In a heartwarming display of community spirit, senior high school students from Abellana National School extended assistance to families displaced by Typhoon Tino in Cebu City. The initiative demonstrated how youth-led efforts can provide crucial support during natural disasters.
Student-Led Relief Operation
Grade 12 students from the Europa section organized a relief operation on November 11, 2025, distributing warm champorado (chocolate rice porridge) to evacuees in Barangay Sambag 2. The activity formed part of their community outreach program aimed at bringing comfort to families affected by the recent typhoon.
The original plan involved serving evacuees who had taken temporary shelter at Southwestern University Phinma after being displaced from their homes in Barangay Sambag 1 and Sambag 2. However, when the student volunteers arrived at the campus, they discovered that most evacuees had already returned home.
Adapting to Changing Circumstances
Rather than abandoning their mission, the determined students quickly adapted their approach. They converted their planned distribution into a house-to-house feeding program, personally delivering the food to affected households in Sitio Lower Pailob and Upper Pailob within Barangay Sambag 2.
Many homes in these areas had been severely damaged by floodwaters, rendering numerous household items unusable. The champorado provided not only nourishment but also emotional comfort to families dealing with the aftermath of the typhoon.
Community Coordination and Support
The relief activity was conducted in coordination with Barangay Kapitan Keith Noel Wenceslao of Sambag 2 and the Sangguniang Kabataan Council led by SK chairperson Mary Rosyll Roncal. This collaboration ensured the effort reached those most in need while following proper community protocols.
What makes this initiative particularly noteworthy is that the students personally funded the food distribution using money they had saved from their allowances. This self-financed approach demonstrated their genuine commitment to helping their community without relying on external funding.
The Abellana National School students' proactive response to Typhoon Tino's impact showcases how educational institutions can foster civic responsibility and emergency preparedness among the youth. Their flexibility in adapting to changing circumstances and personal investment in the project sets a positive example for student-led community service throughout the Philippines.
