The legacy of caring continues to sow hope and transformation, as various groups with a common cause unite in making an ìnclusive world a reality for all at the recent Social Business Summit 2017 by Gawad Kalinga.
Joining the global action to end poverty through sustainable community-building is Berjaya Group founder and Malaysian philanthropist Tan Sri Dato Seri Vincent Tan, who came back to the Philippines to fulfill yet another commitment to the noble GK cause.
Tan Sri flew in the country to lead the unveiling of the Berjaya Garden Restaurant and Culinary Center, a training facility that supports the GK Enchanted Farm’s role as an incubator-hub for the country’s growing social entrepreneurship.
Located in the GK Enchanted Farm in Angat, Bulacan, the BGRCC is envisioned as one of the vital cornerstones of learning inside the farm—touted as the ‘first farm village university in Asia’–as it serves as the primary food center of the farm, catering to the 200,000 partners, entrepreneurs and students who visit the GK Enchanted Farm annually.
The food served in the restaurant is locally produced, sourced and processed, providing livelihood for local farmers. BGRCC is also a school-within-community where students and social entrepreneurs can develop their culinary skills and products.
Joining Tan Sri at the landmark opening are GK Founder Tony Meloto, Berjaya Philippines country head Paul Soo, GK executive director Luis OquiÒena, Sen. Bam Aquino, Berjaya Philippines executive director Tan Eng Hwa, GK Enchanted Farm COO Shanon Khadka and Tan Sri’s children Morvin and Chryseis Tan.
The milestone marked the Malaysian conglomerate’s steady support for the GK mission. The Berjaya-GK collaboration started in 2012 when Tan Sri, through Berjaya Philippines Inc., pledged to contribute P300 million over three years to GK for the construction of houses for Filipinos affected by typhoon Sendong and other natural calamities, as well as for poverty-stricken families across the Philippines. To date, Berjaya has successfully helped build 820 GK houses in 14 provinces.