WHAT happened on the night of December 16, 2021, was traumatic, heartbreaking, and full of catastrophic emotions. But darkest days are not stationary. Minutes, hours, and days keep on moving, taking the road towards the goodness of hope. And if not only one but more people take part in the process of recovery, surely, it goes a long way to beautiful aspirations. So, if you can be an instrument of a generous act, don’t hold yourself back.
Earlier this year, the Camambugan National High School teachers spearheaded by the school principal Mrs. Joelita Cantoria-Salmasan, took the initiative to contribute at least five hundred pesos for the purchase of basic goods intended for the school relief operation. Everybody helped in the repacking and delivering of the relief goods to the parents of our dear learners. But everybody also was affected, including us, teachers. Nonetheless, it was an act full of benevolence. It was all pure and genuine.
There’s also a story that I wanted to share, a story of coming to an event and laughing together and how these actions turned into an inspiring tale of gratitude and kindness.
Camambugan National High School is a public high school under Ubay I Northeast District. Last May 13, 2022, the school boldly celebrated her 50th Founding Anniversary and Grand Alumni Homecoming with strict compliance with the fundamental health protocols.
Despite the little time spent on the preparation, the event was successful and productive. Alumni coming from different batches through the years gracefully attended such a milestone. The thirst of getting together with their classmates was all evident.
Everything and everyone were in a full swing. Their fair share of stories and laughter was like the missing hymn of the good old days. As one of the teachers in this institution, I am honored and glad to have witnessed and been given the chance to become part of this golden celebration.
But what is more inspiring is how they felt gratitude towards their alma mater. Knowing that the school was really in need of donations and generosity from people, these alumni didn’t think twice and even came prepared.
Commitment forms reflecting the amount or in-kind to be donated were all sealed with assurance from different batches and individuals.
Because many took part and didn’t hold back, a fund was raised, and even in-kind donations were realized for the alumni project – the school covered court. There was also a fund-raising activity done to support the school feeding program. It was a generous amount of money with a total of Php 22,794.50.
However, it was not only the alumni who unselfishly gave time and resources to the school. The teachers of Camambugan National High School also took part in finding financial resources for the immediate repairs of school facilities. The parents too were very supportive of this endeavor. The PTA agreed to let the fund shoulder the roofing expenses of the three classrooms of the SEDP building. The cost amounted to Php 286,535.00, including the expenses spent for the roofing of the office and labor charges. In addition, general repairs were done using the money from the MOOE and other classroom repairs were fixed using the solicited amount.
Right: Recent status of the building after a major repair using the PTA Fund.
The stakeholders’ support is giving life and hopes to our learners. It is fulfilling and rewarding to know that everybody took part in this school Bayanihan. Though after the typhoon, more than ten classrooms were affected with great damage, and eight were in a bad state with no roofs and ceilings, progress is taking faster than expected. It may not be as ideal as one hundred percent, but when the spirit of resilience is validated by hope, and when hope is resonated with kindness, it is easier to carry out and conquer difficulties together. Despair has no room when everyone has their fair share of kindness to give. Indeed, as I have heard this many times, “people can never go wrong with kindness.”
