FOLLOWING THE ONSLAUGHT of Typhoon Crising and heavy monsoon rains, the Social Awareness and Community Involvement (SACI) committee of the Student Council (SC), Community Engagement Center (CEC), College of Nursing (CON) SC, and several student organizations launched Bedanihan 2025: Ahon Bedista Community Drive, a relief drive for affected families in Barangay 412, Sampaloc, Manila last August 1.
One of the first large-scale relief operations of the academic year, officers swiftly coordinated the BEDAnihan donation drive across the University, gathering food, bottled water, clothing, hygiene kits, and monetary donations from Bedans who were capable and willing to assist.
SC President Mitziko Yema shared how the swift planning for the initiative began during a meeting for Freshman Welcoming Day.
“Buti na lang may scheduled meeting kami with SOC… Nasingit namin ‘yung Bedanihan sa agenda, tapos that same night nakapagpasa na ng logos and partnerships ‘yung orgs. By the next day, na-release na agad ‘yung PubMat.”
Yema described the experience as a moment of unity, noting it was the first time they were able to invite so many orgs and colleges to join one initiative.
Participating organizations included the CON SC , The Repvblic (TR), Junior Bedan Law Circle (JBLC), Psychology Society of San Beda University (PSSBU), Junior Financial Management Association (JFINMA), Management and Entrepreneurship Society (MANSOC), and San Beda Economic Society (SBES). Each organization contributed through internal donation drives, volunteer support, and logistics coordination.
The decision to direct aid to Barangay 412 followed a welfare check among Bedan students, which had determined only a few cases in need of assistance, allowing the accumulated donations to reach partner communities and even Bedan employees.
Upon consulting with CEC, the Council was advised to prioritize Barangay 412—a long-standing partner community that was also among those most affected by the flooding.
“Actually, ‘yung Barangay 412, tinanong namin si Ma’am Noriel Tabag because of the CEC. Kung may mga part ba tayo na mas kinakailangan ng tulong o ng donation. At gusto ko doon tayo mag-focus—kung sino talaga yung kinakailangan ng tulong,” Beige Campbell, SC Treasurer and Committee Chair of SACI, shared.
The CEC monitors its partner communities and institutions post-disaster and was quick to recommend Barangay 412 based on urgency and familiarity.
“We always monitor our partners and so far, among our partners, [Barangay] 412 talaga ang kailangan ng tulong and also in Rizal,” CEC Director Ms. Norielyn C. Tabag, RSW stated.
“But anyway, we will also visit them. Kasi we are also considering the turnout of our donation drive.”
Apart from external beneficiaries, the initiative also aimed to assist affected University staff, particularly those under a no-work, no-pay scheme due to class and office suspensions.
A portion of the donations was allocated internally to members of the Bedan community who experienced significant loss or damage.
While the initiative highlighted the importance of student-led action, organizers like Campbell emphasized that although Filipino resilience is often celebrated, it should not be the sole response to recurring crises.
“Hindi dapat lagi tayong band-aid solution at all times…We also need to call out the leaders to also initiate some real solution to the problem…Kailangan din sumagot ang gobyerno sa kinakaharap na paulit-ulit na problema ng Pilipinas,” he stressed.
The southwest monsoon (Habagat), along with Tropical cyclones Crising, Dante and Emong, affected at least 9,720,352 people nationwide, causing 37 deaths and 32 injuries, according to the latest report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).