Projects

Bringing Joy and Comfort to Bukal ng Kapayapaan: A Return Visit by

SRB Omicron and Letran Batch 77-81

On August 10, 2024, the members of SRB Omicron Inc. fraternity and Letran Batch 77-81 alumni group once again demonstrated their unwavering commitment to service and compassion by returning to Bukal ng Kapayapaan, Home for the Abandoned Special Children, operated by the Missionaries of Charity Brothers. This visit, led by SRB Omicron and Letran Batch President ’77-81 John Lagac and his wife Menchie, was another heartwarming chapter in their ongoing outreach efforts to bring joy and support to the special boys under the care of this remarkable institution.

The volunteers who joined this visit included Brod Teddy Gaerlan and his wife Joan, Brod Patrick Ronas and his wife Jinky, Batchmate Jerry Catabijan and his wife May, Batchmate Joey Golez and his partner Rachel, Batchmate Ricky Juan and his wife Liza, and Brod Sonny Halili and his wife Chit. Their presence and dedication to this cause further underscored the deep sense of community and solidarity that binds SRB Omicron and Letran Batch 77-81.

Highlights of the Day:

1. Celebrating August Birthdays:

The day was marked by a joyful celebration of the August birthday celebrants among the special boys. The volunteers organized a lively birthday party, complete with cakes, songs, and dancing, ensuring that each child felt cherished and loved on their special day.

2. Heartfelt Gift Giving:

In a touching gesture, gifts were personally selected and purchased by Brods John Lagac and Paqs Claravall. These carefully chosen personalized presents were distributed to the boys, bringing smiles and a sense of belonging to these young hearts. Brod Teddy showered the boys with a generous supply of diapers to last them for many weeks. The gifts were a tangible reminder that they are not forgotten and are cherished members of the community.

3. A Bountiful Dinner:

The afternoon was capped off with a bountiful dinner generously provided by Brod Eric Cuenca, with assistance from Batchmate Abe Martin. The meal was not just a feast for the body but also a celebration of the bond shared by the volunteers and the children. The laughter and conversations that filled the room were testaments to the warmth and connection fostered by these outreach efforts.

The success of this visit is a continuation of the compassionate work that began with the first outreach earlier this year. The impact of these initiatives goes beyond the material gifts and celebrations; it lies in the genuine care, attention, and love that the volunteers bring to the children.

Looking ahead, the fraternity and batch have already set their sights on their next visit in December, where they plan to return to Bukal ng Kapayapaan to celebrate Christmas with the boys. This upcoming event promises to be another meaningful opportunity to spread joy and reinforce the message that these special children are deeply valued and loved.

As we reflect on the significance of these visits, we are reminded of the power of collective action and the profound difference it can make in the lives of those in need. The members of SRB Omicron and Letran Batch 77- 81 continue to exemplify the spirit of generosity and compassion, lighting the way forward with their unwavering commitment to service.

Together, we can continue to bring hope, love, and light to the lives of these special boys, ensuring that they are never forgotten and always embraced by the warmth of our community.

Bringing Hope to Abandoned Special Boys:

Joint Outreach by SRB Omicron and Letran Batch 77-81

In a heartwarming collaboration fueled by compassion and a shared commitment to making a positive impact, members of SRB Omicron Inc. fraternity and Letran Batch 77-81 alumni group recently joined forces for a special outreach project. Spearheaded by fraternity and batch President John Lagac, alongside his wife Menchie and son Cholo, this initiative aimed to bring joy and support to the lives of vulnerable children under the care of the Missionaries of Charity Brothers’ Bukal ng Kapayapaan, Home for the Abandoned Special Children.

The Missionaries of Charity, renowned for their tireless efforts in serving the marginalized and vulnerable, operate the Bukal ng Kapayapaan Home as a sanctuary for orphaned and abandoned boys with special needs. Despite facing numerous challenges, the organization remains steadfast in its mission to provide love, care, and dignity to those in their care.

The dedicated volunteers from SRB Omicron and Letran Batch 77-81 who joined the outreach included Brod Teddy Gaerlan and wife Joan, Brod Patrick Ronas and his wife Jinky, and Brothers Jerry Catabijan and Sonny Halili. The joint outreach project was a powerful testament to the transformative power of community solidarity. Together, they orchestrated a day brimming with meaningful activities and heartfelt interactions, aimed at brightening the lives of the children residing in the home.

From participating in dancing, singing and sharing messages of care, the volunteers spared no effort in ensuring that the children experienced moments of pure joy and laughter. The atmosphere was infused with warmth and camaraderie as the children eagerly participated in the activities, their spirits uplifted by the genuine care and attention of their visitors.

Everyone also took the time to engage in meaningful conversations with the dedicated staff of the Missionaries of Charity. These exchanges provided invaluable opportunities to listen to the children's stories, dreams, and aspirations, offering words of encouragement and support along the way.

President John Lagac's remarkable fundraising efforts, totaling over Php 94,000 and additional donations in kind, have once again demonstrated the power of collective action in creating positive change. The fraternity and the batch have not only showcased their unwavering commitment to philanthropy but have also provided a tangible example of how grassroots initiatives can make a significant impact on communities in need.

The funds raised were allocated towards the successful execution of the outreach project, which encompassed donations of toiletries and food items aimed at bringing joy and comfort to the children under the care of the Missionary Brothers of Charity.

In light of the resounding success of this inaugural outreach, the volunteers unanimously agreed that expanding participation from both organizations would enhance the impact of future endeavors with the Bukal ng Kapayapaan Home. With a desire to extend the reach of our collective efforts and deepen our engagement with the community, we look forward to welcoming even more members to join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of these special boys.

As we reflect on the success of this outreach endeavor, let us continue to embody the spirit of compassion and solidarity that fueled it. May we continue to extend a hand of support and kindness to those who need it most, knowing that even the smallest gestures can make a world of difference in the lives of others.

As the day concluded, there was a palpable sense of fulfillment and gratitude among all involved. The joint outreach project had not only brought smiles to the faces of the children but had also fostered a sense of unity and compassion among the volunteers. It served as a poignant reminder that, through collective action and a spirit of generosity, we can create moments of light and hope for those in need.

Together, we can illuminate the path ahead with love and light.

SRB Omicron Inc. Returns to Missionaries of Charity
March 4, 2023

After 3 years, SRB Omicron Inc. resumed its face-to-face outreach, returning once again to Missionaries of Charity (MOC) to provide much needed support to the abandoned sick young children and the volunteers serving there. Last December 2019, the brotherhood served MOC in Tayuman. This time around, the brotherhood travelled all the way to Tagaytay to be with the 17 children and 15 nuns and volunteers giving service.

Joining the outreach in person were: President John Lagac and wife Mench, Vice President Paqs Claravall and friend Lotlot, Pat Ronas and wife Jinky Ted, Gaerlan and wife Joan, Joey Golez and wife Rachel, Sonny Halili and wife Chit. Lunch was generously donated by Eric Cuenca.

After the interaction and feeding activities, the group observed its traditional post-service retreat and celebrated the successful outreach and the new camaraderie resulting from it at Bawai’s and Chez 1967 in Tagaytay.

We thank all our donors for their kind hearts and our partners for their tireless service to the children, nuns and volunteers of MOC.

SRB Omicron Inc. Leads Relief Efforts in Odette-ravaged Cebu
December 24, 2021 to January 22, 2022

On December 16-17, 2021, the province of Cebu was directly hit by Typhoon Odette, one of the strongest typhoons to batter the country with a Category 5 hurricane strength. In the aftermath of the typhoon, Cebu was without power and clean drinking water. Even after four days after, the situation has not changed and no help from the government was in sight.

On December 21, 2021, SRB Omicron Inc. took it upon itself to organize a Christmas fund drive to help the Odette victims in Cebu in partnership with the Bluewater Resorts Group.

The relief operations started on Christmas day, December 25. This was followed by a second relief operation on December 29 and a third one January 9 where volunteers went to sitio Malinao, Barangay Maribago to distribute clean drinking water and food to around 1,500 families.

On January 14, the volunteers of the fourth relief operation crossed the Hilutungan Channel to reach Olango Island to distribute relief goods and drinking water to over 600 families.

Finally, on January 22, the volunteers went to Carcar Cebu for the fifth relief operation to distribute canned goods, noodle, toilet paper, soap, rice and clean drinking water to over 1,100 families.

This month-long service initiated by SRB Omicron Inc raised over Php 100k and helped over 3,000 families. We thank all our donors for their kind hearts and our partner, Bluewater Resorts Group for their tireless service to the typhoon victims in Cebu.