Reports By Shiena Basanta, Ma. Nita Bolo and Paulo Malazarte (Grade 12-NSS)
Photos By CSTR GSP, Team Event, BJMP-SCC
“CST-R GUGMA believes giving is a great way to bring people together, to serve and share blessings, and to give hope,” Ms. Ma. Nita V. Bolo, GUGMA spokesperson said.
CST-R’s outreach programs touched three communities as Christmas 2019 rolls in—the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology- San Carlos City (BJMP-SCC), Andres Bonifacio Central Elementary School in Barangay V (ABCES), and Sition Tunga, Barangay Palampas.
At least 259 inmates of the BJMP-SCC received gifts from Thomasians. Gift packs included noodles, milk drink, coffee and toiletries that Thomasians had been collecting since late of October 2019.
The visit and gift-giving program was held last December 14, 2019.
CST-R Campus Minister Rev. Fr. Renier I. Alviola, OAR together with the READS, assigned faculty and staff and the Supreme Student Council officers also entertained, encouraged and inspired the inmates.
A carolling contest of 12 groups featured different kinds of original Christmas compositions.
“Thank you God for giving us CST-R,” one inmate shared.
The jail visit was a true fulfillment of GUGMA’s essence of “giving ultimate gifts” because givers and receivers shared in the bliss of the Christmas season. The unfading smiles and ringing laughters of everyone at the BJMP-SCC were enough proof.
Meanwhile, the kids and mothers of Sitio Tunga in Barangay Palampas also received bundles of joy from CST-R GUGMA last December 21, 2019.
Upon arriving at Señor San Vicente Ferrer Chapel, excited children welcomed the Thomasians. The little ones were already anticipating the day’s activities.
Games and exciting games were the opening salvo followed by the feeding program.
Early Christmas treats to the children and mothers included toys, clothing and canned goods. These truly surprised the children of Sitio Tunga.
“It was such a joy to see their happy faces as we distributed our gifts,” Ms. Bolo said.
Student-volunteers and Team Event-JHS also joined the staff during the Sitio Tunga outreach.
At least 80 children took part in the activity and received our early Christmas gifts.
Meanwhile, selected pupils of ABCES received toys and books from the Girls Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) of CST-R.
Thomasian GSP’s annual gift-giving event brought joy to its beneficiaries because the scouts also organized different parlor games that became a bonding session for all participants.
Toys and books for kids were collected from November 2019 using a huge balikbayan box. Thomasians simply dropped their beloved items so that they could be loved and cared for by new owners.
Stuffed animals, pop-up books, letter blocks and baby puzzles all hyped the energy of the kids who now look up to their Thomasian “Ates” as role models.
GUGMA can be traced back to the outreach program of CST-R Staff in Sitio Tunga. It is now on its sixth year and has finally taken full shape as GUGMA. CST-R office staff would gather to prepare gifts and a warm sumtuous meal for the children-beneficiaries of their program. Now, even the administrators, teachers and students are fully involved in the sharing of love and joy during the Christmas season.
This year, Thomasians who relentlessly shared their blessings and support the outreach program empower GUGMA. To them, CST-R is truly thankful.
