Buy Christmas cards, help children in need
In 1949, Jitka Samkova, a 7-year-old in Czechoslovakia, used art to express her gratitude to Unicef for helping their village after the war. It’s this colorful painting, showing girls—red-lipped, in bright outfits, with bows in their hair—dancing around a maypole under the sun, that would be featured on the first Unicef greeting card.
Over 70 years later, Unicef, the United Nations agency for children, continues its tradition of coming out with limited-edition greeting cards featuring the work of different artists, with proceeds being used to support vulnerable children around the world.
“In the Philippines, we brought back the Unicef Cards campaign in 2021 with the artworks of Filipino artist Robert Alejandro. And we’ve continued this yearly, for four years already,” said Sereena Palami, fundraising officer of Unicef Philippines.
The cards by Alejandro raised P8.4 million, which helped provide support to children affected by Supertyphoon “Odette” (international name: Rai).
In 2022, Unicef raised P10.9 million with the cards featuring National Artist Larry Alcala’s “Slice of Life.” In 2023, the cards featured pieces from the private collection of Mauro “Malang” Santos and raised P8 million in donations.
This year, Unicef’s Christmas cards will feature the art of Manuel “Manny” Baldemor. Palami said, “Since the 1990s, his works have been featured in the Unicef global greeting cards distributed around the world. It’s only fitting that his works be featured again in the Unicef cards for the Philippine market.”
The painter, sculptor, illustrator, printmaker, and writer from Paete, Laguna, recalled how Unicef first found him. “In 1986, I went abroad and I brought all of my art pieces. I had an exhibit and Unicef saw my work and took a picture of it. It went through deliberations and, four years later, they reached out to me about it. Since then, my work has been featured in the Unicef cards.”
“He has become an integral part of this cherished Unicef tradition, contributing both globally and locally,” Palami said, adding, “But for me, what’s special is his sincere willingness to help children through Unicef. He has been so generous in giving us his time, talent, and resources so that we can get the Unicef cards ready for this season.”
Advocacy
Over the years, Unicef has featured 24 of Baldemor’s designs in their cards. “According to Unicef, the cards have raised millions of pesos in donations to help children around the world,” he said. “I have always been very honored to be a part of Unicef’s effort to help children of the world, especially my own Philippines. I kept working with them because helping children is an advocacy that is close to my heart.”
Baldemor grew up in a family of farmers. “Because of this, I needed to work even as a child to help my family. This is why today, through my art and talent, I try to help children. I hold workshops for children with autism or special needs and for children in my hometown.”
Art has always felt like his calling, Baldemor told Lifestyle. “Usually, one attributes a calling for someone entering a religious vocation or becoming a missionary to help others in impoverished lands.” And perhaps that’s why he sees his art as that—a vocation, and a way to lend a hand.
“It means so much to me that in my own little ways, I am able to help people in need, especially children. I believe that art is a blessing, and I’m grateful that through my time and talent I can share joy to children around the world.”
He added, “Through the Unicef cards, I was able to help procure vaccines and the building of schools in Bicol, which incidentally was used to shelter Mayon volcano evacuees. Being an [Typhoon] ‘Ondoy’ victim myself, I can empathize with the hurt and pain of these people. I am so happy that the Unicef cards are helping children in all ways possible, in their education, health and nutrition, protection, and during emergencies.”
The four artworks featured in his 2024 Unicef Christmas card collection are “Pasko sa Aming Bayan” (1992), “Christmas Lanterns Festival” (2006), “Graces from the Land” (2008), and “Pasko ng Pamilya Pilipino” (2024).
Baldemor said, “These cards depict the rituals we do and celebrate as Filipinos. For instance, Simbang Gabi, caroling, Christmas cards, food, and family. All these represent our rituals and traditions not just in celebrating Christmas but as our identities as Filipinos.”
Joyous season
Baldemor enjoys these traditions. “Christmas in the Philippines, particularly in my hometown, remains relatively traditional where everyone takes the time to be with family and loved ones to celebrate and catch up with each other. While we’re thankful for the gifts, it’s not the main thing we look forward to, but rather spending time with our family and friends. That’s what we cherish the most.”
He added, “Christmas is such a fun and joyous season for me. I love that it’s the season for us to give thanks for the blessings we received and to share those blessings to others.”
And one way of sharing your blessings is through buying the Unicef Christmas cards.
A P1,000 donation will get you a box set of 12 cards featuring four designs. Buy the cards, write in them, and send them out to your loved ones.
Baldemor said, “For me, receiving handwritten letters or notes through greeting cards means [that] person is truly your friend and they really value you a lot.”
Palami said, “Unicef Cards evoke the nostalgia of giving handwritten messages to friends and loved ones, a heartfelt tradition in an increasingly digital world. There’s a unique sincerity and care in taking the time to write by hand, especially today, when most people rely on typing.”
You can also give the box sets as meaningful gifts for the people on your Christmas list. Baldemor said, “When you buy Unicef cards, aside from showing how much you care, you are also extending your blessings to children in need.”
To buy the cards, go to donate.unicef.ph, call the Unicef hotline at (02)8462-6246, or visit facebook.com/unicefphilippines. The cards are also available in Unicef booths in malls and on Lazada and Shopee.
