Acclaimed actress and humanitarian Shaina Magdayao has officially joined the Gabay Kalinga Foundation (GKF) as its newest Board of Trustees member, marking a significant expansion of the foundation’s community development efforts in South Palawan.
The ceremonial signing, held at the Lionheart Farms’ Office in Rizal, Palawan, solidified Shaina’s commitment to advancing GKF’s mission of empowering local farmers and their communities through education, livelihood, and community engagement.
“Kaya ngayon, nandito na ‘ko sa Lionheart Farms, Rizal, Palawan, and I am now officially a part of Gabay Kalinga Foundation.” Shaina said during her acceptance speech.
She also emphasized the GKF mission’s alignment with her personal values and mission to serve others beyond the entertainment industry. “It’s very rare na makatatagpo tayo ng mga tao na aligned with our dreams and aspirations. And sila (Christian Moeller and Cecille Chang) ‘yon. And when they asked me to be part of this foundation, of course syempre natuwa ako because it was such an honor to be invited” she added.
GKF Chairman Christian Eyde Moeller welcomed Magdayao’s appointment, highlighting the foundation’s unique approach to community development. “What makes Gabay Kalinga unique is our ability to bring fresh perspectives and real solutions to the communities we serve,” he said. “Having someone like Shaina, who shares our vision and passion, strengthens our mission,” he said.
Mr. Moeller spoke about the value of their mission. “We need to go back to the original idea: to elevate, educate, and engage with the community,” he stated. “This commitment started years ago for the community of Rizal, and now extends to all of South Palawan” he added.
He also took the opportunity to elaborate on the meaning behind the GKF distinctive logo, explaining that the inverted pyramid symbolizes their bottom-up approach to addressing community challenges. “Whenever we look at the coconut palms, we always look at them from the side; that’s the view that we are very familiar with, so in Gabay Kalinga, our job is to take a different perspective,” he said.
“We aim to address challenges from the bottom up, prioritizing the most basic needs of the communities we serve. The connected patterns symbolizes the fabric of life, and the colors in our logo celebrate the diversity within our communities.” he stated as he closed his speech.
The event was attended by key foundation leaders, including Board Secretary Atty. Haziell Pascua, Board Trustee Maria Cecilia Chang, and Gabay Kalinga Manager Archie Espinosa.
Looking ahead, Magdayao expressed ambitious goals for the partnership: “With [Gabay Kalinga], I want to take this opportunity to help. Sama-sama nating tutulungan ang Rizal, Palawan. I promise to use my influence for good.”
She also stated how she wishes to expand GKF’s impact beyond Palawan to serve communities across the Philippines. “[Let’s] claim na hindi lang Palawan ang tutulungan natin. Through Gabay Kalinga, tutulungan natin ang buong Pilipinas.”
With Magdayao’s dedication and the foundation’s unwavering commitment, this partnership signals a bright future for South Palawan’s communities. It’s a step forward toward sustainable, meaningful change.
