PRC CamSur marks World Red Cross, Red Crescent Day

NAGA CITY --- Various youth groups, partners and stakeholders gathered at Plaza Rizal yesterday, May 8 here as they joined millions of volunteers around the globe to commemorate the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day in cognizance of the dedication and sacrifices given by the volunteers to promote the PRC’s various humanitarian services. A motorcade around the city jumpstarted the celebration. It was immediately followed by a simple program highlighted by the reenactment of the national award given to PRC Chairman of the Board and Camarines Sur Vice Governor Fortunato C. Peña and PRC Board Secretary and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Camarines Sur Provincial Head Ana-Liza S. Macatangay. Peña is a recipient of the Silver Humanitarian Service Cross, the second highest national award presented by the Board of Governors of the Philippine Red Cross. It is given to a volunteer who has distinguished himself by his outstanding leadership as reflected in the progress of the unit where he has served or for outstanding service in the promotion of the Red Cross. Macatangay, on the other hand, was given the Aurora Aragon Quezon Award/Medal, an award presented by the Board of Governors of the Philippine Red Cross only to volunteers who have distinguished themselves by their exceptional dedication to the cause of the Red Cross in the Philippines. The medal honors the memory of the late Doña Aurora Aragon Quezon who, in selflessness and devotion to duty as first Chairman of the Independent Philippine Red Cross, personified the true spirit of Red Cross Volunteer Service. Capping the celebration is the soft launch of the Signature for a Cross campaign, a fund raising project of the PRC Camarines Sur Chapter which was able to gather an initial amount of Php10, 087.00. The amount which will be collected will be used to fund the various services of the PRC like its blood donation program, safety services, disaster management services, health services and many others. With the theme #EveryWhere4Everyone: Smile, PRC Camarines Sur OIC Administrator Maria Theresa S. Bongiad believes that a “smile” can do wonders as it can uplift human feelings and alleviate human suffering. “A volunteer’s life is not easy. They are oftentimes faced with a very difficult situation. Instead of frowning and showing off a sad face during the most vulnerable times, they choose not to but instead give their best smiles to inspire others and make them feel that everything will be alright,” Bongat stated with a smile. The event wrapped up with a free BP taking, blood typing, first aid and Basic Life Support (BLS) demo, volunteer’s orientation and a flash mob dance by more than a hundred Red Cross Youth 143 volunteers coming from Barangays Mabolo, Sabang and other schools. The occasion was graced by other PRCBoard Directors: Ed Yu, Mely De Guzman and 3rd District Congressman Gabriel Bordado. LSMacatangay-PIAV/Camarines Sur