Push Admin

Habitat For Humanity Marks 35 Years Of Changing Lives

The most glamorous, heartwarming party of the year 

Article (news)

Metro.Style Team

<p>One of the most glamorous galas of this year was also the most heartwarming evening, when the cream of Philippine philanthropy came together to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Habitat For Humanity Philippines at Shangri-La The Fort.</p><div><br/></div><p>In its 30 decades, the organization has provided affordable, sustainable shelter for over 4.5 million low-income Filipinos, many of them informal settlers. This life-changing advocacy has changed many lives and empowered many communities. This inspiring message was delivered by Habitat&#x27;s conmittee chair Ana de Ocampo. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/c46a2298-44ec-4a9e-a773-c719316c0598_5 zobel de ayala.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Fernando Zobel de Ayala, capital campaign cabinet chair of Habitat For Humanity Philippines <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Dane Soriano   </em></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/7ae0c929-361f-4a79-9f8f-eb9f3103e181_4 venue.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The glittering gala at Shangri-La The Fort <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Dane Soriano   </em></span></span></span></span></div><p>“Communities that were once marginalized and overlooked are now thriving centers of hope and opportunity. The impact that Habitat for Humanity Philippines has made goes beyond bricks and mortar; restoring dignity, igniting potential, and creating a sense of belonging for the many lives it has changed.” </p><div><br/></div><p>Yet, because there remains so much work still to be done, part of the evening was devoted to raising awareness for the organization&#x27;s many ongoing programs, to raise funds, and to invite new partners to lend their support to this very noteworthy advocacy.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/0e712d13-9a96-4ad2-ab80-3ced1167ba66_whatsapp image 2023-10-13 at 4.10.00 pm.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">From left: Zelda Kienle, Mia Borromeo, Garlic Garcia,  Kit Zobel and Fernando Zobel de Ayala <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Habitat For Humanity Philippines   </em></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/aa368de6-1298-4ca8-8196-e30da0d7763e_whatsapp image 2023-10-13 at 4.11.39 pm.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">From left: Irene M. Araneta, Ana de Ocampo, Dawn Zulueta Lagdameo, Alice Eduardo<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Habitat For Humanity Philippines   </em></span></span></span></span></div><p>Fernando Zobel de Ayala, capital campaign cabinet chair of Habitat For Humanity Philippines, recounted how he was inspired to be part of the organization after the 1999 visit of former US President Jimmy Carter and his wife to the Philippines. He has since then become a key leader in mobilizing supporters and volunteers for Habitat. Two housing beneficiaries, Christian Seso and Claudette Fernandez, shared the inspiring story of how Habitat For Humanity changed their lives for the better. Christian is now a civil engineer, while Christine is the current General Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. </p><div><br/></div><p>In his speech, Fernando Zobel de Ayala said, &#x27;Through the stories of Claudette Fernandez and Christian Seso, Habitat Philippines&#x27; work reverberates across many years. Their stories illustrate that a home is not just about shelter. Having a home is also about having hope, dignity, good health, safety and security, and an opportunity for a better future.”</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/b85ec562-126c-445f-8d2e-931c87c55367_whatsapp image 2023-10-13 at 4.13.16 pm.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">From left: Mitch Tan, Tessie Sy Coson, Alice Eduardo, Michelle Tiangco, Irene M. Araneta, Small Laude<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Habitat For Humanity Philippines   </em></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/add6f0f1-a6a2-4e30-8f98-868bab4bee9f_whatsapp image 2023-10-13 at 4.18.56 pm.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">From left: Techie Hagedorn, Sofia Elizalde, Ana de Ocampo, Anne Marie Saguil <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Habitat For Humanity Philippines   </em></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/ec82b508-e5a1-467d-9a6a-874b34dbff6f_whatsapp image 2023-10-13 at 5.01.27 pm.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Fernando Zobel de Ayala with US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Habitat For Humanity Philippines   </em></span></span></span></span></div>The glamorous evening was held at Shangri-La The Fort, over a sumptuous four-course dinner crated by three-Michelin-starred Chef Walter Manzke and James Beard awardee Margarita Manzke. <div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/39d856fe-2b34-4325-a7b2-4838e241c908_whatsapp image 2023-10-13 at 5.01.43 pm.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Mark and Emmeline Villar <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Habitat For Humanity Philippines   </em></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/55d95fa6-7680-4d31-972f-0f2a5ccd3328_whatsapp image 2023-10-13 at 4.15.08 pm.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/></span></span></div>