CARD MRI empowers youths for social transformation

CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), a social development organization, conducted its fourth annual gathering for its scholars held at CARD-MRI Development Institute (CMDI), Inc. last May 22-24, 2015. The gathering tagged as “Pagbulas IV” with the theme “Youth and Volunteerism” was participated by 119 scholars from the different provinces of Luzon.

The youth serves as the key agents of change having the determination to innovate and achieve reform. Franz Josef Hipol, the Movement Building-North Luzon Team Leader of Gawad Kalinga, stirred up the gifts of the scholars for social transformation. He taught how the youth can volunteer and help in a simple but sure way to make an impact in serving the country. The participants of Pagbulas IV also engaged in several activities that would help them have a sense of service to our country.

To give additional inspiration, Cynthia Baldeo, the Executive Vice President of CARD SME Bank, Inc. and May Dawat, the General Manager of CARD MBA, Inc. shared their journey in CARD MRI. Mr. Raffy Antes of the CARD MRI’s Corporate Communications and Kelvin Junos of CARD MBA also shared their experience in being a scholar to becoming one of the contributors to the development of the country by joining the workforce of CARD MRI.

Mylene Derequito of the Population Commission, San Pablo City gave her insights about teenage pregnancy and Alexis Janolino of the Philippine National Red Cross, San Pablo City served as the speaker for Disaster Preparedness to the participants of Pagbulas IV.

Dr. Jaime Aristotle Alip, the Founder and Managing Director of CARD MRI gave three pieces of advice to the CARD scholars, “First, anyone or anything we want to be in the future starts with a dream. Start dreaming and never leave it. We should take hold of it. Second, we shouldn’t be satisfied by the words “good enough.” We should strive for what is best. We should commit and live on what we do. And third, do the things you do with passion.”

Pagbulas, which means “awakening,” is a venue of unfolding and rediscovering one’s self and empowering stirred potentials of the youth. It is also a way of CARD MRI to contribute in shaping a productive and socially-aware individual.

CARD MRI is driven by its mission to improve the quality of lives of poor communities. “We have seen the importance of education in poverty eradication. Millions of students wish to finish their studies but have no capability to do so because of poverty. Giving access to formal education to our children will surely make a great impact in fighting against poverty,” said Marilyn M. Manila, the Director of Community Development Group of CARD MRI.

The scholars also participated in the Hijos de San Pablo program of CARD MRI. It aims to promote the tourism industry of San Pablo City and let the participants discover the rich past of the Southern Tagalog region. It links how the region’s historical past made CARD MRI continue its mission in empowering women in our country.