Simbahayan welcomes more partner communities in Pistang Tomas 2018

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THE UST Simbahayan Community Development Office welcomed more partner communities in the annual Pistang Tomasino trade fair from Feb. 12 to 15 at the Quadricentennial Square.

Simbahayan Director Mark Anthony Abenir said this year’s Pistang Tomas was an improvement compared with the previous ones as more partner communities and nongovernment organizations participated in the event.

“Nagkaroon tayo ng mga bagong [nongovernment organizations] na partners tulad ng Caritas [na] galing sa Archdiocese of Manila [at] ‘yung She Works, Inc. for women na victims of human trafficking,” Abenir told the Varsitarian in an interview.

Vanessa Vicente, head of the community development office of the UST-Alfredo M. Velayo (AMV) College of Accountancy, said Pistang Tomas was important avenue for Thomasians to appreciate the cultures of the University’s partner communities.

“[It’s] for Thomasians to get to know that these people really exist and […] hindi lang sila magaling mag-ani ng gulay, mag-alaga ng crops, but they also have talents in weaving and in business and it’s something that Thomasians should really appreciate,” Vicente told the Varsitarian.

This year’s Pistang Tomas featured indigenous clothing and accessories from partner communities in Rizal and South Cotabato. Other products such as root crops and food items came from Bataan, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.

Partners from the Diocese of Caloocan, Diocese of Malolos and Parañaque City Jail showcased handcrafted products in the fair.

UST Simbahayan hosted the “Pre-Pistang Tomas” livelihood training last January when members of partner communities were trained with different marketing strategies.

The event was led by UST Simbahayan, in partnership with the College of Commerce and Business Administration, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, College of Fine Arts and Design, College of Architecture, Institute of Physical Education and Athletics, Conservatory of Music and Accountancy.

Pistang Tomas celebrated its 16th year with the theme “Kultura’t Kabuhayan ng Pamayanan, Pagyamanin at Pangalagaan.”

Formed in 2012, the Simbahayan office now has 40 partner-communities and more than 30 partner-institutions.

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