By Joy de Leon

Members of CPU Elementary School Class ‘73 and CPU High School Class ’77 during their distribution of relief goods.

The alumni of CPU Elementary School Class ‘73 and CPU High School Class ’77 shared their love and concern during this time of pandemic to their batch-mates last June 12, 2020.

Dr. Nani Araneta-de Leon, alumni president of the merged batches, said the assistance project for their classmates came about after their batch started helping medical front-liners. International lifestyle designer, PJ Arañador, who is one of their classmates helped facilitate in making PPEs and masks. The alumni also distributed food-packs at the Iloilo Mission Hospital.

Doc Nani added that reaching out to their batch-mates recognizes the reality of the pandemic affecting not only the poor but even those who are economically stable.

Dr. Nani Araneta-de Leon distributing relief goods.

“We looked closer to home and realized that many classmates are hurting too because of no-work-no pay policies, inability to easily go out for food because we belong to the senior group with some classified as high risk, having a number of jobless family members in the household etc. Thus, this idea to share came about.”

The idea is what their US-based classmate, Rose Fia Gonzales-Swartz call a “kindness and gratitude” project which she supported generously. “I am proud to be a part of this compassionate group who offer their time and effort to reach out and truly care for our classmates. Being responsive to the needs of others is part of our very long CPU-experience and it also strengthens our bonds as classmates beyond the borders of our school.”

Some classmates also contributed cloth face-masks, vitamins, ointments, and soaps. These were included in the pandemic-relief packs which contained assorted canned goods and condiments, eggs, fruits, dressed chicken and pork which were given to more than 50 of their classmates living in Iloilo City.

Pingping Plagata, one their batchmates, stressed that many of them are still adjusting to the new normal brought on by the pandemic. “It’s been more than three months now of uncertainty and being very cautious about our surroundings, so it is good to feel that there are classmates willing to go the extra mile for each other. It makes us feel loved and not alone through this scary time.”