hand and heart

The recent post office troubles have impacted our regular fundraising efforts. Please consider supporting the Register and Catholic journalism by using one of the methods below:

  • Donate online
  • Donate by e-transfer to accounting@catholicregister.org
  • Donate by telephone: 416-934-3410 ext. 406 or toll-free 1-855-441-4077 ext. 406
College students displaced after Typhoon Haiyan pose for a photo at the University of the Philippines Diliman campus in Quezon City Feb. 2. Seary Balliard, 17, top left, Ross Ali Ramacula, 18, top right, Rex Olis, 18, bottom right, and Darryl Vidad, 17, bottom left, are four of about 200 Tacloban College students who made their way to Quezon City after officials of the nationwide University of the Philippines system allowed them to register immediately at no extra cost.
College students displaced after Typhoon Haiyan pose for a photo at the University of the Philippines Diliman campus in Quezon City Feb. 2. Seary Balliard, 17, top left, Ross Ali Ramacula, 18, top right, Rex Olis, 18, bottom right, and Darryl Vidad, 17, bottom left, are four of about 200 Tacloban College students who made their way to Quezon City after officials of the nationwide University of the Philippines system allowed them to register immediately at no extra cost. CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn

Filipino students go back to school

By  Catholic News Service
  • February 7, 2014

QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES - Biology major Seary Balliard is finding there’s a lot more to a university education than knowing how the parts of the human body function. She is also learning about the human psyche and the compassion it can share.

As one of hundreds of students whose college education at the University of the Philippines Visayas’ Tacloban College was disrupted by Typhoon Haiyan Nov. 8, Balliard has been welcomed by a new university community and its affiliated Catholic parish, giving her the opportunity to continue her studies with barely an interruption.

“The university gave us everything we need: food, a home, psycho-social guidance. They were very accommodating,” said Balliard, on the campus of the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, her new college home.

Balliard is one of about 200 Tacloban College students who made their way to the Diliman campus. Students are receiving no-cost tuition, dorm rooms and benefiting from donations of food from suppliers and a nearby church.

The Parish of the Holy Sacrifice of the Diocese of Cubao has played a major role in helping studentss. Johaina Langco, 19, credits the parish priests for delivering inspirational homilies, special programs and social events that allowed the new students to overcome the traumatic experience of being forced to suddenly flee floodwaters and high winds.

More in this category: « Pop culture distorts supernaturals Student seeks hands-on social justice »

Please support The Catholic Register

Unlike many media companies, The Catholic Register has never charged readers for access to the news and information on our website. We want to keep our award-winning journalism as widely available as possible. But we need your help.

For more than 125 years, The Register has been a trusted source of faith-based journalism. By making even a small donation you help ensure our future as an important voice in the Catholic Church. If you support the mission of Catholic journalism, please donate today. Thank you.

DONATE