The Carmelite Ember

09/12/2025

It's the time of year! 🌲
AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM OSAS ❤️

09/12/2025

Lost and found wallet Color: black
With cash
Please send a message on this page to claim

09/12/2025

Hope in the Ruins
✍️Lou Reiz Mae Bangis
A feature for The Carmelite Ember

In Sitio Colonia, Brgy. DSB Pontevedra, the echoes of Typhoon Tino still linger, broken roofs, scattered debris, and stories of fear that residents will never forget. Among those who faced the storm’s merciless strength was Tatay Bert, a grandfather known in the community for his quiet strength and devotion to his grandchildren.

When Typhoon Tino hit, it was unlike anything he had ever experienced. The winds howled like a living beast, tearing off the roof of their home and wrecking parts of their small shelter. Rain poured in like a flood, and the children clung to him, trembling as the house shook. For the first time in his life, Tatay Bert admitted he felt truly afraid, afraid not for himself, but for the little ones he has sworn to care for.

Days after the storm, the devastation was painfully visible: a home wounded, a livelihood shaken, and a grandfather trying his best to stay strong for the sake of the young hearts depending on him.

But in the middle of loss came a moment of light.

During the relief distribution and simple gift-giving spearheaded by the Hope Responders of Mount Carmel College of Escalante, Inc. (MCCEI), supported by generous benefactors who believed in the mission of compassion, Tatay Bert received food packs, few kilograms of rice, a spaghetti set, and used clothing. In a photograph, he is seen carrying these with both hands, his face lined with fatigue yet brightened by gratitude.

To him, these were not just goods; they were reminders that no one is truly alone.
That even in times of disaster, there are people willing to reach out.
That communities, when united, can lift each other back up.

Despite losing parts of his home, despite the fear he endured, Tatay Bert remains hopeful. He chooses gratitude over despair. He speaks softly but firmly about his appreciation for the MCCEI Hope Responders, the students, faculty, and all benefactors who extended their help without hesitation.

“Salamat gid. Dako gid ni nga bulig sa amon,” he said, his eyes reflecting both relief and renewed strength.

In the face of Typhoon Tino’s devastation, the story of Tatay Bert is more than a tale of survival.
It is a testament to courage, faith, and the power of community.
It is proof that even when storms shake our homes, kindness can rebuild our hope.

08/12/2025

A Ripple of Kindness After the Storm: MCCEI Hope Responders in Action for a Cause
By Lou Reiz Mae Bangis
December 8, 2025 | Sitio Colonia, Barangay DSB, Pontevedra

When Typhoon Tino struck Northern Negros last month, it left behind stories of loss, struggle, and slow rebuilding. Yet in So. Colonia, Barangay DSB, beneath wide stretches of sugarcane fields and simple rural homes, one thing remained unshaken, the unwavering spirit of the community.

On December 8, 2025, the Mount Carmel College of Escalante, Inc. (MCCEI), through its dedicated responders and volunteers, traveled to Sitio Colonia to conduct relief operations for nearly a hundred residents affected by the typhoon. What followed was an experience that revealed not just the needs of a community, but its strength, gratitude, and resilience.

As the MCCEI team stepped onto the sitio, they were greeted by a mix of old and young, fathers, mothers, grandparents, and children, all deeply appreciative of the presence of helping hands. Despite the hardships they had faced, the residents welcomed the team with smiles that conveyed warmth, hope, and an eagerness to move forward.

Families received 3 kilograms of rice, food packs, and a spaghetti set that would allow them to prepare a small celebration for Christmas, a gesture meant to remind them that the spirit of the season is alive even after the storm.

Children, almost 60 of them, gathered with joy as they were served juice, biscuits, and simple snacks. Their laughter, light, spontaneous, and sincere, became the music that carried the entire activity.

One of the highlights of the visit was the distribution of used clothing. Residents were allowed to choose items they truly needed, often selecting shirts and dresses for family members who were still in the fields or tending to their homes. This thoughtful humility showed how deeply the people valued fairness, making sure that everyone would have something to bring home.

In a place marked by rural simplicity, the strength of community ties stood out. Though the scars of Typhoon Tino remain, what now stands even stronger is their determination to rebuild and recover.

Behind Every Bag of Relief: Generosity That Moved Quietly

Behind this activity was a tapestry of kindness woven by individuals, groups, and institutions. Their quiet generosity made every relief item possible.

CASH DONORS & SUPPORTERS

MCCEI Faculty and Staff

BSED Filipino II-A

BSED Science I-A & II

BSED English I-A & II-A

BSED English I-B

BSED Math I & II

BSBA Students

NSTP & P.E. Students

Mylene Habla

Jeff Bornales

SSG

Montecalvo Family

Vicente Alba

Dan Dagatan

Floyd Cabus

Fr. Jonathan Serofia

Mary Jean Simonsen

Jenny’s Lutong Bahay (Food for volunteers)

Alpha Sigma Phi Gamma Xi Chapter

MCCEI Admin, Faculty and Staff

These donors, in their own ways, helped ease the burden carried by the residents of Sitio Colonia. Their contributions are now part of the story of healing and hope in the community.

The heart of this mission lies in the people who showed up, walked through the sitio, handed out relief goods, and spent time with the community.

The Hope responders volunteers who joined the operation include:

Dr. Glenda M. Tan

Mr. Allen Dela Cruz

Mr. Angelo Sevilleno

Mr. Dan Dagatan

Mr. Kevin Razquin

Ms. Jhona Alegada

Ms. Janeth Mombay

Lou Reiz Mae Bangis

GP Tan

Their dedication embodied MCCEI’s core values, including service, compassion, commitment to community, and a faith-driven desire to help those in need.

The relief operation in Sitio Colonia was more than a distribution of goods; it was a reminder that in the face of adversity, kindness remains powerful. The smiles shared, the soft words of gratitude exchanged, and the hopeful eyes of children created small ripples, ripples that MCCEI believes will inspire more acts of service in the future.

Through this mission, the MCCEI community proved once again that helping others, even in simple, humble ways, can spark hope and strengthen the bonds that hold communities together.

In Sitio Colonia, the storm may have taken much, but today, kindness gave something back.

07/12/2025

MCCEI Relief Operations Team are on the way to Pontevedra for the distribution of Food packs for our typhoon -affected brothers and sisters.

Thank you so much to our generous benefactors for the support and for sharing your blessings to make this initiative possible.

07/12/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BsNxrcNvB/

VIVA MARIA! December 8 is a special non-working holiday as we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Principal Patroness of the Philippines.

Today, we honor our deep Marian devotion as a nation and reflect on the grace, compassion, and faith that Mary inspires in each of us. May this day bring peace to our homes, unity to our communities, and renewed hope to our hearts. 🙏💙🇵🇭

02/12/2025

MCCEI Pre-Service Teachers Begin Internship Across Partner Schools
By Lou Reiz Mae Bangis| The Carmelite Ember

The Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) and Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEEd) interns from Mount Carmel College of Escalante, Inc. (MCCEI) officially began their off-campus internship on December 1, marking an important milestone in their journey toward becoming licensed educators. Assigned to various partner schools, the pre-service teachers were warmly welcomed by administrators, cooperating teachers, and students as they prepared to immerse themselves in real classroom settings.

For the BSEd majors, English, Filipino, Science, and Mathematics, three public secondary schools opened their doors as internship institutions: Sagay National High School, Escalante National High School, and Mabini National High School. Meanwhile, future elementary educators under the BEEd program were deployed to Escalante Central Elementary School in Balintawak, where they will experience firsthand the dynamics of teaching young learners.

The deployment, held on the 1st day of their internship period, was carefully facilitated by Dr. Brenda G. Santander, Dean of the College, along with Dr. Glenda M. Tan, Program Coordinator of the Teacher Education Department. Their leadership ensured that the interns were fully equipped, professionally, academically, and mentally, to take on the responsibilities ahead.

Supporting the spiritual and values formation of the interns was Mr. Arturo Perrin, Jr., Director of the Christian Formation Program, who reminded the pre-service teachers of the importance of compassion, humility, and service in the teaching vocation. The initiative also received full support from MCCEI School President, Rev. Fr. Jonathan S. Serofia, O.Carm, whose guidance continues to strengthen the culture of excellence within the institution.

School partners expressed enthusiasm in welcoming the interns, emphasizing their readiness to mentor MCCEI’s aspiring educators. Many cooperating teachers noted the interns’ preparedness, citing their confidence, classroom strategies, and eagerness to learn as indicators of a strong foundation built by the college.

As they begin their semester-long practicum, the interns are expected to engage in lesson planning, classroom management, assessment design, and co-curricular activities, experiences that will shape their competence and character as future teachers.

With passion, commitment, and the unwavering support of MCCEI, the pre-service teachers step into their internship with determination, ready to embrace challenges and leave a meaningful impact in the classrooms they now call their second home.

01/12/2025

These donations will be sent to La Carlota and Pontevedra this coming December 8, with departure scheduled at 7:00 AM.

We are still collecting donations, and any help big or small, is greatly appreciated as we prepare for the distribution of relief good.For relief goods, please drop them off beside the Guard House. Your donated items will greatly help our upcoming outreach and relief efforts.

For monetary donations, you may proceed to the Accounting Office and look for Ma’am Gina M. She will assist you with the proper recording and acknowledgment of your support...
Thank you very much for your generosity and continued cooperation.🙏

- FROM THE OFFICE of Vice President for Student Affairs and Services/ NSTP Coordinator

28/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Am99M8GBZ/

28/11/2025

Now Happening: MCCEI STANDS FOR TRUTH, JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY ‼️

27/11/2025

Lost Phone Vivo Y11, slam dunk case.

Left by the owner at CO1 after their class, and when they came back the phone was gone.

Please return to Mr Justine Pongasi or through the Dean's Office/OSAS

THANK YOU