The staff and student volunteers the Arrupe Office of Social Formation met with some Yolanda survivors on 3rd February 2014 inorder to distribute noche buena packages that were left unclaimed after the Culminating Program of the Pagbabahagi 2013: Sinag sa Karimlan last December. The Arrupe Office coordinated with the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSO) in Talomo (District 3) and Buhangin (District 2) for a possible meeting with some survivors who were not able to attend the Christmas activity held at the Jacinto Campus Annex on the afternoon of 22nd December 2013.
It may well be remembered that the Arrupe Office mounted a Christmas food package drive specifically intended for Yolanda survivors who are seeking refuge in Davao City. The month-long university-wide campaign was widely supported by the university community through various offices, councils, units, and programs, as well as some corporate sponsors and external partners who extended assistance by providing food, entertainment, and logistical support during the special program conducted for the Yolanda survivors.
Ms. Lilibeth L. Arcena, Ms. Agnes Sagaral, Mr. Karl Anthony Ebol, and Mr. Noriel Rogon of the Arrupe Office distributed sixteen (16) food packages for sixteen (16) families present during the special meeting. They were accompanied by members of the Arrupe Volunteer corps, Batch 43, namely Denise Alcomendras, Herz Apostol, Rona Marie Gestopa, Regina Guino, Darlene Joy Jayectin, and Johnmar Monato. CSSDO was represented by Mr. Dennis Dick Dael, head of Talomo B, and Ms. Necitas S. Dalope, head of Buhangin.
A total of twenty-two (22) more undistributed packages were turned over to respective CSSDO district heads. These will then be distributed to the remaining families who were earlier identified.
The Arrupe Office sincerely extends its heartfelt gratitude and warm appreciation to the members of the Ateneo de Davao University community, as well as to its external partners, for such a wonderful expression of loving service and Christian charity, especially for people who survived one of the most devastating natural calamities the Philippines has ever known in recent memory. Ad majorem Dei gloriam! (by M. Isabel S. Actub, Arrupe Communication & Advocacy)