To our University President Sister Teresita Abastillas and our DC sisters, Fellow alumni board of officers and directors, Ex-Presidentas, USIAA Manila Chapter Board of Officers & Directors, Atty. Leni G. Robredo, Atty Raquel Q. Candelaria, fellow jubilarians, pre-jubilarians, Alumni and Guests, Good afternoon.

I will be reporting to you today, this past year’s activities of the USIAA.  I will start with the collaborative efforts of USIAA and the different departments of USI.

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1. The Office of Student Services and Development, Linkages & Scholarship (SDSLS) in collaboration with the Promotion & Marketing Office & Alumni Engagement hosted a Coffee Table discussion. The Alumni Board of Officers & Directors along with the different high school batch representatives were invited to the said event last April 10, 2024. This gathering of the alumni representatives served as an opportunity to share batch initiatives and other planned programs.  This was proof of the continuous support and commitment of the alumni, in line with the university’s vision in achieving excellence and mission of dedicated service to the community.  The university looked forward to future collaborations in order to turn the collective ideas into tangible programs. 

2.  USI marked it’s 156th Foundation Anniversary Celebration by spearheading a momentous activity which was a Medical Mission held at SM City Naga event center last April 12, 2024. The USIAA was tapped to send 3 additional doctors free medical consultations. These volunteer physicians are Isabelinas and Isabelino namely Dr. Ma. Cecilia Claros-Del Gallego an OB-Gyne, Dr. Ma. Sofia Angela Del Gallego-Odevilas an Internal Medicine Resident & Dr. Macario Severo Mariano a Pediatrician whose selfless efforts contributed to the overwhelming success of this event.

3.  Last April 19, 2024 the office of Guidance, Counselling & Testing Center spearheaded the “Career Guidance for Grade 9 & 10”. USIAA supported this activity by sending 3 board members who served as resource speakers of their respective fields of expertise namely Atty. Antonette Majella S. Nacor for Arts & Science Law, Engr. Teresita D. Gonzales for Engineering & Michelle L. Culvera an entrepreneur for Business.  The goal was to provide students with an opportunity to learn about careers that will possibly align with their skills & interests so that they can narrow down their options in which career to pursue in the future.

4.  USIAA gave the support to The Nursing Department during the 46th Pin & Ring Ceremony on May 23, 2024 by sending Ms. Perpetua Marian T. Ciudadano a Registered Nurse and one of the Board Directors of the alumni association who then inducted the nursing graduates as member of the USI Alumni Association.

5.  The Quality Assurance & Planning Office extended its invitation to the USIAA for its institutional planning last June 13, 2024. Ms. Jennifer J. Cacer and I represented the alumni association to share the highlights of the association’s plans for the school year 2024-2025. This was an opportunity for us to explore avenues in which the association can collaborate with USI for the coming year.

6.  Last December 7, 2024, USIAA was invited by the University President Sr. Teresita A. Abastillas, D.C. to witness the ground breaking ceremony of the eagerly anticipated project “Harong Vincentiano” at Brgy Consocep, Tigaon, Camarines Sur. This project will serve as a training center for USI stakeholders, and a hub for community empowerment, and spiritual renewal. The event signified the beginning of a new chapter of legacy envisioned to  strengthen the mission & vision of the University and the Daughters of Charity. It will also be open to the local communities served by the DC and to the public.

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WE NOW MOVE ON TO COLLABORATIONS WITH NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND PERSONALITIES

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1.  Last September 24, 2024, we received an invite from Atty. Leni G.  Robredo to represent the Association Sector  in consultation for aspiring candidates in the 2025 Election. In response to her letter, 10 USIAA Board of Officers & Directors participated in the selection process at the JMR Museum Amphitheater.  This vetted exercise paved the way for the public to choose its leader to strengthen the mechanism for vigorous and genuine people participation.

2. Last April 25, 2024,  The Angat Buhay Foundation of Atty Leni G. Robredo, requested USIAA to provide snacks to teachers from Maramba Elementary School with the project named “Bayan Ko, Titser Ko”.  These teachers assessed the reading skills of school children during pre & post assessment.  The USIAA in partnership with Batch’89,  provided snacks to 91 none reader pupils and 20 teachers/tutors for the pre-assessment held last January 10, 2025 until the duration of the tutorial which concluded during the conduct of the Post assessment last February 6, 2025.

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NEXT WE HAVE THE OUTREACH ACTIVITIES OF USIAA:

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1. Last July 27, 2024 we had the 1st outreach activity of USIAA at Hablondawani Integrated services for girls & women. We shared school essentials to 20 children such as umbrellas, cycling shorts, socks & sandos.  Hablondawani means rainbow in bikol dialect a safe house for those who have been victims-survivors of gender-based violence & abuse. We spent a morning with these courageous, talented and determined young women, taking home more lessons and realization beyond our expectations. Their eager face and kind words of gratitude were more than enough to fill our hearts. But we know that their daily battles continue in the hope of achieving complete healing from their dark pasts. They face each day with hope and positivity that left us in awe & admiration. We hope that what we started will reach enough generous hearts who are willing to help these young women as they continue their path to living the life they rightfully deserve.

2. Last July 27, 2024 we had the 1st outreach activity of USIAA at Hablondawani Integrated services for girls & women. We shared school essentials to 20 children such as umbrellas, cycling shorts, socks & sandos.  Hablondawani means rainbow in bikol dialect a safe house for those who have been victims-survivors of gender-based violence & abuse. We spent a morning with these courageous, talented and determined young women, taking home more lessons and realization beyond our expectations. Their eager face and kind words of gratitude were more than enough to fill our hearts. But we know that their daily battles continue in the hope of achieving complete healing from their dark pasts. They face each day with hope and positivity that left us in awe & admiration. We hope that what we started will reach enough generous hearts who are willing to help these young women as they continue their path to living the life they rightfully deserve.

3. ​The aftermath of Tropical Depression Enteng in Naga City with widespread flooding  and landslides in low lying areas have been extensive & desolating.  USIAA through our “Proyekto Ng Pag-Asa” responded to the needs of our fellow Nague؜ños  affected by Typhoon Enteng. Last September 3, 2024 The Association donated in cash to Naguenyou for “Project Heras” & On September 7, 2024 we handed out to Barangay Lerma monetary relief to purchase rice & canned goods. This was done in partnership with USI High School Batch’77 wherein we distributed the goods to the residents of barangay Lerma.

4. During the Feast of St. Vincent the Paul last Sept. 27, 2024, USIAA donated to USI-ICESA 3 sacks of rice for distribution to partner communities. We also visited Villa Marillac, which currently houses 5 elderly women for gift-giving such as laundry powder with fabricon, biscuits, cooking oil, cleaning detergents, & donated cash to cover one week’s worth of viands.  Ms. Meanne T. Ciudadano donated cash for the refill of liquified petroleum gas. We had fun mingling with these soft spoken and talented elders. They touched our hearts with their life stories shared to us.

5. Last October 15, 2024 at Robinsons’s Place Naga, USIAA collaborated with Batalla Cares Philippines our primary sponsor, for the distribution of wheelchairs to 5 elderly beneficiaries from Villa Marillac. Magnificat, the residence of our retired Daughters of Charity sisters, represented by Sr. Rebella Nasol, DC  and Sr. Edith Bagayaua, DC received 7 wheelchairs for the elderly sisters/nuns. It was a joyous day for the elders from Villa Marillac, they were elated upon knowing that they will be going to a mall, they could not even sleep well that night & ate lunch early not to be late for the event.

6. Last December 7, 2024, in collaboration with ICESA, the USIAA Board of Officers and Directors with USI HS Batch’92 carried out the tree planting activity at brgy Tribu, Tigaon, Camarines Sur. We  planted 30 avocado seedlings & very hopeful that in five years time the community will reap what we sowed after all the avocado is  one of the healthiest fruits that will benefit the community either for family consumption or could be an income generating livelihood project.

7. USIAA was able to collect in kind 408 pair of slippers in two weeks time for the “Pamaskong Pa Tsinelas“ project for the children at brgy Tribu.  These slippers were distributed after our tree planting activity at the barangay covered court.  228 Indigenous Peoples elementary students were so excited to have a new pair of slippers as they tried fitting them with a joyous smile on their faces. We also distributed 60 packs of Komeya miki bihon noodles donated by Batch,77 & 40 packs of mariposa pancit guisado noodles  donated by Batch’81 to 100 Indigenous Peoples families of barangay Tribu an ICESA adopted  community in Tigaon. With 180 pairs of slippers left, we were able to share 6 of these pair of slippers to 2 USI maintenance with three children each for helping us carry 2 heavy boxes back to alumni home. The remaining 174 pairs were turned over to Ex-Presidenta Yolanda Beguia, a barangay kagawad of Lerma for Christmas gift giving for the children of Lerma which were distributed last December 21, 2024. The usual happy faces of these children were once again seen while they were trying them on. Of the 174 pair of slippers only 121 children received new ones as others did not match their sizes. The remaining 53 pairs of slippers were kept for future distribution. The aftermath of super typhoon Pepito left Catanduanes in disarray & shattered.  Archbishop Louie Occiano of Diocese of Virac called for  “Bangon Catanduanes Bangon Islang Maogma ”, mentioned that one of their needs was pair of slippers for the children. Therefore, USIAA donated the remaing 53 pair of slippers and were personally picked up by Bishop Lo. We would like to acknowledge our donors for the slippers who made these projects possible: High School Batches 77, 79, 81,87,92 & 99, Joy C. Bercasio, Micah Mariano & SNMP Staff.

8. Last October 22, 2024, Tropical Storm Kristine took a toll on Bicolanos.  The devastation and loss have been immeasurable and heartbreaking. USIAA initiated a Donation Drive tagged as “Relief and Rehabilitation”.  Donors with kind & generous heart responded to our call.  In less than a month, we were able to raise a considerable amount of fund. We responded immediately at the request of USI-Central Student Government to provide 30 relief packs to USI student dormers & various students residing at Canaman, Magarao, Bombon, and some barangays in Naga City. Likewise, we distributed 65 relief packs containing 5kl rice & spaghetti pack  to USI General Services Staff, Maintenance & Security Guards. We donated a reasonable amount for USI Institutional Rehabilitation. In partnership with ICESA through Director Lorie Quinto, LPT, she identified 2 Day Care Centers flooded by TS Kristine, one was brgy Libod Baybay, Maguiring, Calabanga, Camarines Sur & other one was brgy Del Carmen Del Rosario, Minalabac, Camarines Sur (these are partner communities of ICESA) both needed a washing area for the children. The agreement was USIAA will provide the materials needed and the community for the labor. The committee on infrastructure headed by Engr. Ting Gonzales, Eva Rubio & I,  along with Maam Lorie & Sir Tony visited both sites. The board decided to purchase a portable sink for Kids. For the one in Calabanga Day Care Center, we added a 100 meter water line since there is an available water connection nearby. We still have an available fund from the TS Kristine drive.  When we knew there was a donation drive called “Bangon Catanduanes Bangon Islang Maogma ”,   We  extended our help by donating a modest amount to the Diocese of Virac through Archbishop Louie Occiano. In addition, we also gave the used clothes donated by Atty. Jennalyn C. Suarez and colleagues.

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