AirAsia Philippines’ alwaysREDy celebrates 1st year anniversary, partners with Operation Smile

alwaysREDy to go the extra mile for a smile

Manila, 19 November 2021 – AirAsia Philippines’ sustainability project, alwaysREDy: anytime, anywhere kicks off its 1st year anniversary with a mission to bring back the smiles to children with cleft lip and cleft palate deformities in partnership with Operation Smile Philippines.

Operation Smile is a global non-profit specializing in cleft surgery and care whose global network of thousands of credentialed medical volunteers from more than 60 countries is dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children.

The partnership dubbed as “alwaysREDy to go the extra mile for a smile” aims to fly hundreds of less fortunate children who have cleft lip and cleft palate deformities from the various provinces to Manila or fly volunteer medical practitioners to the provinces to perform life changing surgeries. 

 Present in the event are AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla, CFO Ray Berja, Communications and Public Affairs Head Steve Dailisan, Operation Smile Executive Director Emilio Romano and Development Manager Carolynne Arriola.

AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla said, “A child’s smile is the most beautiful thing in the world.  Beyond confidence, it brings hope, joy and happiness to whoever gives and receives it. We are truly grateful to realize this meaningful partnership with Operation Smile and we look forward to flying and serving all of our volunteer medical practitioners and their patients---our VIP guests on board.” 

AirAsia Philippines Communications and Public Affairs Head Steve Dailisan said, “As we mark the first year of alwaysREDy: anytime, anywhere, our commitment is to create more CSR efforts that will change the lives of ordinary Filipinos for the better. Our vision is for our guests and for the millions of users of the airasia Super App to have that culture of readiness, safety and most of all, “malasakit” or genuine concern, and bring it to their home and communities.”

Operation Smile Philippines Executive Director Emiliano Romano said, “Although we're ending the year with bringing in new smiles, we're not yet done in transforming lives in the country.  In times like these, it is quite challenging to perform surgical programs around the Philippines due to the pandemic.  However, AirAsia Philippines is making it possible by offering their services to transport patients back and forth to their hometown just to receive free comprehensive care by Operation Smile Philippines. We are more than delighted with this partnership and we're looking forward to sharing the gift of a new smile to more patients with cleft deformities through their help.”

Aside from the signing of the memorandum of agreement, the partnership was also sealed with the unveiling of the “alwaysREDy to go the extra mile for a smile” face mask which bears the smile of a kid who underwent surgery.  

A commitment wall was also signed by the representatives of AirAsia and Operation Smile Philippines.  The commitment wall showcases the route network of AirAsia Philippines where the kids will fly from.  

AirAsia guests may also go the extra mile for a smile with their donations and contributions which can be done at the check-in counters, in flight and in the future using the airasia Super App.

Cleft lip and palate is one of the most common deformities observed in the Philippines. 1 out of 500 Filipino babies is born with a cleft deformities.

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From left to right: AirAsia Philippines Communications and Public Affairs Head Steve Dailisan, CFO Ray Berja, CEO Ricky Isla, Operation Smile Philippines Executive Director Emiliano Romano and Development Manager Carolynne Arriola.

AirAsia Philippine CEO Ricky Isla and Operation Smile Philippines Executive Director Emiliano Romano place a sticker of smile to the commitment wall showcasing the first destination alwaysREDy to go the extra mile for a smile will fly from.