Halimaw Night
The Challenge
Approximately 3.6 million Filipinos live without access to light or electricity*Most of them get by with burning kerosine lamps which are hazardous to human health, dangerous for the environment, and can cost a family up to 30% of their monthly income. Having access to no light means that studying, working, and getting safely to one’s home is compromised when the sun goes down.
Solving this challenge was two-fold, because we also had to find a way to make this reality interesting for Berliners who live in a reality far-removed from that of indigenous Filipinos.
The Creative Idea
We used the allure of Philippine folklore, like the flesh-eating Mananaggal, or the cigar-smoking Kapre, to raise awareness and interest for the reality of indigenous Filipinos living in remote areas without access to electricity or light.
We hosted a Halloween Party & Fundraiser with the theme of Philippine monsters, or “Halimaw.”
It was a whole-day event, with a kids party in the morning and an adult party in the evening. People came in costume, took part in creative activities, and donated funds towards the cause.
The Social Impact
Through the money we raised during the Halimaw event, we provided solar lamps to 179 indigenous families from a tribe called Aeta in Bataan, Philippines. We distributed the solar lamps across 4 communities in January 2023.
179
indigenous Aeta families
given solar lamps
4
communities in
Bataan province
18
creatives engaged in
changemaking
The Kapre
by Jo Bautista
Kan’s Serpent
by Paul Medalla
The Rajo
by Alvin Gasga
A giant man that sits on the branches of old trees, smoking a cigar. He likes to play tricks on travellers and can cause people to get lost in the forest forever.
From the collection of Karl Gaverza of Philippine Spirits. Kan was a man that knew the languages of birds and beasts. When he fought this seven-headed monster, he called for help. The beasts bit the serpent’s body and the birds pecked out its eyes. Kan then killed the beast by severing its seven heads.
From the collection of Karl Gaverza of Philippine Spirits. A great king who stole the recipe for immortality from the gods. When the moon told the gods of Rajo’s doing, Rajo ate the moon in a wild rage. Although the moon always managed to escape, the Lunar eclipse takes place when Rajo tries to swallow it again.