OLPS Alumni

LAUNCHING OF PROJECT DEX
OLPS 60th Alumni Homecoming
15-16 October 2005
by: Tato Marcial
Committee on Special Projects


Last year, during the 59th OLPS Alumni Homecoming, Dex sent a letter addressed to all of us which was read before the start of our general assembly. In his letter, he made mention of how lucky he was to be a part of this institution, and further informed us about his ailing condition, the very reason why he could not be physically present to join all of us in celebrating our homecoming. He was then so desperate in soliciting financial help that he begged and knocked on our generous hearts to extend any amount that could augment the budget allotted for his medicine and once-a-week dialysis - a procedure that sustained his very existence.

PROJECT DEX is a concept to help any member of the OLPSAFI who is in need. It is a project of hope, inspired by and actually dedicated to the memory of one of our alumni, MARK DEXTER LUCIDO MARBELLA, who died last September 29 of complications from renal failure, at a very young age of 29.

Did we, Dex’s co-alumni, really help him the best way we could, or did we turn our back from his cry for help? LET DEX’S CASE BE THE LAST, AND LET OTHER COMING PLEAS FOR HELP FROM OTHER ALUMNI BE ANSWERED! LET THE OLPS ALUMNI BE A FOUNDATION FOR SERVICE AND NOT ONLY FOR SOCIALIZATION!

It is the insistence of some members of the OLPSAFI, especially Batch 87, to really institutionalize the very purpose and role of our alumni foundation.

OLPSAFI is composed of so many brilliant, talented and kind-hearted people. In fact, we have seen some of them in the alumni blogspot, and we have learned about the rest from other alumni members. Some of us have become priests, articulate lawyers, successful businessmen, managers, CEO’s, doctors, politicians, etc. You name any profession, and most probably, we have it. But of what value is success in one’s life if it cannot be shared?

There may be some other alumni who need our help now, and will need our help in the future. The case of DEX was an eye-opener for all of us to give real meaning to the objectives and ideals of OLPSAFI.

It is high time that we join hands, pool our resources and share whatever we have to those alumni in need. This project therefore aims to help not only those members who are afflicted with a serious illness, but also those who need help in their employment or any form of assistance like referrals or endorsement.

We shall identify all alumni who are in the law and medical professions, business and religious sectors, non-government organizations, peace and order agencies, and other sectors of society, so that a wide network will be established and a well-founded alumni foundation that is well-funded shall emerge. Hence, extending assistance to those alumni in need will be immediate and systematic. In that manner, we will live the ideals and meaning of our existence here on earth and be men for others, just like how our beloved alma mater molded us: TO BE SELFLESS AND BE OF SERVICE TO MANKIND.

And so with this launching, we appeal to the new set of Board of Trustees to allocate a certain percentage of money generated from any fund raising activity of OLPSAFI to Project Dex.

May God Bless us all at Mabuhay ang OLPSAFI!