Joey of Project Barkada - The gift of giving back

Project Barkada started with a simple idea: friends helping friends. In this conversation, cofounder Joey shares how a life-changing experience in the Philippines led to building a movement centered on community, culture, and giving back. From holiday initiatives to typhoon relief, this is what the Barkada is all about. 

For anyone who doesn’t know you yet, who is Joey and what is Project Barkada all about? How did it all start?

Joey: My name is Joey. I'm from Astoria Queens. I'm one of the cofounders of Project Barkada and this is the legacy I want to leave behind. I've had this idea of Project Barkada since 2008. I got caught in a flood in the Philippines, witnessed the aftermath, then flew home to the states with a different perspective on life. Since then I've been wanting to help get back to the people and it took 12 years for Project Barkada to be born.

We are a collective of friends helping friends, uniting communities, and fostering meaningful collaborations. By sharing our culture and amplifying voices, we create opportunities for individuals and organizations to thrive.

What does building a strong Filipino community mean to you, and how does Project Barkada help make that happen?

Joey: Building a strong Filipino community means working together and supporting each other. We know what we have to do. It's just a matter of practicing it and exercising it and with Project Barkada I want to lead by example and show people what's possible when we do things together.

The holidays are coming up, what events or initiatives does Project Barkada have planned that people should know about?

Joey: We have a toy drive that happened on December 21st and currently I'm out here in the Philippines working on our annual holiday distribution to communities here in the Philippines, but we're also working on a relief efforts project for the most recent typhoons that hit. We are also working with The Assist Project and we teamed up with The New York Knicks to release a Limited Edition New York Pilipinas Basketball Jerseys. All proceeds will directly support communities in the Philippines who were severely affected by the recent typhoons. 

We know the Philippines was recently affected by a typhoon. How is Project Barkada stepping in to help, and how can our community show support?

Joey: We had tried our best to do as much as we can. We had planned out a benefit show. We have planned give-back programs to get people essential items like personal hygiene items, clean water, food, clothes, and any other necessities. We also wanted to do more than just talk about helping, we wanted to show it with tangible help, which is why we are here right now in the Philippines.

We planned The Barkada Overseas Benefit Concert in Cebu, together with out pop-up activations in Manila. It's more than just an event, its a movement of hope and solidarity. In the wake of the recent typhoon, our mission is to help the Philippines heal, rebuild, and rise stronger together. Every performance, every moment, and every contribution will directly support relief efforts from immediate necessities for families in need, to long-term rebuilding through our Give Back Program and partner organizations. This is about community. About standing together when it matters most. From the Barkada, for the people. You can find all the info on this on IG or the flyers below.

If someone wants to join the Barkada this holiday season, what’s the easiest (and most fun) way to get involved, events, volunteering, donating, or all of the above?

Joey: Honestly, we are open to everyone and anyone. It's whatever you feel in your heart that you want to do. If you want to volunteer, give back, donate, share our posts, or just attend our events. Everyone of those things matter. We are always stronger together and any help is any shape or form move the needle into making some impact and change. We never want to force anyone to do anything or be some place they don't want to be at. We want to be as genuine, open, honest and transparent as we can and this platform will always be here to help. If anyone wants to get involved, they can always reach out to us via DM on IG @Project_Barkada or email at ProjectBarkadaNY@gmail.com . 

For more information on how to help, visit the links below:

Go Fund Me Fundraiser by Project Barkada

Project Barkada upcoming events and more ways to donate

Project Barkada Instagram @Project_Barkada