Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) provided beneficiaries from Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Inc. (TWHI) and the QC Performing Arts Development Foundation, Inc. (QCPADFI) with an opportunity to experience learning, inclusion, and inspiration through the arts during a special screening of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Musical at The Theatre at Solaire last July.
Made possible through UnionBank’s long-standing partnership with GMG Productions, the special screening offered beneficiaries more than an opportunity to watch a world-class musical. It provided a meaningful experience that allowed participants to explore the arts, discover new perspectives, and find inspiration beyond their usual surroundings.
For QCPADFI, a non-profit organization focused on developing the artistic talents of young performers, the production offered valuable lessons in creativity, confidence, and self-expression. Seeing an international-caliber musical also gave the children and aspiring artists an opportunity to observe the different elements behind a live theater production, including acting, stage direction, lighting, and production design.
Hanzel Estrella, Program Director of the Vocal Ensemble of QCPADFI, highlighted the value of the experience for the organization’s young members. Estrella noted that the children could take important lessons from the production that could influence their personal growth and future aspirations. While QCPADFI members occasionally receive invitations to local productions, the screening marked a special opportunity for many of them to experience a globally renowned musical in a world-class venue.
The event was also particularly meaningful for beneficiaries of Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Inc., a long-time UnionBank partner supporting opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs). In 2018, UnionBank established a satellite Command Center at TWHI’s facility in Cainta, Rizal, where beneficiaries received IT and basic programming training. The initiative eventually led to employment opportunities for PWDs, including remote work under UnionBank’s supervision and additional project-based engagements.
Through the invitation to watch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Musical, UnionBank expanded the partnership beyond workplace opportunities by giving TWHI beneficiaries a chance to enjoy the performing arts and experience a different environment. Erika D. Villaflores, TWHI Public Relations and Fundraising Officer, described the outing as an opportunity to take a break, relax, and step outside their usual surroundings.
The initiative is part of UnionBank’s flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, GoBeyond Communities (GBC), which aims to uplift individuals and communities by creating meaningful opportunities with lasting impact. Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals covering education, employment and livelihood, environment, and inclusion, the program supports initiatives designed to help communities learn, grow, and thrive.
According to Carl De Luzuriaga, UnionBank Organizational Development Head, creating meaningful opportunities and experiences is one way the bank seeks to uplift beneficiaries, particularly those from underserved communities. The initiative also demonstrates how partnerships and shared experiences can strengthen connections between organizations and the communities they serve.
As UnionBank continues to expand its GoBeyond Communities initiatives, the bank remains focused on creating opportunities that promote learning, inclusion, confidence, and participation in society. Beyond financial services, its community programs aim to provide experiences that broaden perspectives and encourage individuals to recognize their potential.
The special screening of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Musical highlights how access to the arts can become a meaningful avenue for inspiration and personal development. Through initiatives such as GoBeyond Communities, UnionBank continues to support programs that seek to make opportunities more accessible and foster a more inclusive future where communities can learn, grow, and thrive together.
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