As the Fatima Institutions approach their 60th Diamond Anniversary in 2027, Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) and Fatima University Medical Center (FUMC) have launched a major community development initiative aimed at providing permanent housing to underserved Filipino families through the construction of 60 homes across multiple communities.
Dubbed “60 Homes for Fatima’s 60 Remarkable Years,” the project is being undertaken in partnership with Gawad Kalinga and serves as the flagship legacy program of the Fatima Institutions in celebration of six decades of service in education and healthcare. In addition to providing the funding support, the Fatima Institutions have also pledged to contribute manpower through the “60 Volunteer Hours” program, which encourages employees to participate directly in the homebuilding process.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for 20 homes were held in Bagac on 26 February 2026, followed by ceremonies for 34 homes in Trece Martires on 06 March 2026, marking significant milestones in the implementation of the housing initiative. The project follows the completion of six homes in Barangay Mapulang Lupa, bringing the total commitment to 60 housing units.
Building More Than Homes
The Diamond Anniversary legacy project seeks to provide safe and secure housing for selected beneficiary families while fostering stronger communities through volunteerism, compassion, and service.
True to its academic mission “to improve man as man,” the initiative was conceived as a way for the Fatima Institutions to celebrate their 60th founding anniversary through a lasting contribution rather than commemorative activities alone. By transforming six decades of institutional success into tangible support for families in need, the project aims to provide shelter, stability, and hope to underserved communities.
The undertaking comes amid a continuing national housing challenge. According to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), the country’s housing backlog, estimated at 6.5 million units in 2022, could increase further if housing production does not accelerate.
First Groundbreaking Held in Bagac
The first groundbreaking ceremony was held on 26 February 2026, in Bagac, Bataan, signaling the start of construction for the project’s Bataan component, which will benefit local families, including members of the fisherfolk community.
Present during the event were members of Fatima’s Board of Trustees, university officials, representatives from Gawad Kalinga, students, community stakeholders, and government representatives. Among those in attendance was Dr. Corazon M. Flores, Education Supervisor from the CHED Regional Office overseeing teacher education programs.
Adding an international dimension to the event were exchange students from Mokpo National Maritime University in South Korea, who participated in the activity as part of their immersion program in the Philippines.
Speaking during the ceremony, Gawad Kalinga Head for Operations Jan Vincent Iriberri described the event as a “full-circle moment,” recalling his efforts more than a decade ago to recruit university volunteers for community service projects.
Iriberri said that while earlier collaborations focused on medical missions and volunteer activities, he had long envisioned a larger undertaking that would bring lasting transformation to communities.
He emphasized that the project goes beyond the construction of houses and seeks to create meaningful change in the lives of beneficiary families.
“Transformation does not end in structure,” he said, stressing the importance of continued community engagement and development after the homes are built.
Iriberri also noted the shared commitment of Gawad Kalinga and the Fatima Institutions to bring assistance where it is needed most, describing the partnership as rooted in common values of service and social transformation.
Commitment to Complete the Project
During the Bagac ceremony, OLFU President Dr. Caroline Marian S. Enriquez reaffirmed the institutions’ commitment to seeing the project through to completion.
Enriquez noted that the Fatima Institutions had previously built 50 homes during their Golden Anniversary celebration and decided to continue the tradition as they approach their 60th year.
“We return to the community all the blessings of Fatima through the years,” she said.
She stressed that representatives from OLFU and FUMC deliberately took time away from their regular duties to participate in the groundbreaking, underscoring the institutions’ long-term commitment to the initiative.
According to President Enriquez, the housing project reflects a desire to provide meaningful assistance without expecting anything in return.
“This is pure work of love for those who need our help,” she said.
She also expressed hope that future international exchange students would continue participating in succeeding phases of the project, further strengthening its educational and cultural dimensions.
CHED Backs Initiative
Dr. Corazon M. Flores conveyed the support of CHED Regional Office IV-A during the Bagac ceremony, describing the housing project as a significant example of community service and social responsibility.
Flores said that providing shelter without expecting compensation represents an investment not only in individual families but also in the future of entire communities.
She encouraged beneficiary families to make the most of the opportunity and to pay forward the generosity extended to them.
On behalf of CHED’s CALABARZON regional office, she expressed support for OLFU’s efforts and commended the institution for undertaking a project that directly addresses a fundamental human need.
Trece Martires Groundbreaking Advances Project
The second major groundbreaking ceremony was held on 06 March 2026, in Trece Martires, Cavite, where OLFU, FUMC, and Gawad Kalinga launched another phase of the housing initiative.
The event brought together members of Fatima’s Board of Trustees, university officials, community leaders, Gawad Kalinga representatives, and several beneficiary families whose future homes will rise on the site.
Among the Gawad Kalinga officials present were Marketing and Communications Head Jose Marie Oquiñena, NCR-CALABARZON Team Leader Mark Gomez, Key Accounts Manager Vangie Sesma, Cavite Provincial Head Edgar Purificacion, and Area Development Officer Nikko Jay Navida.
Local government and community representatives also attended, including Barangay Captain Raymundo Awitan Villa, Barangay Administrator Francis Fat, and members of the barangay council.
The ceremony marked another significant step toward achieving the project’s goal of constructing 60 homes across partner communities.
Volunteerism at the Core
Beyond financial support and infrastructure development, the initiative seeks to mobilize the broader Fatima community through the 60 Volunteer Hours program.
The volunteer campaign encourages more than 2,000 employees and approximately 80,000 students to participate in activities such as homebuilding, community service, catechism instruction, and other forms of volunteer engagement.
Through the program, organizers hope to transform learning into meaningful social action while strengthening the connection between the university community and its partner beneficiaries.
Continuing a Tradition of Service
The Diamond Anniversary housing initiative builds upon a similar effort launched during the institutions’ Golden Anniversary from 2017 to 2019, when OLFU and FUMC partnered with community organizations to construct 50 homes in Valenzuela City and Quezon City.
With construction now underway in Bagac and Trece Martires, university officials said the project reflects the institutions’ enduring commitment to extending their educational and healthcare missions beyond campus walls.
As OLFU and FUMC prepare to celebrate 60 years in 2027, the institutions are positioning the housing initiative as a lasting symbol of gratitude and service—one that seeks not only to build houses but also to create opportunities, strengthen communities, and provide hope for Filipino families for generations to come.
Story by Raymond Lumagsao
