Village Connect
As the Philippines enters the peak of its dengue season from June to February, alarming statistics have set the stage for urgent action. According to the Department of Health (DOH), dengue cases at the start of 2025 have surged to 95,000—marking a 75% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The hardest-hit regions include Calabarzon, Central Luzon, and the National Capital Region, making them key hotspots for outbreaks.
Among those leading the charge against this growing threat is lawyer Ma. Louella Martinez-Aranas, founder of The Sandy Project. What began as a mother’s personal tragedy has become a national advocacy. Aranas lost her 10-year-old daughter, Sandy, to dengue in 2013. In honor of what would have been Sandy’s 22nd birthday this year, Aranas is channeling her grief into life-saving awareness and prevention efforts aimed at educating Filipino communities—especially children.
“Dengue is a silent killer. One mosquito bite is all it takes,” Aranas warns. “But no one needs to die from it. Prevention is our strongest defense.” With no specific cure available and 189 dengue-related deaths already reported between January and May 2025, early intervention and education are more important than ever.
The Sandy Project believes that fighting dengue begins with information. Through school visits, workshops, and community campaigns across Metro Manila, Bulacan, Bicol, Negros Occidental, and Negros Oriental, the initiative teaches children the basics of mosquito control: eliminate stagnant water, maintain clean surroundings, and be vigilant throughout the year—not just during rainy months.
“You think it won’t happen to you. But dengue doesn’t discriminate,” Aranas says. “If we can get children to understand the risk and take action at home, we’ve already won half the battle.” The Sandy Project’s mission is simple yet impactful: eliminate breeding grounds, prevent bites, and spread awareness to reduce fatalities.
Aranas emphasizes that the community must act collectively. “This is a public health problem that affects all of us. The solution is sustainable if we work together,” she adds. With her powerful message and commitment, Aranas continues to turn personal loss into a growing movement—one child, one school, one mosquito-free home at a time.
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