Sam Concepcion - Philanthropy

Philanthropy

Concepcion was appointed as Youth Role Model and Spokesperson for the Department of Education in October 2007. Former Education Secretary Jesli Lapus asked Concepcion to inspire young Filipinos to see how education can improve oneself. He stated, "We need somebody like Sam to remind the youth that education can be enjoyable and can bring us close to our dreams..". As a spokesperson, Concepcion spearhead campaigns and advocate co-curricular concerns through the "SAMa SAMa sa Eskwela" project and other activities. He managed to visit 50 schools and 100,000 students on its first month and had been to various points in the country like Pampanga, Bohol, Laguna, Cebu City, Cagayan De Oro City, and Davao City. Concepcion, on his talk highlights the importance of literacy, English proficiency, finding one's talent, and excelling in school.

In 2008, Concepcion has found another interest, which is advocating the rights and welfare of every Filipino child as he is the latest appointee for World Vision’s Ambassador for Children. As World Vision ambassador, he becomes active in various World Vision activities. He embarked in visiting poor municipalities and provinces in the Philippines to encourage everyone to share their blessings, so poor Filipino families can experience the joy of Christmas through World Vision’s "Noche Buena Gift". On early 2009, he visited Palawan, particularly far-flung areas of the province to see the lives of the Filipino children. In the same year, Concepcion was also appointed as the Youth Ambassador for Education and the Arts in the 3rd District of Manila wherein he launched his "PaperClay Art Competition" at the Manila Ocean Park with a theme, "Ako Para sa Kalikasan". He believes that PaperClay art is a great tool in exercising the creativity of students and the youth. On May 2009, Concepcion held another major concert entitled, I'll Find Your Heart: Part 2 held at the Crossroads77 Convenarium in Quezon City. This concert-for-cause helped raise funds for Aim Christian Learning Center. When the Philippines was hit by Typhoon Ondoy, Concepcion along with other celebrities helped in distributing relief goods to the isolated families in evacuation centers in Metro Manila. In Marikina, who was the mostly affected by the typhoon, Concepcion gathered all the children for interaction to encourage positivity among them especially those who are traumatized by the disaster.

On December 2011, Concepcion and Star Magic artists, led by actor Piolo Pascual held a one-night concert dubbed as "A Night to Give Back" at Zirkoh Morato, wherein handicapped and disadvantaged children were the main beneficiaries. The proceeds of the concert were donated to Elsie Gaches, Reception and Study Center for Children, Sanctuary Center and Sagip Kapamilya. On the same month, Concepcion also attended a feeding program for undernourished children from Teresa Heights in Fairview, Quezon City. On December 29, 2011 Concepcion was joined by co-ambassador Tippy Dos Santos in the culminating activity of the "Child Friendly Space (CFS)" in the evacuation center situated in the village of Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro to give relief efforts to the victims of Typhoon Sendong. The two also visited some of the hardest-hit areas in Tibasak and Sitio Cala-Cala wherein they listened and bonded with the survivor families and children. “The typhoon left thousands of children homeless and vulnerable,” shares Sam. “In my own little way, I hope to comfort their weary hearts”, he added.

On September 30, 2012, Concepcion alongside other ambassadors for World Vision Organization including Tippy Dos Santos, Gloc 9, Ogie Alcasid and Nikki Gil joined the campaign against world hunger taglined as “Your Hunger can Feed a Child” held at the SM North Edsa Skydome. This annual event, on its third year in the Philippines, is part of a worldwide movement that aims to raise awareness and funds to fight hunger, especially among children.