One of the most standout pieces in this year’s Auction for Action was “Sweet” –a shiny sculpture colored gold, red, purple that was inspired by the hit mobile game “Candy Crush” The 35x12x12-inch brass sculpture was a creation of Michael Cacnio and best captures the “Play” theme of Unicef’s fundraiser.
In celebration of National Children’s Month, UNICEF Philippines’ Auction for Action 2013 brings together over 90 artists in art, design, furniture and jewelry to benefit a unique education program to provide children access to early learning: Supervised Neighborhood Play Program (SNP).
Curated and presented by UNICEF Special Advocate for Children Daphne Oseña Paez, the online auction is a product of UNICEF and Daphne’s collaboration to bring the world of art, furniture and design together with her advocacy on children.
This year’s auction has more artists and designers contributing for a specific program on education: Supervised Neighborhood Play. It is a simple, low-cost and easy to organize home-based early learning program where trained day care workers or parent volunteers gather young children in a house, a shaded play area or under a tree for two to three hours, every day for at least ten months to help children learn through organized play. UNICEF supports the SNP program in remote, conflict or disaster-affected communities and in informal settlements located in urban and rural areas.
Parents are generally unaware that various forms of play actually keep children healthy and sharpen a child’s skills in listening, self-expression, observation and other skills for beginning literacy. Playing, both structured and unstructured, lays the foundation for a child’s development of future learning and life skills. It helps children develop their knowledge, experience, curiosity and confidence; develop language skills, thinking, planning, organizing and decision-making. Children learn language quickly and easily through hearing and singing songs, having stories told or read to them, repeating rhymes and playing games.
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| UNICEF country representative Tomoo Hozumi; UNICEF special advocate for children Daphne Oseña-Paez; and Willibald Zeck, chief of health and nutrition of UNICEF in the Philippines photo credit from Philstar.com |
Studies in the Philippines show that only three out of ten children under six years of age have access to day care or any form of early learning. The situation is more challenging in remote and conflict–affected areas where access to early learning are much lower due to inadequate resources, difficult terrain and low awareness on the importance of early childhood education.
“I have personally seen how play makes learning more fun and engaging through my own children and the children I’ve met during my trips with UNICEF. Play makes children happy and children who feel secure and loved usually do better in school, are more self-confident, have good self-esteem and are able to cope more easily with life’s challenges,” said Daphne Oseña Paez.
“Children learn best through play so making learning fun encourages a child’s eagerness to learn. Children who have access to early learning are more prepared for regular school and are less likely to drop out,” said Tomoo Hozumi, UNICEF Country Representative.
He adds “All our funds for children’s programs come from voluntary contributions and this auction provides a venue for people to acquire works from leading Filipino artists and designers and help disadvantaged children at the same time.”
Bid for one-of-a-kind pieces from notable Filipino artists and designers and help make a difference for children. The auction goes live on October 21-27, 2013 at http://stores.ebay.ph/unicefph
For a preview, visit www.unicef.ph or go to the Yuchengco Museum from October 3 to 26 at the RCBC Plaza, Makati City.
This year’s auction is made possible through the generous participation of the Philippine Star, Yuchengco Museum, Summit Media, Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation, EBay Philippines, Citem and Manila Fame.
Participating artists:
Nemo Aguila • Amina Aranáz
Arnold Austria & Sonny Sunga of Jagnus Design Studio
Philip Badon • Manuel Baldemor • Jovan Benito
Betis Crafts • Remy Boquiren • Elmer ‘Emong’ Borlongan
Jinggoy Buensuceso • Michael Cacnio • Ed Calma for Lor Calma & Partners
Juan Carlo Calma • Norberto ‘Lito’ Carating • Seb Chua
Kenneth Cobonpue • CSM Philippines • JP Cuison
Olivia D’Aboville • Olivia D’Aboville for HIVE • Antonio Daleon
Kristine Dee • Janina Dizon • Domicillo
Iñigo Elizalde for Catalina Embroideries • Dex ‘Garapata Man’ Fernandez
Sandra Fabie Gfeller • Gregory Raymond Halili • Mia Herbosa
Jeannie Javelosa • Jaypee Wrought Iron Manufacturing
Jewelmer Joaillerie • Pete Jimenez • Niccolo Jose • KawayanTech
Ito Kish • Kohler • Raymond Legaspi
Lightworks Resources, Inc. • Adler Llagas • Locsin International
Joyce Makitalo • Hamzah Marbella • Jun Martinez
National Bookstore • Milo Naval • Leeroy New
Ann Ong • Ramon Orlina • Daphne Oseña-Paez
Epjay Pacheco • Debbie Palao • Ann Pamintuan
Tess Pasola • Celso Pepito • Vernon ‘Spoonman’ Perez
Impy Pilapil • Danny Rayos del Sol • Luisa Robinson for Luisa Home
Ana Rocha • Vikki Rodriguez for Accessoria • Dominic Rubio
Stanley Ruiz • Wataru Sakuma for MASA Ecological Development Inc.
Popo San Pascual • Juvenal Sanso • SC Vizcarra, Inc.
Vito Selma/Stonesets Int’l • Mitch Shivers • Paul Syjuco
Christian Tamondong • Ricky Toledo & Chito Vijandre for FIRMA
Triboa Bay Living by Vivere Lifestyles Co., Inc. • Roceli Valencia
Nicole Whisenhunt • William Yu • Reg Yuson • Willibald Zeck
Daphne Osena renews her role as Unicef Special Advocate
Media personality and lifestyle icon Daphne Oseña Paez renews her contract as Special Advocate for Children of UNICEF Philippines. In a signing ceremony today with UNICEF Representativ e Tomoo Hozumi, Daphne reaffirms her commitment to work with the UN children’s agency.
UNICEF celebrities are luminaries from various fields who all share a dedication to improving the lives of children worldwide. Daphne joins the ranks of famous personalities such as David Beckham, Jackie Chan, Mia Farrow, Queen Rania of Jordan, Shakira, and UNICEF Philippines National Goodwill Ambassador Gary Valenciano in lending a strong voice that will draw attention to children’s issues.
“Celebrities help draw focus to important issues faced by children today. In the Philippines, we reach out to the most vulnerable children who are faced with the threat of disasters, armed conflict and challenges associated with urbanisation. Daphne’s strong dedication and hard work as a breastfeeding advocate and fundraiser will no doubt help us accomplish these goals,” said Hozumi.
A mother to three daughters, Daphne began her journey with UNICEF in 2010 as a celebrity breastfeeding advocate. She spoke about the many challenges faced by breastfeeding mothers, and the support they needed to successfully breastfeed their babies.
As part of her duties as Special Advocate, Daphne has managed to get important children’s issues such as early childhood care, clean water, malnutrition and armed conflict in the public domain. Daphne visited Ondoy-affected mothers in Laguna, malnourished children in Maguindanao, frontline breastfeeding workers in Taguig and families displaced by Typhoon Pablo in Davao Oriental.
“I feel honoured for this opportunity to once again work with UNICEF. As a mother, it gives me great joy to be able to work so that all children everywhere can get the best start in life,” Daphne said.
Daphne also helps raise awareness on the works of UNICEF as an organization funded entirely from donations. Her successful project UNICEF Auction for Action, now on its third year managed to raise 4.5 million pesos since 2011. The proceeds from the art auction were able to benefit many children, enabling them to access early childhood care and education programs.
During the signing ceremony, she announced plans for UNICEF Auction for Action 2013 to be held this October.
“We are excited for this year’s auction. It will be bigger and better with more artists from various fields pitching in to raise funds for children,” Daphne said.
