BANSUD, Oriental Mindoro — A coalition of faith-based organizations, civil society groups, and local government units formally launched on Feb. 2, 2026, the HAPAG MANGYAN: Hunger to Hope 2.0 Project Kiddie Star, a collaborative initiative aimed at addressing hunger and supporting early childhood education among Mangyan children aged 2 to 5 years.
The project was officially kicked off through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) led by Friends of Saint Mary MacKillop, Inc. (FSMMI), together with key partners De La Salle Brothers, Inc. Social Action Unit Tulong Lasalyano, represented by Krizzhia Loren Rosero, program officer, and Food Access Philippines, Inc., represented by Arthur Winston Bitagcol, founder and advocacy lead.
The ceremony, held at Sitio Yugo, Barangay Conrazon, was witnessed by the local government unit of Bansud, Oriental Mindoro, through Violeta A. Nazareno, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office officer, Dr. Maria Christina Alberto, MD, DPPS, founder of Hope in Me Club, Inc., and barangay officials of Conrazon, led by village head Wilson Mirano.
“Hunger robs children not only of food, but of their chance to learn, dream, and grow,” said Fr. Dean Klayford Bongat, founder of Friends of Saint Mary MacKillop, Inc. “Through HAPAG MANGYAN: Hunger to Hope 2.0, we are transforming shared responsibility into shared meals, ensuring that food becomes a bridge to education, dignity, and hope for Mangyan children.”
The initiative responds to findings of EDCOM II, which identified hunger as a major reason children drop out of school. Indigenous communities, particularly Mangyan tribes in Oriental Mindoro, continue to face persistent food insecurity that directly affects children’s health, development, and ability to learn.
Project Kiddie Star features a daily share-a-meal program for young Mangyan children, supporting nutrition as a foundation for education. The food supply comes from recovered surplus food from partner companies. These are items nearing expiration but still safe for consumption. The approach helps reduce food waste while addressing hunger and early childhood illiteracy.
By bringing together faith-based organizations, advocacy groups, local government, health professionals, and community leaders, HAPAG MANGYAN: Hunger to Hope 2.0 demonstrates how collaboration can turn excess into opportunity and hunger into hope.
