Liter of Light, a Filipino-born global grassroots solar lighting movement, has partnered with S&P Global and AirAsia Philippines to bring Solar Lights to Zamboanga as part of its Light It Forward campaign.
AirAsia Philippines and Liter of Light announced their partnership on October 22, 2020, with AirAsia Philippines as the organization’s official airline carrier, transporting affordable and sustainable solar lighting solutions to areas with limited or no access to electricity.
The signing of the memorandum of agreement took place at RedPoint, the AirAsia headquarters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. In attendance were AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla, CFO Ray Berja, and Spokesperson and Manager for Public Affairs Steve Dailisan. Liter of Light was represented by their Founding Chairman Illac Diaz, Board of Trustees Director Ami Valdemoro, and Deputy Director Karen Anne Capiz.
At the ceremonial signing, the AirAsia officials also showed their support for Liter of Light’s Light It Forward Challenge by building the organization’s simple solar lights.
“We are very excited that AirAsia has partnered with Liter of Light,” said Liter of Light Founder Illac Diaz. “This partnership has given wings to the LIGHT IT FORWARD project where Filipinos are building solar lights from the safety of their home and now their lamps can reach the different corners of the Philippines. This truly shows the spirit of giving does not stop even during the toughest of times with the lockdown.”
AirAsia Philippines Chief Executive Officer Ricky Isla said, “As we navigate through the challenges brought about by the pandemic, AirAsia has focused on collaborating with partners like Liter of Light to ensure sustainability and support to recover as one. We are pleased to partner with Liter of Light by transporting solar lighting solutions to our key domestic destinations, beginning with our recently launched destination Zamboanga. We look forward to our partnership with Liter of Light and the endless possibilities it will bring for those in need.”
AirAsia is set to transport the first batch of solar lights with Liter of Light representatives on 9 November 2020, to the Subangon and Sama Bangingi tribe in Simariki Island, Barangay Talon-Talon Zamboanga with its local partner Ateneo de Zamboanga. The lights were sponsored by S&P Global and built by their corporate volunteers. S&P Global is a global financial information and analytics firm. Eventually, AirAsia will also fly solar lighting equipment to communities in General Santos City and Tacloban City.
Uniting artists, the media, businesses, and service groups to change the world from home, LIGHT IT FORWARD is a platform to pay tribute to the dedication and sacrifice of essential workers and front liners who are protecting the public during this unprecedented time.
By giving just 20 minutes of their time, “LIGHT IT FORWARD” gives Filipinos a new way to honor the front liners risking their lives to protect the public from the COVID-19 scourge. Inspired by the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, LIGHT IT FORWARD invites ordinary people to do extraordinary things by building solar lights for communities without electricity, even in the midst of this global health crisis.
As of today, LIGHT IT FORWARD has counted on the support of over 120 celebrities, influencers, and artists, with an estimated total fan base of 30 million supporters.
Everyone who participates in the LIGHT IT FORWARD campaign will receive a kit that they will use to build a solar light, which takes less than 30 minutes to assemble. Liter of Light has created online videos to guide participants on how to assemble the devices. As the campaign gains traction, challenge participants have been asked to dedicate their light to an essential worker or frontline that has impacted them during the COVID-19 pandemic. After recording their solar light building, each participant must challenge their friends to build a light.
The campaign is part of a broader strategy for Liter of Light, the official Philippine private sector representative to the upcoming World EXPO, which will take place in Dubai from October 2021 to March 2022. The organization will use its platform to shine a light on how Filipino malasakit is paving a way for a brighter future in a tangible, measurable way.
The APSIPA-awarded Light it Forward campaign is led by the Liter of Light Foundation in partnership with GoodNewsPilipinas.com and the Rotary Club of Makati Business District.
To learn more about Liter of Light and its Light It Forward campaign: visit the Light it Forward website here, and the Liter of Light Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
