When a magnitude 6.9 earthquake rocked Cebu on September 30, engineer Rommel Ga-an from Makati Development Corporation (MDC) didn’t think twice about helping. Within days, he joined a volunteer team conducting rapid visual inspections of damaged buildings across Bogo, Northern Cebu.
“It was overwhelming at first,” Ga-an shared. “But in times of crisis, you realize how much even the smallest act can restore hope and strength to a community.”
He was among hundreds of employees mobilized by Ayala Foundation and the We Are Ayala Business Club (WAABC) Cebu, part of the Ayala Group’s large-scale disaster response initiative to aid affected communities.
From relief to recovery: Skilled volunteers in action
Beyond providing relief goods, Ayala’s approach focused on skills-based volunteering—deploying engineers, medical professionals, and psychosocial support teams to where they were most needed.
“Relief goods meet immediate needs, but professional skills help people rebuild,” said Ayala Foundation President Tony Lambino. “When our volunteers share their expertise—whether in engineering, counseling, or health services—we’re able to give more than aid. We give back confidence and hope.”
Over 500 Ayala volunteers from Ayala Land, Globe, BPI, GCash, Generika Drugstore, Healthway, and other Ayala companies joined the Cebu mission. Together, they sorted, packed, and distributed 3,000 relief packs to families in Bogo, Medellin, San Remigio, Daanbantayan, Tabogon, and Borbon. The contingent also included 15 engineers and 20 psychosocial support volunteers.
For psychosocial volunteer Francis Jay Pacatan, the experience was deeply personal. “I felt compelled not just to help, but to let people know they’re not alone,” he said. “A young boy told me, ‘We’re still together, so it’s okay.’ That simple sentence reminded me how resilient Filipinos are—even children.”
Nurse Randy Abac echoed that sentiment. “The first thing that came to mind was simply to help. As a nurse, we’re trained to lead, educate, and care—and that’s what I brought with me. Amid the destruction, I also saw hope in the courage of the people.”
One Ayala for Cebu
Coordinated by Ayala Foundation and WAABC Cebu, the mission united business units from across the Ayala Group—from property developers and logistics firms to automotive and healthcare divisions. Together, they embodied the group’s spirit of One Ayala in Action.
WAABC Cebu continues to work with local partners for ongoing relief and rebuilding projects. The initiative is part of Brigadang Ayala, the Ayala Group’s corporate citizenship and volunteerism program that encourages employees to use their skills for meaningful social impact.
Those who wish to contribute may visit donate.ayalafoundation.org
or sign up as volunteers at volunteer.ayalafoundation.org
.