Verde Creatives, a leading public relations

and creative agency renowned for blending cultural vision with social advocacy, proudly

announces its annual community engagement initiative, "Verde Gives Back for Feb-Ibig,"

in partnership with the Munting Hiling. The event is scheduled for Friday, February 13, 2026,

in Payatas B Elementary school, Barangay Payatas, Quezon City—one of Metro Manila's

most resilient yet economically challenged communities.

Under the heartfelt theme "Ang Feb-Ibig para sa lahat ng uri ng pagmamahal" (Love in

February for all kinds of love), the initiative aims to distribute refreshing ice cream treats and thoughtfully curated gift bags to community members. More than a simple act of charity, the event serves as a powerful celebration of universal love, inclusivity, and human dignity, extending the spirit of Valentine's Day to embrace every form of pag-ibig—romantic, familial, communal, and self-love—while spotlighting the rights and worth of all individuals, including marginalized groups.

The "Verde Gives Back" series traces its roots to the student days of Ms. Bemz Benedito,

Founding Managing Director of Verde Creatives and a globally recognized LGBTQIA+

advocate. During her time at Ateneo de Manila University, Benedito participated in fieldwork

immersions in Barangay Payatas, forging a lasting partnership with Munting Hiling. What

began as an academic commitment has evolved into an annualized professional CSR

program, demonstrating sustained solidarity rather than one-time relief.

"Love should reach everyone, especially those who are often overlooked," said Ms. Bemz

Benedito, a former chair of Ladlad Partylist and recipient of the "Global Transgender Hero"

award from the True Colors Fund (co-founded by Cyndi Lauper). "Through 'Verde Gives Back

for Feb-Ibig,' we honor our long-standing ties to Payatas while reaffirming that true advocacy

includes service, visibility, and joy for the 'poor of the poorest.' This is about showing that

every person matters in our shared story of love and equality."

Barangay Payatas, long emblematic of both hardship and remarkable community strength—

marked by its history with informal recycling and past environmental challenges—continues

to face issues of food security, health access, and socio-economic barriers. The partnership

leverages:

• Verde Creatives' expertise in event management, branding, and high-impact

storytelling (as seen in successes like the Manila International Dance Festival 2023).

• Munting Hiling's deep on-the-ground experience in sustainable development, youth

livelihood programs, women’s empowerment, health awareness (including HIV/AIDS

and teen pregnancy prevention), and community nutrition efforts in partnership with organizations like San Miguel Corporation.

The event will feature careful coordination with local government units (LGUs), volunteer

mobilization through platforms like iVolunteer Philippines, and adherence to health and

safety standards to ensure safe, orderly, and meaningful distribution.

This initiative stands out in the Philippine CSR landscape by combining professional public

relations acumen with grassroots NGO knowledge, creating ripple effects of psychological uplift, social cohesion, and inspiration—particularly for the youth who see in leaders like Benedito a path from student immersion to global impact.

Looking ahead, Verde Creatives and Munting Hiling plan to build on this foundation through

long-term impact tracking, expanded partnerships, digital storytelling to amplify resident voices, and linkages to broader advocacy goals such as the SOGIE Equality Bill.

Verde Gives Back for Feb-Ibig is more than an event—it's a continuing commitment to

bridging beauty and brutality in urban Manila, proving that consistent, compassionate action

can foster a more inclusive society where love truly reaches everyone.

Verde Creatives is a dynamic public relations, event management, and creative agency

dedicated to cultural visioning and LGBTQIA+ advocacy. Led by Ms. Bemz Benedito, the

agency bridges professional excellence with mission-driven social impact.

Munting Hiling focuses on sustainable community development, youth livelihood, poverty alleviation, and health initiatives in underserved areas, partnering with corporations and networks to deliver lasting change.