I'm Going to Bid at Unicef's Auction for Action

This was an event that I really wanted to go but missed going to because of a bug I had. I didn't want anyone getting it from me. Anyway, I loved last year's sneak peek and I am sure that this year, UNICEF has more beautiful things to auction off, and they will get to raise more money. The auction pieces are going to be on display at the Yuchengco Museum down in RCBC Plaza until October 26, or if you dread going through traffic in Makati, you can go visit www.unicef.ph to take a look at the curated items on your screens.

The auction starts on October 21, so if you have your eye on something you like, go on and open a free ebay account now if you don't have one yet.

Here are my favorites. (All images are from www.unicef.ph)

If you want to know more, read on below.

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UNICEF Auction for Action to fund Play-based Learning

In celebration of National Children’s Month, UNICEF Philippines’ Auction for Action 2013 brings together over 90 artists in art, design, furniture and jewelry to benefit a unique education program to provide children access to early learning: Supervised Neighborhood Play Program (SNP).

Curated and presented by UNICEF Special Advocate for Children Daphne Oseña Paez, the online auction is a product of UNICEF and Daphne’s collaboration to bring the world of art, furniture and design together with her advocacy on children.

This year’s auction has more artists and designers contributing for a specific program on education: Supervised Neighborhood Play. It is a simple, low-cost and easy to organize home-based early learning program where trained day care workers or parent volunteers gather young children in a house, a shaded play area or under a tree for two to three hours, every day for at least ten months to help children learn through organized play. UNICEF supports the SNP program in remote, conflict or disaster-affected communities and in informal settlements located in urban and rural areas.

Parents are generally unaware that various forms of play actually keep children healthy and sharpen a child’s skills in listening, self-expression, observation and other skills for beginning literacy. Playing, both structured and unstructured, lays the foundation for a child’s development of future learning and life skills.  It helps children develop their knowledge, experience, curiosity and confidence; develop language skills, thinking, planning, organizing and decision-making. Children learn language quickly and easily through hearing and singing songs, having stories told or read to them, repeating rhymes and playing games.

Studies in the Philippines show that only three out of ten children under six years of age have access to day care or any form of early learning. The situation is more challenging in remote and conflict–affected areas where access to early learning are much lower due to inadequate resources, difficult terrain and low awareness on the importance of early childhood education.

“I have personally seen how play makes learning more fun and engaging through my own children and the children I’ve met during my trips with UNICEF. Play makes children happy and children who feel secure and loved usually do better in school, are more self-confident, have good self-esteem and are able to cope more easily with life’s challenges,” said Daphne Oseña Paez.

         

"Children learn best through play so making learning fun encourages a child’s eagerness to learn. Children who have access to early learning are more prepared for regular school and are less likely to drop out,” said Tomoo Hozumi, UNICEF Country Representative.

He adds “All our funds for children’s programs come from voluntary contributions and this auction provides a venue for people to acquire works from leading Filipino artists and designers and help disadvantaged children at the same time.”

Bid for one-of-a-kind pieces from notable Filipino artists and designers and help make a difference for children. The auction goes live on October 21-27, 2013 at www.ebay.ph/unicef

For a preview, visit www.unicef.ph or go to the Yuchengco Museum from October 3 to 26 at the RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

This year’s auction is made possible through the generous participation of the Philippine Star, Yuchengco Museum, Summit Media, Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation, EBay Philippines, Citem and Manila Fame. 

Participating artists:

Nemo Aguila • Amina Aranáz

Arnold Austria & Sonny Sunga of Jagnus Design Studio

Philip Badon • Manuel Baldemor • Jovan Benito

Betis Crafts • Remy Boquiren • Elmer 'Emong' Borlongan

Jinggoy Buensuceso • Michael Cacnio • Ed Calma for Lor Calma & Partners

Juan Carlo Calma • Norberto 'Lito' Carating • Seb Chua

Kenneth Cobonpue • CSM Philippines • JP Cuison

Olivia D'Aboville • Olivia D'Aboville for HIVE • Antonio Daleon

Kristine Dee • Janina Dizon • Domicillo

Iñigo Elizalde for Catalina Embroideries • Dex 'Garapata Man' Fernandez

Sandra Fabie Gfeller • Gregory Raymond Halili • Mia Herbosa

Jeannie Javelosa • Jaypee Wrought Iron Manufacturing

Jewelmer Joaillerie • Pete Jimenez • Niccolo Jose • KawayanTech

Ito Kish • Kohler • Raymond Legaspi

Lightworks Resources, Inc. • Adler Llagas • Locsin International

Joyce Makitalo • Hamzah Marbella • Jun Martinez

National Bookstore • Milo Naval • Leeroy New

Ann Ong • Ramon Orlina • Daphne Oseña-Paez

Epjay Pacheco • Debbie Palao • Ann Pamintuan

Tess Pasola • Celso Pepito • Vernon 'Spoonman' Perez

Impy Pilapil • Danny Rayos del Sol • Luisa Robinson for Luisa Home

Ana Rocha • Vikki Rodriguez for Accessoria • Dominic Rubio

Stanley Ruiz • Wataru Sakuma for MASA Ecological Development Inc.

Popo San Pascual • Juvenal Sanso • SC Vizcarra, Inc.

Vito Selma/Stonesets Int’l • Mitch Shivers • Paul Syjuco

Christian Tamondong • Ricky Toledo & Chito Vijandre for FIRMA

Triboa Bay Living by Vivere Lifestyles Co., Inc. • Roceli Valencia

Nicole Whisenhunt • William Yu • Reg Yuson • Willibald Zeck

About UNICEF 
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.  The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, abuse, exploitation, and AIDS.  UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit:www.unicef.ph

For more information, contact:

UNICEF hotline, 758-1000

Jingjing Romero, Stratos PR, Inc., info@stratospr.com, Tel: 02-4332626, Mobile: 0917-853-2415