MQC Assists Ondoy Victims

San Pedro, Guagua - Mary the Queen College (Pampanga), Inc. (MQCPI) Community Outreach with the concerned students of the institution extended its helping hand through the distribution of relief goods to estimated 100 families who are extremely affected by the typhoon Ondoy last September 25, 2009.

Volunteers of the said relief operations have displayed the spirit of charity and volunteerism in case of disasters. Donations such as canned goods, noodles, and in-kind were given by the concerned student donors. Coffee and sugar from Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) and 10 sacks of rice purchased by the administration were included in the bags of relief goods.

The packing were successfully done the day before the distribution of goods at the school’s canteen. This was highly participated by the MQC Central Student Council (CSC), Recognized Student Officers (RSO) of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA), YES, IMS, TFE, and HMS teaching and non teaching personnel of the school.

The relief operations was organized through the efforts of the Community Outreach headed by Mrs. Maria Fe B. Gonzales and Mr. Richard N. Briones, Head of Office of the Student Affairs. Mr. Dennis Montalvo, President of the Community Outreach and other student leaders were also present in the packing of goods to extend such aid for the flood victims which relevantly reflects the Vision-Mission statement of MQCPI; to set an environment of a community living out the Gospel values in thought, word and deed so as to be socially responsible.

Volunteers rushed as soon as they arrived to the barangay hall since the affected citizens wait for their coming. The people of San Pedro, Guagua were indeed excited with the coming of these relief goods. It is only evidence that their livelihood and lifestyle were greatly affected by this natural calamity. Through the stubs provided by the Office of the Student Affairs, receivers of these tickets were distributed to the extremely affected families in the barangay. Beneficiaries were commanded to form their line for the distribution of the goods so as to facilitate it in an organized manner.

Recipients in the host barangay greatly appreciated the extension of the hand of the MQC Outreach Community. They also gave their gratitude to the volunteers and donors of the goods who were responsible in making the relief operations possible.

With the operations success, once again MQC community has responded to a call to action in helping the less fortunate brothers and sisters.

By Kevin Nelson D. Asuncion,BSA II

MQC Joins ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya Relief Operations

Mary the Queen College (Pampanga) joins other volunteers of Sagip Kapamilya warehouse to help in the packing of relief goods in their own small way last October 01, 2009 at Examiner Street, Quezon City.

The group left MQC at five o’clock in the afternoon and reached ABS-CBN at about eight o’clock in the evening. Upon arrival, the team joined other groups of volunteers in the packing of relief goods. They sorted different goods such as rice, canned goods, coffee, noodles and clothes.

Community Outreach head, Mrs. Maria Fe B. Gonzales, along with Mr. Richard Briones, Head of the Student Affairs, Mr. Gregorio Maniti, Registrar, Mrs. Charito M. Acuña , Mrs. Marlita T. Palomares, Ms. Lulu Belnas faculty of the Theology Department, with Ms. Lucia S. Arce, of the Total Quality Management along with some student leaders and some volunteer students contributed their time and effort to the relief program of the said network.

Because another typhoon was about to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility hitting also Central Luzon, volunteers coming from distant places were encouraged to go home. This was a news advisory received by the Relief Operations in-charge who made the announcement to the volunteers. With this information, Mrs. Gonzales decided to pull-out the group for safety reasons. The group’s effort from the MQC-Pampanga Chapter was acknowledge by the network and was given the sincerest gratitude through a big round of applause given by the other volunteers.

On their way home to Pampanga, the group felt a sense of fulfillment because they were able to somehow extend help to the victims. They were overwhelmed by the feeling of being one with other schools in Metro Manila, like University of Sto. Tomas and San Beda College doing something for a noble cause.

Mr. Christopher M. De los Santos, MQC President of Central Student Council said, “It is absolutely a new experience for me because it is my first time to be a volunteer to a program of a network in extending help to calamity victims. It is rewarding and self-fulfilling because once in your life, you were given the opportunity to serve other people not with financial help but through the time and effort you have given them.”

Truly, MQC commits to its mission of social responsibility not only within the province of Pampanga but to other parts of the country.

By Sarah A. Colis, BSA III

MQCPI holds Medical and Dental Mission

The personnel and student volunteers of Mary the Queen College (Pampanga) Inc. (MQCPI), together with volunteer doctors, nurses, dentists, Guagua Barangay Council and Health Workers, conducted a Medical, Dental Mission and a Feeding Program last October 25, 2009 with the theme: “Lingap at Lugud ng Maria” at its school grounds. The said mission was undertaken for the benefit of more than 300 indigent residents of barangays San Pedro, Sta Rosa, San Anton, San Juan, San Matias, San Roque, Betis, Sto. Cristo, San Rafael and Barangay Quilo who are most in need of Medical and Dental Assistance.

The Mission was implemented in line with MQC’s objective which is to provide Health Care Services through free medical and dental check-up and free medicines. Along with the mission is a feeding program for some malnourished children of the different barangays in the locality.

The Mission started at 8:00AM. As the head of the Community Outreach, and with the help of Mr. Richard N. Briones, Head of the Office of the Student Affairs, we gladly welcomed with enthusiasm and gratitude the volunteer Doctors, Nurses, Dentists, the members of the Rotary Club of Guagua Chapter, the 13^th Ready Reserve Air Group headed by TSg. Rufino M. Candelaria, Philippine Air Force Reserve (PAFR) and the Volunteer Student Nurses of the University of the Assumption. The Dental Team led by Dr. Candy Cancio also came along with other dentists in this great humanitarian effort.

Residents of some barangays in Guagua with stubs, and a few walk-ins were all accommodated by the Team. Some of the MQC personnel and student volunteers helped in the registration and in directing people where to go. They were also responsible in assisting the patients as they wait for their turns. Others involved themselves in the feeding of about 100 malnourished children.

To the many volunteers outside MQC, they were amazed to witness such an orderly and well organized operation led by the vibrant and down to earth MQC President, Mr. Michael B. Lapid. The President with his leadership, along with the organizers was able to make the event successful with only two week’s preparation.

The Dean of College, Mrs. Dolores T. Quiambao, who has to attend a Parochial Celebration in Guagua Church in celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary came in the afternoon and gave her moral support to all the volunteers. She further made commendation by extending her sincerest congratulations to everyone for a job well done.

In the interview conducted by Sarah Colis, a staff of Papyrus (MQC’s Official Publication), positive remarks and feedback were given by some of the volunteers. Mr. Mark Sulit, RN., Clinical Instructor of the University of the Assumption said, “For a school like MQC who is just starting, it is overwhelming that it was able to conduct a Medical and Dental Mission. My heart is filled with happiness everytime I am joining a Medical Mission. I don’t feel the tiredness. I am glad that I can help other people. MQC community is very hospitable. We are entertained so much.” In addition, Dr. Danny V. Villanueva said, “As long as there is a directive from the higher office, we obey no matter how busy we are. Medical Missions serve as avenues to the less fortunate. It’s a good feeling that we are helping in a little way in uplifting the health status of the community. The MQC staff and volunteers are very accommodating. They were attending to the needs of the participants and mostly to the recipients of the mission, the patients.”

As the day went on, some Barangay Health Workers were present to assist the indigent residents of Guagua. A representative form the Local Government Unit in the person of Sangguniang Bayan Member Hon. Baby Howell D. Torres was also around to support the mission. He was responsible in the giving out of the stubs to the indigent residents of Guagua. With him are the Barangay Health Workers who identified and brought the malnourished children for the feeding program.

The day ended with the MQC volunteers expressing their gratitude to all volunteers who have participated in the endeavor and for making it a successful one. Words of gratitude were given to the efforts of the men in uniform who were responsible in keeping the peace and order, and to all the Sponsors as well as the Doctors, Nurses, and Dentists who unselfishly shared their expertise and time on a Sunday.

Once again, MQC was able to extend community service, a work of mercy, a product of charity to the residents of nearby barangays of Guagua. What a truly wonderful gesture of love and care to the less fortunate! It was indeed a great day for humanity! It was an act of being socially responsible to those who are in dire need of help, which is the very heart of our mission! It was MQC’s first Medical and Dental Mission, and surely it will NOT be the last!

Fe B. Gonzales