Reaching out from USA thru cyberspace
STO. TOMAS – It’s a long way from Sto. Tomas, Pangasinan to Mission Hills in California, USA but cyberspace has made it possible for communities to reach out to each other regardless of physical distance between them.
Anacleto Arciaga, a retired US Navy personnel now working part-time service officer in the American Veterans Association, and a native of this town who is now residing in Mission Hills, proved it.
When he found out from Marlo Mirano,another kabeleyan from Sto. Tomas and now a resident of Hawaii that their native town is in dire need of some medical equipment, he lost no time in communicating with Sto. Tomas Mayor Vivien Villar how he could help.
Then he turned to the internet that he knows can connect him to thousands in an instant. He posts an SOS message at the www.pangasinan.org. hoping that other Tomasians would read it and respond.
And respond they did.
Soon, pledges kept pouring in for the purchase of medical equipment for the town health center. Arciaga aptly called it “Instruments of Love”.
A big chunk of the donations came from Sto. Tomas Association in Toronto, Canada.
Arciaga finally arrived here with $5,475 in cash donations and used the amount to purchase ECG, Doppler, electric fan, an air condition unit, refrigerator, water coolers, and others to the town’s officials.
“This will be the start of better things to come,” Arciaga promised.
He plans to organize and lead a big medical mission from the US when the town celebrates its centennial year in 2008.
He expressed gratitude for the trust reposed in him by his kabaleyans who supported the fund drive to help their town.
It was then he realized that many, particularly those who haven’t had a chance to revisit the town, have long wanted to share their blessings but didn¹t know how to send them.
Villar acknowledged the donations and cited the significance and timeliness of the help from the town’s overseas residents.
“It only shows that wherever they are now, these people who have resided in our town still show how much they care for their hometown,” Villar said. – EVA
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