With Christmas being the biggest annual holiday in the country, it actually comes as no surprise that the Yuletide season brings out a lighter and happier side to just about everybody. It is easily evident in the colorful decorations displayed in the malls; to the slight chill in the evening air; and, of course, to the animated conversations that can be heard from practically every street corner. Many of us also see Christmas as the best time to have reunions with family and friends, and to practice generosity by offering help to those who are less fortunate.

Well, a children’s foundation cooked up a campaign that will allow you to do both – have a festive gathering with your loved ones while extending a helping hand to street children. Read on to find out more.



This awareness campaign is called 8 to Educate, wherein eight restaurants located in Serendra teamed up with Virlanie Foundation to assist the organization in supporting the education of the disadvantaged children under its wing.

Founded in 1992 by French Dominique Lemay, Virlanie is a non-sectarian child-caring institution based in Metro Manila. Its mission is simple: to take care and look after children who need special protection. And by ‘look after’ it means giving the child more than food and shelter, but instead providing them a place they can really call ‘home.’ These are the children who had been living on the streets; whose families are so poor that they had to fend for themselves; or who had run away from their parents and had nowhere to go.



Virlanie has different homes that address the specific needs of the children in its helm, and one of the foundation’s main priorities is sending the kids to school. That’s where 8 to educate comes in. From now until December 31, the participating restaurants have committed to supporting the campaign by donating a certain percentage of their sales each time a featured menu item is ordered.





For Arama it’s their set meal; for Cav, the Valhrona Chocolate Soufflé Cake; for Chelsea it’s Mac & Cheese Kiddie Meal; selected cupcakes at Cupcakes by Sonja.



You can also order the Dim sum Platter from Fu; Monsignor James Salad from Healthy Kitchen; Fried Chicken Cutlets and Adobo Flakes from Sentro 1771; and for Xocolat, it’s the organic cacao drink and can.





The items will be easy to find, as the restaurants’ menus feature a Virlanie sticker next to those that are included in the campaign. You will also find brochures on the tables of these establishments, which will let you sponsor a child’s education for P800 a month, or give a one-time donation.

So the next time you’re in Serendra and find yourself in any of these restaurants, look for the Virlanie logo. It’s a good feeling to know that a spoonful of good food can actually make a world of difference for a street child.

Virlanie Foundation is located at 4055 Yague Street, Makati City. You can reach them at tel: 896-2289, 895-5260. Or log on to www.virlanie.org.