UNICEF brings Jeremy Lin to San Antonio to highlight child welfare programs

By Engr. Jay B. Laurino UNICEF USA Ambassador Jeremy Lin interacts with students during a visit to San Antonio National High School as part ...

By Engr. Jay B. Laurino

UNICEF USA Ambassador Jeremy Lin interacts with students during a visit to San Antonio National High School as part of UNICEF's mission to highlight child-focused education and community programs in San Antonio, Quezon. (San Antonio LGU)

SAN ANTONIO, Quezon — San Antonio drew international attention after UNICEF Philippines and UNICEF USA selected the municipality as a field site to examine locally driven programs supporting children's health, nutrition and education. Former NBA champion and UNICEF USA Ambassador Jeremy Lin joined the recent mission, highlighting local initiatives that could help shape future child-focused partnerships in the Philippines.

UNICEF selected San Antonio as one of its field visit sites to examine locally driven programs supporting children's health, nutrition and early childhood development. The visit also allowed the organization to evaluate local practices and identify areas where future collaboration could strengthen services for children and their families.



Mayor Erick M. Wagan led the UNICEF delegation through visits to the Barangay Matipunso Health Center, Matipunso Day Care Center, Arawan Barangay Health Station, Arawan Day Care Center and San Antonio National High School. The site visits highlighted health, nutrition and early childhood education programs implemented through the Municipal Rural Health Unit under the leadership of Dr. Ma. Wilma C. Laroza.

UNICEF Philippines evaluated San Antonio's child-focused initiatives for possible replication in other communities while reviewing how the municipality integrates health, nutrition, education and community participation into a coordinated system for children. The delegation also discussed possible areas for future technical cooperation with the municipal government, focusing on strengthening child development programs and identifying local practices that could be adapted elsewhere.

Mayor Erick M. Wagan said the UNICEF visit reflects growing interest in San Antonio's child-focused programs and validates the municipality's locally driven approach to improving children's health, nutrition and education. He said the municipality remains committed to strengthening local initiatives that give children and their families better access to essential services.

"We are deeply honored that UNICEF chose to visit San Antonio and witness the programs we have built for our children and their families. The inspiration you have given us is truly historic for our municipality and encourages us to continue improving these initiatives," Wagan said.

Wagan said sustaining child development programs requires close cooperation among local governments, schools, health workers and development partners. He said collaborations with organizations such as UNICEF strengthen local capacity to deliver services that respond to children's changing needs.

"Institutionalizing programs that address children's nutrition and overall well-being remains one of our greatest responsibilities as local leaders. Thank you for always choosing San Antonio, and Mr. Jeremy Lin, welcome to San Antonio, Quezon," he added.

Lin spent time with students during classroom activities, physical education sessions and basketball games while observing how schools, health workers and local officials coordinate child development programs across the municipality. He said the visit gave him a firsthand understanding of how local partnerships translate UNICEF-supported initiatives into everyday services for children and their families.

"It has been an honor to serve as a UNICEF Ambassador for the last five years, but nothing compares to seeing this work in person. What stood out to me most in the Philippines was how deeply rooted everything is in the community, with neighbors, health workers and teachers all showing up for kids every day," Lin said in a UNICEF statement.

Lin said interacting with children through classroom and sports activities gave him the opportunity to hear their experiences firsthand. He added that those conversations reinforce the importance of creating programs that allow children to learn, play and develop in safe and supportive communities.

"Being able to participate in activities with the students reminded me how powerful play can be and how it gives kids the freedom to simply be kids. It was an honor to meet these young people, learn from them and hear their experiences in their own voices," he said.

The visit underscored San Antonio's efforts to strengthen locally driven services for children through health, nutrition and education programs. It also demonstrated how partnerships between local governments and international organizations can support better outcomes for children and their families.