Elmo and Janella join Gina in Sorsogon
“G Diaries” gets even more meaningful and exciting with the launch of “The Quest for LOVE,” a nationwide search that aims to help communities launch their own sustainable businesses, that will soon air as a special segment in the program this July.
Gina Lopez and partners in the private and government sectors led by Sen. Loren Legarda, Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Mark Villar, and Department of Science and Technology secretary Fortunato Dela Peña recently announced the project that brings together government and private sector to promote widespread social and environmental development at Palm Grove, Rockwell Club in Makati.
Through “The Quest,” the Investments in Loving Organizations for Village Economies (ILOVE) Foundation that Gina founded, and its partners will provide financial and technical support to eight deserving organizations in transforming their communities into sites for sustainable development through agro-forestry, fisheries, or ecotourism.
The search begins with 16 organizations that will be chosen from online entries from all over the Philippines based on their track record, leaders, and the potential impact of the proposed intervention on the partner community. They will then participate in a three-day training where candidates shall pitch their preliminary plans to a panel of judges at the end of the boot camp. I Love assessors will then choose the eight candidates that will undergo the I LOVE mentoring and support program, receive P100,000 cash, plus direct access to government support. Social enterprises, cooperatives, people’s associations, foundations, NGOs, and other socially-oriented organizations are open to join the competition.
Viewers will get to follow the journey of the eight semifinalists this July on “G Diaries,” which launched its second season early this year.
Meanwhile, for the show’s third episode this season on Sunday (April 8), Gina and “G Squad” members Elmo Salvador and Janella Salvador will showcase the tourist destinations and community projects in Sorsogon.
Gina said I LOVE hopes to address the reality that although the Philippines boasts of a 6.7% GDP growth and is seen to be one of the top three fastest growing economies in Asia, the robust growth has not trickled down to the remotest areas of the country. She believes that the strategy to uplift the lives of the marginalized community is through inspiring them and providing them proper mentoring.
“The key is the person. The key is the partner. If you find partner that can do things on the ground efficiently and sincerely, then you have found a partner that is gold,” she said.
Also present in the launch of “The Quest for LOVE” were Department of Tourism assistant secretary Reynaldo Lacao Ching, Department of National Defense undersecretary Cesar Yano, Department of Social Welfare and Development undersecretary Malou Turalde, Department of Trade and Industry assistant secretary Amina Fajardo, and TESDA director Sonia Lipio.
“G Diaries” airs every second Sunday of the month before “ASAP” on ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN HD. Watch online on iwantv.com.ph or skyondemand.com.ph. Visit QuestforLove.ph for more information and follow @GdiariesPH on Twitter and @GDiaries on Facebook for program updates.
