Bangon Igsuon: Stand Up, Join Hands, Make a Difference

November 17, 2013 at USC Downtown Campus Gym at 9:00AM, students, staff, teachers, alumni, priests, nuns, and even adults, youth and children outside of the University join hands in packing relief goods for the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Bangon Igsuon, is a program organized by the University of San Carlos, SVD (Society of Divine Word) and JPIC-IDC (Justice Peace Integrity of Creation – Integrated Development Center). It is a non- government organization founded by the SVD, WBC (World Broadcasting Corporation) and Verbo San Carlos Foundation Inc.

Representatives of international countries such as Austria, Australia, Chicago, and Switzerland were present to reach out and provide relief for the typhoon victims. The Aboitiz Relief group was among the many organizations that did as well.

Goods such as rice, baldes, banigs, blankets, kalderos, sardines, corned beef, pork and beans, coffee, milo, noodles, biscuits, washing soap, and bath soap were displayed and ready to be packed.

Early as the relief operations had commenced, only limited volunteers were in sight. As time passed, however, more and more people came in to help. The progress of distributing and repacking went fairly quick with the many enthusiastic volunteers. As of last week, Bangon Igsuon visited Daanbantayan, a municipality of Cebu that was one of the heavily affected areas of Super Typhoon Yolanda last November 8, 2013 and distributed their relief goods there. Bangon Igsuon is aiming to send off relief goods to Tacloban, Leyte in the following days.

“Bangon Igsuon aims to let the whole community, even people who are not from the University of San Carlos to join hands and help the typhoon victims of Yolanda.” – Fr. Anthony Salas, the Vice President of Academic Affairs, explains the program’s ideals.

“Bangon Igsuon aims help us reach out for the victims. At first, we decided to name the program Tabang Bohol because of the earthquake that happened last October 15, 2013. We thought it would be better to name it Bangon Igsuon. The name itself shows that we reach out to everyone. This activity brings inspiration to those who were affected during the disaster. They have lost everything, mostly shelter, food, water, and their loved ones. Letting the typhoon victims know all about our program will definitely give them hope and help them think positive. We are even inviting people outside the University to come and help, especially the children who need to learn the importance and value of helping people who are damaged. “ – says Brenette Abencia of Community Extenstion Services (C.E.S.)

Bangon Igsuon’s goal was to pack 3,000 packs of goods for the activity of the day and all the goods being packed during the relief packing activity will be sent to the Daanbantayan victims affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Let us continue to join relief operations inside and outside the University and continue to donate whenever we can. Our country men are in need of big help.

This calamity calls us all to Unite for Visayas.

Please continue to check out the Today’s Carolinian Facebook page and Website for more of the upcoming relief operations.