Actress Mika Salamanca hopes to raise awareness on child malnutrition

Actress and singer Mika Salamanca recently joined a feeding program for malnourished children organized by Project Pearls, a non-profit organization.

During the outreach, she personally served meals to children, spent time with them, and handed out copies of her debut children's book, “Lipad,” making the experience even more special for the young participants.

The event also featured a Weigh-In Party, which celebrated children who had successfully recovered from malnutrition. 

During the awarding ceremony, the organization recognized their progress and shared that 61 out of the 200 children, ages 3 to 12, have recovered from malnutrition.

Photos and videos from the outreach program were first shared by Aguila Entertainment CEO Katrina Aguila on social media on Tuesday, July 14. In one of her posts, Mika was also seen receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from Project Pearls in recognition of her support.

“Our Big Winner with a Big Heart just attended the awarding ceremony of @projectpearls for children who have overcome malnourishment. Mika, through Project Pearls, was given the chance to advocate for all kids in less fortunate communities to have the opportunity to have healthy meals," Aguila wrote. 

Mika later shared behind-the-scenes photos from the feeding program, along with a heartfelt message reflecting on her experience.

"Yesterday was one of those days na alam kong hindi ko makakalimutan.

"Alam ko namang may malnutrition. We hear about it all the time. Pero seeing it with my own eyes was a completely different experience."

"Meeting these kids, seeing how underweight some of them were, seeing some of them without slippers... ang sakit pala talaga sa puso. It made me realize how many things we take for granted every single day."

She also expressed admiration for Project Pearls and its long-term commitment to helping children.

"One thing that really inspired me was the organization I got to work with. This wasn't just a one-day feeding program. For the past few months, they've been consistently showing up, providing warm meals, monitoring each child's progress until they reach a healthier weight, and even giving them access to free education and medical care."

Mika also highlighted the organization's approach to accepting donations.

"What I admired even more was how intentional they are with helping. They don't accept cash donations. Instead, they ask for things the children actually need—food, milk, medicine, slippers, school supplies, and other essentials.”

Project Pearls is currently accepting donations of food and other necessities instead of cash to continue supporting the children under its care. Those interested in helping are encouraged to contact the organization through its official social media pages.

Mika admitted that she left the place with a heavy heart, not because she lost hope, but because the experience reminded her that child malnutrition remains a reality for many communities.

"We know it exists, but sometimes it doesn't get the attention it deserves until we're standing right in front of it," she said.

In a video shared by Project Pearls, Mika also spoke about using her platform to bring more attention to the issue.

"I really believe na kahit ang daming nangyayaring ganitong [case] sa Pilipinas, hindi sya masyadong nabibigyan ng pansin. That's why I really want to use my platform… kasi people really need to see what's going on outside of their house," she said.

Beyond her advocacy work, Mika continues to make strides in the entertainment industry. She was named the “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition Big Winner” in 2025.

Before joining the reality show, she had already built a strong following as a content creator and social media influencer, while also appearing in minor roles in several television series.

Following her victory, Mika became part of the box-office film “Call Me Mother” and starred in the hit series “Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre.” She is also set to appear alongside Barbie Forteza in the upcoming comedy film “Saving Cherry.”

She also recently released her debut album, “Mahika,” which features six tracks, including "Bilog ang Mundo" and "Kasalanan."