Our experiences help mold us into who we are today – but what happens when your past isn’t all rainbows and sunshine?
The recently crowned winners of the Pinoy Mavericks Awards, the campaign mounted by CIMB Bank PH to give a platform to Filipinos to share their inspiring stories of triumph amid adversity, are a testament to how a difficult past should not define you and can still mold you into becoming an inspiring individual.
Before joining the contest, nominees were asked to choose a charity to share their prize money with, if they win. And true to their word, after the awards night in July, Pinoy Mavericks Awards winners Phoebe Fructuoso, Marlon Fuentes, and Jerico Ramota each donated half of their prize money of P200,000 to the underprivileged.
Giving a voice to victims of sexual abuse
After facing adversity head on at a young age as a victim of sexual violence, Pinoy Mavericks Awards winner Phoebe hopes to continue providing support to other victims of abuse. Part of her winnings will be donated to Promoting Awareness & Victor’s Empowerment (PAVE) Philippines, an organization that empowers the voiceless, spreading awareness about rape culture and gender-based violence. Her donation will further support PAVE’s mission to raise the voices of the abused and fight for their welfare, providing additional funding for PAVE’s mental, legal, and health counseling programs and services for survivors.
Providing support for the abandoned and neglected
Marlon has battled Tourette Syndrome, an incurable neurological disorder, his entire life. He faced daily challenges and societal discrimination, but still remained brave and optimistic. He is a true family man that does everything to give his loved ones the best life he can. Having lost his parents at a young age, he regrets being unable to shower them with love and gifts now that he has the means to do so. This is why he wants to bring joy instead to the residents of Bahay Kalinga, a home for abandoned and neglected elderly women located in Bulacan. He used part of his prize to purchase necessities for them, such as hygiene kits, which he turned over via a simple celebration with the residents. He also donated PHP 75,000 in cash.
Extending help to homeless and underprivileged youth
Despite coming from humble beginnings, Jerico always had an unwavering determination to help others. He aids his community through his ‘Rolling Bayanihan’ program, making sure no one goes hungry. He continues to help through donating to Manila Boystown, a residential care center for homeless and underprivileged youth in Marikina. He sees his younger self in its residents, as he, too, had a challenging childhood – roaming the streets hungry and losing his way until finally finding direction with the help of his mentor. Part of his prize money was used for a simple celebration with the kids, while majority was used to purchase items they needed, such as food, hygiene kits, medicine, cleaning supplies, and a brand-new washing machine. He also turned over PHP 20,000 to the head of the facility.
The Pinoy Mavericks Awards winners may have come from different backgrounds and past experiences, but what brings them all together is their unwavering desire to help others. They have found their purpose, genuinely wanting to do good and effect positive change. As Jerico once put it, “Ang buhay ay maiksi lang, bakit hindi mo gamitin sa tama, sa mabuti (life is short, why not use it to do what is right, what is good).”
The Pinoy Mavericks Awards is part of the embodiment of CIMB Bank PH’s mission to promote financial inclusion and empower Filipinos to live their purpose and overcome barriers to success. The three winners are a testament to how everyday Filipinos can create a positive impact to the lives of many and, through their stories, CIMB hopes to inspire Filipinos to reach their life goals and support them by making it easy to access formal financial services.