12/11/2025
๐ฃ๐๐๐ก๐ ๐โ๐๐ข๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ง๐๐ฟ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ผ ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป: ๐ข๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐จ๐๐๐ก ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ-๐๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐
by Ken Torre
PHINMA Cagayan de Oro College witnessed the true spirit of Bayanihan as Operation ULAN unfolded, a student-led initiative that turned empathy into tangible action. What started as an idea by committed student leaders became a multi-layered outreach with a donation drive, a community pantry, a communication line to track and connect with fire-affected students, and even psychosocial support sessions in collaboration with the Guidance Office. Every effort was driven by one goal, to show that PHINMA students do not just study, they lift each other and their communities.
The initiative began in response to a fire that broke out on October 28, 2025, in Dabatian-Matilde-Neri Sts., Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City. Student leaders immediately called for action that same night, coordinating with PHINMA-COC Center for Student Development and Leadership Office, CSG, RSOs, SBOs and volunteers to organize relief efforts. From October 29 onward, the communication line was activated to track and reach out to fire-affected students, ensuring no one was left behind. A donation drive was held from November 3 to 8, gathering essential goods, hygiene kits, and school supplies. The Community Pantry opened on November 11 and 12 at PHINMAโCOC, while psychosocial support sessions in collaboration with the Guidance Office are scheduled for November 13 and 14, 2025. Every stage of "Operation ULAN: Unified Leaders in Action for Nurture" reflects the dedication and collective effort of student leaders working to bring hope, care, and support to their peers and the community.
Student leaders worked tirelessly in the days leading up to today, sorting and packing food, hygiene kits, school supplies, and uniforms not only for their fellow students but also for families affected by the fire in Barangay Carmen. Today, as the pantry doors opened, these leaders welcomed their peers with warmth, empathy, and organization, guiding them through the distribution process, offering words of encouragement, and ensuring every student felt valued and supported.
Beyond the immediate relief, the initiative also reached the hearts of its recipients. Fire-affected students who arrived uncertain and anxious left with a sense of hope and belonging, knowing they were seen, heard, and cared for. The leadersโ collective effort, attention to detail, and genuine concern for their peers demonstrated that leadership is not just about positions or titles, it is about choosing to act, to serve, and to care.
Operation ULAN also extended its reach beyond the campus, as student leaders prepared and donated essential goods to the affected barangay, embodying a true community spirit. Today is more than a distribution of goods, it is a celebration of resilience, empathy, and the power of youth leadership. Through their unwavering dedication, PHINMA student leaders have proven that compassion, when paired with action, can ignite hope, transform lives, and strengthen the bonds of a community.
Today, we honor their courage, commitment, and heart. We witnessed Bayanihan alive at PHINMA COC, led by students who chose to make a difference.
News Feature Article and Photos by Ken Torre
