For children waiting for a surgery that could change their lives, a night of music, auctions and philanthropy in Cebu raised nearly P25 million for cleft care.
The amount was raised during the Operation Smile Philippines Charity Gala 2026 on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the NUSTAR Resort Cebu Grand Ballroom.
Held with the Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung Charitable Foundation Inc., the gala generated funds through donations, pledges and a live charity auction.
Auctioned items included jewelry, furniture by Cebuano designer Kenneth Cobonpue and a nude sketch by National Artist Benedicto Cabrera.
Operation Smile Philippines said the funds will support free reconstructive surgeries and multidisciplinary treatment for children with cleft lip and cleft palate, particularly those whose families cannot afford surgery and continuing care.
The organization said a P40,000 donation can help fund a child’s surgery and related services such as speech therapy, dental care and rehabilitation.
Philanthropist Dame Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung, founder of the Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung Foundation Inc., shared the challenges she and her family faced in continuing the Comprehensive Cleft Care Center.
Yeung said earthquakes, successive typhoons, severe flooding and continuing wars made them consider whether it was appropriate to hold a fundraising event.
The organizers considered canceling the gala but proceeded because children were waiting for surgeries that could change their lives.
Yeung also spoke about children born with cleft lip and cleft palate, mothers seeking help and fathers trying to find ways to pay for their children’s operations.
The gala also featured performances by Concert King Martin Nievera, Pinky Marquez and company.
Operation Smile Philippines said it continues to accept donations to provide cleft surgery and comprehensive care to Filipino children.
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