Paulinian dares glacial dip for alma mater dollars
Brrr. Paulinian Marilyn Abalos (in wet suit) being true to her old school. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
NEW YORK CITY— An alumnus of St. Paul University in Manila joined hundreds of polar bears and dozens of penguins at Coney Island, New York on New Year’s Day. She didn’t do it for thrills but for her dear alma mater.
Marilyn Abalos, national chair of St. Paul Manila Alumnae USA, chilled for cash in the freezing waters of the Atlantic to benefit St. Paul University. Donations would go to the Alumnae’s Fleur-de-Lis Fund to support education scholarships, music therapy center and community projects.
Abalos shivered in the ice-cold sea for almost seven minutes – breaking her previous year’s record of 2:34 minutes. Better equipped with a wet suit and driver’s boots, she was able to surpass her goal of five minutes in the ocean.
“I had a donor who pledged $100 per minute if I stayed in the frigid ocean for at least five minutes, so I had to endure,” she explained. Other donations and pledges ranged from $10 to $20 per minute.
The shock of the cold water brought to mind the urgent need to support a Paulinian education she said: “Let’s make sure that no student at St. Paul is left out in the cold with no education, no opportunities for a better life. St. Paul has kept my head above water and warmed my heart!”
Abalos pointed out that among the educational initiatives SPMA USA supports is the Senior High School Program. She cited that the Philippines is the last country in Asia and only one of three countries in the world that still has a 10-year elementary and secondary school cycle.
The Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 has mandated all schools in the Philippines to offer 12 years of schooling in order to provide quality education that is globally competitive, on a par with international standards, as well as expand high school education for college preparation, vocational and technical career opportunities.
St. Paul University is working to comply with Philippine education reforms. SPMA USA supports St. Paul’s Senior High School program to enable students to complete secondary education. “Like St. Paul, our Patron, let us be daring,” said Sister Rosanne, St. Paul University President, “and together bring the Good News for ALL!”
SPMA USA will continue to accept donations for the Pauline Polar Plunge throughout the month of January.
To donate:
CHECKS are payable to: St. Paul Manila Alumnae USA, Inc. (Memo: Fleur-De-Lis Fund) Mail to: St. Paul Manila Alumnae, Inc., 4 Park Avenue, #16G, New York, NY 10016
PAYPAL: Send your donation to www.PayPal.com to: [email protected]
ONLINE: Send your donation online to www.chase.com via Quickpay to: [email protected]
(You do not need a Chase bank account, but you should sign up Quickpay and know your own bank account and routing number).
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