Last November 4, 2017, a fire erupted in a slum area in Purok Kahirup, Barangay Masilingan, Bacolod City. It started at about 9 0’clock in the morning when all the residents were at work and some were in school. It was declared fire out after 3 hours. 23 families left empty-handed except what they have had when they left home. They stayed at the barangay gym for more than one month in a very uncomfortable situation which prompted the ARALING PANLIPUNAN CLUB OF ANTONIO L. JAYME ELEMENTARY SCHOOL of Barangay Mansilingan, composed of the HAPI SHADE volunteers pupils and teachers, to do something that could help alleviate the living condition of the fire victims.

The meeting was called to plan out everything, hence, the HAPI SHADE Outreach Program spurted out. Committees were organized and were spearheaded by LENCY GANTALAO ( Araling Panlipunan Club President), REX VILLANUEVA JR. ( HAPI –PARENTS PRESIDENT) and yours truly, PEACHY CANCIO (Araling Panlipunan Club adviser). Used clothing, bags, stuffed toys, noodles, and sardines was the main target to be given away for the fire victims.

Since our club fund has been consumed on our previous project, THE FENCING, which is the front playing area of the school we decided to ask for help from the teachers of the school as our sponsors. At first, we received a negative response from them. Only the owner of the C.L. PITO-PITO DIETARY SUPPLEMENT LEA GALLEGO gave assurance to support our program and our Founding Chairperson MARISSA TORRES LANGSETH to send us financial support when she knew about the HAPI SHADE outreach program. The first week was so crucial, we decided that December is the target month but was not able to push through due to lack of monetary assistance and help from colleagues, but this did not stop us. Instead, it motivated us to become more eager and enthusiastic (especially our young volunteers) to pursue our goal no matter what. A great challenge to all of us, on how to materialize and push through our program. All volunteers  were requested to  bring  old clothes, stuff toys, and bags   for  December 28,2017. However, due to lack of goods, we finally ended up distributing the donations on Jan 20, 2018.
But great things do really happen, a day before the main event, while packing the goods, the Jaymenians Boyscout of the Philippines headed by Ma’am Joan Cabrera ( BSP Coordinator of the School) arrived with their bags full of pre-loved clothes from my co-teachers and kilos of rice was also given to us.

What a tremendous success! The day comes for the distribution and HAPI SHADE Volunteers saw the happy and smiling faces of the recipients which greeted us as we enter the hall area of the gymnasium. We were also so surprised when I saw some of my co-teacher who arrived to help us with  the distribution of goods.

Though the HAPI SHADE volunteers were so tired after that long day activity, still you can see in their young faces the happiness of knowing that, in their own small way, they had have extended a helping hand to those in need, a realization that no money can buy.

THE LOVE OF HUMANITY HAS BEEN INSTILLED IN THEIR YOUNG MINDS AND WE MUST STAND AND HELP ONE ANOTHER TO LIVE.
“LIFE IS SO PRECIOUS AND WE MUST PRESERVE IT AT ALL COST, BECAUSE WE ONLY LIVE ONCE”
– Luciacanciotornea a.k.a. Peachy Cancio

HAPI Bacolod Member
HAPI SHADE Bacolod Leader
Master Teacher 1