OVCSA held a virtual student and staff  benefit event titled, “OVCSA KASIYAHAN: Tunog at Tulong” on Dec. 20. 

The fun-filled event aimed to bring joy, fun, and hope to students and staff who strive to study and provide for their families and loved ones amid the pandemic and the natural calamities happening in the country. 

This event was even made joyful by the performances from the different offices of OVCSA. 

The proceeds of the events will be used for OVCSA’s programs, namely,LINGAP, for student and staff financial and COVID-19 assistance; UPLB CARES, for student learning assistance; OCG CARES and Kumustahan, which offers student wellbeing and mental health assistance; and OVCSA’s Hatid Initiatives, a student repatriation program which aims to reunite students with their families.  They will also use the proceeds to address some of the needs of nearby communities in partnership with UPLB Agapay.

The initial donations from LINGAP during the early stages of the pandemic provided food packs, logistics for repatriation, and financial and medical assistance for about 2500-3000 stranded UPLB students. 

OVCSA held “Kasiyahan” to continue to help students and the staff cope with the challenges of the pandemic, online remote learning, social and physical distancing and its effect on mental health, especially of the marginalized and vulnerable. 

Some students are still suffering from financial crises, inadequate learning devices, and costly health and medical needs.

The event was graced and hosted by Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Janette Malata-Silva together with Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jickerson Lado, Director Jea Agnes Buera of the Office of Counseling and Guidance, and John Mervin  Embate, officer-in-charge of the Learning Resource Center.

OVCSA continues to receive donations for its initiatives. Donations for LINGAP students may be sent throughGCash no. 09176273993 of Ms. Ariane Joyce Hernandez. Aid for LINGAP staff may be sent to PNB Account no. 246410066724 or through GCash no. 09173187506 of Ms. Marcelina C. Miranda. 

For transparency, donors must fill out the form and upload the transaction receipts at: bit.ly/OVCSAkasiyahan. (Kathreen Racell L. Maneja and Jickerson P. Lado)