A group of young, civic-spirited students from San Juan de Letran College – Abucay, brought cheers and hopes to the members of the Indigenous Community (Aetas) of Orion on March 15, 2008. Led by Ms. Sonia Taduran, College Dean, and Miguel Agustin V. Albelda, President of JPIA – Letran and DEUS Student Party, the Knights motored their way to the westernmost part of the municipality and immersed with the Aetas for the whole day.
According to Ms. Taduran, they chose the community because it triggers the social consciousness of the students of Letran more than any other indigenous communities in the province. For the students, the community brought them to the realities of the Aetas’ way of life.
Upon their arrival in the area, the Knights planted fruit bearing trees at the back of the school building to provide the Aeta students with alternative nutrition while studying. They also conducted activities for the young Aetas to understand their culture. Ms. Taduran also talked to the Aeta elders and signified her intentions to live with them and assist the Aetas in coping with the mainstream society.
After the activities, Albelda led the delegation in giving groceries, school supplies and clothes to the community. Also, seeds of high yielding varieties of cash crops were given to the Aetas to initiate them into new sources of livelihood. He likewise urged the elders to use the gifts properly and take care of the trees which can be of great help to everyone in the area. He thanked everyone for the cooperation and the warm reception they received from the Aeta. He vowed for the continuation of the outreach program. Ms. Taduran also announced that the Indigenous Community of Orion will be the school’s Adopted Community and that they would coordinate with the Municipal Government of Orion regarding this. The group was accompanied by Gannie B. de Leon, Chairman of the Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Education.
Prior to their visit to the community, the Knights paid a courtesy call to the Municipal Mayor of Orion, Hon. Antonio L. Raymundo, Jr., on March 13, 2008. Impressed by the group’s commitment for the Aetas, Mayor Raymundo thanked the group and pledged support for the activities lined up by the people of Letran College – Abucay. During the courtesy call, Ms. Taduran also informed Mayor Raymundo of the opening of the BS in Secondary Education course and their plan to extend scholarship grant to the students from Orion especially those from the Aeta community. Among those present during the courtesy call were Ms. Cristina Mirania, Miguel Agustin V. Albelda, Karen Annie Mae Matias, Michelle Fastidio, Danica Dimaano, Mary Joy Pedreza, Kenneth Rubio, Ralph Lawrence Aspan, Meynard Banzon, Marlon Carillo, Angela Abing, Franchesca Ramirez and Sabrina Nicole Cabanos.
By: jan patrik noelle d de leon
