Celebrating birthday among survivors of Typhoon Sendong

Last July 1, 2014, PBSP Exec. Dir. Rafael “Rapa” Lopa celebrated his birthday in Iligan City.  It was a special day for both him and the survivors of Typhoon Sendong as it was the groundbreaking day for the 2-storey, 4-classroom school building in Bagong Silang Elementary School that he, his family and his friends donated. 2 years ago he celebrated his birthday with a fundraising call to build the school.

Dino Gaviola, a Grade V student, together with Mr. Lopa led the guests in groundbreaking the new school house intended for survivors of the typhoon and who now study at Bagong Silang Elementary School.

Dino survived the deluge which destroyed their former school, Bayug Elementary School and their village when the typhoon struck that fateful dawn of December 17 three years ago. Being the typhoon’s ground zero in Iligan, Bayug was totally wiped out and its surviving residents found temporary shelter in the city’s evacuation centers during the deluge.

“This school is built for the students of Bayug whose school was destroyed by Typhoon Sendong,” Lopa stressed during a simple program prior to the groundbreaking event.

For his part, Dino gave a speech and thank Mr. Lopa and donors “Malaki ang aking pasasalamat sa pagtanggap sa akin sa paaralang ito. Muli akong natuto at nabigyan ng panibagong pag-asa na maabot ang aking mga pangarap sa buhay.” (“I am grateful to the school for welcoming us. It gave me new hope that with me being able to continue my education, I can achieve my dreams in life.”)

To be implemented by Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the school’s construction is made possible through the project called TEN Moves (The Entire Nation Moves!) and the generosity of friends of Mr. Lopa.