THE art of greeting cards lives strong with Unicef. This year, the United Nations agency for children goes beyond offering Christmas cards and releases its first-ever ‘all-occasion’ series, titled the Hiraya Collection, in partnership with Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK), the country’s premier collective of children’s book illustrators.
Creating greeting cards has been a Unicef tradition since 1949. It started when a young girl in then-Czechoslovakia expressed her gratitude to the global agency for providing aid to her village, gifting them with a painting of children dancing around a maypole, which became Unicef’s first greeting card. Since then, Unicef cards have been a symbol of hope to vulnerable children and a way for people to give back.
‘More than just a piece of art, we want these cards to speak the message that donations and fundraising are more than mere transactions. They make dreams of a better life a reality for vulnerable children everywhere,’ said Carmen Gonzalez Ortiz, chief of Unicef Philippines’ Private Sector Fundraising.
The Hiraya Collection offers a variety of Unicef merchandise, including the Unicef Cards for Every Occasion, priced at P1,000 for 12 unique designs, and the Unicef Tote Bags, which come in three designs with a keychain for P1,500. Additional Unicef merchandise, such as the Unicef Mini Backpack Charm (P1,200), Unicef Notebooks (P500), and Unicef Gift Bag (P200), is also available at the Unicef Giving Shop (donate.unicef.ph/shop), designed to ‘bring children in the Philippines a step closer toward the happy childhood they deserve.’
The limited-edition collection carries the name ‘Hiraya’ after the Filipino term that signifies deep hope and aspiration. Meanwhile, the greeting cards paint an image of a happy childhood every child deserves to experience, featuring unique designs by the artists of Ang INK who specialize in children’s illustrations. Each collectible card and merchandise is inspired by the artist’s fondest childhood memories, ‘turning every item into a meaningful gift that connects, celebrates, and gives hope.’
‘Because of their unique understanding of children’s worlds,’ Ortiz added, ‘we believe the Ang INK illustrators have perfectly captured the heart of our cause in their artwork – to give children a bright future and help them simply enjoy their childhood by having access to their basic rights.’
Among the Ang INK artists featured in the Hiraya Collection is Iori Espiritu. An illustrator since 2013, she presents her artwork titled Sama-sama salu-salo, inspired by a personal childhood memory of familial bonding over food.
‘Two things my family likes doing are growing things in the garden and cooking, and we are often asked to help around,’ Espiritu said. However, she understands that many children do not have access to proper nutrition growing up, and the artist hopes that more children will experience the same fond memory she has of a childhood nourished with healthy food.
Another Ang INK collaborator is Fran Alvarez. Her artwork, Tag-Araw, features children at play, channeling her own favorite childhood memory of spending countless hours playing with her cousins and neighbors. She wants to show ‘how happy it feels to just be a kid knowing you’re safe, and free to have as much fun as you want.’ At the same time, Alvarez acknowledges that many children grow up in very challenging circumstances, and she hopes her work can contribute to advocating for a safe and peaceful world for children everywhere.
There’s also artist Al Estrella, who created Pangalawang Tahanan, based on his childhood and vocation as a grade school teacher. He said children and art are his passions, which is why the theme of childhood memories and education deeply resonates with him.
‘It’s a vital cliché: Education is a great equalizer,’ he said. ‘By giving everyone access to quality education, regardless of background, the knowledge, skills and opportunities needed to improve their lives [deepen], and social and economic inequalities can be reduced.’
According to Unicef data, however, the Philippines is still ways away from this vision, as one in three children faces the ‘triple burden’ that ‘threatens their survival.’ The trifecta includes ‘malnutrition, disruptions in education, and other deprivations due to climate-related risks.’
Despite these odds, Unicef successfully reached almost a million children in 2024 with essential nutrition services. Following the six typhoons from late 2024 to early 2025, Unicef was one of the first to respond with water kits, hygiene kits, essential healthcare support, access to education, and humanitarian cash transfers that were crucial for children and their communities to ease their suffering and restore their dignity. These were possible, among others, through the unwavering support of Unicef’s donors who provide a lifeline for children in need.