12 Years of Service
Pahinungód Manila Celebrates 12 Years of Community Service
that is Distinctly UP.
“We
want to give back to the people what the country has given us.”
This desire is the underlying current running through every community
service done by UP people.With the establishment of Ugnayan ng
Pahinungód by the UP System in 1994, community service
became institutionalized.
Although
established in 1994, Pahinungód Manila is very sentimental
about its Inception Anniversary date of September 24, 1993. Now
in its 12th year, OPCE is shifting its advocacy campaign to high
gear. It is also the time to fully open its doors to non-UP volunteers
who want to serve the nation.
This
year’s celebration theme was “Volunteerism: Getting
Everybody into the Action” and it wanted to increase people’s
awareness on the role of volunteers in nation-building. OPCE wanted
to get the message across that people should vent their activism
through peaceful and health nation-building, instead of politicking.
The
celebration began with a Mass at 8:00 a.m. at the PGH Chapel and
proceeded with its program to the Pahinungod Office. Pahinungod
Director Dr. Eric Talens opened the ceremony with his speech on
how Pahinungod is trying to re-launch the program to involve everybody
in UP-PGH. It was followed by inspirational messages from UP Vice
President for Public Affairs Dr. Cristina Hidalgo about the struggles
of a UP person who chose to serve the public above all else, and
from UPM Chancellor Dr. Marita Reyes about how she believes that
Pahinungod is a well-meaning program that should be continued.
The
chairperson of each sub-programs also introduced the service programs
they handle and talked about their plans to fortify the services:
Dr. Jorge Concepcion presented the Emergency Room Volunteers Program;
Dr. April Llaneta (also the newest chairperson) officially launched
the Health Training Program as a newly structured service program
under Community Health; Dr. Anthony Cordero presented the ideals
and plans of the Summer Immersion Service Program; Prof. Arnulfo
Esguerra introduced the activities of the Program for the Street
Children; and Prof. Celia Bonilla presented the advocacy program
and launched the publications of OPCE. Most especially, a video
coverage of Pahinungod’s activity for the street children
(courtesy of ABC 5) was shown.
The
ceremony finished with awards and recognition. As a goodbye gift,
Director Talens handed Chancellor Reyes a Plaque of Recognition
for her unwavering support to Pahinungód and for declaring
UPM as the “volunteerism university.” A humble feast
began. After lunch, the volunteers enjoyed a game of treasure
hunt and other fun-filled activities. The celebration would not
have been fun and meaningful if not for its many sponsors. These
are the Philippine College of Physicians; Nestle, Philippines;
Carlo Rossi; Purefoods-San Miguel; Ayala Foundation; Vendome Insurance;
Dr. Mario de Villa; Lorenzo Tanada Foundation; Cong. Junie Cua;
and VSO Bahaginan.
