Play Champions Celebrate the First Play Advocacy Week

The Play Advocacy Week 2018 is here!

In celebration of the National Children’s Month this November, Play It Forward and their partners – play champions – came up with different ways of participating in this week-long celebration.

Happening from November 18 to 24, 2018, Play Advocacy Week is a campaign led by Play It Forward, Unilab Foundation’s therapeutic play program for children in vulnerable areas.
The program is founded on the belief that every child has the right to play, and that play is essential in the mental health and holistic development of children.

With more than 30 partners from the government, corporate companies, the academe, and the healthcare sector, Play It Forward wants to reach as many people as possible in order to make play happen.
You too can be part of the Play Advocacy Week! Here are some of the activities organized by our Play Champions:

PLAY with colors at the Color Run Hero Tour.
● What’s happening: Join this colorful fun run organized by YesPinoy Foundation, an advocacy founded by actor Dingdong Dantes. Find out why it’s dubbed the “Happiest 5k on the Planet!”
● When is this: November 18, 2018 in McKinley West, Taguig City
● This is best for: Everyone! Bring your friends or family in support of the youth of our country.
● I’m interested! How can I join? Visit www.runrio.com/race/the-color-run-hero-tour-2018 for details!

Watch a local theater PLAY with your kids at PETA.
● What’s happening: Watch the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA)’s show, “Tagu-Taguan, Nasaan ang Buwan?” It is a children’s musical filled with quirky and imaginative sets and characters.
● When is this: The show will run from November 18 to 29, 2018
● This is best for: The whole family!
● I’m interested! How can I join? Visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PETATHEATER for details on where you can purchase tickets. PETA Theater Center is located at #5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City.

PLAY with your imagination and make dolls with scraps, at Museo Pambata’s Doll Making Workshop.
● What’s happening: Museo Pambata is conducting a Doll-Making Workshop!
● When is this: November 24 and 25, 2018, 9:00AM to 4:00PM
● This is best for: Kids, and adults too! If you are a mom, a teacher, a nurse, or if you simply want to learn another bonding activity with kids, then this is the place to go!
● More fun: A photo exhibit called “Through the Eyes of a Child”, as well as an art sale by kids, will also run in Museo Pambata from November 18 to 24.
● I’m interested! How can I join? Email info@museopambata.org or visit www.facebook.com/MuseoPambata

Unleash the power of Role-PLAY at KidZania.
● What’s happening: KidZania supports the National Children’s Month, and believes in the children’s right to play, right to learn and right to be. Let your child have fun while learning through KidZania’s role-play activities!
● When is this: Throughout the Play Advocacy Week, from November 18 to 24!
● This is best for: Children aged 7 to 17 years old, who want to learn how to be a doctor, a fireman, a reporter, and so much more!
● I’m interested! How can I join? Visit manila.kidzania.com/en-ph for tickets! KidZania is located at Park Triangle, North 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

PLAY in costume with Star Wars characters.
● What’s happening: Kythe Foundation, University of Santo Tomas 4C3 Eco, together with the 501st Legion Philippine Garrison, is bringing the Star Wars universe to life for the pediatric patients in the Philippine Orthopedic Center.
● When is this: November 24, 2018
● This is exclusively for: Pediatric patients and their families at the Philippine Orthopedic Center, 78-A Maria Clara St, Santa Mesa Heights, Quezon City.
● I want to meet them too! Where can I find them? Check out their other events on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pinoy501st. 

Join the PLAY Sessions at Ronald McDonald’s Bahay Bulilit.
● What’s happening: Do you remember playing in a McDonald’s play place as a kid? The Ronald McDonald House of Charities will be conducting play sessions in Bahay Bulilit play areas!
● When is this: November 18 to 24, 2018
● I’m interested! How can I join? If you want to volunteer, please contact Danika Madulid at danica.madulid@ph.mcd.com.

Play champions from the Philippine Heart Center, WWF-Philippines, Bantay Bata 163 and Vico’s Artism will also be holding their own play activities during the week. Our friends from Philippine Pediatrics Society and A Child's D.R.E.A.M. Foundation will be championing play through social media campaigns.

Ayala Malls-Solenad will have giant art installations that feature traditional Filipino games. This is in line with Tukod Foundation’s Awit at Laro campaign, which celebrates the spirit of play.

For a full list of activities during the Play Advocacy Week, follow www.facebook.com/PlayItForwardPH!

But wait, there’s more!

Play It Forward has invited renowned artists to paint murals in the foundation’s key partner areas. 3D artist Archie Blanco will go to Play It Forward’s first ever play space in Cagayan De Oro, while Ged Alangui of the STOBOSA artwork in Baguio will visit the National Children’s Hospital in Quezon City. Together with volunteers from Gawad Kalinga and Play It Forward, these artists will bring a bit more color to the lives of the children in these communities.

Play It Forward invites more Play Champions to help promote the children’s right to play. Since 2012, the program has been able to conduct over 3,000 play sessions, and has reached over 7,000 pediatric patients and children from vulnerable areas.
The Play Advocacy Week is endorsed by the Council for the Welfare of Children.

For partnerships and more information about the Play Advocacy Week, please contact the secretariat at (+632) 858-1000 local 8163 or email partnerships@unilabfoundation.org.

You may also visit www.facebook.com/PlayItForwardPH and www.unilabfoundation.org.