Last night was absolutely amazing.
We had 5 of the country’s most brilliant beacons of fashion and the arts: Renowned Stylist, Ms. Jenny Epperson, Multi-Awarded Photographer, Mr. Raymund Isaac, One of the Country’s Top Fashion Designer, Mr. Rajo Laurel, One of Asia’s most accomplished artists, Ms. Anita Magsaysay-Ho, and the National Artist, Mr. Benedicto “Bencab” Cabrera. All of them embellished and enriched our designer bags last night. The beautiful Bahia Function Room was endowed by five creatively designed vignettes that displayed one-of-a-kind creations by these artists and designers. The night ended with a blast. The Auction ended successfully and we raised more than what we had originally projected. More than anything, we have succeeded to engage the upper, influential society, in our social business enterprise.
But this entry is not about the colorful details of the event itself.
This is about the Happiness, Hope, and Hunger that comes with every beginning of a revolution.
Happiness. One year ago, we had good intentions and a few opportunities to create change. But we knew that we wanted to help the Payatas women improve their lives. Last night was the beginning of a vision and we now look forward to so many opportunities. We know now that we are not just helping the Payatas women improve their lives, we are improving our lives, and building our lives with them as well. We wanted to prove, for little over a year, that it is possible, sustainable, and promising to save the world on a full time basis. Last night was a happy night because it was a night that crystallized the transformation and revolution we worked on for one year.
Hope and Hunger.
Last night, we wanted to establish our RIIR designer line as an elegant, ethical, and eco-sexy brand. We envisioned our customers and clients to be engaged partners, not just detached charity-givers. There is perhaps nothing wrong with just charity, but nowadays, I believe that charity alone is not enough. We tried that charity route for decades now and we are in the same rut. And even if Social Entrepreneurship is such a trendy and sexy-word right now, only the name, not the face of charity, is changing. There is something inherently “saintly”, “nice”, and “marketable” about doing things for free. This is not attractive though for those who may have the capacity to change things but who do not have the luxury to spare time, money, and opportunities. Last night, we had one year of proof that changing the world could be a sustainable and promising career for the people who want to dedicate their entire lives to others. We have every right to live comfortable and secure lives just like everyone else. My dream is to walk this world as a young social entrepreneur and be looked at, not as a self-sacrificing martyr but as a passionate expert in the field of social entrepreneurship who has a bright future ahead of her. It is my dream for the young women who also work with me in Rags2Riches. Cheska, Kring, and Jing, have every right to be successful and secure just like everyone else who chose other careers.
The revolution has only just begun. Changing the face of charity does not end with one night. In fact, we still have a long way to go. Throughout the night, I have been hearing the words “charity” and “helping”. And they are not bad words. But I would like to stress that “profit”, “sustainability”, and “business”, are not bad words either. I am hungry for real, sticky, revolutionary change in the paradigm of people when it comes to changing the world and making an impact. We should start changing the way we see “changing the world”. We should try seeing it as a vocation and a career instead of a volunteer thing, once-in-a-lifetime event, or a part time job. Changing the world means encouraging more people to change it with you. One way to encourage that is to create viable and secure career opportunities for aspiring social entrepreneurs.
Everyone deserves a shot at changing the world. World-changing is not just for those who has the money, spare time, or rare opportunities for grants and donations.
The world deserves more than our spare change, spare time, part-time workers. The world deserves more than charity.
That is what’s amazing about last night. It was an exciting beginning to a revolution of changing the way we look at “changing the world”.
PASSIONISTA 
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