Revlon Professional Philippines has interviewed and rewarded Ace and Andie Estrada, Avegale Acosta, and Emmanuel Santos who braved the challenges and fought for a happier and healthier world.
Rural Rising Philippines (RuRi), led by spouses Ace and Andie Estrada of Baguio City, does “Rescue Buys” in areas where there is an over-production of fruits and vegetables by paying the farmers above-farm gate prices and then distributes the rescued produce to its members at below-bagsakan prices.
“We believe that when farmers are paid the right price, they have a chance at achieving rural prosperity; that by giving members access to fresh and cheap produce, they would share what they cannot consume to the needy or perhaps create a profitable reseller business; that by channeling all unclaimed or unsold produce to residents in economically depressed communities, their lives are sustained, their souls given hope,” Estrada said.
Today, RuRi is working to erect vegetable tramlines in Benguet, create a water and forest conservation project in Nueva Ecija, and establish community libraries in various farmer communities.
It is also working to establish a processing and packaging facility for rescued produce, and the country’s first Rescue Kitchen.
Next is Acosta, who has been practicing in the field of psychology for 12 years and has been teaching for seven years.
He provides psychotherapy and works with communities by co-developing and implementing resilience and community-based drug recovery interventions.
During this time where there are Filipinos facing mental health issues and with limited mental health professionals, she spent most of her time providing psychosocial support, teaching and mentoring future psychologists, and training individuals from schools and organizations to provide psychological first aid for those in distress.
“If we can educate more people how to prioritize and take care of their mental health and how to respond to people in distress, we can prevent many mental health distress from escalating to mental health issues,” she said.
Last but not the least is Santos, who has been teaching since 2008 but decided to pursue a path outside the academe and flew to Dubai in 2015.
While he had many chances of coming back to the UAE, Santos decided to stay in the country so he can do his part as a Filipino and educator in this pitch dark moment.
The brand that lives by ‘Living Boldly’ has also provided a head-to-toe makeover to three different advocates on Mental Health, Education, and Agri.
