MANILA, Philippines ? Fourteen single mothers were given a special treat Wednesday.

They were shown how to make pastillas de leche in a cooking demonstration by chef Maigie Atienza-Feria and baking program head chef Ramon Castillo of the Institute of Culinary Arts and Food Service at the Far Eastern University's (ICF @ FEU).

For Feria and Castillo, the cooking lesson was not only a chance to showcase their skills but also an opportunity to share them, in this instance, to single mothers who could in turn start their own business.

At the same time, the community service is part of an annual event that allows companies to pick out an activity that aims to touch the lives of people even for a day.

?Servathon? provides firms with the chance to fulfill their corporate social responsibility, said Wynn Wynn Ong, president of Hands of Manila, a non-profit organization that supports the activity, which enables members of top corporations to take a day off to do community work.

"Servathon is our own little way of rekindling the classic Filipino trait of 'bayanihan' wherein communities assist one another in building homes and other similar causes," said Ong at the kickoff of the event.

Servathon 2010, to be held on September 18, aims to provide assistance to the elderly, street children, single mothers, differently-abled individuals, and the environment, Ong said.

Last year, Servathon volunteers gave up an entire day to construct and renovate homes and schools, plant trees, and help in coastal clean-up.

For FEU president Dr. Lydia Echauz, Servathon has given her staff a chance to feel empowered by helping in the development of their communities.

Feria and Castillo's lively cooking demonstration, for example, focused on the nutritional values, packaging and costing of the products.

Other companies have expressed interest in doing their bit of community work, said Ong, considering this to be ?all in a day?s work.?