Smile Train celebrates World Smile Day® with the theme “Light Up the World with Smiles,” shining a light on the transformative power of cleft care. This initiative lights up iconic landmarks and monuments worldwide, including the Rizal Monument in the Philippines, transforming them into beacons of hope and showcasing Smile Train’s support for cleft-affected children.
Train Philippines; John Manuel Flores, Smile
Train Area Director of Southeast Asia; Marian
Rivera, Smile Train Ambassador; Smile Train
patient beneficiaries; Felix Grimares, Program
Building on this celebration, Smile Train now sets its sights on a second Guinness World Records™ title in as many years. Smile Train aims to break the record for the most illuminated landmarks within 24 hours. The number to beat is 56. This year’s initiative builds on its previous Guinness World Records™ title for the most smiles uploaded to a digital photo album.
Smile Train has supported 2 million cleft surgeries for people of all ages for over 25 years, since its founding in 1999. The organization empowers local communities to provide comprehensive, high-quality cleft care and support through a global network of partners and volunteers. These efforts create new smiles and build new lives, starting a transformative journey for those in need.
Smile Train Philippines’ ambassadors and executives will kick off the lighting ceremony with a countdown, pressing the button to illuminate the Rizal Monument in Smile Train’s colors. These illuminated landmarks symbolize the power of smiles and the brighter future they create for children with cleft conditions and their families.
showcase their radiant smiles alongside
Smile Train ambassador Marian Rivera in
front of the illuminated Rizal Monument,
celebrating the transformative impact of free
cleft surgeries that have changed their lives
and filled their families with joy.
Jun Grimares, Program Director of Smile Train Philippines stated, “As we light up the Rizal Monument tonight, we celebrate the hope and transformation Smile Train brings to children with cleft conditions. This light symbolizes our commitment to life-changing cleft care and spreading smiles worldwide.”
Joel Flores, SEA Area Director of Smile Train, added, “Smile Train’s ‘Light Up the World with Smiles’ campaign draws attention to the way Smile Train lights children’s faces with smiles each day through our work to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to quality local cleft treatment.”
Smile Train looks forward to expanding its growing network of 1,100 partner hospitals and 2,100 trained medical professionals including surgeons, anesthesiologists, orthodontists, and nutritionists worldwide.
The “Light Up the World with Smiles” campaign demonstrates the strength of the global community behind Smile Train’s efforts. The volunteers, supporters, and local organizations unite to celebrate progress and continue providing free, safe cleft surgery and comprehensive care to children in over 90 countries.
