SPMAFI Brings Thanksgiving Cheer
“Oh, what a beautiful morning! Oh, what a beautiful day!”
On 23 November 2023, the Outreach Committee of the SPMAFI, chaired by Heidy Cachuela and Lahla Laforteza, spearheaded a visit to the St. Paul Sisters in the SPC Vigil House in Taytay. The date, though not intended, happily coincided with the US Thanksgiving; and indeed, the whole activity intended to thank the Sisters for the love and care they gave us, Paulinians, through the years.
Highlights of the activity were: a morning merienda of pospas and puto, prepared by SPMAFI PRO, Millie Reyes, and given with love in celebration of her birthday; gift-giving to the nuns from alumni donors, including a check for P32,000.00, turned over by Ricki Arches, SPMAFI President, to Sr. Estelle Marie Camagan, VH Superior, diapers from Socorro Gomez (HS 65), medicinal soap from Susan Velez (BSC 89), Ensure milk from Ricky and Marita (HS 65) Batto and bags of snacks from Beth Tagle (HS 65); and a serenade by George Tagle (son of Beth) and his super talented singer friends—Miguel Aguila, Jenny Sugay, Nathan Randal, and Lae Manego.
Seated in a semi-circle were nuns who had been in SPCM at one time or another and nuns who had been in other schools, hospitals, or pastoral centers, all having the same aura of peace, love, and joy. Also present were Sr. Ma. Cristina Guytingco, SPMAFI Moderator, and Paulinians from the ever-generous HS 65 batch—Sol Ilagan, Mildred Magboo, Yvonne Revilla, Millie Braganza, and Delia Alladin.
The serenade was a smashing success—the singers’ masterful renditions of timeless melodies delighting the Sisters—making Sr. Miriam (102 year-old former SPCM President) tap her fingers to the beat, Sr. Nieves (90+ year-old former HS Principal) open her eyes and sway her head, and other younger nuns gamely dance with SPMAFI Board members—Popi Gutay (HS 73), Aida Simborio (HS 63), Tess Manimtim (HS 86), and Ruby Abasolo (HS 80).
The program closed with remarks from Ricki and Sr. Estelle and the heartfelt singing of the Paulinian Hymn.
As MOM (Marionette O. Martinez, school rep on the Board) said, it was a joy to see four generations of the Paulinian Family under one roof—the old nuns and mentors; their students, who became teachers; the teachers’ students; the students who became mothers; the son of one of these mothers. It was a beautiful, inspiring portrait of love and care passed on from one generation to the next, and the next, and the next. And so, it will go on, and on, and on—because the Paulinian spirit will never die!
