Colegio de Sto. Tomas-Recoletos

Photos By Rachel Mae De Gracia

Gasa ni Tomas (Gift of St. Thomas) through the Community Extension & Development Office (CEDO) gathered 120 pedicab (foot-pedaled cab) drivers at Colegio de Sto. Tomas-Recoletos last December 22, 2022 despite the rain and cold northwesterly winds.

The beneficiaries joined CST-R religious administrators in prayer outside the St. Thomas of Villanova Chapel before they received their food packs.

Private benefactors, Thomasian alumni, parents and students all contributed rice, noodles, canned goods and hygiene products to complete one ‘Gasa’ pack.

Thomasian volunteers included the staff from CEDO, Campus Ministry Office (CMO), the Student Development & Placement Center (SDPC), the President’s Office, External Communications Office, and the scholars of Recollect Educational Assistance for Deserving Students (READS).

**The Gift that Endures.** Together with the beneficiaries, CST-R volunteers and religious administrators recite a prayer of blessing.

**CEDO Director.** Rev. Fr. Excel Saycon, OAR leads the Rites of Blessing as he is the new CST-R CEDO Director.

**Heart for the Drivers.** Pedicab drivers are close to the Thomasians’ hearts in that the pedicab or foot-pedaled tricycle cabs serve as primary public transport of students and teachers to school.

**The Tireless Servants.** Pedicab drivers brave heat and rain as they ply the streets of San Carlos City. Most of them declared very low income since schools were locked down due to the pandemic.

**Together.** Rev. Fr. Joel Dequilla, OAR (right in photo) also joined the volunteers with Fr. Saycon and Rev. Fr. Monday Benjamine Edobor, OAR.

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The Gift that Endures: Gasa ni Tomas 2022