UPAA completes classroom donation project

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association-CNMI Chapter has completed its donate-a-classroom project with this week’s donation of $4,000 coming from another group and a private individual.

UPAA founding president Concepcion Van Der Veen, who left the island yesterday, said the group was able to raise a total of $8,000 enough to build a duplex classroom for its recipient school, Calamba National High School in Laguna, Philippines.

“It’s because of the help of everybody and the generous support from other groups and friends,” said Concepcion.

She said that, of the total amount, $2,000 was donated by Pleasant Care’s Sedy Demesa and Ding De Lima; $2,000 came from the Marianas Filipino Women Association, and another $2,000 from a CNMI-based Filipino executive who wishes to remain anonymous.

UPAA officers and members raised $2,000 through ticket sales and individual donations.

“We’re so happy with the turnout. At first, we’re a little apprehensive we might not reach our goal, but thanks to many people, especially our major donors who share the same passion to help our less privileged students back home,” said Concepcion.

MAFILWA president Minda Castro said its donation came from the proceeds of the group’s 2002 Little Ms. and Mr. Philippines fundraising contest.

“So our heartfelt thanks goes to the parents and members of MAFILWA. They’re the ones who really worked hard to raise funds,” said Castro.

She said MAFILWA has been reserving a portion of the funds for education purposes. “So when we learned about this donate-a-classroom project, we agreed to give and use a portion of our funds,” she said.

She said that her group has intended to donate the money to the first group that would be ready for the project. “Since it’s UPAA that’s ready now, it goes there,” she said.

Calamba National High School, the chosen project site, is said to have 80 students per classroom. Due to limited facilities, it has to hold two class sessions daily: from 6am to 1pm and 1pm to 8pm.

Meantime, UPAA-CNMI has granted Castro and Eli Arago, Tan Holdings vice president for finance and administration, an honorary membership status for their outstanding support to the group.

“We recognize them for their generosity and overall support for UPAA,” said Concepcion. (Liberty Dones)