Kapatid!

Tulong at Alay, PAgmamahal ng Kabataan (TAPAK) was founded by Edwin Bañas Jr., a sacristan of the parish church of Silang, Cavite in February of 2019. The organization’s first project (with the founder’s classmates) — a collection of donations in accord onto buying of bread and water for the less fortunate outside the school premises. However, despite being a successful independent project, it was then halted due to academic reasons. In August 2019, the founder (Edwin Bañas) was then approached by the school’s Christian Values and Integration Office Coordinator, Mdme. Vilma Mallari; to rebuild the organization’s project in bigger prospect, with the help and active participation of his (founder) fellow Grade 10 students whom he had encouraged to join his mission that eventually became every individual’s mission.

Feeling motivated and compassionate, the organization members started to imagine and brainstorm the mission they’ll expand to others. On the thought of how they can help and make an impact on the less fortunate in the community. They had initiated group meetings, planning of fund settlements through the cooperation of the students of Infant Jesus Academy of Silang, Inc. With the making of the red boxes initially assigned to every section, whereas anyone who is willingly able to put any amount to share. Because of the strong unity and compassion of everyone, the project itself was successful and the mission of the organization has since then been continued.

The works of TAPAK started by introducing “TAPAK Boxes” to six sections of Grade 10. The box goes around the classroom wherein anyone can give out any amount willingly. The TAPAK team had continuous meetings; December 8, 2019, in Sitio of Guitasin, Kaong, Silang, Cavite — the plan to buy supplies was made possible. With Christmas being near, the team had organized a Christmas party for the children of Sitio Guitasin, giving out food and holding a session where the children can know more about God.

December 29, 2019, the team had reached Sitio Guitasin and made the project successfully possible. Meanwhile, in January 2020, the team bought supplies that the evacuation centers needed due to the eruption of the Taal Volcano. It was then donated to the school to be donated to Tahanan ng Mabuting Pistol in Tagaytay, Cavite.

At present, we conduct new projects that illustrate the vision-mission of the organization. Generally, our daily posts from our used social media platforms are called “Marahuyo” as we look at and share the beauty in all aspects; connectively, we allocate motivational quotes, celebrate and commemorate events and conduct monthly playlists. On March 7, 2022, TAPAK launched its first weekly podcast the ‘Uy, diba?’, which aims to entertain, comfort, and educate the viewers. Moreover, TAPAK is set to launch another project in the future.

Patron Saint and Official Trademark

Tulong at Alay, PAgmamahal ng Kabataan is dedicated to Saint Vincent de Paul, who was a French Catholic priest and dedicated himself to serving the poor.

The official trademark of the organization shows some footprints, and an image of Jesus and His youth followers. The footprints refer to the organization’s abbreviated name ‘TAPAK’ meaning Tulong at Alay, PAgmamahal ng Kabataan; however the word tapak could mean various meanings, but the organization implies to take the lead in helping the society and those in need in surpassing a slump and rising in betterment. The image of Jesus and His youth followers implies that the mission starts within young minds in raising and initiating pillars that reach on a wide range embracement of the youth’s empowerment. Lastly, “it is in giving that we receive”, no amount of money nor luxurious things can be more abundant and is incomparable to the joy and gratefulness we see upon through the actions and initiations we held out to others.

Vision

Mission

We, an INDEPENDENT organization the Tulong at Alay, PAgmamahal ng Kabataan, envision a united community where we, as front-runners of the youths to be of simple example in initiating the JEEPGY Pillars towards the society with no exchange of extravagance nor fund.

Anchored to the JEEPGY Pillars, we engage to become one in engaging in activities on making the society surpass a slump and rise in betterment. Cooperation in the will of conveying our mission; where, we, each one of us is part of the solution on reducing poverty through small ways. As a youth, we exceed to empower and believe in.

A TAPAK member shall be:

Trustworthy
Understanding
Logical in solving problems
Organized in all aspects
Welcoming towards others
Respectful and is fair regardless the gender
Approachable to those in need
Loyal enough to bring the qualities of the organization
Affectionate to those in need
Youthful in empowering and influencing
Positive
Artistic
Generous
Mature
Agreeable in terms within the organization

The Main Objectives of TAPAK

To empower and influence the youth in doing good things.
To share the love and happiness we have with other people.
To be the voice of the people who don't have enough confidence and platform to voice themselves.
To be role models of the youth in initiating JEEPGY pillars to society.
To raise awareness on societal issues.

What have we felt? What urged us to do this? What is it that we realized?

When we first planned to build TAPAK, we analyzed the main problems of society. As we continue to observe, we see the major problems of the community. Regardless of the transforming environment due to the constant modernization, long-lasting problems that tend to be impossible to solve are still there. Thus, we, the TAPAK team, found the right opportunity to solve the problems that caught our attention. Last year, we chose to prioritize poverty and lack of resources. The deprived and oppressed in our community are still suffering from the problem of deducing what to do to gather money for their everyday needs. Nevertheless, due to the pandemic, our mission to help the poor was canceled in reason of the safety protocols.

We discussed and understood the situation we are facing right now. We thought of the right action that should be done to prevent the struggles in our reality. We listened to each other’s suggestions and opinions on how we can initiate effective change. As St. Dominic Savio said, “I am not capable of doing big things, but I want to do everything, even the smallest things, for the greater glory of God.”

At first, we decided to focus on Empowering the Youth. Most of us went through difficult circumstances that greatly affect our Mental Health. As the quarantine period continues, we have encountered different events and situations that trigger our mental stability. Moreover, Social Media has become more open for the people, especially to the youth. Hence, we wanted to influence our fellows to become empowered youth and responsible social media users.

What happened to us? How did we execute our mission? What were the problems that we have faced?

Due to the pandemic, we are not able to perform our missions for the poor. We can’t give anything as most of us also experienced difficulties during the quarantine period. Nevertheless, we did our best to not let those difficulties hinder our passion to help.

As we have established a website last school year, we used it as an instrument to at least help our fellow youth. We shared bible verses every day. Also, we opened an account on different social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, Spotify, TikTok, and opened our official website. We used this platform to share awareness and to advocate. However, like other youth, we stopped posting. Relatively, we all have suffered from stress, breakdowns, and other mental health issues. Our capabilities to empower other people decreases.

We had a meeting last March 31, 2021. We decided to get back on our feet and come back stronger than before. We are going to execute our mission and start being the light in this sinking situation.

When things go well again and the classes are back, we plan to speak to every section in the year level of grade 9 to recruit new members who will continue our steps. Those who, deep in their hearts, want to pursue missions to slowly contribute to change starting from themselves. We hope to make TAPAK not just a group of students but the unity of people who are empowered and willing to give themselves to others. We hope for more missions and opportunities for the group and a beautiful journey ahead of us. Again, this is TAPAK, Tulong at Alay PAgmamahal ng Kabataan, inspiring the youth to share whatever they can and want to give. We believe that small steps can lead to big changes.

What can we do during this time of pandemic?

We have launched several projects such as the Marahuyo and TAPAK for a Cause, we are maintaining our Social Media activities active and ongoing since most people have social medias. We have expanded our social media platforms and we are using them to our advantage. Scheduled posts every week about different events and feast days as well as motivational posts is what we are doing the past few months. As of July 31, 2021, a new set of TAPAK Officers have been nominated and they took in charge for uniting the members and for giving them tasks to post in the social media accounts. With the new members, TAPAK has 22 outstanding members and this became a new start to the TAPAK Organization as it gave hope that we will be continuing in the future as the organization grows. Recently, TAPAK had conducted a Cleansing Project, now left with 18 members and are up for recruitment.