VOLKSWAGEN has been around as early as 1937. Just like the English meaning of its name, Volkswagen been known as the “People’s Car” the world over. And like the “People’s Champ” Manny Pacquiao, who is a champion not just in the ring, but off it as well, the German automaker has also won the hearts of many. In fact, among the stables of the top 10 all-time best-selling global cars list compiled by the web site 24/7 Wall St., Volkswagen’s Golf, Beetle and Passat made it to the roster.
Off the cutthroat boxing ring of revving engines, the carmaker is also a winner. Recently, Volkswagen Philippines provided underprivileged children with a chance for a better future by donating violins and cellos to the pupils of the Center of Excellence in Public Elementary Education (Centex) in Tondo, Manila. Centex is a project of Ayala Foundation Inc. in partnership with the Department of Education, other corporate sponsors and local government units, which aims to provide bright but economically disadvantaged children with primary education comparable to that of the best schools in the country. Currently, there are two Centex schools, one in Tondo in Manila and the other in Bauan, Batangas.
“For our CSR projects, we have chosen to go into one of the most basic foundations of society, and that is the care of the ones that we love the most—our children,” VW PHL President and CEO John Philip Orbeta said during the ceremonial turnover of donation on May 12 at VW BGC showroom in Taguig City, where 21 violins and two cellos were turned over to deserving Centex students.
“Playing musical instruments has countless benefits for children. It increases their learning ability and is an effective way of building teamwork and confidence,” Orbeta further explained. The turnover ceremony was attended by Ayala Foundation President Ruel Maranan and Senior Director for Programs Rowena Lopez.
Ayala Foundation, the social development arm of Ayala Corp., has four key program areas, namely Youth Leadership, Sustainable Livelihood, Arts and Culture, and Education. For this reason, VW PHL has chosen this special project as their second CSR activity for the year. It will be remembered that Volkswagen’s first CSR project geared toward child welfare was announced during the recent Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) with the launch of the Child Safety Initiative (CSI) campaign. The ongoing campaign is part of the global CSI strategy of the Wolfsburg-based automaker. CSI is based on two main pillars. One is the prevention of accidents by teaching and educating parents and kids about road hazards. The other is the passive safety inside the VW vehicles by using child seats together with the factory-standard safety systems like air bags, active collision systems and the Isofix child-seat fixations.
Included in their MIAS exhibit was a 50-square-meter junior driving course area with five VW push cars from Germany, which was part of an educational program to teach children the basic rules of road safety.
Here, a professional instructor taught the importance of road-safety visuals such as traffic lights, road signs like Stop, No Entry, School Zone, Pedestrian Crossing, No Right Turn, and Left Turn Only, among others. After completion of the driving course, a junior driver’s license was issued. “We cannot control the people on the road or outside the car. But what we can do is educate them. This is what we want to do now,” said Klaus Schadewald, Volkswagen PHL chief operating adviser.
Meanwhile, the child-seat corner featured three display units of VW Child Seat Genuine Accessories. These safety equipment have developed a range of child seats that allow babies and small children to travel with maximum safety. VW child seats are available in three classes: 1) For babies from 0 to15 months old, 2) For children from 8 months to 4 years old, and 3) for children from 3 to 8 years old.
These seats are crash-tested and come with official releases from the German TUV (Technical Inspection Association) and various international safety organizations.
All VW PHL vehicles (except for the Polo Sedan 1.6 TDI) are equipped with Isofix an international standard designed to ensure that child’s car seat is fitted easily and securely. Isofix is being adopted worldwide as a safer way to travel with children.
Indeed, with their eyes fixed not only on their cars, but on other people, particularly children, the German automaker is deemed an instant world titleholder—in fact, miles better than, say, the recently hailed pound-for-pound king of the ring.
Image credits: Ronald Rey M. de los Reyes