UST HS Batch 88
How the vision began…
The success of the batch’s 20th year reunion last March 2008 had been an unprecedented affair and had paved the way for the members of the alumni to reunite and re-establish relationships with the people we grew up with and who in one way or the other played a part in molding who we are today.
With stronger bonds among the members, it was only inevitable that a common vision be established - how the batch can play a part in helping others.
Talks of a medical mission had been initiated almost immediately after the reunion and with this simple objective in mind — “With one small gesture, we can change a person’s life”
The USTHS Batch 88 organized the Tomasian Outreach Program (TOP), a medical mission aimed to provide for the people of Barangay Sangitan West Nueva Ecija. Under the leadership of Relly Fajardo, TOP’s objective was to provide medical, dental, ophthalmology and legal assistance and to sponsor a feeding program for children ages 1-7 years old.
As soon as the proposed mission was posted in the batch’s yahoo group thread, batch mates from both here and abroad showed interest and support in the program.
Preparations commenced on the 4th week of February 2009 and the mission set for April 4, 2009 at Nueva Ecija High School.
With the hands-on support of several of the batch members, medical, dental, ophthalmology and legal assistance had been made possible. The initial target of catering to 500 patients had been surpassed with more than 1,000 attended to. An estimated 300 children, pre-selected by DSWD were fed. Educational Scholarships were granted to deserving students.
With the Batch’s first project’s success and the strengthened bonds among the membership, the UST High School Batch 88 Alumni Assoc. Inc. was formed.
On September 2009, two major typhoons, Ondoy and Pepeng, brought catastrophic destruction in the Philippines. It was in witnessing the devastation of the flooding in Marikina, a major city of Metro Manila, that the members pooled the support of one another and organized relief efforts to the greatly affected families. Food, water, pails, mats, slippers, blankets, and old clothing were distributed.
2009 was the year when we were faced with the enormous challenges brought about by Climate Change. Our disconcerting experiences with Ondoy and Pepeng may have caused devastation but it has also provided us a platform for unity in achieving a common vision — AN ECO-SMART LIFESYLE.
Together, let us make a change towards a better lifestyle.
