The Philippine Red Cross, GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF), and Ever Commonwealth Mall held a blood donation drive, dubbed “Sagip Dugtong Buhay,” at Ever Commonwealth Mall on 11 August 2023. Throngs of blood donors showed up for the event, which resulted in 1,599 bags of blood collected, which can save 6,369 lives.

PRC, the foremost humanitarian organization in the country, and media company GMA Network’s socio-civic arm, GMAKF, have been partners in blood donation drives for 27 years. They aim to contribute to the country’s goal of having an adequate blood supply for medical emergencies. The blood donation drive was held on the occasion of GMAKF founder Mel Tiangco’s birthday.

PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon thanked Ms. Tiangco for her advocacy, saying: “Mel has defined herself. Tayong lahat kailangan may definition tayo. Ano’ng klaseng tao tayo. Mabuti ba tayong tao? Madaling sabihin ‘yon. Sabi ko nga sa Latin, ‘acta, non-verba’ — action, not words. Kailangan may prinsipyo ka.”

Gordon also thanked the blood donors and acknowledged their sense of service, saying: “Helping other people, giving blood, needs practice. If you do not practise it, makakalimutan mo ‘yan. We salute you! We do not know who gets the blood. It is important for you to realize that.”

Gordon granted the PRC Blood Galloner recognition to those who have donated a gallon of blood so far in their lifetime. PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang made the rounds among the blood donors and personally thanked and acknowledged them.