The undisputed “Diyosa” and style icon of Philippine showbiz Anne Curtis launched her passion project, the Dream Machine platform that hopes to stop dream shaming and empower dreamers to reach for and live out their dreams.
In an intimate press conference, Anne confessed that she has big dreams and she’s grateful that most of these dreams have come true.
“I have always been a dreamer. In my 20 years in showbiz, I have worked hard to reach for my dreams. I am blessed to have already achieved most of my dreams and it’s my turn to be a blessing to others through the Dream Machine platform,” Anne said.
Anne, who has been in charity works quietly for many years, decided to put up the Dream Machine after hearing stories of dream shaming.
“It is sad when people set dreams in their hearts only to be dream-shamed by people either because of their color, their status in life, (or) their current skills. It gets worse when it is their own family or loved ones who shoot down their dreams. The Dream Machine platform hopes to encourage dreamers to continue chasing their dreams and we will do our best to help them,” she adds.
Anne revealed that she also was a victim of dream shaming when people called her out for holding the Annebisyosa concert, saying she did not have the right chops to sing, much less do a concert.
“To sing before a huge audience was my dream. And I worked hard to make it happen. It was not something that I did just for myself, but the Annebisyosa concert was also my way of encouraging people to always fight for their dreams in the face of those that say you can’t do it,” Anne recalled.
Through Dream Machine, Anne hopes to connect with dreamers and learn more about their dreams through the Dream Machine website.
There are three categories of dreams that Dream Machine will be supporting. Youth, Education and Empowerment
“Before the school year started, we were approached by the General Roxas Elementary School in Quezon City for support in their school renovation. Dream Machine was very happy to help and we are hoping that the renovation would inspire the students to study better,” Anne shared.
To kick start the platform, Dream Machine is hosting the Color Run to empower the dreams of disabled children under the auspices of UNICEF. Anne has been a UNICEF ambassador for two years now.
“Proceeds of the Dream Machine Color Run will all go to the children with disabilities being taken care of by UNICEF. These children are dreamers, too, and you’ll be surprised that some of their dreams are not really for themselves but for their families,” Anne said.
Dream Machine will also roll out the red carpet for the dream weddings of three couples on the first quarter of next year. Couples are invited to share their love stories with Anne through the Dream Machine website. Three couples will be chosen and will be provided their own dream weddings by the Dream Machine.
“The Dream Machine wants to put a stop to dream shaming and instead would like to inspire and encourage more people to dream big. The Dream Machine wants to connect with the dreamers, the dream chasers. The platform serves as the dream-weaver, and will try to find ways to finally turn dream chasers into dream catchers,” Anne explained.
Anne said she’d be happy to welcome other people who would want to be part of the Dream Machine as dream-givers as much as she would love to hear the stories of the dreamers.
“At the end of the day, what Dream Machine hopes to achieve is to be able to inspire the dreamers, help them achieve their dreams and hopefully be able to start a dream revolution where there’ll be a lot of dream-givers to help the dreamers. The world will be a much happier place when that happens,” Anne said.
Dreamers may start sending in their dreams via the Dream Machine website http://www.dreammachine.ph/.
