The PLDT Mountaineering and Outdoors Club, Inc. (PLDT MOCI) delivered a blissful Christmas to our Dumagat brothers and sisters in Sitio Inuman, San Lorenzo, Norzagaray, Bulacan last November 30 to December 1, 2019.
PLDT MOCI members distribute Sack of Joy bags from the PLDT-Smart Foundation.
In partnership with the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF), PLDT Employees Credit Cooperative, Inc. (PECCI) and PLDT Employees’ Service Cooperative, Inc. (TELESCOOP), PLDT MOCI held this outreach program to bring goods, supplies and clothes to the Dumagat tribe as part of the club’s 25th anniversary celebration.
“Together with the PLDT Mountaineering and Outdoors Club, Inc., it brings us so much joy to be able to spread some Christmas cheer to the Dumagat tribe. It is only fitting that we do so as we also celebrate our 25th anniversary this year. We thank the PLDT MOCI for enabling us to be a part of this heartwarming project as they, too, celebrate their silver anniversary,” said PSF President Esther O. Santos.
A PLDT MOCI member gives a Sack of Joy bags to beneficiaries.
“To keep alive the Christmas spirit among our brothers and sisters from the Dumagat tribe is truly a beautiful way to celebrate our 25th anniversary as well as the holiday season. We are constantly finding ways in which we can be more of service to our brothers and sisters. This outreach program is only just the beginning,” said PLDT MOCI President Darwin S. Vibal.
A number of PLDT MOCI mountaineers reached the community of Sitio Inuman by crossing the Angat Dam through bangka, and by surpassing an eight-hour trek along the Sierra Madre Mountain Range carrying sacks of rice, grocery items, school supplies and other goods with the help of Sitio Inuman Missions volunteers and our Dumagat friends themselves.
In photo is a mountaineer member distributing some giveaways.
The Dumagat families spearheaded by Chieftain Lasio Dela Rosa, Sitio Inuman Dumagat Leader, welcomed these mountaineers in their community by preparing a tray of sweet rice cake “biko” and a hut for them to stay for the night.
The Dumagat kids received “Sack of Joy” containing notebooks, pencils, pen, ruler and coloring materials from PSF, while the Dumagat tatays received old mountaineer backpacks, rechargeable headlamps, second hand clothes and jackets donated by some PLDT MOCI members.
Each family from the community also received a bag which contains blanket, rice, canned goods, noodles, soap and Duralite slippers which were bought for them from the donations of PLDT MOCI members, PECCI and TELESCOOP.
A PLDT MOCI member distributes Sack of Joy bags to members of the Dumagat tribe.
The PLDT MOCI and Sitio Inuman Missions volunteers also prepared dinner for the whole community and facilitated some games for the Dumagat kids, nanays and tatays.
This whole outreach activity by the PLDT MOCI is part of the club’s response to the call of civic actions and causes as it prides itself of being not just an outdoor organization, but more of being “One Family,” not just within the club but with the community.
For PLDT employees who are interested in joining PLDT MOCI, please contact the following: Darwin S. Vibal (dsvibal@pldt.com.ph); Michael Angelo S. Manlutac (msmanlutac@pldt.com.ph); and Kathleen Jean T. Mercado (ktmercado@pldt.com.ph). — Rona A. Beltran
