FEU TAMbayanis lend
helping hand
to calamity victims
THE spirit of volunteerism is well and alive among students and at FEU, student leaders are pitching in to help the community get back on its feet.
The students, headed by the FEU Central Student Organization (FEUCSO), Institute Student Councils (ISC) and University-wide organizations with the Office of Student Affairs and Community Services (OSACS), are working together to help out in relief operations.
"I was in Rizal and classes were suspended. But I have to be at FEU and be part of the team," said Rey Mart Luna, senior Political Science student-volunteer. "I felt the need of the victims. Instead of enjoying the week-long suspension, I decided to be involved in TAMBayani."
"TAMBayani is a manifestation of the spirit of volunteerism and sacrifices of the FEU Tamaraws," said Ramon Victor Roxas, current FEU CSO President. "TAMBayani (Bayaning Tamaraws)" is a term coined by the student leaders referring to the members of the FEU community (administrators, faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni and friends) who volunteered their time, service and resources in helping out the typhoon victims.
FEU donated over P1.3 million worth of goods. More than 3,000 sets of relief packs were distributed to FEU student survivors and other typhoon victims. "Aside from the food items distributed, clothes and medicines were also dispensed," said Dr. Marcon Espino, FEU Student Development Coordinator. The group reached out to several flood-hit areas located in Marikina, Pasig, Rizal (Calawis, Antipolo, Binangonan) and Bulacan (Marilao).
To date, the FEU-TAMBayani is continuing its operations targeting communities in Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Pangasinan.
"Apart from the volunteer work we do at FEU for the repacking and distribution of relief goods, FEU students and employees also volunteered to various relief centers such as ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya, GMA-7’s Operation Bayanihan, Gawad-Kalinga, and Children’s Hour to name a few," said Jan Marie De Leon, president of the Institute of Nursing Student Council. "Though we started distributing goods to FEU student victims, we did not forget to reach out to those individuals and families who are in dire need of assistance," said Tamaraw Volunteers President Carlos Monares.
Students who were involved in the operation experienced a different kind of fulfillment. Sophomore, Sean Anthony Victorio expressed, "It’s a wonderful feeling when you were able to help people and they appreciate you with smiles in their eyes." "I, too, was a typhoon victim but being part of this project is my way of giving thanks to those who helped us. I am blessed that’s why I served to be a blessing to others," shared Jose Alfredo Kalinga, an Internal Auditing major.
TAMBayani is in line with FEU’s mission-vision of nurturing a service-oriented and environment-conscious community that seeks to contribute to the advancement of the society. "This operation will run until the yuletide season as part of the Christmas Cheers project," said Roxas.