Filipina adult content creator Maeurn Smiles has paid for a new school to be built for 300 children in her hometown of Cebu, but her gesture has sparked a surprising online backlash.
The project holds a deeply personal meaning for Maeurn, who dreamed of standing at the front of a classroom when she was growing up. She previously spent time teaching English to Chinese students, but her own dreams of going to university were shattered because her family couldn't afford to send her to college. Instead, she turned to creating adult content online, a move that ultimately made her wealthy enough to buy her way into the education sector.
Online Debate Over Funding Source
Her gesture sparked a fiery debate online, with trolls slamming the contrast between adult content income and children's education. Social media users on Reddit were left divided, with some brutally mocking the source of the funding and labelling the project as "ethical gooning". While others poked fun at the irony, supportive fans jumped to her defence, praising the star for using her money for a good cause.
From Land Purchase to School Construction
Back in 2024, Maeurn spent just over £21,000 (1.75 million Philippine peso) on a massive plot of land in Cebu. She originally planned to donate the plot to local authorities to build the school. However, she claims she hit a snag when officials told her she wouldn't be allowed to name the facility after her father. Maeurn decided to take matters into her own hands and fund the construction herself so she could honour her family name.
Learning Centre Already Open
While the main building, which is set to cater for around 300 children, is still under construction, Maeurn didn't wait around to start helping local kids. In 2025, she officially opened a smaller learning centre on the site. The early-access centre is already up and running, giving local youngsters hands-on access to science experiments, cooking classes and other practical lessons.
