The Focolare Movement, an ecclesial movement within the Catholic Church founded by Chiara Lubich, has been practicing the culture of giving since 1983. They focus on helping poor communities with their basic needs to uplift them from poverty and restore their dignity as human beings. By doing simple activities like rummage sales and offering medical services for free, they have created programs and services that serve communities in Tramo, Pasay City.

"Bukas Palad," a Tagalog term meaning "open palms," was named after the Gospel phrase (Mt. 10:8), which says, "freely you receive, freely you give." Bukas Palad Social Centers have been established in other parts of the country, such as Tagaytay, Manila, Cebu, Davao, and La Union.

In Tagaytay, Bukas Palad operated since 1985 under the umbrella of the Focolare (or Work of Mary) Movement for Women. It became registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in April 2019 as BP-Tagaytay Foundation, Inc., or simply, 'Bukas Palad' or BP. In June 2021, it was also licensed as a community-based social welfare development agency.

​

Throughout the years, there has been this continuous experience of “freely receiving” from the providence of God through the benefactors who generously give not from their surplus but only driven by the desire to help those in need.  On the other hand, the children and their families who are recipients of help freely respond to this generosity by giving their time, and talent when needed to our community.

Initially operating in Tagaytay, Bukas Palad has expanded to Batangas, Laurel, and Agoncillo, communities heavily affected by the Taal Volcano eruption in 2021.