Princess Diana of Wales once said, “carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.”
These words are truly demonstrated by Cebuana entrepreneur Nicole Ong Oh, as she proves to everyone that we are never too young to give back in our own ways.
As the chief operating officer of a known personalized phone case business, The Hub Cebu, the 21-year-old Nicole has also dedicated time to share their profit to many charitable causes around the country.
Nicole Ong Oh, CEO of The Hub Cebu.
Read more: 21-year-old Cebuana CEO launches biodegradable phone case collection
The young Cebuana supports many non-government organizations, including scholars of Bayanihan Para sa Magsasaka, local fishermen through Para kay Kuya, an animal shelter for dogs, and is on the way to donating air purifiers to public utility jeepney drivers in Cebu, on top of being a graduating college student.
Bayanihan para sa Magsasaka (For our Farmers)
An NGO aiming to help and uplift Filipino farmers and fisherfolk through inclusive projects, Bayanihan para sa Magsasakaya also envisions positive changes in the state of life of our farmers and fisherfolk.
This vision is wholeheartedly shared by The Hub Cebu, sponsoring two children of farmers to help with the declining numbers of youth enrolled in school from the farming community.
The Hub Cebu supports scholars Stephen Jalagat, a grade 10 student from Misamis Oriental, and Justin Rufino, a senior high student from Tarlac. Aside from school supplies needed in the new mode of learning, Nicole was able to give electronic gadgets as well as cash allowances to these scholars.
Filipino farmers and their families whom The Hub Cebu was able to support through the NGO Bayanihan para sa Magsasaka.
Para kay Kuya
The project Para kay Kuya aims to support the boatmen and fishermen of Olango, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu whose livelihoods rely heavily on the tourism in the area that slowed down due to the ongoing pandemic.
The Hub Cebu, together with the NGO, was able to help over 20 families of fishermen and boatmen in an outreach activity this August.
Giving opens many doors. By selflessly giving your time or profits I believe it may come back to you 10 times over.
-Nicole Ong Oh
CEO, The Hub Cebu
PAWSsion Project
Together with content creator Particia Prieto, The Hub Cebu is also donating a part of its profits to PAWSsion project — an animal shelter for dogs and cats in Bulacan, Manila.
Being a dog lover herself and with eight dogs at home, Ong Oh shared that she always wanted to help stray pets and she is now looking at supporting a local animal shelter in Cebu.
Air Purifiers for PUJ Drivers
Ong Oh shared that she is currently working on a project to donate around 50 air purifiers to PUJ drivers in Cebu after the local government issued a requirement for PUJ drivers to acquire one.
Read more: Mandatory use of personal air purifiers among PUV drivers, conductors in Cebu to start next week
All these efforts of giving back to the community came out of being inspired by her mother’s own footsteps.
“Growing up I would see my mom try to help other people as much as possible and I believe I got this trait from her. I want to continue helping as many people as I can because I want to also promote in my business that any act of kindness can change the lives of others without you knowing,” Ong Oh shared.
Aside from helping the community through her sustainable products such as the biodegradable phone case and cross-body strap which is first the country, she also focuses on these NGO causes to empower other young business owners.
The Hub Cebu’s Zero Waste phone case with a cross-body strap.
“I believe it’s important to give back… not only are you helping the people the NGOs are affiliated with but you are also giving your customers the privilege to help others and touch other people’s lives,” she added.
Right now, Nicole is determined to make her own projects in the future so she can touch more lives and help more children with their education.
Check out The Hub Cebu’s leather cases — the first in the Philippines here and The Hub Cebu’s collaboration projects here.
