It was a ‘sentimental’ visit for the four of us that Aug. 6 afternoon when we went to Graciano Lopez Jaena Elementary School in Bacolod City.
The school and the nearby Muslim community had been the heart of the Service-Learning Program of my St. La Salle Mass Communication students for 16 years until my retirement from the university eight years ago.
Three of my former students joined me that afternoon – Roming Subaldo, who covered our activity for Digicast Negros; Karla Panganiban, who was home from Taipei for her grandma’s funeral two days earlier, and was the emcee of our event, and lawyer Joevel Bartolome, who was my partner in our fundraiser. Roming was a member of my S-L pioneering class, which served schoolchildren in the mountain barangay of Bi-ao in Binalbagan in 2004.
We were turning over the toilets for boys and girls that our Service-Learning alumni and friends raised for the Madrasah, or Arabic Muslim Culture, classroom, which had been the center of our peace-building and literacy program.
For almost a month, through social media, we reached out to our alumni from far and near to help construct the facilities needed for the hygiene and well-being of the Madrasah learners.
They did respond and we met our target amount and even surpassed it that we managed to build two toilets (instead of just one as initially planned) in about three weeks.
The help came from alumni and friends within the country and abroad – Denmark, United Kingdom, Australia, Dubai, United States and Taiwan.
The occasion, while generally a joyful one, turned out also sentimental for some parents, upon seeing the video we prepared that chronicled in a capsule the 16 years of “constructing and connecting bridges of friendship and pace” as our S-L song said, which served as background music for the visual presentation.
Our beloved Warda Magondacan, the Madrasah teacher through the years of our Service -Learning activities, was visibly emotional that she had to pause a number of times while delivering her recollections during the turnover program.
Newly-appointed principal, Sir Dennis Estaniel expressed great appreciation for the toilet donation as he also recalled our earlier ties in the football program of the province and the campus paper of his previously-supervised school which gained regional recognition with my help, which he acknowledged.
Two Madrasah learners – Arief Adiong and Omera Zahra Deog – delivered short messages.
Also attending the turnover program, were my previous USLS colleague, Dexter Ian Tabujara, who now leads the University S-L program. He briefly discussed the S-L program of USLS, its international links and the University thrusts in civic engagement.
Upon my invitation, the S-L team from Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan led by Prof. Paul (Tseng Shengyi), which is on its 10th year of annual trip to Bacolod for cultural exchange and services, also attended the program.
Prof. Paul told the school principal his team is considering to extend help to the Madrasah classroom, which has been part of their annual schedule.
Another supporter of the Madrasah program, Jess Calixto of Good Samaritan, took time to join us.
We thank GLJES’ Sir Giovannie Genit for his encouraging words, Ma’am Ma. Agnes Joy Ledesma, who was very helpful in the visual flow of the program and school staff Roger Pillon for his aesthetic help during the event.
Shukran to the mothers of the learners and other community members who enthusiastically welcomed us and supported the activity. Almira Tahir, a Madrasah PTA officer delivered a Muslim prayer before I said a thanksgiving prayer.
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May I take this opportunity to thank our alumni and friends who supported our toilet-construction project:
Mary Catherine Abayon, Vaneza Lagman-Abrantes, SherizzebAcot-Bibat, lawyers Maddie Arbolado and Nelie France Sanchez;
Jan Marie Belleza, Kamille Sophia Borromeo, Jensen Cervantes, Therese Baba-Christensen, Lenny Grace De Asis;
Precious Doble, January Dumdumaya, Joanna Grace Fades, Mary Vick Shannon Garibay, Nelson Gatuteo, Ken Jaum, Robert Lesterio, Pauline Angels Mabasa, Allysha Mustapha, Gerhard Pagunsan;
Karla Panganiban, Precious Panganiban, Nelson Adrian Remo, Meryl Sioquim, Jemaimah Taladico, Benz Tiu, Kathreen Joyce Tubid and two others who preferred anonymity. Madamo nga salamat sa inyo tanan, and may God continue to shower you with his grace, mercy and blessings.
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Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Hebrews 13:6) | NWI
