SEA Games gold medalists Lopez, Orbon join hands for girls’ fund-raiser

PH’s Pauline Lopez captures the gold medal in the 2019 SEA Games. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Pauline Lopez, the country’s brightest prospect in taekwondo, has joined forces with karatedo’s Joane Orbon in supporting a noteworthy cause for young Filipino women adversely affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The two gold medalists in last year’s Southeast Asian Games formed a partnership with FundLife to provide support for girls and their families in the ongoing global health crisis.

“As we all come to terms with the reality of COVID-19 and staying at home to save lives, I am choosing to stand with all girls who are not lucky enough to have food security, a safe shelter that is free from abuse and violence and who are unable to access education,’’ said Lopez in her Instagram account.

Orbon and Lopez will try to raise the level of awareness a notch higher when they join hands in a special live Q&A session on Instagram at 10 a.m. Saturday, Manila time.

“We thank everyone so far who has supported this cause, but there is more we can do. Feel free to ask us questions about our lives as elite athletes and experiences that have shaped us to become the women that we are today,’’ said Orbon in her Facebook post.

Wushu gold medalist Agatha Wong and Jamie Lim, also a karate SEA Games champion, likewise organized IG live sessions last month for a fundraiser aimed at purchasing PPEs for front-liners and medical supplies for hospitals treating COVID-19 patients.

Reports have it that Lim, daughter of PBA legend Samboy Lim, and Wong were able to come up with over P300,000 in donations.

“Consider supporting @_GirlsGotThis and @Fundlifeint who are providing food relief to families to keep them as safe as possible during these challenging times,’’ said Lopez.

“I am using my platform #StandWithGirls and raise awareness for all girls who are living in poverty and/or are at risk of violence in the place where they should feel the safest—their homes,’’ added the 2016 Asian champion in the women’s -57kg division.

FundLife International is a dynamic, non-profit organization that aims to make sure no child would be denied quality education and equitable opportunities to reach their fullest potential.