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Smart employees gear up for 3rd GK Bayani Challenge

04/20/2008

In support of the 3rd Gawad Kalinga (GK) 1MB Bayani Challenge, leading wireless services provider Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) is deploying a team of volunteers to participate in the five-day activity.

Dubbed “H.O.P.E. 2008: Building the Highway of Peace,” this year’s GK1MB Bayani Challenge will take place in various municipalities in the province of Bukidnon. Participating volunteer teams from academic institutions, private organizations and corporations will race to build one GK house in excellent condition. The build challenge will start on April 20 and will run until April 25. Another highlight of the event is the “Highway of Peace” caravan to Wao, Lanao del Sur, on April 26, where a congregation of GK partners, sponsors and beneficiaries are expected to participate in an effort to show unity among Filipinos.

“Smart’s participation in the 3rd GK Bayani Challenge is in continuing support of our partnership with Gawad Kalinga. The spirit of volunteerism has always been present among Smart employees. Through the Bayani Challenge, Smart employee-volunteers are able to continue serving the communities around them,” Smart public affairs head Mon Isberto said.

The 15-member team from Smart will be composed of employee-volunteers from the Network Services Division and the Customer Care Group. Student-volunteers from Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan will also join the Smart team. Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan has an existing partnership with Smart through the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program.

This is the third time SMART is participating in the GK 1MB Bayani Challenge.

Smart is also supporting GK Isang Milyong Bayani (GK 1MB) campaign via SMS and online registration. The GK1MB campaign aims to mobilize one million volunteers to support the organization’s GK777 goal – to build 700,000 houses for homeless Filipino families in 7,000 communities in seven years

To be a GK1MB volunteer, register via SMS simply by keying in GKREGNAME/ADDRESS/BDAY(mmddyy) and send the information to 71745 (717GK) for free registration.

Non-Smart subscribers may send the same information to 2861.

Online registration can be done through the GK volunteers’ Web site hosted by Smart at www.gk1world.net.

Smart, together with Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and the PLDT-Smart Foundation, have committed to build seven PLDT-SMART Amazing GK villages in different locations.