Hijos Tours brings Araw ng Pagbangon to Baguio City

Posted on November 09, 2022

By: Harlene Joy Reyes

CARD MRI staff and clients attended “Araw ng Pagbangon,” a series of two-day activities including Pamaagi Travel Fair, Sugilanon Monologue Performance, Localized Kapihan Session, and Koa Kafe.

On October 20 to 21, 2022, CARD MRI Hijos Tours in collaboration with CARD MRI Publishing House and Mga Likha ni Inay hosted “Araw ng Pagbangon”, a two-day event in Baguio City to recognize the perseverance of CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI) clients and staff in the path towards recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event was organized for staff and clients of member-institutions of CARD MRI with operations in Baguio City, which includes CARD Bank, Inc., Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), Inc. (A Microfinance NGO), and CARD Mutual Benefit Association (CARD MBA).

In his opening remarks, CARD MRI Founder and Chairman Emeritus Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip said, “This program represents each CARD MRI staff and client’s persistence in continuing to recover from the obstacles we face. May it serve as motivation for us to remain strong in times of difficulties, and to continue holding each other’s hands for our collective recovery.”

This program consists of Pamaagi, a travel fair event that features the products of CARD MRI clients; Sugilanon, a virtual monologue performance that tells the story of a mother of CARD Account Officer, CARD MBA Coordinator, and CARD MRI driver during the pandemic; a localized Kapihan Session, a gathering of clients and staff; and the KOA Kafe, a pop-up event, which conducted storytelling and coloring activities for children while giving out free coffee, calamansi juice, and Indomie noodles.

“We heard and witnessed many stories, but our stories of pagbangon drive us to work hard and remain steadfast not only as individuals but also as people ready to lift others so that no one will be left behind,” said Mr. Aristeo A. Dequito, Managing Director of CARD MRI.

The program included entertaining games and a pleasant dinner for participants so that everyone from different institutions could get to know each other better and strengthen the bond between each staff, client, and coordinator towards pagbangon.

At the end of the program, Marilyn Manila, President of Hijos Tours, stated, “This Araw ng Pagbangon will remind us of how we have overcome and will continue to overcome all of life’s challenges.”

Araw ng Pagbangon is set to be conducted in Tacloban City in November 25, 2022.