Hyundai Foundation scores trifecta in SPMJ awards

MANILA: The corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), HARI Foundation Inc. (HFI), bagged major awards at the fourth Driven to Serve Awards (DTS) of the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists (SPMJ).

The Rainwater Harvesting Project in Tanay and the Hyundai Dream Center Philippines (HDCP) each brought home a Platinum award, regarded as the highest form of recognition in the categories of Community Development and Education, respectively.

Meanwhile, Alagang Breastfriend was able to gain a Gold for Community Development.

HFI President Ma. Fe Perez- Agudo said, “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 HARI Foundation continues beating for the Filipino, mobilizing and engaging our stakeholders to work with us to build a better Philippines in the 'better normal.'”

During the first digital Driven to Serve Awards, SPMJ President Pinky Colmenares expressed, “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.”

The multi-awarded marketing guru Bien Fernando, who is also an esteemed member of the 4^th Driven to Serve Awards panel of judges, was also present during the virtual event.

She said, “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.”

HDCP offers young, marginalized Filipinos top-notch education meant to aid them in having dynamic careers in the automotive sector. Since early 2018, it was able to produce 174 graduates and another 42 scholars are expected to graduate as well.

Eighty-seven percent of HDCP graduates are currently working as service professionals and technicians at Hyundai dealerships. The TESDA-authorized program is a complete circle education-to-employment project.

On the other hand, the Rainwater Harvesting Facility, which was opened in March 2017 to offer clean drinking water to the 200 students at Rawang Elementary School in Barangay Tandang Kutyo, Tanay, Rizal, has extended its coverage in 2019 through the help of a Hyundai HD36 L Maxculado.

This vehicle is currently doing rounds to gather and bring water to the communities surrounding the pilot site.

The Alagang Breastfriend (#AlagangBFF) initiative is the leading wellness program for women in underserved communities of the University of the Philippines- Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) and the HFI.

As a first in the country, a Hyundai H350 luxury van was transformed into a mobile clinic fitted with modern breast ultrasound and mammography facilities to ferry UP-PGH medical personnel to distant communities to provide education modules during early breast cancer detection and free screening and consultation.

Since then, AlagangBFF was able to cater to 200 women in four locations.

Agudo concluded during the awarding, “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!"

Photos from Hyundai

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