Ricky Reyes, the famed beauty expert to the stars, initiates another livelihood project for the poor.
Known to showbiz as Mother Ricky, the 68-year-old owner of the Gandang Ricky Reyes chain of salons, invited Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and National Housing Authority (NHA) to join him on relevant programs helping the underprivileged.
Ricky told the press, including PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), “Nakahanda na ang livelihood, magkakaroon na ng hanapbuhay.
“Ang problema ng bayan natin ay poverty.
“Totoo po ‘yan. Pero para sa akin, ang tugon sa poverty ay livelihood.
“Kasi kung meron kang pabahay ng NHA, wala ka namang hanapbuhay. Kakain ka araw-araw, kapag magkasakit ka, magbayad ka pang-aral ng mga bata, lahat ito ay problema.
“Pero kung may livelihood na tinuruan ng TESDA, meron na siyang hanapbuhay, meron na siyang pangbayad ng upa, meron na siyang pampapakain, may pampaaral na siya.”
Thus, Skill 2D Max: Angking Galing Mobile Livelihood Caravan was born.
The project aims to provide technical education to local communities in different sites of National Housing Authority.
Ricky further explained, “I don’t believe in dole out.
“Ayaw ko laging nanghihingi.
“Kasi para sa akin yung laging nanghihingi, nakakababa ng dignidad ng tao kaya ang gusto ko mag-aral nang mag-aral at magsanay ng kabuhayan na magagamit nila.
“Hindi na siya [ang tao] magiging pabigat kundi makakatulong na siya [sa community].”
Present during the project launch were TESDA Secretary Guiling Mamondiong (2nd from L), NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada, Jr., and Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte (L).
All beneficiaries will be given training on hairdressing and cosmetology.
Each will also receive an individual starter kit, which can help then start their small business right after training.
The grand launch of the said project will be held on May 8, 2018 at the Smokey Mountain in Tondo, Manila.