Sterling Bank of Asia (SBA) once again demonstrated its commitment to environmental sustainability and community engagement through this year’s “Kind Heart Gives” tree-planting initiative held at La Mesa Eco Park in Quezon City. The event brought together employees from various organizations who joined SBA in its corporate social responsibility efforts, underscoring the Bank’s shared mission to make a positive impact on both the environment and the community.

The activity went beyond simply planting trees—it fostered camaraderie, teamwork, and a sense of collective purpose among SBA employees. It encouraged participants to take part in meaningful initiatives that advocate for a sustainable future. “Our ‘Kind Heart Gives’ activity reflects Sterling Bank of Asia’s support for sustainability and our values of being socially active in good causes,” said Dan Guevara, SBA’s Center for Learning Head and First Vice President. “We are proud to see our employees engage in projects that go beyond the workplace—efforts that show our dedication to both people and the planet.”

As SBA continues to grow as a financial institution, it remains steadfast in its commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen. Through initiatives like “Kind Heart Gives,” employees contribute not only to environmental restoration but also to strengthening SBA’s culture of compassion, volunteerism, and shared responsibility.

In celebration of the 2025 National Children’s Month and National Indigenous Peoples’ Month, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), through its Cultural Exchange Department (CED), holds a weeklong arts camp under the annual program, Kutitap: Isang Piging ng Kabataang Makasining,  from November 18 to 22, 2025, in Baguio City.

Fifty-five children and their adult leaders, representing various cultural communities from all over the country, will gather for a celebration of arts, culture, and traditions.  

Now in its 16th year, Kutitap pursues its goals of instilling among the Filipino children and youth a deep sense of understanding, appreciation, and pride for Philippine indigenous arts and culture, as well as promoting creativity and positive social values.  

Kutitap will conduct interactive activities to include mini-workshops and showcases (in dance, drama, music, rituals, visual arts, etc.), storytelling, crafting, traditional games, film viewing, group discussions, and creative collaboration, among others.

Since the first gathering in 2009, Kutitap has already reached over 3,334 children from 200 local communities nationwide.  In 2011, the project was redesigned for the benefit of the children in Northern Luzon who were badly affected by typhoons Pedring and Quiel.  

For the first time in 2015, Kutitap was brought out of the CCP and was hosted by the City of Batangas.  For the first time too, the program was filmed and presented as part of the Children of Asia research project under the Asian Culture Institute (ACI) in Gwangju, South Korea.  The film made by Kevin K. Park was shown during the opening of the Asia Culture Center (ACC) in Korea.  In 2023,  Kutitap was included in the Reclaim the Void art assemblage of the Aboriginal community in Western Australia.

In 2016, Kutitap was brought to the Visayas under the hosting of the Province of Capiz;  Tagum City in 2017;  Los Baños-Laguna in 2018;  Koronadal City in 2019;  in 2020 & 2021 virtual editions due to the pandemic, 2022 in CCP, Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple & San Jose Del Monte City;  San Francisco-Agusan del Sur in 2023; and in Himamalyan City-Negros Occidental in 2024.

From November 18 to 22, 2025, Kutitap will engage the kids in educational, cultural, creative, and other participative activities designed to enable them to learn, understand, and appreciate better the indigenous life, traditions, and practices while emphasizing the values of good health, love, compassion, and perseverance.  It will also include sessions on indigenous food, games, folktales, music, dance, film, and crafts. 

Prominent filmmakers Milo Tolentino, Christian Candelaria, and Zig Dulay have agreed to share their notable films with the Kutitap kids – Andong, Sa Iyang Isla, and Black Rainbow.  Andong has been a favorite film of the Kutitap kids as early as 2015.  

Richard Vilar, an internationally well-known storyteller from Butuan City, shares his folktales in a performance art for the Kutitap kids, while Marichelle Santos of Bulacan will teach puni making or the art of leaf folding.  

The 2025 Kutitap poster features the artwork of Kublai Millan of Davao City, designed and laid out by Jeruz Alcazarin of General Santos City.  

All these and more are facilitated by Kutitap’s pool of exceptional facilitators and trainers led by community culture specialists and advocates from Mindanao and Visayas, namely Rosalie Zerrudo,  Lolito Pontillas,  Cecile Mambuay, Arlem Abanes, and Renefe Tremedal.

This year’s participants are children ages 6 to 13 years old from 11 cultural communities:  Mindanao: Blaan-Gen. Santos City,  Higaonon-Butuan City, Visayas:  Loboc-Bohol,  Tacloban-Leyte, Sigma-Capiz  Luzon: Binan-Laguna,  Anak Bale-Balyan Angeles City-Pampanga, NCR:  Bukas Palad-Pasay, Mga Anak ni Inang Daigdig-Tondo, Marikina City. 

KUTITAP 2025 is supported by St. Louis University – Baguio City, Baguio Central School, Provincial Tourism Office, Baguio Country Club, and the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.

For more information on Kutitap & other cultural exchange programs, check out the CCP website, the CCP, and the CCP Cultural Exchange Department Facebook pages. Follow the CCP official accounts on Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube for more updates on CCP programs.