Mu Sigma Phi Sorority, Inc.

by Pam Bayona, Class 2016

Making more than a hundred sparkly purple Christmas parols is no mean feat.

Seeing the faces of little children light up as you hand them santa hat bags filled with Christmas goodies bought from selling those parols makes everything worth it, however. We found this out in Mu Sigma Phi Sorority’s 25^th Parol Para sa Sanggol 2011, held in the PGH Pediatrics Wards last December 14, 2011.

The annual event is a joint fundraiser and service activity. Each year, colorful, handmade parols are sold and strung up with personalized holiday messages along the UP College of Medicine (UPCM) campus walkways. The proceeds from selling them then go towards sponsoring a children’s party and a donation of much needed medical equipment and supplies to the Pediatrics Wards of the Philippine General Hospital.

The 25^th year of Parol Para sa Sanggol was hosted by Billy Supnet of UPCM Class 2016, and was started by an Opening Prayer sung by Ann Ongbit, Blesie Perez and Mikki Miranda from Class 2016. Opening Remarks were given by the esteemed Dr. Carmencita David-Padilla (µΣΦ 1981), chair of PGH’s Department of Pediatrics. The Turning Over Ceremony for the donations was done by project co-heads Pamela Bayona and Patricia Cruz of Class 2016 to Chief Nurse Lourdes Asprec, along with Head Nurses Cecile Tubig and Tetchie Langote of Wards 9 and 11, respectively. Two portable suction machines and suction tubes, needles and syringes were donated. To cap the historic event, the Closing Remarks were given by Service Committee Chairperson Marianne Naria (μΣΦ ‘14).

Food, fun and games care of Jollibee later ensued for 80 pediatrics patients and their parents and guardians. Sponsored by Dr. Judith Eusebio (µ∑Φ '84), the party brought a little laughter and a lot of good cheer to the normally somber ward’s inhabitants. Purple and white balloons brightened up the children’s hospital beds, party music set the mood, and a special dance number from Jollibee himself brought smiles to everyone’s faces.

Host Billy Supnet of Class 2016 opens Parol Para sa Sanggol 2011.

Santa Jollibee’s little helpers from Class 2016: Billy Supnet, Doms Conception, Ella Cruz,

Patti Cruz, Aca Almelor, and Ann Ongbit.

Jollibee has a photo-op with the kids of the Pediatrics Wards during the

Jollibee Christmas party of Parol Para sa Sanggol 2011.

Doms Conception of Class 2016 hands out santa hats filled with Christmas goodies.