The Maryknoll spirit of “Making God’s love visible” has never been more apparent as we witnessed Miriam alumni come together to give care and support to those affected by the coronavirus epidemic.

The enhanced community quarantine did not stop MC alumni batches from uniting and demonstrating community solidarity at a time of a public health emergency.   From their homes and using personal networks and social media, our alumni put their hands and resources together to provide support and assistance to health workers and affected communities. Given the constraints faced by numerous hospitals to respond to a new and unexpected epidemic, there was a clear need to provide health facilities and workers with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPEs) so they could rapidly and adequately respond to the needs of many communities.

Many classes lost no time to mobilize and marshal their resources to provide assistance ranging from providing food to medical frontliners and hospital staff, extending financial assistance to civil society groups on the ground, and bringing food for marginalized communities.  In addition, prayers for the sick and those who succumbed to COVID-19 and for their loved ones  became the daily call  in social media messages.

Crisis brings out the best in all of us, and alumni classes realized that this COVID-19 epidemic needed no less than a unified class response. Among the classes we are aware of that generously extended their hearts and hands to our front line health workers include:

• Maryknoll/Miriam College Alumni Association (MMCAA) – PPEs for
  hospitals
• HS 1984 – support for Kaya Natin! Movement of the Office of the Vice President
• HS 2005 and HS 2008, with a contribution from HS 1992 – PPEs for hospitals
• HS 2004 – PPEs for COVID-19 centers (joined the #All4OnePH which was a collective effort of 17 schools with HS graduates from 2004)
• HS 1968 – PPEs and meals for hospitals, food bags for depressed areas, purchasing assistance for seniors, rosary brigade, and support for Fr. Manoling Francisco SJ and Tanging Yaman Foundation
• GS 1955, HS 1959, COL 1963 – assistance for loved ones and employees
• GS 1989, HS 1993 – PPEs for hospitals
• HS 1982 – food and PPEs for hospitals
• GS 1990, HS 1994 – PPEs for hospitals and support for Skin and Cancer Foundation
• COL 1976 – PPEs for UP Medical Foundation Inc.
• HS 2008 – food drive for Payatas
• HS 2000 – pulse oximeters for East Ave Medical Center
• COL 1973 – food for depressed barangays in Antipolo
• HS 1996 – PPEs for hospitals
• HS 1995 – PPEs for hospitals
• GS 1994, HS 1998 – PPEs for hospitals
• GS 1985, HS 1989 – PPEs and other supplies for hospitals
• HS 1971 – alcohol for PGH
• HS 1973 – PPEs for hospitals
• HS 1992 – PPEs for hospitals

Their rapid response helped numerous hospitals serve our people better, among them, Amang Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Chinese General Hospital, Diliman Doctors Hospital, Dr. Jesus C. Delgado Memorial Hospital, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Dr. Jose Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, East Avenue Medical Center, Eastern Visayas Medical Center, FEU-NRMF Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Hospital, Lucena Medical Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, Marikina Valley Medical Center, Mary Chiles General Hospital, Medical Center Imus, National Children’s Hospital, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Novaliches District Hospital, Philippine General Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Orthopedic Center, PNP General Hospital, Providence Hospital, Rizal Medical Center, St. Luke’s Medical Center, The Medical City and UERMMMC and UST Hospital.

The generosity of many individual alumni must not go unrecognized. Though we do not know all of you who, in your own personal ways, heeded the call of your hearts, your actions are greatly appreciated.  Alumni like Nina Lim Yuson (COL 68), Marla Yotoko Chorengel (COL 64) Jing Consunj (COL 68), Edna del Rosario (COL 68) were among those who quickly extended their support to their respective communities and organizations. There are many more whom we are not aware of.  To you, our heartfelt thanks.

BIG HEARTS, OPEN HANDS

We also had alumni classes and individuals who responded to the Miriam Call for Action for a safety net fund for Miriam outsourced personnel who would be losing their jobs due to the enhanced community quarantine.  To the MMCAA, College 1978, Marla Yotoko Chorengel, Alicia Dumpit, Socorro Reyes, Vicki Bantug Hoffarth – our staff extend their gratitude. 

The hearts of our MC alumni are big, our hands are wide open when it involves caring for others.  That’s the Maryknoll/Miriam spirit we continue to live out.  It is also a Christian response.  In the words of our Holy Father, Pope Francis: 

“Living for others is a rule of nature.  We are all born to help each other.  No matter how difficult it is.  Life is good when you are happy, but much better when others are happy because of you”
 

Did your batch help out in COVID-19 efforts? Please, tell us about it! Email miriamcollegealumni@gmail.com