SMADAA Family Fund Run 2023

"SMADAA Family Fund Run 2023"
SunStar Davao, November 18, 2023

The Stella Maris Academy of Davao Alumni Association (SMADAA) recently geared up for a spectacular event that was more than just a run. It was a celebration of 70 glorious years of their beloved alma mater.

The SMADAA Family Fund Run 2023 was a day filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a healthy dose of friendly competition, all in the name of supporting Tahanan Candida Maria de Jesus and the SMAD Shepherd Community in Sitio Elian.

                           

                        

                 

                   

                  

“The theme is clear: we run for fun, but more importantly, we run to make a difference. As Marisians, it is not just about completing the race; it is about coming together as a community to support those in need. The spirit of giving back is alive and well, and the Family Fund Run is the perfect embodiment of this commitment,” says SMADAA president Sharmila Barretto-Ong.

                 

                            

                         

                       

                       

                      

                     

                       

She shares that the Family Fund Run is not just a race; it's a chance to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and relive the cherished memories of their school days.

The event offered a variety of race categories to suit every fitness level. Whether one was a seasoned runner or just looking to enjoy a leisurely run with family, there was a perfect category for them. The 3K Family Run, 5K Fun Run, and 10K Fun Run promised not only a physical challenge but also a great time for participants of all ages.

The top finishers for the 3K male were 1^st place: Eliezer Carinosa; 2^nd place: Mark James Agudo; and 3^rd place: Fritz Cabanig. For the 3K female category, 1^st place: Mary Cabunce; 2^nd place: Nickaela Bartolo; and 3^rd place: Grace Cabunoc.

On the other hand, for the 5K male category, 1^st place: Kyle Cayog; 2^nd place: Roberto Cain; and 3^rd place: Abraham Cabanig. Meanwhile, the 5k female top finishers included 1^st place: Diana Mae Memoracion; 2^nd place: Hazel Paspe; and 3^rd place Joana Gonzales.

Finally, the 10K finishers for the male were 1^st place: Fritz Lantaco; 2^nd place: Elmer Bartolo; and 3^rd place  Lloyd Malinao. For the female category, 1^st place: Madelyn Carter; 2^nd place: Virginia Tumapon; and 3^rd place: Reschel Ko.

“Among are many proud sponsors are Marisians and their families, demonstrating that the Marisian spirit endures long after graduation. Their contribution exemplifies the commitment to giving back to the community and supporting the values instilled by our alma mater,” says Sharmila.

                    

                          

SMADAA wishes to thank their gold sponsors: Kar Asia, Inc., Standard Insurance Co., Inc., and Kore Development Corporation; silver sponsors: Davao Partsman Sales Corporation, Sonic Gameworkx, SMAD 1996, Diversion Surplus Center, SMAD 2001, and SMAD 2003; and bronze sponsors: Karpentrade, Inc., Oceanpro, SMAD 1998, Panadero, Sunfresh Agricultural Ventures, Davao Farms, Mahayag Farms, Unifrutti Philippines, Inc., Eurobaker, Davao City Water District, and 8Telcom, Inc.

We share photos by DB Photography and Design.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit http://momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com/.

One good jab

"One good jab"

SunStar Davao, September 4, 2021

 

Wishing for Davao City to achieve herd immunity by December sounds like a lofty goal.

But the strong public-private sector partnership of Dabawenyos, a tried-and-tested force through the years, may just make this dream come true.

These past few months, dynamic organizations, companies, and private individuals have actively partnered with the City Government of Davao to expedite our city’s Covid-19 vaccination program.

                    

                     

One such organization is the Stella Maris Academy of Davao Alumni Association (SMADAA) which recently facilitated two rollouts for the vaccination of 3,789 Dabawenyos last August 2021. A third rollout is scheduled in September.

Aptly entitled “One Good Jab”, the SMADAA vaccination program was a brainchild of two friends, a Marisian and a Gaisano Mall of Davao (GMall Davao) executive, who wanted to help Davao City achieve its herd immunity before the end of the year. Their goal was to provide access to vaccines to more people in a shorter time. With the same vision, both aspired for a “quality and successful vaccine rollout with a good reach while developing social responsibility in the community”.

With the resources and facilities of GMall Davao, and the guidance of the Davao City Health Office (CHO), the SMADAA was tapped for its strong network to lead a pilot vaccination rollout targeting the A4 category under small and medium enterprises owned and operated by Marisians.

Prime movers

The SMADAA vaccination program was competently supervised by its Executive Committee members which included James Despabiladeras who was tasked to coordinate with the GMall Davao as the vaccination center and the CHO for all the supplies and Dr. Jetty Jet Lu as the vaccine center chief who provided the medical team and ensured the smooth and safe operations of every station in the vaccination center.

Meanwhile, the vaccination executive manager Ana Leigh Caguiat passionately led the team of sixty-five volunteers to run the vaccination center efficiently.

The Board of Trustees of SMADAA, on the other hand, consolidated all the nominees for the vaccination through the batch representatives while Mae Ann Cortez and Angieleen Lou Aportadera did the meticulous job of registration and the scheduling of vaccinees.

Spirit of volunteerism

“The most challenging part in organizing such a great endeavor was to find sponsors to finance the project since SMADAA is a non-profit organization. Luckily, the organizing committee received a warm reception and without even asking, donations and food pledges poured in,” said Caguiat.

“We were also blessed to have been able to pool a sizable number of volunteers who were willing to share their time with us at the vaccination site,” she added.

The selfless volunteers consisted of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other allied medical services as well as members of the Filipino Chinese Firefighters Foundation Davao and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command.

                  

“For those in the private sector who wish to help the City of Davao achieve its herd immunity, we encourage them to come up with the same rollout. They can always talk to the CHO, or they can partner with malls that are currently running as vaccination centers. A minimum of 500 to a maximum of 850 vaccinees can be accommodated per day,” explained Caguiat.

Doing your part

According to Dr. Lu, the most demanding part of organizing the rollout is coming up with vaccinees and scheduling them to avoid confusion. This is highly encouraged as the walk-in system of vaccination may turn into a “super spreader” event. Other things to provide would be backup medical supplies and medicines.

“Organizing and running a vaccination center is laborious, tiring, time-consuming, and draining, to say the least. But we must try and do our best to be able to extend our services in any way we can to assist the City of Davao and the country,” stressed Caguiat.

“One of the fervent wishes we have in SMADAA is to see the alumni family unite efforts for the same cause. Not only were we able to achieve this feat by reinvigorating all fifty-three batches through this activity but we also became instruments of help to one another. The Resbakuna activities we have in collaboration with GMall Davao and CHO may be temporary but through all these, we see Marisians still shining through,” enthused SMADAA president Sharmila Barretto-Ong.

Special thanks to Josef Renan De los Reyes of Zingcreative for the photos.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit http://momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com/.