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The SM Cares Housing Project is now on the third year of project implementation which aims to establish a progressive, self-sustaining and self-reliant community. The project started in 2014, and after three (3) years of social development activities, RAFI will now formally turnover the project to the Homeowners Association.

The event will be held at SM Cares Village Bogo, Brgy. Polambato, Bogo City this coming November 25, 2017. It will be attended by the various donors of SM Foundation, City LGU of Bogo, donors and partners of the housing project.

“Malipayon kay nakalahutay mig tulo ka tuig sa among pag-puyo dinhi sa Village. Among paningkamutan nga among magamit ang among mga nakat-uanan sa mga gihatag nga trainings sa RAFI” (I am happy that we survived three years living in this village. We will make sure to use the knowledge we acquired from the trainings we had from RAFI.) Daisy Lequigan, Secretary, said.

Another highlight for this event will be the free mass wedding or Kasalang Bayan which will be sponsored by SM Foundation Inc. and Felicidad Foundation. This is in coordination with the HOA officers and cohabiting couples in the village. The Kasalang Bayan was proposed by their elders during one of their monthly meetings.

“Importante gayud nga makasal sila kay aron mas lig-on ang ilang pagkuyugay isip usa ka magtiayon og pamilya nga adunay bendisyon” (It’s very important that they get married to strengthen their bond as husband and wife or as a couple and for the blessing of their family.) Linda Lequigan, HOA Officer, said.

“Daghan mi naagihan nga mga kalisod isip mga opisyales dinhi sa asosasyon, pero nagpabilin ra gihapaon mi nga adunay panglantaw sa kadaghanan, nga mubarog ang gihapon sa pag achieve sa among vision nga mamintinar namo ang kalinaw, kahasay sa among pag- puyo dinhi sa village” (We have been through a lot of hardship as association officials but we are still looking at the good of the majority. We will remain firm in achieving our vision in maintaining peace and order in this village.) Nilo Montesclaros, BOD Chairman, said.

Based on the profiling conducted, there are 68 cohabiting couples in the village who are not yet married. Most of these couples cannot afford to pay for the expenses for a church or civil wedding.

“Excited na ko nga makasal na jud mi sa akong kaipon, taud-taud na jud nag-plano nga magpakasal mi. Sa sige og plano, nanganak na lang ko og nidaku na lang akong pinakaunang anak… wa jud mi nakasal. Tungod sad kini kay gi-priority namo ang pag-eskwela” (I’m really excited to get married with my partner. We’ve been planning to get married a very long time ago, until I got pregnant and my eldest child just grew up and all, still we haven’t gotten married because we prioritized our child’s education.) Ma. Cecelia Versaga, a beneficiary of the Kasalang Bayan project, said.

“Daku kayo mig kalipay nga giapil nila ning programa para namong wa pa makasal, amo sad trabahoon ang among parte sa mga dokumento nga ipasa og asikasohon sa kasal. Salamat daan sa mga mutabag sa among kasal” (We are very happy that they have included this program for us – unmarried couples. We will also do our part in processing all the documents needed for the wedding. We are also extending our advance gratitude to our sponsors.) Jay-anne Ortega, a beneficiary of the Kasalang Bayan project, said.

In preparation for this big event, HOA and take the lead in beautifying and cleaning up their village through bayanihan.

“Mao ra ni among pamaagi nga ipakita sa mga nagtabang og naghatag namo’g balay nga pag-abot nila dinhi malipay sad sila nga limpyo, hapsay og nindot ang among palibot. Og nga amo sad kining giampingan ang among pag-puyo dinhi sa village” (This is our way of showing gratitude to the people who helped us and gave us our home that when they visit, they will see that we are maintaining a clean and orderly surrounding. That we are also taking good care of our village.) Lowie Calabia, HOA, said.

“Pina-agi sa pagbayanihan, nindot tan-awon og paminawon nga kaming namuyo diri sa village nga mamintinar jud ang kalimpyohan para sad kini sa among mga anak nga malayo sad sila sa mga sakit” (Through bayanihan, it is nice to see that we, the villagers, are maintaining cleanliness. For we are doing this for our children, to keep them away from diseases.) Joel Caroscos, HOA, said.

Part of the program will be the symbolic turnover of the documents for HOA. A certificate awardee will be given while HOA will give a copy of the community policies and plans to the SM Foundation.

And the most anticipated part of the program is the thanksgiving presentation of the HOA whereby HOA Officers and youth leaders will be showcasing their talents skills to the donors and partners of the housing project.

RAFI will continue to ensure the success of the activity through weekly meetings and event management sessions with the HOA Officers, the main anchor of this event.