Just in time for the upcoming resumption of face-to-face classes, popular food chain Conti’s has launched its “Conti’s Brings Hope, One Bag at a Time” project, wherein it gave 100 bags as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations.
president and CEO Joey Garcia and marketing manager Monica Lerit
Lyka, a working student from Batangas, is among the beneficiaries. “Malaking tulong po (It’s a big help),” she said. “Lalagyan ng damit, payong, at iba pang essential na bagay para pag naabutan ng ulan, hindi po nababasa yung gamit ko sa study at work. (It can accommodate my clothes, umbrella and other essentials so that my things for work and school don’t get soaked when it rains).”
The 19-year-old college freshman got the bag for free as a donation from the homegrown brand, which was founded by the Conti sisters of Batangas. The sturdy, waterproof bags, which were made from the restaurant’s used tarpaulins, were personally handed over to Lyka and other students in a ceremony that marked the start of the 100-day countdown for Conti’s silver anniversary.
In his remarks at the turnover ceremony for the bags, Conti’s CEO and president Joey Garcia said, “We wanted to see how brands like us not only grow in terms of numbers but also grow in terms of how we impact the community and help the environment as well.”
To create the bags, Conti’s teamed up with Filipino startup SIDE B Upcycling, whose community of artisans handcrafted the tarp bags.
Another recipient, Milagros Remillete, is likewise very grateful for the donation, “Malaking tulong sa amin po ‘yung bag para ‘di na din po kami gagastos lalo na sa pagbabalik ng face-to-face classes (It’s a big help for us, who would no longer need to buy bags as go back to the classroom).”
Like Lyka, the 14-year-old former street child is a Conti’s scholar at the Tulong sa Kapwa Kapatid (2KK) Foundation. Beneficiaries from 2KK and ChildHope Asia Philippines, two non-profits that Conti’s has been supporting since 2019, also received bags. Aside from funding scholarships, the company has also provided children from ChildHope and 2KK cakes for special occasions including the recent school year-ender event.
