Staying Hungry to Make Others Full: The 12-hour Famine Story

November 19 was the day when thousands of children starved for a cause. Youth are united in Ynares Sports Arena from 8am to 8pm to experience hunger for themselves. In addition, these children fasted to raise funds and help children get decent meals. This was the second time Philippines held the 12-hour Famine.

I myself had so much fun during the event. To quote Sam Concepcion, "Starving has never felt this good." Indeed. It felt so good not because we had a chance to see prominent multimedia personalities during those twelve hours but because we know that in our hunger, change is possible. And this is a good start for the change we always wanted to have.

What exactly happened


Youth leaders all over Metro Manila and other parts of the country started to come to the venue on 7am. They were allowed to enter after they presented their pass and parent's consent. I volunteered in this part because I want to be a part of the event itself.

Korean participants enthusiastically answered all the questions from the DocuComm. They even said "We say no to hunger!" In their own language! Photo by Katrina Nacisvalencia

This child is ready to be hungry, too! Photo by Katrina Nacisvalencia

Smart C Drinks welcomed the participants! Photo by Katrina Nacisvalencia

The countdown clock started exactly 8am. We were welcomed by the hosts Jordan Escua and Ezrah Abad . Famine Patrolers were stationed to different areas of the stadium. They were tasked to check what's happening to their respective areas and was also assigned to serve as the area hosts (or field reporters in journalism. LOL). These patrollers eventually became the main hosts in the latter part of the program.

The participants were divided into 9 groups. The first activity was to make a team name, a team flag (that looked more of a banner) and a team cheer. Each were given 40 minutes to prepare for the exhibition of their outputs. After 40 minutes, each groups simultaneously showed to the judges (among those were Ms. Jan Marini and husband) what they did. Well, every group really had nice names: (in  particular order) Hunger Fighters, Gu-two-m, Hungerrific Warriors, Famine Warriors, Hunger Warriors, Gutom Busters, Hungry Birds, Team Infin-Eat and Hungeroo. I was with the Hungry Birds Group and we won this part of the program (19/20, effortless!)

The banner/flag of the Winning group in the World Vision Time. Photo by Miguel Lago

The next game was as equally challenging as the first, for it is a mind test. from the phrase BATTLE AGAINST HUNGER, groups should form the word being defined by the game masters.

After that, other games followed and enjoyed by the hungry-but-happy people in the arena: Balloon Toss, Bring Me, Pinoy Henyo, and Scavenger Hunt.

These activities, indeed, made our stomachs not feel any hunger at all! In addition, with these activities, we met new friends, experienced working with them, and most especially, we learned the value of cooperation, and solidarity.

Talks on World Food Program partnering with World Vision in eradicating hunger was also discussed.

The happiness didn't end there! The people in the Ynares were even more thrilled and excited in seeing their favorite World Vision celebrities! Among those who dropped by were: Mateo Gudacelli, Krissy and Erika, Tanya Markova, Salamin, Jan Marini, the Lamar Brothers, Miriam Quiambao, Tippy dos Santos, Sam Concepcion, Anne Curtis and Nikki Gil. They were such an inspiration to the hungry children. Their industry is so huge that there were only few of them who could support an organization with a good cause. They actually know how vulnerable children were, and I love that fact.

The Lamar Brothers serenaded the young crowd with their covers of various songs. Photo by Katrina Nacisvalencia

Anne Curtis as she tried to reach the highest note in Alone. Still pretty! (Side note: I love her shoes!) Photo by Vijay Navani

Sam Concepcion said, "I heart everyone!" Photo by Katrina Nacisvalencia

The hosts read some tweets on #12hourfamine Photo by Katrina Nacisvalencia

Nikki Gil entertains the crowd in the last 28 minutes. Photo by Katrina Nacisvalencia

Performers from different schools also presented their singing, dancing, and even acting prowess to sustain the good mood in the arena. Among those were from Far Eastern University, Small World Christian School, and Lourdes School.

These schools also showed off their talents to entertain the hungry crowd! Above is from the Lourdes School , below is from Far Eastern University. Photo by Katrina Nacisvalencia

The breaking of fast was initiated by Nikki, Sam and Tippy through a song number followed by a massive dance. Twelve hours has passed without even feeling any stomach pains or headaches. Hunger was never felt because of the activities prepared by the World Vision team and its volunteers (Please include me here. LOL) and the performances given by the World Vision celebrity friends.

After the hunger


After the hunger, each participants received food and freebies at the exit gate. Their reactions were posted through the World Vision Famine page.

Retrieved from facebook.com/worldvisionfamine. Altered to fit.

Other celebrities and personalities also shared their greetings to the hunger fighters!

Tweets from Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Marc Nelson, Mateo Gudacelli, Sam Concepcion and World Vision from #12hrfamine. Altered to fit.

Hunger Hangover


The 12-hour Famine might have ended last night, but the fight against hunger and poverty will still continue. With the great powers vested on youth, and with their raw optimism, creativity, and willingness to help, the country will be a better place. Little by little, by encouraging others to take a stand against these problems, it will eventually be gone, and that will be because we, hand in hand, helped together for making a change. We are a generation hungry for change, so we go hungry because we are hungry.

By experiencing how it feels like to be hungry, which is a daily reality for vulnerable children, we should continue to take part, not just i Famine, in helping them.

My Take


If more people will get involved in this kind of advocacy for the children, by the children, we will eradicate, if not break one of the overrated problems of the society. We do not have to wait for the government to take their actions, because we are the ones who UNDERSTAND poverty better.

What we did is a sacrificial act of love. I love helping others in my own ways, and with this, I know they will be happy. I could have sacrificed food for 12 hours, I could have not watched the film I really like, but at least I know my P300 was never gone for personal intentions-- it was being shared by those little kids to have good, nutritious food.

In the end, I like to share what I realized after all these things: It's actually not about what you did, it's actually about what happened to your efforts after everything being done. In communication. Who sends the message is important, but the message itself and its feedback are more important, aren't they?

Please follow Vberni Regalado's Twitter Account

The Patrolers' accounts here:
https://twitter.com/beasalapantan
https://twitter.com/iammiguelito
https://twitter.com/maitalirra

World Vision's Twitter Account:
https://twitter.com/WorldVisionPH