by Migz Guillermo, PHI '08B

On Saturday, May 9, 2009, under the leadership of newly christened project heads John Michael Paraiso Baking (PHI Batch 2007) and Rene Edgardo Capati Manalastas (PHI Batch 2008A), our Fraternity once again demonstrated its commitment to service through our flagship project, Empowerment through Mobility 2. This time, the rights to some 25 wheelchairs were handed over during a turnover ceremony at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños (CAS Annex 2 Lecture Hall). The event marked the first venture of Empowerment through Mobility to UPLB grounds. Co-sponsoring the event were two UP Los Baños based organizations, the UPLB Cell Biological Society and the UPLB Society of Pre-Medical Students. Of the 25 wheelchairs, 11 where handed over to the UPLB Administration, while each organization received 7 wheelchairs to be distributed at their discretion. Accepting the wheelchairs for the UPLB Adminstration was Dr. Virginia Cardenas, Vice Chancellor for Community affairs, who lauded PHI for its major role in improving the quality of life of indigent patients, especially the elderly. Representatives of each UPLB-based organization also spoke, expressing their gratitude and how it had always been a dream of theirs to provide ambulatory assistance for the less fortunate, but have never had the resources to do so till now. All parties involved were pleased with the proceedings and look forward to future cooperative efforts.

Empowerment through Mobility was once again a resounding success, highlighting the Spirit of service that makes us all proud to be PHI.