ISA Aids Two Towns Affected by Volcanic Eruption in Batangas

On January 26, 2020 the Institute of Spirituality in Asia (ISA) organized a relief operation for two towns in Batangas Province after Taal Volcano erupted on Sunday, January 26, 2020.

ISA coordinated with Fr. Billy Bong Manguiat, O.Carm. – now based at the National Shrine of St. Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas, Batangas – to help evacuees staying in the shrine itself as well as those in his home town of Balete.

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ISA tapped generous individuals, religious congregations like the Carm.O.L., and institutions like Pirrko &TroyTours, Inc., the company headed by Butch and Marissa Alcantara.a.O.Carm from the Elijah Community of the Philippine Province of Blessed Titus Brandsma.

After the emergency-mode of solicitation and packing of goods, ISA arranged for more volunteers as well as for soldiers and vehicles of the Philippine National Police Pasig-Internal Affairs Division headed by Lt. Joel Libertino to transport everyone to Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

For around 120 families composed of 700 individuals staying at the St. Padre Pio Shrine, the volunteers gathered blankets, underwear, sleep wear, bottled water, rice, food packs of assorted canned goods (cup noodles, biscuits/cupcakes and coffee sachets), and toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, bath soap, shampoo and towels).

And for evacuees in Balete, Batangas, ISA allotted bottled water, 100 packs of goods and 100 pairs of sleeping mats and blankets.

For both evacuation centers, ISA succeeded in sourcing electric kettles and thermos units.

The volunteers saw for themselves the sadness, fear and uncertainties of the community in the St. Padre Pio Shrine and of the beneficiaries in Balete. At the same time, they were struck how the evacuees managed to smile with all their hearts and to express gratitude for all the donations.

After interacting with and distributing the gift packs to the people, the volunteers from ISA, Carm.O.L. and Pirkko & Troytours attended the 10:30 Mass at the St. Padre Pio Shrine, which was offered for all the donors and volunteers in this disaster relief drive.

The ISA staff thanks the Pirkko &TroyTours staff (Dr. Marissa Alcantara, a.O.Carm. is the Assistant Academic Dean of ISA) as well as persons connected with the Teresa Community in New Manila, Quezon City of the Philippine Province of Blessed Titus Brandsma: Fr. Dheng Lopez, O.Carm., Sr. Agnes Catapusan, Carm.O.L., Normita Lacanilao, Jocelyn Razon, Luningning Mondigo and Renalyn Comaling.

Other individuals who equally deserve to be acknowledged are the following:

  • Sis. Joyce Mamorbor, TOC
  • Sis. Ana Taguio, TOC
  • Sis. Mel Santiago, TOC
  • Sis. Peachy Roa, TOC and Community
  • Fr. Rhen Caculitan, O.Carm.
  • Sr. Carolina Nuryati
  • Elsie Jurado
  • Dr. Edith Fernandez
  • Jet Gilboy
  • Elmer Dabay
  • Angela Ureta, aO.Carm.
  • Lanie Monteser
  • Aby Jimena
  • Bee-bee Camacho
  • Dr. Cocoy Villaluz
  • Ching Lim

ISA also received donations and assistance from Optimum Management Services as well as from
the Carmelite sisters of Mater Carmeli Monastery, Tarlac, Friends of Mater Carmeli Monastery, Tarlac and Carmel of Mary Star of the Sea, Tanay.

Lastly, the following friends from abroad arranged to send financial and material help:

  • Shoppers Drug Mart 871 (Canada)
  • FCC Weeps (Netherlands)
  • Monette (Netherlands)
  • Anita (Netherlands)
  • Leah (Netherlands)
  • Tess (Netherlands)
  • Hans Accibal – FOREIGNER po? From where?

By WHOM – IMPT po

Original – received on Thursday, Jan. 30 and edited on Feb 2, 2020

The Institute of Spirituality in Asia in partnership with Pirkko & Troytours, Inc. organized a relief operation for Taal Volcano eruption victims specifically to evacuees staying in St. Padre Pio Shrine, Sto. Tomas and those who are staying in Balete, Batangas last January 26, 2020 (Sunday). This is in coordination with Fr. Billy Bong Manguiat, O.Carm. who is now based in St. Padre Pio Shrine.

We were able to gather cash and goods from different generous individuals, religious congregations and institutions. Around one hundred twenty families or 700 individuals staying in St. Padre Pio Shrine were given bottled waters, pack of goods (rice, assorted canned goods, cup noodles, biscuits/cupcakes, coffee… etc.) and toiletries…etc. (blanket, under wares, sleepers, toothbrush, bath soap, shampoo, toothpaste, towels). For Balete, Batangas evacuees where Fr. Billy’s families are staying were allotted 100 pack of goods, 100 pair of mat and blanket and bottled waters. We were able to provide also units of thermos and electric kettles for both evacuation center’s use. This were made possible because of these generous individuals, religious congregations/institutions:

  • Mater Carmeli Monastery, Tarlac
  • Pirkko & Troytours, Inc.
  • Optimum Mgmt. Services
  • Institute of Spirituality in Asia
  • Shoppers Drug Mart 871 (Canada)
  • Carmelite Sisters of Our Lady
  • Carmel of Mary Star of the Sea, Tanay
  • FCC Weeps (Netherlands)
  • Friends of Mater Carmeli Monastery, Tarlac
  • Dr. Marissa Alcantara, aO.Carm.
  • Elsie Jurado
  • Sis. Joyce Mamorbor, TOC
  • Sis. Ana Taguio, TOC
  • Sis. Mel Santiago, TOC
  • Fr. Rhen Caculitan, O.Carm.
  • Dr. Edith Fernandez
  • Jet Gilboy
  • Elmer Dabay
  • Angela Ureta, aO.Carm.
  • Lanie Monteser
  • Aby Jimena
  • Bee-bee Camacho
  • Sr. Carolina Nuryati
  • Normita Lacanilao
  • Dr. Cocoy Villaluz
  • Ching Lim
  • Monette (Netherlands)
  • Anita (Netherlands)
  • Leah (Netherlands)
  • Tess (Netherlands)
  • Hans Accibal
  • Sis. Peachy Roa, TOC and Community

We were very grateful also to the PNP Pasig – Internal Affairs Division headed by Lt. Joel Libertino for providing us volunteers and vehicles to transport all the goods and accompanying us to Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

Thanks to all the volunteers: Pirkko, Marissa and Butch Alcantara, Joy Kialkial, Joe Marie Dela Torre, Aimee Jane Masikat, Sheba Martinez, Susan Quilang, Jocelyn Razon, Fr. Dheng Lopez, O.Carm., Sr. Cora Untal, Carm.O.L., Sr. Agnes Catapusan, Carm.O.L., Luningning Mondigo, Normita Lacanilao and Renalyn Comaling.

Having talked to some, we feel their sadness, fear and uncertainties. However, they were very grateful to receive all the donations with smiles coming from their hearts! The community of St. Padre Pio Shrine and beneficiaries in Balete were thankful also of all the goods and the joy we brought to all the beneficiaries.

The Mass at 10:30 A.M. in Padre Pio Shrine on the same day was offered to all of donors and volunteers. The volunteers from ISA, Carm.O.L. and Pirkko & Troytours attended the mass.