On the feast day of its patron St. Thomas Aquinas, January 28, 2020, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) once again brought aid to the residents affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano. Tulong Tomasino volunteers gave their support to communities in the Jacobo Zobel Elementary School, Brgy. Poblacion 3, and Santo Domingo de Silos Parish Church in Calatagan, Batangas.
This is the third group to be sent by the University. The first was a group that brought relief goods on January 18, 2020 to families in Lian and Balayan, Batangas, and the second group brought relief assistance on January 24, 2020 to Santo Domingo de Silos Parish Church and families in Calatagan.
Included in the contingent of more than 120 Thomasians led by UST Acting Rector Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., were Dominican Fathers, medical doctors, nurses, volunteer psychologists and psychometricians from the UST Psychotrauma Clinic, guidance counselors, and volunteers from the UST SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office and National Service Training Program (NSTP) Office, among others.
Medical doctors from the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and the UST Health Service provided medical aid.
Play therapy and storytelling sessions – which assist children in processing stressful events in their lives – were also conducted by UST College of Education faculty members and students under the Special Education program.
The UST Psychotrauma Clinic volunteers gave free counseling and psychotherapy sessions to various individuals affected by the traumatic event.
