Property Company of Friends, Inc. (Profriends), led by its Finance group, recently visited Kawa Pilipinas, reaffirming their commitment to community service by volunteering in the food preparation and distribution activities of the non-profit organization. The visit is a continuation of a meaningful partnership that highlights the power of collaboration between private institutions and grassroots movements.

Kawa Pilipinas, founded in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, began as an emergency response effort—cooking and delivering hot meals to frontliners tirelessly working through the health crisis. What started as a pandemic initiative quickly evolved into a sustained mission under the leadership of activist and artist Mae Paner, also known by her advocacy persona Juana Change.

Even after the pandemic, Mae and her team chose to keep the fire burning—literally and figuratively. The group continued cooking and giving meals, this time focusing on what they call their “beloved”: the homeless, urban poor, persons deprived of liberty, political prisoners, survivors of calamities, children and elderly with special needs, and even medical institutions. Kawa Pilipinas doesn’t just serve food—it serves hope, dignity, and solidarity.

Volunteers play a vital role in the day-to-day operations of Kawa Pilipinas. From preparing meals to carefully packing and distributing them, each task is an act of love powered by individuals and groups who believe in the cause. Profriends’ second visit is a testament to the value of consistent and conscious corporate social responsibility. “As a first time volunteer in the institution, I’ve learned that a simple meal becomes a feast when it is served with love, and every hungry soul becomes family when we call them our beloveds. Food may fill the stomach, but in KAWA Pilipinas, it is love that nourishes the heart,” said Profriends volunteer Ann Caroline Abanes. Mae Paner expressed her gratitude to the group: "Thank you, Profriends, for coming to Kawa Pilipinas to volunteer. We hope to meet more friends who will volunteer and donate to sustain the needs of the institution."

More than just a kitchen, Kawa Pilipinas is Mae’s vehicle for advocating a deeper cultural shift. Her dream is to propagate a culture of philanthropy—one where giving isn’t reserved for the wealthy but embraced by all. "Whoever we are, we have the capacity to help our fellowmen in need," Mae reminds us.

By volunteering, Profriends continues to support and share the advocacy of Kawa Pilipinas to serve—not just food, but a vision of a more compassionate society. Last June, Profriends started its collaboration with the institution through the volunteer work and donation of its colleagues from Strategic Business Unit 4, which primarily handles the project Westwind at Lancaster New City.