This article was based on the updates from the Miriam Identity Spirituality and Mission Office (MISMO) as of 1 December 2020.
Severe forces of nature have additionally made 2020 a year of unprecedented misfortune. With two strong typhoons coming back-to-back, large parts of the Luzon region reeled from their powerful winds and rain that caused extensive property damage and loss of lives.
Once again, the goodness and compassion of the Miriam College community and the alumni community were immediately evident. Helping communities and our very own colleagues who were badly impacted from the two typhoons was an organic response. The Miriam Identity, Spirituality and Mission Office (MISMO) coordinated the institutional response to extend assistance to the most affected.
Below is the MISMO report on how the contributions from the internal and alumni community benefited from their generous response.
Typhoon Rolly
After the onslaught of Typhoon Rolly, Miriam College (through MISMO) partnered with Santuario de San Antonio Parish Foundation to aid those severely affected by the typhoon. The collaboration was made possible through Fr. Reu Galoy, OFM, the Parish Priest of Santuario de San Antonio. The chosen beneficiary is Barangay Agojo, San Andres Catanduanes. The community is under the pastoral care of St. Pius X Parish, San Andres, Catanduanes, and is administered by the Franciscans or the Order of Friars Minor (OFM’s). As of this posting, the total amount of computed monetary donation is P370,165.80. The amount of P298,856 came from bank donations while P71,309.80 came from salary deductions of MC employees. The amount will be used to assist and help build the houses of the people in Barangay Agojo, San Andres, Catanduanes. Miriam College extends its grateful and sincerest appreciation to our donors from different sectors of our institution - alumni, teaching and nonteaching personnel, students, parents, and other generous individuals who supported this cause.
Typhoon Ulysses
Just days after Typhoon Rolly brought devastations in many areas in the country, Typhoon Ulysses entered and likewise left trails of damages and demolishment in many areas of Luzon, including Metro Manila. Several employees were badly affected because of the massive flooding that submerged their houses. Another call for donations was made particularly for the benefit of MC employees badly affected by Typhoon Ulysses. As of this update posting, the verified solicited amount (including pledges for salary deductions) is P291,630.00.
Care Packages
A total of 125 care packages were packed and prepared by MISMO staff with the help of some janitorial and maintenance of MC. The care packages include a variety of canned goods, rice, biscuits, noodles, bottled water, etc. Through the help of the ASD office, the goods were delivered to MC employees affected by Typhoon Ulysses. The rest of the packages were donated to SDTEC employees and students who were likewise affected by the typhoon.
Clean Up Drive
Typhoon Ulysses brought back memories of Ondoy. Our MC community members were not spared. It would have been easy to call for various kinds of donations and for volunteers to repack and to do cleanup. But it was not. This pandemic calls for a more careful deliberation regarding these matters, as it comes with various risks. Considering many factors, it was decided that internal efforts be coordinated by MISMO - to call for donations for specifically for the affected MC employees. In the spirt of Bayanihan, the funds collected was able to give us assistance for cleanup to employees whose homes where severely affected by the typhoon. The “Cleanup Team” was composed of our outsourced personnel -- our janitors and guards, who went in groups to Marikina, Rodriguez, Batasan, Antipolo, Cainta, and Pasig areas. Their mission was to help clean the aftermath of the typhoon - mostly mud piles caused by the floods. A total of 26 households were given assistance in their post-typhoon cleaning, with 54 personnel (counts) deployed during this bayanihan activity. This activity did not only rendered help to our employees, but has given extra income for our outsourced personnel whose monthly income has been significantly reduced. Indeed, despite its disastrous effects, the typhoon has also highlighted care and concern within the MC community - something we can hold on to during these times of calamities and crises.
-MISMO Updates as of 1 December 2020
The Alumni Engagement Office would like to thank alumni classes and individuals who have contributed to these relief efforts: College 1974, HS 1972, College 1976, Lisa Altavas Cosgayon (College 1970), Marie Chua (College 1971), Precy Florentino (College 1968), Prescy Villanueva Cancio (College 1968), Emelina Almario (College 1967), Ma. Lourdes Lacuna-Javellana (College 1974), Nina Daza-Puyat (HS 1980), Drs. Gerry and Larcy Ibarra (HS 1975), Edith Corazon Ramirez (College 1979), Hannah Francesca Constantino (HS 2015), Evelyn Eugenio (College 1962), Maria Cristina Asuncion (HS 1981), Maria Lourdes Nicolas-Mendoza (College 1979), HS 1974, Emmanuel dela Paz (College 2002), Rebecca Vicky Galang (College 1969), Don and Georgia Alviar (HS 1963), Carlota Laxamana (College 1972), Edith Alcantara (College 1968), Celia Tanseco-Lising (College 1967), Linda Ferrer (HS 1966), Ria Habana (HS 1989), Mia Angela Alentajan (GS 1984), Sylvia Montes-Marasigan (HS 1974), Phylis Montes-Mirasol (HS 1978), Josefina Tan (College 1965), and 11 Thatcher (HS 2020). From the bottom of our hearts, our heartfelt thanks.