“It is difficult to ask people to support your efforts so you have to let them see your cause, that you are really doing something.” This was an exhortation and a challenge that echoed on the 9th Floor Mini Auditorium during the 2011 Volunteerism Week Inspirational Talk on July 21, 2011. Attended by more than 380 participants, the Talk was the climax of the celebration of the Volunteerism Week held from July 18-21, 2011 which was headed by the SACSO-CESU in coordination with the different departments and units of FEU – East Asia College.

In the previous years, the College had accomplished honorable people to provide motivating messages to the participants. This year, Social Entrepreneur and MyShelter Foundation Executive Director Illac Diaz graced the celebration as he shared the innovations and inventions of his foundation. Calling it appropriate technologies, Mr. Diaz showed slide shows and videos of labor-saving devices that can do ordinary chores for less time and effort. Among these were the bicycle washing machine and dryer, the peanut revolution (which shells peanuts), community ambulance, and the pet bottle solar-powered light. These technologies were remarkable for they were invented in a way that they can be easily replicated using easily accessed materials. Mr. Diaz also heads the Earth Bag Construction of MyShelter Foundation, the first in Asia to use more affordable and indigenous materials in construction. He presented some of the schools and clinics that were made out of materials indigenous to the community. The audience was appalled not only by Mr. Diaz’s good looks but more importantly by his wisdom, compassion and creativity.

During the program, the Math and Physical Department (MPS) headed by Dr. Elizabeth Diaz was awarded the iTambayani Award for besting other departments in terms of number of faculty that actively participated in departmental extension activities, institutional activities and extension committee meetings. Alumni members Renier G. Hernandez, Arvin Jonathan Pasion and Christine Joy Chiombon were also recognized for their participation in extension programs last year.

Apart from the strengthening talk from the Guest Speaker, the Volunteerism Week became even more eventful through the Photo Exhibit that was set up at the Main Building Lobby for the whole week providing a glimpse of the previous year’s highlights of activities. Members of the FEU-EAC community even had the chance to engage themselves in the celebration by participating in the Project Eskwela booth of partner agency Families and Children for Environment and Development (FCED) and assisted by volunteers from Social Action Volunteer Corps (SAVC). This sponsorship program provided more than 200 sets of school supplies to the underprivileged children.

The overall success of the 2011 Volunteerism Week proves FEU – East Asia College’s drive to strengthen the spirit of volunteerism.