MINERVA BC NEWMAN
CEBU CITY – Smile Train, leading cleft charity in the world launched #KayGandaNgBawatNgiti campaign in the Philippines to celebrate “World Smile Day” in October, dedicated to inspiring everyone to do acts of kindness around the world.
“Smile Train strives to give individuals born with a cleft their forever smiles and brighter futures. With the help of all our partner hospitals and medical professionals, we can truly make a difference to create more smiles and second chances at life,” Smile Train South East Asia Vice President Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano said.
To celebrate this year’s World Smile Day in the Philippines, a local artist partnered with Smile Train-PH to raise funds for cleft-affected individuals in need of lifesaving surgery and care through an online auction of her work.
Ica Narvaez, local artist is a long-time supporter of Smile Train and she created artworks inspired by Smile Train beneficiaries and their families. She worked briefly with the organization before and witnessed firsthand how their organization makes a difference in the lives of children.
“I have personally met beneficiaries of their program and saw the impact of a cleft lip and palate surgery. I wanted to do this auction to help children receive the desperate care they need. One of the pieces, “Flowers for Smiles”, is an abstract painting in acrylic,” Narvaez shared. Each artwork’s bid begins at PhP13,000.
Coming from a family of artists, Ica grew up
surrounded by different forms of creativity.
During the pandemic she realized she can combine her passion for art and
community development to make a difference.Narvaez now aims to create inspirational work and art that calls for community action. “If people purchase my work for Smile Train, the result will be countless smiles for these children,” she added.
Narvaez’ online auction for World Smile Day® will run throughout the month of October. To view available artworks up for bidding, please visit: icanarvaez.com/events. To see more of Ica’s past work and available pieces, please visit drybrush.com/artworks/ica-g-narvaez and icanarvaez.com. To place a bid, Ica may be reached at icanarvaez@gmail.com.
As Smile Train works toward helping individuals born with a cleft smile confidently, it is no secret that many cleft-affected individuals still experience discrimination for their appearance.
In honor of National Bullying Prevention Month which also coincides this October, Smile Train takes the opportunity to bring this issue to light by hosting a Facebook Live discussion on bullying, mental health and well-being medical experts and beneficiaries, on October 29 at 4:00PM on Smile Train Philippine’s Facebook page.
The virtual discussion will revolve around understanding how victims of bullying react and cope with the effects, and how Smile Train plays a role in promoting acceptance among all children.
The discussion will be hosted by Menchie Silvestre, Executive Director of Alagang Kapatid Foundation with speakers and guests: Dr. Edmund Mercado, Plastic Surgeon from Marikina St. Vincent Hospital; Dr. Arsenio “Boboy” Alianan, Professor from the Department of Psychology, Ateneo De Manila University; Joana Mariz Julian, who was born with a cleft; and a mother of a cleft patient, Maricel Teylan.
To celebrate smiles, to know more about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines and to refer a patient in need, please visit smiletrain.ph/get-help.
Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally.
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