Gina Lopez
Managing Director,
ABS-CBN Foundation Inc., Philippines

"If you want to make money, give it away."
- Don Eugenio Lopez

A Loving World for Our Children
As I deal with my personal growth and as I deal with people, I also realize the incredible significance my childhood has played in my life. There is no doubt in my mind that the most sustainable solution towards our future lies in the kind of world we create for our children – the way we take care of them physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually.

I have two children, 6 and 10 years old. These are Bantay Bata 163 ages. I am also increasingly aware that child care is an art, a science. So I read, experiment, talk to people, try things out - and I learn.

Shouldn't this learning process be institutionalized? In the same way that our academics is? At the end of the day we ask which is more crucial - our knowledge of the chemistry table or our knowledge of how to bring out the best in human potential? Why isn't the other made mandatory in schools?

It is to fill this gap in our country's life and it is in the awareness of its crucial importance to our future - that the Children's Village in Norzagaray, Bulacan, is being constructed. From the architecture, to the interior design, to the landscaping – everything will be done with the child in mind. The fresh air, the animals, the gardens, the training, everything will be done with the thought of bringing out the best in a human being. We are laying the foundation so that - that human being may one day contribute in a positive way to the web of humanity.

Each child is a gift from God, a gift from the universe. If the child is treated in this way, the life led will be one wherein he or she gives many gifts in return to the world he or she inhabits.

This is my conviction: a better world can exist. And this world must start with our inner selves - and flow into the way we take care of our children. We can have heaven on earth. I want to start with my life. I want to prove this with the community that will be built in Norzagaray Bulacan. It will be Bantay Bata's gift of love to the future of the Filipino – built from love, given in and with love - and the vision is that it will result in a world of love.

I hope that you will help us.

About Bantay Bata 163, Philippines
Since the early 1800's, the Lopez family has enjoyed a privileged background. From sugar plantations they expanded their businesses to encompass electricity (MERALCO), media (ABS-CBN "TV"), telecommunications (BAYANTEL) and real estate (BENPRES HOLDINGS CORPORATION) among many others. In fact, in 1999, the publicly listed Lopez companies constituted almost 10% of the PHISIX (Philippine Stock Exchange Index), with a total of PhP180 Billion in market capitalization.

But the Lopez family believes that it is in business for more than just profit. The late Geny Lopez said: "I have always believed that public service is the only reason for our existence. Profit alone is not enough of a reason to exist. But if we can serve people, then our growth and our success will follow. If we take care of our customers, then they will take care of us. That is the kind of culture a company should have."

Geny's daughter, Gina, more than following in her father's footsteps, has devoted her life to public service through the ABS-CBN foundation. In addition to her efforts for advancing sustainable use of natural resources, she has also started numerous programmes for the less privileged, of which Bantay Bata ("child watch") is a mainstay.

Considered as a forefront program of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc., Bantay Bata 163 which was founded in 1993 pursues the commitment and mission to uplift the Rights of Filipino Children. It is the only media-based intervention program that provides a holistic approach in the rescue and rehabilitation of abused children. It plays a vital role in creating public awareness on the issues surrounding child abuse. The focus on family strengthening programs also aims to educate families on the role of family relationship as an important preventive measure against child abuse.

Among the programs and services under Bantay Bata 163 are:

Child Protection Services
Arts for Healing
Foster Care
Community & Family Support Services