Volunteerism: Another Way of Expressing Devotion

Though this post is too late but I just want to share to you guys the article I wrote for Smart Speak Online about volunteerism during Sinulog 2016 :)

(c) Jojo Calinawan

Cebu’s annual festival, Sinulog, which honors the Sto. Niño, is one of the most anticipated festivals of the year. It is celebrated every third week of the month of January. This year it fell on January 18.

“Pit señor!” is a phrase Cebuanos proudly use to display their devotion during the festival. The phrase is a shortened version of “Sangpit sa Senor” meaning “to call, ask and plead to the king.” It is just one of the many ways by which festival goers celebrate their faith. From an early morning fluvial parade to an all-out celebration, the call of “pit señor!” can be heard.

Naturally, because of the sheer volume of participants travelling to the city for Sinulog, there is a great need for safety protocol and measures to be put in place. For 13 years, Smart has partnered with the Philippine Red Cross - Cebu Chapter  to set up first aid stations in the areas along the solemn procession and grand parade route. In line with our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs, employees volunteer to man these first aid stations. 

Here is what some employees who volunteered for the program had to say about their experiences this year:

“I am a devout and faithful Catholic. I add faith to my life by concretely serving other children of God, even in small and temporary ways.”

– Oamar Tabiliran, CRB VisMin
Volunteer since the inception of the program in 2005

“It was tiring yet very fulfilling. We were not only able to help and serve, we were also able to learn things such as basic first aid.”

 – Jun Apale and Ariel Parreno
Property & Facilities Management

 Aside from serving at the Sinulog festival, Smart employees also volunteered to man first aid stations in Kalibo, Aklan and Kabankalan, Negros Occidental for the Ati-Atihan Festival (January 17) and Sinulog Festival (January 18) respectively.

The volunteers are looking forward to more CSR programs where they can lend a hand to give service to the community like the First Aid Station. And now they are more than ready to volunteer for the International Eucharistic Congress.

In the words of Elizabeth Andrew said, “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”