Travel + Leisure Co. launches feeding drive for Aeta students

Insider Spotlight

• Four-month feeding program targets 212 Aeta students
• Initiative addresses nutrition gaps in Pampanga community
• Employee-led campaign funds Indigenous support effort
  
  
  

Travel + Leisure Co. has launched a four-month feeding program for 212 Aeta students at Sapang Uwak Elementary School in Porac, Pampanga, aiming to improve nutrition and learning outcomes among children from low-income families.

Why it matters

Food insecurity remains a daily challenge for many Aeta students, some of whom skip meals or rely on instant noodles. The initiative directly addresses this gap by providing consistent access to balanced, nutritious food.

The details

The program offers free daily lunches featuring rotating Filipino dishes with chicken, pork, vegetables, and rice, ensuring both cultural familiarity and proper nutrition. It is designed to sustain students over a four-month period, supporting both health and school engagement.

“We believe strongly in giving back to the communities where we live and work,” said Liam Crawley, president of the Travel + Leisure Co. Service Centre in the Philippines. “This program will positively impact these students, fueling their learning, and helping them thrive.”

This initiative, based on a company release, was funded through “Fuel the Dream,” an internal fundraising campaign led by employees in the Philippines and Australia to support Indigenous communities.

“The effort was sparked by a workplace fundraising campaign called ‘Fuel the Dream’ focused on advancing support for Indigenous peoples, driven by dedicated associates in the Philippines and Australia. We’re incredibly proud of these champions who go above and beyond their daily roles to support local communities here in the Philippines,” Crawley added.

Community impact

School officials say the program is already strengthening student focus and participation in class.

“We are thankful for this meaningful partnership with Travel + Leisure Co. This program is a tremendous help, directly boosting our students’ focus and engagement in class – which is so important for their education now, as well as their success later in life,” said principal Pennylane Roque.

What’s next

The feeding drive forms part of the company’s broader outreach in Pampanga, including partnerships with the University of the Philippines Clark to provide school supplies and groceries, reinforcing its commitment to education, health, and community development. – Princess Daisy C. Ominga |Ed: Corrie S. Narisma