Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

NEW YORK—More than a hundred Filipino-Americans braved the wintry weather to attend a forum on social entrepreneurship and strategic philanthropy at the Asia Society last week.

Community leaders Loida Nicolas Lewis and Diosdado Banatao were joined by Ayala Foundation USA president, Victoria Garchitorena in the panel discussion that discussed the fascinating experience of social entrepreneurship in the Philippines, the challenges facing this exciting new sector and the lessons learned from them.

Social entrepreneurship is empowering disadvantaged people across the Philippines and promoting significant social advancement. This approach of unleashing the creative power of individuals to improve their economic and social situations is transforming the philanthropic landscape in the Philippines and around the world.

"Social entrepreneurs try to generate revenue by using capitalist business techniques. This can help address certain social needs and issues," explained  Sandeep Junnarkar, former New York bureau chief of CNETNews.com and the panel moderator.

It is predicted that this form of philanthropy will become more widespread in the coming years as the United States government cuts funding for overseas programs on poverty, literacy and health issues.

The three speakers—through their separate foundations—have trained their focus on upgrading the educational system in the Philippines through a host of interventions, ranging from technology-driven instruction to the traditional scholarship programs.

"Because resources are so limited specially in a developing country like the Philippines, we started looking at all our programs with a business lens," Garchitorena shared, as she expounded on the foundation’s GILAS project. This project aims to provide computers and internet access to all the 6,400 public high schools in the Philippines.

Garchitorena also shared that their organization formed a social consortium because they believe that they couldn’t do the project without the help of other organizations.

"I believe that philanthropy is not charity. It is an investment in people helping them with a hand-up, not a hand-down," Lewis said.

Through their family foundation, Lewis funded a micro-finance group and established a school in Sorsogon, her hometown.

"We overseas Filipinos are global citizens, but we are very local in giving. I know where I came from. That is what made me. I won’t be what I am now without living in a small town of 5,000 people," Lewis added.