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It was more than just a meal-sharing activity; it was a show of compassion in action. Around 3,000 underserved Filipinos across Manila were treated to hot, nutritious meals, thanks to a joint effort by Kawa Pilipinas and employee-volunteers from the Manuel V. Pangilinan-led One Meralco Foundation (OMF), the corporate social responsibility arm of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), along with CIS Bayad Center, Inc. (Bayad).

From street dwellers along Kalaw Avenue to caregivers patiently waiting with loved ones at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), the initiative reached people who needed it most. Volunteers from Meralco’s Pasay Business Center, Corporate Communications Department, and OMF rolled up their sleeves and personally helped prepare and distribute the meals alongside Kawa Pilipinas’ team.

The activity reflected Meralco’s core value of malasakit—a deep sense of care and concern for others—especially in communities where the company operates. Joining the volunteers on the ground were Meralco Chief CSR Officer and OMF President Jeffrey O. Tarayao, Kawa Pilipinas founder Mae Paner, and OMF Program Manager Grace G. Noche, all of whom took part in handing out meals.

“For Filipinos, sharing meals is a love language,” Tarayao said. “By giving hot, nutritious food to our fellow Filipinos in need with our partners in Kawa Pilipinas, we turn malasakit into something tangible—bringing warmth and nourishment to those who need it most.”

Kawa Pilipinas, a volunteer-driven community kitchen founded in 2020, has been at the forefront of feeding marginalized sectors. Since its founding, the organization has already served more than 570,000 meals to homeless and urban poor communities nationwide.

Through simple but meaningful acts like this, Meralco, OMF, and Kawa Pilipinas continue to prove that sometimes, hope begins with a warm meal and a caring hand.