Pamaskong Handog ng mga Inhenyero
The day was fine. The cool and fresh breeze of the wind signified that the
season of Christmas is already in the atmosphere. The sun never even concealed its
beams of light into the clouds, which made the weather just perfect for the event.
Some students clad in orange shirts walked enthusiastically, but at the same time
trying to keep their shoes clean from the mud and puddles of water which were
accumulated in the road from the past rainy days. Some of them were asking
wheres the venue of the program; but when they heard the distant beat of the
lively music, thats when they knew the answer.
It was on December 21, 2014 when the College of Engineering, spearheaded
by their College Director, Dr. Ma. Carla Y. Abaquita, conducted a Community-based
Extension Services entitled Pamaskong Handog ng mga Inhenyero at Sitio Abad,
Brgy. 8, Tuburan, Cebu. In the height of the destruction brought about by Typhoon
Ruby last December 6 of the same year which affect the coastal areas of the
community, the activity aimed to give smiles, hopes and gifts to the residents of the
community who participated in the event.
Amidst the difficulties of our lives, we hope to give Christmas gifts to the
people in Sitio Abad, said Dr. Abaquita in vernacular language during the delivery
of her statement of purpose. She added that activity also aimed to give some useful
knowledge to the parents who take an interest in the event.
Sacrificing the Christmas Party
While most of the CTUnians were joyfully celebrating their homeroom
Christmas parties last December 19, 2014, the fourth year engineering students
along with the other students from the lower years were celebrating the party
differently. That was by helping in the preparation for the extension services:
packing the gifts, purchasing for the needed materials and planning for the event.
For the engineering students, no other joy will be compared to the joy that they
have felt while imagining the smiles of the kids when they will receive the gifts.
Its very worth it. Its still okay that we arent able to have our party because
helping others by giving back their smiles amidst the effects of the past calamities
brought much greater joy to me than having a party, said Jemar Aguanta, a BSCEIV student. He also expressed his happiness and joy in seeing the unity among the
student body and the faculty in making the event a success.
Information Drive
The faulty sound system didnt stop the organizers from pursuing one of the
highlights of the activity which is the information drive for the children and the
parents.
For the children, the topics that were discussed are the proper hygiene,
sanitation and diet. These were discussed by Lea Marie Patindol, BSIE-IV; Janine
Roldan, BSCE-IV; and Antonietta Sangutan, BSCE-IV. The discussion was wellabsorbed by the curious and participative children who wished to know how to live a
healthy life.
It is really necessary that while theyre still young, they have to be informed
regarding the topic in order to help them keep themselves clean and healthy. They
also have to be aware on the complications and diseases brought about by the
failure to clean their bodies or indulge in an improper diet, Miss Patindol stated.
On the other hand, the parents have been discussed regarding fertilizermaking using eggshells and banana peelings by Engr. Reyna V. Ambos, a Civil
Engineering instructor. This was intended to share some knowledge and insights on
how to effectively grow their plants well. She enumerated the procedures that are
needed to be followed accurately in making an effective fertilizer out of the given
materials.
Instead of throwing away those eggshells and banana peelings like most of
us used to do, we could use it as an effective helper in growing our vegetables well,
which would in turn help us kep our children grow healthy, she said during the
discussion.
Feeding Program and the Bundles of Joy
Part of the extension services was the feeding program and giving bundles of
joy to the children. After the exhausting, yet, enjoyable games organized by SES
Vice President, Mr. Riojon Benitez, all children, not just the winners, received their
prizes and rewards: a handful of sweets and a steaming cup of nutritious sospas.
Miss Kristine Hope Luceno, a BSCE-II student who was one of the in-charge in
cooking the sospas expressed, It was very stressful. The kitchens hot and we smell
of smoke and burnt wood. But when I saw the smile that a child wears when he
received his cup of porridge, the exhaustion and complaints were immediately
gone.
After the feeding program, the giving of the bundles of joy became the most
anticipated part because most of the children were very eager to get a grip of their
early Christmas gifts. The bundle consists of a toothbrush, toothpaste and a soap
which are necessary for their personal hygiene. Not just that. A hundred pair of
slippers formed into the words CTU ENGG was awaiting for the excited possessors.
The names were called; giving each of them enough time to find for the right
size of slipper for their feet and at the same time receiving their bundles of joy while
some of the engineering students sang a number of jolly Christmas songs. Anyone
who witnessed the event could really see the smiles and hear the laughter of the
children. It was really amazing how a simple bunch of gifts became the right formula
to create a smile and give joy to every child.
A Bunch of Thanks
Miss Antonietta Sangutan, SES President, recalled how stressful and tiresome
it is to organize such event. She expressed that it wouldnt have been possible to
carry out such good outcome if everybody havent united during those busy days.
Im very happy that everybody helped in making the event successful. I offer my
heartfelt gratitude to our College Director, Dr. Ma. Carla Y. Abaquita; to the
Chairwoman of the Extension Services, Mrs Devonna M. Celedonio; to the faculty of
the College of Engineering and to the students as well,
Even the residents of Sitio Abad were very happy and thankful for the activity.
Almost everybody could hear the chorus of thanks every time a child got a hold of
his gift.
Nindot kaayo ning inyong gipasiugda dinhi sa among dapit. Nagpasalamat
kaayo mi nga naabot mo dinhi aron sa pagtampo sa inyong grasya aron malipay
kaming tanan lakip na ang mga bata, Mrs. Marissa Villas, a resident of Sitio Abad,
said whole-heartedly.
Romeo Perez, one of the children also expressed his thanks to the organizers
for the gifts that they have received. Nalipay jud ko ug nagpasalamat nga naa mo
diri. Salamat sad kaayo sa inyong gihatag! he said with a smile, while hugging his
possessions. He then skipped happily towards the chapel with his new brightcolored pair of slippers, never removing the smile that had been painted a while
ago. (JLMJ)
