Marian Rivera leads initiative to expand oral care access for underserved kids

April 17 ------ Marian Rivera is leading a new initiative aimed at improving access to oral healthcare for children from underserved communities. Rivera led the launch of Project Smile in San Juan. The initiative is a collaboration between the actress, Smile Train Philippines, and the Center for Advanced Dentistry (CAD), which provides free dental consultations, cleanings, and restorative services to children in need.

During the launch, 15 children received oral treatment from the doctors at CAD, where Rivera actively observed. “Necessity kasi ‘to, kaso minsan dahil sa mga nangyayari sa mundo natin, parang hindi na siya priority, pero kaya ngayon nandito tayo para makapagbigay tayo ng awareness kung gaano kaimportante ‘yung oral hygiene,” Rivera told select members of the press.

Rivera has been an advocate for the non-profit organization Smile Train Philippines for over a decade, supporting its mission to provide free cleft lip and palate surgeries, as well as speech therapy, to children. “11 years na ako with Smile Train and nakikita ko ‘yung transformation nila after the operation. Nakikita namin na nagkakaroon sila ng kumpiyansa sa sarili nila. Hindi na sila mahiyain. Nakikipaglaro na sila. At ‘yung pinakamahalaga, “’yung mabigyan sila ng lakas ng loob,” she added.

Meanwhile, for organizers, the initiative is part of their commitment to community service, especially benefiting children. “One of our advocacies is to pay it forward and to help the less fortunate. So at this point in our careers, we would like to help a lot of people, especially with what we are doing today. It’s going to bless the children and educate them about proper and good oral hygiene,” said Dr. Nelda Eufemio, one of the clinic’s owners and foundation members.

Meanwhile, a day before the launch, Rivera graced the Prime Video Presents: Philippines trade launch, where it was announced that she’s making a comeback to the drama scene as she is set to portray a journalist with an affair with the president of the Philippines in the mystery drama “Behind Closed Doors.”

Source: inquirer.net