The San Lorenzo Ruiz Charity (SLRC) has already brought hope to more than 13,000 beneficiaries. It has helped fulfill the dreams of 337 students; 65 have already graduated.
The Bulacan-based foundation has also provided supplemental feeding to more than 1,000 malnourished and hungry children. It has provided livelihood loans to 1,200 enterprising families.
Fr. Mario José C. Ladra, executive director of SLRC, said the collaboration started in 2004.
“I saw families all around me who were finding it hard to live meaningful lives because of poverty, young men and women who were not in school because their parents couldn’t afford it; little children having nothing to eat,” he said.
With supporters like the late Consuelo “Chito” Madrigal-Collantes, and with Erlinda Y. Maulit, formerly of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, as technical director, the SLRC was born.
Total family approach
Using the total family approach, SLRC started reaching out to the needy through its various services: elementary and high school educational grants, college scholarship (Study-Now-Pay-Later), livelihood loans (micro-finance), short-term educational and emergency loans, cultural and art development, self-productivity and skills enhancement, daycare services, supplemental feeding, medical assistance, and crisis intervention and management.
‘Tita Chito’
The Consuelo “Chito” Madrigal Foundation (CCMF) became the principal sponsor, providing much of the funding that allows SLRC to implement programs. CCMF has branches in Payatas and Naga City.
Other benefactors of SLRC: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Escaler, architect Nestor and Marion Mangio, Dr. Salvador and Chiquita de Leon, lawyer Ging Montinola, Pinky Ochoa, Priscila Tang, Mary de Leon Rufino, Andrew Lau, Ningning Bautista, Carmencita Cu Unjieng, Linda Morelos, Trinidad Panicucci and Angeline Halili Cruz.
Scholars who have graduated have found good employment and paid back. Marlowie Salvosa has been working at Accenture and was even sent to India to teach. Jenny Mar Ornedo has become senior managing officer at Manulife. Mary Anne Raqueño has gone to Saudi Arabia as a nurse. Jessie Guinto is with Metrobank Foundation Inc. Jerico Santos and Zarco Garcia are part of the SLRC technical staff.
Helping in the dream
Applications for SLRC college scholarships can be sent to CCMF Bldg., Pleasant Hill Subdivision, San José del Monte City, Bulacan.
Maria Remedios Magpantay, a recent scholar, said, “I want to become an SLRC-CCMF scholar because I wish to continue my studies and pursue my goals in life. The foundation is the key to make my dreams come true. One day I shall return the help of the foundation, so that it can extend a helping hand to other students who have less in life.”
Father Mar’s dream has indeed come true. And it’s a dream he wishes to share with others.
Would you like to be part of the SLRC mission by contributing to its cause? Call Fr. Mar Ladra at 044-7690585 or 044-7690568.
Triduum of Masses for ‘Ina’
Devotees of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Metro Manila will be happy to know that the Triduum of Masses in honor of “Ina” will take place at Malate Church on Sept. 6-8, 6 p.m.
The image will be brought in a motorcade from Castelo building in Mandaluyong at 10 a.m. to Mandaluyong City Hall; then to the hospital to visit the sick. Then the image will be brought in a motorcade to Malate Church where Fr. John Leydon, SSC, will welcome her.
On Sept. 9, the image will be brought to Agrifina Circle at 2 p.m. in a foot procession. A procession at 4:30 p.m. will bring the Virgin of Peñafrancia to San Agustin Church for the 6 p.m. Mass.
In Naga City, the traslacion, which will transfer the “Ina” from the basilica to Naga Metropolitan Cathedral, will be on Sept. 7. Only men will be able to walk with the Peñafrancia to the cathedral, where the Novena of Masses will start.
The fluvial procession transferring the image from cathedral to basilica will take place Sept. 15, 1:30 p.m.
A concelebrated High Mass will be held when the image reaches the basilica.
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
On Sept. 14, Friday, all roads will lead to the breathtaking mountaintop of San José, Tarlac, for the celebration of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
There will be public viewing of the Relic of the True Cross of Jesus enshrined at Monasterio de Tarlac.
It will also be the 14th-year anniversary of the monastic community of the Servants of the Risen Christ (SRC). Its founder, Fr. Ronald “Archie” Cortez, is custodian of the relic, which is reported to be miraculous.
Travel agent Sally Maddatu is organizing a pilgrimage to the relic, which includes a visit to the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Ramos, Tarlac. For more info, call her at 0906- 2395166 or 0908-5015267.
Indie film premiere
The premiere of the indie movie “Madaling Araw, Mahabang Gabi,” by Dante Nico Garcia, at Music Museum has been moved to Sept. 10, 8 p.m. It will be shown in major theaters on Sept. 19 (Twitter @dantenicogarcia).
The Contemplative Outreach Philippines will hold a retreat at St. Joseph Marello Retreat House, Tagaytay City, Aug. 31-Sept. 2.
Martha’s Vineyard will celebrate its 28th anniversary with a merienda cena on Sept. 5, 5 p.m., at Manila Polo Club. Guest speaker is Manila Archbishop Chito Tagle.
