Unicef’s art auction and Trick or Treat

Here’s good news for art lovers: You can now buy art pieces online by joining Unicef’s Auction for Action 2013. You can buy paintings, sculptures, jewelry and fashion accessories, furniture and home accessories, and special items by over 90 talented and outstanding Filipino artists.

Paintings by Manuel Baldemor, Juvenal Sanso, Remy Boquiren, Jeannie Javelosa, William Yu and many more; sculptures by Michael Cacnio, Ramon Orlina, Impy Pilapil, Pete Jimenez and others; jewelry designed by, among others, Amina Aranas, Ann Ong, Paul Syjuco, and Nicole Whisenhunt; furniture and home accessories designed and made by Janus Design Studio, Betis Crafts, Lor Calma and Associates, Catalina Embroideries, Pietro Collection Inc., FIRMA, Vivere Lifestyles Co. Inc., and many more; special items by Nemo Aguila, Elmer Borlongan, Kawayan Tech, Kohler Artist Editions etc.; and signed books from National Book Store… The list is so long it is impossible to put all the items and participating artists here. To view them, ask for a Unicef printed catalogue or visit www.unicef.ph, or go to the Yuchengco Museum at RCBC Plaza in Makati. The auction ends on Oct. 27.

If you are furnishing your new home or just want to give a gift to a loved one, here is your chance to buy art pieces without hassle.

The art auction is in celebration of National Children’s Month and to benefit a unique education program to provide children access to early learning: Supervised Neighborhood Play (SNP) program.

It is a simple, low-cost and easy to organize home-based early learning program where trained day care workers or parent volunteers gather young children in a house or a shaded play area, or under a tree for two to three hours every day for at least 10 months to help children learn through organized play. Unicef supports the SNP program in remote, conflict- or disaster-affected communities and squatter settlements located in urban and rural areas.

Unicef says best the importance of SNP: “Parents are generally unaware that various forms of play actually keep children healthy and sharpen a child’s skills in listening, self-expression, observation and other skills for beginning literacy. Playing, both structured and unstructured, lays the foundation for a child’s development and confidence, and develops language skills, thinking, planning, organizing and decision-making. Children learn language quickly and easily through hearing and singing songs, having stories told or read to them, repeating rhymes and playing games.

“Studies in the Philippines show that only three out of 10 children under six years of age have access to day care or any form of early learning. The situation is more challenging in remote and conflict-affected areas where access to early learning are much lower due to inadequate resources, difficult terrain and low awareness on the importance of early childhood education.”

Said Tomoo Hozumi, Unicef country representative: “Children learn best through play, so making learning fun encourages a child’s eagerness to learn. Children who have access to early learning are more prepared for regular school and are less likely to drop out.”

All Unicef funds for children’s programs come from voluntary contributions, and the Auction for Action provides a venue for people to acquire works from leading Filipino artists and designers and at the same time help disadvantaged children.

Bid for one-of-a-kind art pieces by notable Filipino artists and designers and help make a difference for children. The auction can be seen live until Oct. 27 at www.ebay.ph/unicef.

Here’s how to register for a free ebay.ph account:

1. Go to www.ebay.ph to register for a free account or to htpps://scgi.ebay.ph/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?RegisterEnterinfo.

2. Fill out all the required fields and create your own unique eBay.ph.user ID. Click on the “Continue” button.

3. Once you have submitted your registration details, eBay.ph automatically sends you an e-mail to the e-mail address you indicated in your registration form. In the eBay.ph mail message you received, click on the “Activate Now” button to confirm your registration.

4. Now that you have your own free eBay.ph account, you can start bidding at www.ebay.ph!

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While we are on the subject of Unicef, here is another event for children on Halloween. It is the nationwide Trick or Treat for Unicef Superheroes campaign which brings special meaning to Halloween by giving children an opportunity to learn the value of helping other children in need. Instead of asking for candies and treats, children can collect money in a special Trick or Treat for Unicef box.

This year’s Trick or Treat focuses on children affected by the conflict in Zamboanga City and the earthquake in Bohol and Cebu. The funds raised will help them go back to school, give them access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, and ensure them good health and nutrition.

The Trick or Treat for Unicef is celebrated by many children and families around the world and has since raised more than $170 million to help children in need globally. Launched in the Philippines last year, the program raised over P400,000 and distributed over 4,000 donation kits in malls and participating schools.

Register for your free Trick or Treat donation kits at all Toy Kingdom branches until Oct. 31. All donations can be turned over to any SM Bill Payment counter. Children and families who turn in their donations before Nov. 30 will receive a certificate of appreciation and a surprise gift via mail.