"If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change." Michael Jackson, Man in the Mirror (1988)
The Philippines’ largest non-bank financial services network, with over 3,000 branches nationwide and a trusted presence abroad, has definitely lived up to the lyrics of this song just as much as how everyone around the world resonates with it.
M Lhuillier, headed by the OPEC clusters, has provided assistance, awareness, and appreciation in the form of organizing an outreach program that is not short of reaching all those in need of it all over the country.
It has lived up to its legacy of being the "Tulay ng PaMLyang Pilipino," reaching even the bustling commercial areas to the relatively low-key communities and far-flung barangays such as Cavite, Cebu, Capiz, Lanao del Norte, Panay, Oriental Mindoro, Zamboanga, Mandaluyong, Palawan, Cotabato, Surigao Del Sur, Maguindanao, and Davao Del Sur.
Some highlights include assistance given to a loyal security guard from Lanao del Norte who has been a part of the M Lhuillier family for 23 years. A half sack of rice and 5,000 PHP were extended help for his medical expenses and his family’s daily food intake, at least. This individual is the breadwinner of his family and has experienced a challenging feat this year, both medically and financially. Through the efforts of the company, it helped ease the affected family’s worry and pain.
Another outreach activity done by M Lhuillier is in the simplest form of providing access and awareness to health and cleanliness habits. Through the efforts of OPEC officials, beneficiaries in Cavite City have received alcohol, medicines, disinfectants, and other medical equipment to aid them in their healthy habits. In the conclusion of this successful outreach and turnover ceremony, souvenirs such as shirts, tote bags, ballpoint pens, and keychains were given to the community.
Feeding programs and "Piso" (1 peso) donation boxes were set up in some communities in Cebu to specifically address the areas that are in the most need of this aid. This charity mission, organized by several OPEC groups and with the help of local barangay health workers stationed there, was able to provide slippers, hygiene kits, and other basic essentials needed by all of them as well.
Even employees and loyal customers of M Lhuillier have been given well-deserved recognition due to their unending loyalty and support of the brand through the years. Vitamins were given to the organization’s employees, and providing sponsorships by gracing the presence of local city festivals in Palawan, Surigao, and Davao del Sur to provide souvenirs to the public was the way for M Lhuillier to show their appreciation.
M Lhuillier did not shy away from showing their appreciation to student achievers as well as to those educational institutions by providing "Medals of Excellence" to show their admiration and to inspire them to prioritize education in their lives. A donation of computers for the learning of many students and teaching for professors in some parts of Palawan was also provided, along with some giveaways like keychains, ballpens, and tote bags.
Truly a "jewel of a find" for not just spreading the services and products, M Lhuillieralso shows support to those struggling to make ends meet, those who lack awareness and proper information given to them, and those who are worthy of recognition and appreciation. Through the efforts of its OPEC members and the charity team of the ML CARES Foundation, the M Lhuillier brand is slowly changing and making the world a better place for all of us.