Best Buddies Philippines launches inaugural Metro Manila Friendship Walk in partnership with BGC on March 22, 2026

Taguig City, Philippines – Best Buddies Philippines Foundation Inc. will host its first-ever Friendship Walk in Metro Manila on March 22, 2026, at the Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater in Taguig City. The event marks a milestone for the organization as it brings the world's largest walk for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to the heart of the nation's capital.

Building on the success of the Cebu Friendship Walk held on March 29, 2025, which drew at least 1,200 inclusivity experts, student leaders, and community heads, the 2026 Metro Manila event aims to welcome 1,500 participants for a day of celebration, awareness, and fundraising.

A global movement comes to Manila

The Friendship Walk is a premier flagship event celebrated by Best Buddies chapters across the globe. Each year, Best Buddies hosts nearly 100  events/walks around the globe with more than 50,000 participants, raising millions of dollars to support friendship, leadership, and employment programs for individuals with IDD.

"The Friendship Walk is more than an event—it's a movement of social inclusion and friendship that creates tangible change for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities," said Michelle Ressa Aventajado, Executive Director and President of Best Buddies Philippines. "This movement requires a 'village' mindset and community-wide collaboration. We're bringing together families, students, corporate partners, and advocates to take steps toward a more inclusive Philippines.

In this collective effort, Best Buddies Philippines is grateful for the support from various sectors, including educational institutions, corporate sponsors, government agencies, and community groups, all committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment for persons with disabilities. We would especially like to acknowledge the invaluable support of The Galang Sisters, whose dedication and advocacy have significantly contributed to organizing and promoting the Friendship Walk, helping us turn this vision into reality."

Supporting program expansion through community fundraising

The Metro Manila Friendship Walk aims to raise funds that will directly supporting the expansion of Best Buddies Philippines' three core programs:

One-to-one Friendships: Creating meaningful connections between individuals with and without IDD through matched friendships based on gender, age, and interests across elementary, secondary, and tertiary educational institutions.

Leadership Development: Empowering individuals with IDD to become ambassadors, public speakers, and advocates through structured training programs and representation at international conferences.

Integrated Employment: Preparing individuals with IDD for competitive employment through the Pre-Employment Program (PEP), which has already mentored 32 individuals in its inaugural cohort and currently supports 50 job seekers eligible for workplace placements.

Since its establishment in 2020, Best Buddies Philippines has impacted 63,309 lives through 21 active chapters, including 19 schools and 2 citizen groups. The organization was appointed in June 2025 as a member of the Advisory Committee (ADCOM) for Learners with Disabilities with the Department of Education (DepEd), positioning BBP as a strategic partner in implementing the Inclusive Education Act (Republic Act No. 11650).

A family-friendly celebration of inclusion

The Friendship Walk 2026 will run from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and features:

Move with Your Buddy Warm-Up: Led by Best Buddies Participants and Special Olympics Pilipinas 

Friendship Walk: A community walk through BGC with marching band accompaniment

Best Buddies Friendship Concert: Featuring musicians and dance troupes of Best Buddies School Chapters

Inclusive Friendship Village: Showcasing products, talents, and services by and for the PWD community, including entrepreneurs from PWDe, Vico's Artism Gallery, The Crafters Marketplace

Community Building Corner: Free booth space for partner organizations including Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Inc, Autism Society Philippines Self Advocates, Miss Possibilities and Best Buddies school chapters

Interactive Activity Zones: Including the End the R-Word Photobooth, Buddy Craft Corner, and Dev Depot Jungle Gym Area for younger participants

While the event is free to attend, registration is required at bestbuddiesph.org/friendship-walk-2026. Participants are encouraged to fundraise through a tiered donation system starting at Php 1,500, with incentive packages including Best Buddies merchandise, grocery vouchers, gift certificates from sponsors, and memberships to LIFELINE 16-911 emergency services.

Partnership with Bonifacio Global City

The event will be hosted in the accessible outdoor Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater. This partnership features an opportunity to create a truly inclusive, barrier-free environment for families of all abilities.

Enrique B. Manuel Jr, Chief Operating Officer of Fort Bonifacio Development Corp shares, “BGC takes pride in being a community for all. Our collaboration with Best Buddies Philippines reflects our shared commitment to fostering a safer, more inclusive space for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities”

How to participate:

Event Details:

Date: March 22, 2026

Time: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: Bonifacio High Street Central Square Amphitheater, BGC, Taguig City

Registration: bestbuddiesph.org/friendship-walk-2026 (required, free admission)

Individuals, families, schools, and corporate teams are invited to register, create fundraising pages, and join the movement. Donation tiers range from Php 1,500 to Php 10,000, with all proceeds supporting friendship chapter expansion, leadership ambassador training, and employment program scaling across the Philippines.

About Best Buddies Philippines

Best Buddies Philippines Foundation Inc. is a duly registered non-profit organization that has served individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 2014 through one-to-one friendship, leadership development, integrated employment, and family support. Part of Best Buddies International—founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver and operating in 46 countries—BBP leverages 36 years of international expertise to uplift the quality of life of persons with intellectual and developmental diversities in the Philippines. The organization's mission is to create opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with IDD. Learn more at www.bestbuddiesph.org.

Follow Best Buddies Philippines:

Facebook: Best Buddies Philippines

Instagram: @bestbuddies_ph

LinkedIn: Best Buddies Philippines

Email: bestbuddiesmanila@gmail.com