For more than twenty years, the Aeta families of Sitio Tarukan in Capas, Tarlac have spent their nights in darkness. In just one day, community members saw their dark streets and homes light up with solar lights – all through the Liter of Light project, led by the MyShelter Foundation with pioneering sponsor Pepsi Philippines.
Sito Tarukan was chosen because of the time spent there by Pepsi brand ambassador Daniel Padilla while filming his hit movie Crazy Beautiful You. Daniel was warmly welcomed, and he wanted to give back by lighting up their sitio - a zero-power zone located more than 120 kilometres away from Manila.
To make this happen Pepsi Philippines and Star Cinema sent over 50 energetic volunteers (to spend almost 12 hours under the sun) last June 6, successfully installing 100 solar house lights and 40 street lamps across the area, benefitting more than 400 Aeta community members.
Volunteers from advertising firm BBDO Guerrero taught children how to build their own solar-light box - a simplified, easy-to-assemble and portable version of the solar lights.
“We hope that this Pepsi Liter of Light effort for our Aeta brothers and sisters expand their horizons, and change their lives for the better. By ending more than two decades of darkness for Tarukan, Pepsi Philippines and its partners proved that a lot can be achieved in one day, as long as hearts and minds are aligned,” shares Jika Dalupan, Pepsi Philippines’ Vice President for Corporate Affairs & Communications.
Pepsi Philippines is a pioneering sponsor of MyShelter Foundation’s Liter of Light project – a partner since 2011. This project provides sustainable off-grid lighting solutions through upcycling of plastic bottles. The original ‘day light’ (a plastic bottle filled with bleach and water that defracts and magnifies the natural light of the sun into homes) has been upgraded to provide light when it is needed the most – at night. This is made possible through the attachment of solar panels and a simple circuit to power an LED light inserted into the bottle. This simple technology is able to provide up to 10 hours of light at night and could last up to 4 years.
“Before Liter of Light, Tarukan residents had to limit their activities come nightfall. Now, they can extend their productive hours to work more, study harder, and spend more time with family and friends.” shares Maricelle Narciso, Country Manager of Pepsi Philippines. She adds, “By lighting up their homes and streets, we are improving the quality of people’s lives, and making their communities even safer than before.”
In true bayanihan style, Tarukan chieftain Lito Diaz led the village folk to help install their solar lights. He appreciated that their lives were about to change forever. “Maraming, maraming salamat po sa tulong na ibinigay nyo sa amin,” Diaz said soon after the last light was installed.
The efforts of Pepsi Philippines inspired further support from Pepsi globally. Liter of Light is the beneficiary of Pepsi’s global campaign, ‘Pepsi Challenge’ where $1 will be donated to MyShelter for every engagement made using the hashtag #PepsiChallenge. Proceeds will go toward lighting more communities in need around the world.
In a further show of support, Daniel Padilla created a tribute video for his adopted sitio during his recent sold-out concert at the Mall of Asia Arena. It captured the attention of the 16,000-strong audience at the ‘Most Wanted’ concert last June 13. The hashtag #PepsiChallenge, which the video also supported, became the number one trend for the Philippines on Twitter. Resulting in tens of thousands of dollars donated to the Liter of Light project.
“Araw ‘nyo ‘to para makatulong... sana marami kayong mai-post, para marami rin tayong matulungan”, shares Padilla.
To know more about MyShelter Foundation’s Liter of Light project, visit literoflight.org.
The ultimate online fan experience gets even better here at starcinema.com.ph.
See other latest news here, visit our online store, and talk about your favorite stars, movies, and TV shows on Fans Speak!
For more updates:
Follow Star Cinema:
Twitter: @StarCinema
Instagram: starcinema
Google Plus: ABSstarcinema
Youtube: ABSstarcinema
Facebook: StarCinema
Snapchat: starcinema
For more updates on your favorite Star Cinema movies, continue to visit www.starcinema.com.ph