Color Your World Foundation delivers hygiene and medical kits to quake-hit communities

Color Your World Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Casino Plus, distributed hygiene and health kits on Sunday to families in Barangay Lagao, General Santos City, providing much-needed medical support to communities still recovering from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao last week.

Around 500 households in Purok 20 received “Makulay” kits containing essential medicines and hygiene supplies. The assistance comes as many residents continue to stay in open spaces due to persistent aftershocks, exposing children, senior citizens, and other vulnerable groups to heightened health risks.

Among the beneficiaries was Malou Cabanlit, whose home was destroyed by the earthquake. Despite her own challenges, she lined up to receive a kit, saying the contents would help her family, particularly her husband, who has yet to resume dialysis treatments since the disaster.

“Malaking tulong talaga. Nakita ko ‘yung kit, mayroong para sa ubo, sa sipon, paracetamol. Hindi ka makatulog kasi maya-maya lumilindol dahil sa aftershock. Grabe rin ang maintenance sa dialysis patient,” said Cabanlit.

“Kahit gano’n ang nangyari, nandito pa rin kami. Masaya kahit mahirap, tinatanggap namin kung ano ang pagsubok na ito. Kayo ang malaking tulong sa Purok 20.”

Fellow quake survivor Jenie Agpalo said the past several days have been difficult after their home became uninhabitable. Agpalo, who also received one of the foundation’s emergency tents, said access to medicines and other basic necessities remains a challenge, with many residents forced to travel outside their community to secure supplies.

For families like hers, the Makulay kits and temporary shelters have provided critical relief as they begin the long process of rebuilding their lives.

Under its disaster resilience pillar, Project Bigkis, Color Your World Foundation has been delivering hygiene supplies, medicines, temporary shelter, and other emergency assistance across General Santos City and Sarangani Province. Many displaced families remain in evacuation centers, makeshift camps, and open-air shelters as aftershocks continue to affect the region.

Recent rains have further complicated conditions on the ground, with affected communities reporting limited access to medicine, clean water, and safe shelter.

“In the aftermath of a disaster, preventing illness becomes just as important as meeting immediate survival needs,” said Michael Angelo Horfilla, Casino Plus Director for Corporate Social Responsibility. “Many families are still sleeping in open areas and dealing with the effects of continuing aftershocks and bad weather. These Makulay kits provide basic protection and help communities stay healthy as they recover.”

Relief operations are being carried out in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine Red Cross, local government units, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to ensure aid reaches affected communities safely and efficiently.

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