The Hand and Heart organization will be raising funds to build its Learning Center for Deaf Children through a special four-hands dinner and silent auction, “Artful Hands, Open Hearts.”
Since its founding in 2018, social enterprise Hand and Heart has been dedicated to supporting the deaf community in finding gainful employment through Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training, as well as corporate partnerships that would train hiring and management teams to better manage deaf employees. A part of these efforts is setting up an educational hub that would help carve a brighter future for those with the disability. That’s why on April 7, 2025, the organization will be holding a special fundraising event titled Artful Hands, Open Hearts at Discovery Primea’s Cervantes and Shakespeare Ballrooms to raise funds for building the Hand and Heart Learning Center for Deaf Children.
“The learning center aims to bridge the gap that exists so that good employment opportunities are more accessible for the deaf and hard of hearing in the future,” shares Genevieve “Gen” Diokno, deaf leader and Founder of Hand and Heart. “It is a way to break the glass ceiling that exists due to the limited opportunities for growth and development for deaf children.”
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Good Food And Art For A Cause
The fundraiser—mounted with the help of Hand and Heart’s partners Discovery Primea, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and Canada Hardware—will feature an exclusive four-hands dinner with celebrity chef Sharwin Tee and Discovery Primea’s Luis Chikiamco, as well as a silent auction.
Artworks by masters Arturo Luz, Ramon Orlina, BenCab, and celebrated Father of Philippine Art Workshops Fernando “Nanding” Sena will be up for sale. The auction will also feature paintings by contemporary artists Jesse Esplana and Michael Sagaran, and person with disabilities (PWD) artists from different parts of the Philippines. Items donated from the personal collection of celebrity and philanthropist Heart Evangelista will also be auctioned off.
Guests at the auction can expect a delicious feast prepared with care by Chefs Tee and Chikiamco. “I’ve always believed that food isn’t just about sustenance. So at our pop-up, and soon to be restaurant, Little Grace, we use our food to raise money to support causes aimed at improving society,” expresses Tee. “Learning about Hand and Heart and the work that they do for our deaf community, I just felt it was incumbent for Little Grace to help in any way that we can, both for this dinner and for the future as well. I believe in their mission for inclusivity and skills training, and I think we’re all going to be better for it.”
“In addition to the very praise-worthy corporate social responsibility component in this event, there were two important factors that made us jump at the opportunity to participate in this event immediately,” explains David Pardo Ayala, Discovery Primea General Manager. “On the one hand, Discovery Primea has a very strong affinity for Filipino artists, one that you can see in full display in our hotel’s public areas. This 2025 we are strengthening our relationship with artists, and enhancing our presence in art circles. This activity with Hand and Heart will be our second art endeavor for the year, and we hope to continue building up momentum in this space.”
Hand and Heart is fortunate to have the support of several entrepreneurs and private donors namely Natural Quality Corporation, FishnChix, Multilingual, Expedise PH, CAMP, celebrated sculptor Ramon Orlina, DSWD Undersecretary Emeline Aglipay Villar CVM Pawnshop, Jollibee, The Watch Store, Unique Bisyo, Dentiste, and Nobu, whose contributions have made the meaningful fundraiser a reality.
Seats are limited but are still on sale with Hand and Heart with ₱18,000 donation per seat excluding taxes. Corporate table sponsorships are also available. You may reach Hand and Heart through their Business Development Executive, Aimee Buzeta at 0962 504 2737 or aimeebuzeta@handandheartph.com.
Photos courtesy of Growth Lab and Discovery Primea (unless specified).
