Village Connect
Twelve years after losing her daughter to dengue, lawyer Ma. Louella Martinez-Aranas has transformed her grief into a powerful movement that now inspires young Filipinos to stand guard against the silent killer.
Through her advocacy, The Sandy Project, Aranas has launched the concept of “Dengue Police”—volunteer patrols composed of students and barangay youth who will keep watch over their neighborhoods. Their mission: search for mosquito breeding grounds and remind families of one simple truth—no lamok, no dengue.
The urgency is clear. Between January and May 2025 alone, the Department of Health recorded more than 110,000 dengue cases nationwide, with 437 deaths, many of them children aged five to nine. For Aranas, the numbers echo a painful memory: her only daughter Sandy, just 10 years old, who succumbed to the disease in 2013.
“What happened to Sandy should never happen to anyone else,” Aranas says. “Her passing was devastating, but it has given birth to a mission that saves lives.”
Since its establishment in 2013, The Sandy Project has worked to make dengue awareness not just a seasonal reminder but a year-round movement. This year’s focus on mobilizing the youth as “Dengue Police” highlights empowerment at the grassroots—transforming students as young as 10 into protectors of their families and communities.
Dengue season in the Philippines typically spans June to February, and Metro Manila remains one of the hardest-hit regions. But Aranas believes the solution is simple: prevent mosquito bites by eliminating stagnant water and other breeding grounds. “There are no mosquitoes if there are no breeding sites,” she stresses.
More than just a campaign, the “Dengue Police” embodies a call to action. It is a legacy born out of a mother’s loss, carried forward by communities determined to shield children from the same fate.
“Prevention is the best cure,” Aranas adds. “With the battle cry Let’s fight dengue together, we are building an army of everyday heroes—our children, our neighbors, our friends—standing guard for life.”
Volunteers and supporters are encouraged to connect with The Sandy Project through its official page or email, and be part of this continuing mission to protect the next generation.
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