Mindanao Quake: Solar Lamps Light Up GenSan and Sarangani
Color Your World Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Casino Plus, has delivered hundreds of solar-powered lamps and fans to families displaced by the magnitude-7.8 Mindanao quake in General Santos City and Sarangani province. The solar units provide crucial light and cooling as power outages and aftershocks continue to affect vulnerable communities.
How Project Bigkis delivers power and shelter to displaced families
When the ground stops shaking, the real fight begins. Our kababayans in General Santos City and Sarangani province know this reality all too well. The magnitude-7.8 Mindanao quake left many families with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Through its disaster response pillar, Project Bigkis, Color Your World Foundation stepped into the ring to provide immediate relief. They did not just deliver basic survival kits. They brought livable tents, 2,000 gallons of clean water, medical supplies, and clothing to the hardest-hit barangays.
Casino Plus deployed their Color Champions to Purok 20 in Barangay Lagao, General Santos City, and to barangays New Aklan in Glan and Sapu Masla in Malapatan in Sarangani province. In these areas, local power supply remains disrupted. Many residents are still afraid to sleep indoors because of the constant aftershocks. The portable solar lights and fans offer practical, sustainable support for community leaders managing evacuation sites at night.
What quake survivors in General Santos are saying
The voices of our people tell the true story of resilience. Princess Albotra, a mother staying at the tent village in Purok 20, Barangay Lagao, shared how these simple tools ease her family's suffering.
Importante sa amin ang solar lamp lalo na sa akin may dalawa akong babies. Nagagamit ko talaga kasi mainit, tapos 'yung ilaw, kapag gabi, nagagamit din nila. Casino Plus ang unang nagbigay ng ganitong lamp.She also stressed the value of the hygiene kits for women who have lost their source of income.
Ako mismo nagagamit ko rin 'yung mga [health] kits para sa hygiene ko bilang babae. Mahirap [bumili], wala kaming pera, income.
In Sarangani province, 53-year-old Jovita from Barangay New Aklan in Glan unboxed her solar lamp with a built-in fan at their evacuation site. Power restoration in her village is still underway, making the lamp a vital lifeline.
May ilaw na kami. May mga apo ako na [maliliwanagan] sa gabi. Malaking tulong sa amin itong solar at fan. Mainit din kasi.Salamat sa Diyos for these acts of bayanihan.
Why solar power is a lifeline after a disaster
Light does more than just push back the dark. It brings security to families trying to care for their children and elderly loved ones when the sun goes down. The multi-functional solar lamps allow families to move safely around evacuation areas, manage basic household tasks, and maintain proper hygiene routines. Michael Angelo Horfilla, Casino Plus Director for Corporate Social Responsibility, understands the deep impact of this initiative.
Light restores more than visibility. It restores hope. In communities where power infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, solar-powered lamps provide a safe, sustainable source of light that keeps families secure through the night.
As we rebuild, the partnership between the public and private sectors remains essential. We must ensure that critical relief items reach the families who need them most. Through Project Bigkis, Color Your World Foundation will continue providing practical support as the needs of our communities shift from immediate survival to long-term stability. Kaya nato, as long as we stand together and trust in the Lord's guidance.
How is the Mindanao quake aftermath affecting power supply?
The magnitude-7.8 Mindanao quake severely disrupted local power infrastructure in General Santos City and Sarangani province. Many areas still experience outages, making solar-powered lamps and fans critical for nighttime safety and comfort.
What did Color Your World Foundation donate to quake victims?
Color Your World Foundation donated hundreds of solar-powered lamps and fans, livable tents, 2,000 gallons of water, hygiene kits, medical supplies, and clothing to displaced families through Project Bigkis.
Which communities in Sarangani received solar lamps?
In Sarangani province, the hardest-hit communities that received solar units include Barangay New Aklan in the municipality of Glan and Barangay Sapu Masla in the municipality of Malapatan.