H.A.R.I. Foundation Inc. (HFI), the CSR arm of Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), scored a perfect trifecta in the 4th Driven to Serve Awards (DTS) of the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists (SPMJ).
Hyundai Dream Centre Philippines (HDCP) and the Rainwater Harvesting Project in Tanay each bagged a Platinum–the highest recognition in the categories of Education and Community Development, respectively, while Alagang Breastfriend won a Gold for Community Development.
“We thank SPMJ and all of its members for this recognition since we share the same aspirations for a better industry and a better society. This dark period of the pandemic will pass but the heart of H.A.R.I. Foundation continues beating for the Filipino, mobilizing and engaging our stakeholders to work with us to build a better Philippines in the BETTER NORMAL,” said HFI President Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo.
HDCP provides young marginalized Filipinos world-class education designed to help them set off productive careers in the automotive industry. Since early 2018, it has produced 174 graduates with another 42 scholars set to graduate. Eighty-seven percent of HDCP graduates are now working as service technicians and professionals at Hyundai dealerships. The TESDA-certified program is a full circle education-to-employment initiative.
The Rainwater Harvesting Facility, launched in March 2017 to provide clean drinking water to 200 students at Rawang Elementary School in Barangay Tandang Kutyo, Tanay, Rizal, has expanded its reach in 2019 with a Hyundai HD36L Maxculado now making the rounds to collect and deliver water to communities around the pilot area.
The Alagang Breastfriend (#AlagangBFF) project is HFI’s and the UP-PGH Cancer Institute’s flagship wellness program for women in underserved communities. A first in the country, a Hyundai H-350 luxury van customized into a mobile clinic equipped with modern mammography and breast ultrasound facilities transports UP-PGH medical personnel to far-flung communities to offer education modules on early detection of breast cancer and free consultation and screening. AlagangBFF has since served 200 women in four areas.
During the first virtual Driven to Serve Awards, SPMJ President Pinky Colmenares said, “We are aware of the effects of the pandemic. Many good people have stepped up with good deeds. (But long before that,) we have seen people with outstanding projects and efforts that come from the heart and not from a script. You need a woman’s touch to make these succeed.”
Also present was a respected member of the 4th Driven to Serve Awards panel of judges, multi-awarded marketing guru Blen Fernando who noted, “The projects are spot on to what Hyundai sells. You give a deeper purpose to your vehicles and place HARI on a higher level, not just to sell cars but to help Filipino communities.”
“The Driven to Serve Awards serves as a continuing inspiration for us in the auto industry to persevere and to carry on! Maraming salamat, SPMJ!” Agudo ended.
