“Guess who’s coming to our community?” a mother of five children asked her neighbours in one of the depressed communities in Imus, while having a breastfeed to her six-month old baby boy. Her neighbour responded with excitement: “Ma’am Tina?”
Ms. Cristina H. Viegan, RSW or best known as Tina in various poor communities in Imus, Cavite gained respect over the years for the quality of social services she delivered way back in mid ‘90s initially to five barangays namely: Bucandala 4, Tanzang Luma 6, Anabu 2C, Pagasa 3 and Toclong 2B. Through A-Star Foundation, Inc. where she’s connected, five basic social services were introduced to these barangays which include Family and Life Services, Livelihood Services, Environment Advocacy and Protection Services, Primary Health Care Services and Other Support Services. These basic social services provide meaningful opportunities for social and economic growth of the disadvantaged sector of the population within the locality in order to develop them into productive and self-reliant citizens and promote social equity.
The Family and Life Services are composed of spiritual and values formation programs, lenten recollection, seminars such as effective parenting, anti-drug campaigns, leadership skills training, pro-life advocacy, gift-giving and youth animation.
Livelihood services are composed of livelihood skills training for unskilled women/mothers and out-of-school youth; tapping of resources for the provision of capital to start a small business; and monitoring of livelihood programs in five depressed communities.
Environment Advocacy and Protection Services include clean and green projects, tree-planting, and waste management.
Primary Health Care Services include medical, optical and dental services; dog vaccination; operation circumcision; assistance to persons with disability and senior citizens; and referral of medical cases to government hospitals, PCSO and other government agencies.
Other Support Services include coordination meetings with various NGOs, POs, government agencies for joint-projects collaborations; assistance to walk-in clients; and attendance to seminars on social welfare and development.
This same concept of social services was adoptedby Ms. Viegan when she was invited by Hon. Mayor Manny Maliksi to be the consultant/head of the Community Development Assistance Office (CDAO) of Imus, Cavite. From 2007 up to present, Ms Viegan with her CDAO Team captured the hearts of Imusenos through her unconditional and sincere service to the depressed communities in the Municipality.
Ms. Viegan set a different kind of standards in social service. One that is with a “heart”. This was the choice of her own heart – choosing to serve with joy and sincerity. Social service that is rooted to the center of our being where God resides. This is best proved by her battlecry to integrate spiritual aspects into social service through spiritual and values formation programs.
Ms. Viegan firmly believes that “joy” is contagious just as sorrow is. When you’re with her, joy radiates, not because she is blessed with friends or material possessions, but because she habitually recognizes God’s presence in the midst of all her worries, concerns, including her health condition as well as the unending pressure and stress brought by daily interactions with people, NGOs and government officials for resource complementation. Whatever the situation is, wherever she goes, whomever she meets, she is able to see and hear something positive, something to which to be grateful.
The mothers in the depressed areas oftentimes commented “When I am with Ma’am Tina, I can catch glimpses of the sun shining through the clouds. Even though we are in a depressed area and we are coping economically, we firmly believe that there’s always a sun which will radiate and give us light because Ma'am Tina taught us to HOPE.”
Today, as Ms Viegan is celebrating her birthday, the Imusenos especially those in the depressed areas joyfully acknowledge the kind of social services she spearheaded and will continue to spearhead...a kind social services with a heart....a kind of social services that radiates joy and shares the goodness of God.
Ms Cristina H. Viegan, RSW is definitely an icon of social service in Imus, Cavite.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ms. Tina!
BIRTHDAY MESSAGES:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TINA. May God bless you with more birthdays to come so you can continue to share your blessings to a lot of people. It is a great privilege for our family to have known a great person like you. Happy birthday! - From Art, Jing and Angel Martinez
Wish ko lang isama mo ako Batanes!...Hehehehe.. I am sure God will provide what you need. Happy Birthday. - Mico Andres
We would like to wish you all the best on your birthday! Just continue your charity work for we know you are God's instrument in making other people happy. God bless you always and may you continuously be in good shape. Happy Birthday! - Atty. Pong, Let Vigo and Kids
Tinz, I pray for you the best of good health...happier years ahead! Happy Birthday! Love you! - Kapitana Sylvia
The Rock of all ages stands secure. He will always be there, he watches over all His own to calm their anxious care. We love you. Happy Birthday, Ma'am! -AUIC Girls
Happy Birthday, Tina. - Nay Mila TamorHappy Birthday! More blessings and best of health. Love you! - Ate Monic
A sweet kiss and hug to a pretty Ma’am.Happy Birthday Ma’am Tina! We love you!– Gina and A-Star Foundation Team.
Happy Birthday Ma’am Tina! We love you! – MHM Team, Youth Coordinators, PLP, AGM, KKK, PYAP-IMUS CHAPTER, Technical Staff
Happy Happy Birthday Ate Tinz! We your little brothers wish you good health, happy family, peace of mind, more material blessings and more years for social service. WE LOVE YOU, ATE TINZ! - Bros. Bal, Elmer, Ian and Juriel
