My heartstrings surge with grateful pride every day as I pass by the chapel gates of my beloved Assumption. Here within the convent grounds of my alma mater is where the teachings of St. Marie Eugenie of Jesus bore deep into my soul, prodding me and other Assumption girls to live a life of joyful service.
During the annual celebration of the Assumption Family Day held at Assumption College San Lorenzo, I was inspired by a group of hardworking members of the Family Council who serve the community with such magnanimous hearts.
The group’s latest project aptly called the Red Plaid Card was successfully launched and enthusiastically received by alumnae, co-parents, their families and generous friends. Aside from the card’s catchy design inspired by the school’s checkered uniform, I was drawn to it because this very special privilege card is being sold for just a minimal price. The Red Plaid Card holders will then be able to avail of a vast array of savings and privileges from numerous establishments owned by Assumption alumnae, entrepreneurs and other kind benefactors. A booklet accompanies the card.
According to Grissel Gomez, president of the AC Basic Education Division (BED) Family Council, the card is their contribution to the many social undertakings of the school. One of the council’s aims is to build a roof over the old Assumpta Courtyard. The members also want to sustain the Hain Feeding Program of the Jubilee Learning Center, an Assumption mission school in Boni, Mandaluyong City, composed of 65 young students. The program aims to feed poor children and others who have no access to a decent meal. “At this formative age, good nutrition is crucial to the developmental growth of the students,†says Grissel.
The indefatigable Grissel says, “The ways and means committee heads and I are in charge of this project. The committee heads are Tanya Llamas and Dindin Macale. But we wouldn’t have been able to pull this off without the help of our most efficient staff — Annalyn Alegre, Regine Capacio and Anthony Bingil, and most especially our volunteer level directors.
Grissel is also grateful to her AC batch mate Bubu Andres, the originator of the Red Plaid Card, who gave her thumbs up to carry on these worthy projects when Grissel was elected president of the Family Council for the school year 2012-2013.
The other members of the board of the AC BED Family Council include Angel Nacino, Len Lukban, Aimee Alvarez, Judy Antonio, Celine Pedro, Myra Wassmer, Christine Juan, Jenny Isleta, Mel Obedoza, Margs Lopez, Haydee Ongpin, Jayjay Serra, Mia Ragasa, Jaja Ledesma and Brenda Santelices.
Other committee chairpersons are Maritoni Tordesillas, Apple Bautista, Vicvic Alfonso, Rowie Matti, Ysa Concepcion, Ariel Subia, Joy Dioquino, Papic Makalinao, Kat Querubin, Marla Valenzuela, Bubu Andres, Paul Jalandoni and Angeli Ong.
The BED Family Council is the partner of the school in developing the character of the students. The council exemplifies the highest ideals of an Assumption education, which nurtures faith and spirituality, pursues academic excellence and instills social responsibility through meaningful projects and activities that encourage and inspire parent involvement and family participation.
“My seven years in the council have been one of the most fulfilling endeavors of my life. What I picked up from my AC education is the value of joyful service for others. Servant leadership is another value that kept burning within me and I thank my Assumption family for giving me the opportunity to give back. It is also heartening for me to see my daughter Nina growing up with these values. Not only is she a student leader in school but she also gets involved with outside school activities to help the less fortunate children,†says Grissel. “Sister Sheryl, our Mother Superior, said that the Assumption is a beautiful community to serve. I heartily agree as I bow down from the Family Council to hand over the responsibilities to Celine Pedro,†she adds.
It is Grissel’s prayer that the Red Plaid Card be adopted as a yearly project from here on and that it gets the continued support from generous souls.
“Please remember to sell it, buy it, carry it, flash it and use it with great pride knowing that your Red Plaid Card will help the Assumption family council fulfill such worthy causes,†Grissel ends.
(For more details, visit its Facebook page www.facebook.com/RedPlaidCard.)
(Would love to hear from you at miladayjewels@yahoo.com.)