a CSR, It Was Personal
This visit wasn’t just about giving; it was about connection. The caretakers told us that most visits happen only at Christmas, so ours felt extra special. It was also close to my birthday, a celebration I wanted to share not with cake and candles, but with hope and community.
We brought donations, including rice bought from the generosity of our teammates, even those far away in Mindanao, Visayas, and abroad. But more than the goods, we brought our time, our stories, and our belief in their potential.
Why We Do What We Do
At Virtual Champions PH, we’re blessed to work from home, earning in dollars without the daily grind of commuting or braving floods. Not everyone has this privilege. This is why giving back is part of our DNA, not just during the holidays, but whenever the opportunity arises.
Our CSR days are not “charity days.” They are reminders that we are all connected, and that sharing blessings is one of the best returns on the work we do.
That day at SOS Village reminded us that inspiration works both ways, we may have gone to lift the children’s spirits, but we left with our own hearts fuller.
If there’s one thing I hope they remember, it’s this: dream big, work hard, and listen well because your future is wide open.
Let’s continue building a culture where giving is not seasonal, but intentional. If you feel moved to support SOS Village Mariveles or any local community, start now. You never know whose life you might touch.
Want to build a business that gives back year-round? At Virtual Champions PH, we believe in success with purpose—where systems create time for service.
Book a consult and let’s grow a business that supports your goals and your giving.
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