Casino Plus’ Color Your World Foundation builds tent village, delivers safe water to quake-hit Mindanao communities

Color Your World Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Casino Plus, in partnership with the local government, built a tent village in Barangay Lagao in General Santos City on June 13, providing temporary shelter to families affected by the magnitude-7.8 quake that hit Mindanao.

Powered by its flagship disaster resilience pillar, “Project Bigkis,” Color Your World provided livable tents and over 2,000 gallons of drinking water to evacuees and affected residents of Barangays Lagao and Calumpang in General Santos City as hundreds of families struggled to access safe drinking water and temporary shelter.

The deployment faced intense localized hurdles, including heavy downpours and persistent seismic activity. Earlier Saturday, the Color Champions experienced a sharp magnitude-5.6 aftershock that caused minor property damage in the area. 

Despite the rainfall and structural challenges, the team successfully distributed life-saving resources without interruption.

“The need on the ground is immediate, and the reality facing many families in the evacuation centers is heartbreaking. When you see parents worried about where their children will sleep, or families struggling to access basic necessities, it reminds you that behind every disaster are real people trying to get through each day,” said Casino Plus Chief Executive Officer Evan Spytma.

“Our Color Champions—our employees and volunteers on the ground—are committed to standing with these communities, not only by providing immediate relief such as shelter and clean drinking water, but by helping them rebuild and move forward in the months ahead.”

For hundreds of families still grappling with trauma and seeking refuge in open-air covered courts and makeshift shelters, the arrival of physical shelter marks the first step toward stability.

Fernando Tatad Jr., community leader of the Purok 20 association, said their community would prioritize the elderly and children for accommodation in the tent village, emphasizing that many residents still stay in open areas due to ongoing aftershocks.

“Ang laking tulong talaga, sobra-sobra. Ang laking pasasalamat namin kasi ‘yung tent, magre-request sana ako kaso binigay na ni Lord at ng Casino Plus sa amin,” Tatad said.

Access to clean and safe water has also been a challenge amid disruptions to local water systems. In addition, damage to roads and bridges has hampered distribution efforts, particularly in remote communities.

Another quake survivor, Maureen Ortega, thanked Casino Plus and the Color Your World Foundation for providing water containers, adding that obtaining clean water and hygiene supplies has been difficult over the past week.

“May dalawang maliit pa akong anak. Sobrang hirap pag walang malinis na tubig. Siguro okay lang na walang kuryente, pero tubig ang kailangan namin dito. Hindi madali ‘yung nangyari sa amin. ‘Yung mga anak namin, nanginginig, sobrang takot kapag may lindol,” Ortega said.

As communities begin the difficult journey toward recovery, the Color Your World Foundation will continue its mission across Sarangani, safely reaching more affected families and delivering immediate relief to those who need it most.

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Editor's Note: This article was provided by Casino Plus.