by Wilson J Hormeguera

True to its call to be a “university serving society,” Xavier University celebrated the 30th anniversary of the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) through a gathering of volunteers, a Thanksgiving Mass, and a light-a-candle ceremony at the University Church on Oct 26.  

“Xavier University has always been a home of NAMFREL,” said Ermin Stan Pimentel, Director of XU’s Social Involvement Office and NAMFREL Provincial Coordinator for many terms.  “In the 1986 snap presidential elections, Fr Francisco Demetrio SJ, founder of XU Museum, started the mobilization of NAMFREL volunteers with the mission of ensuring that the mandate of the people will be pursued by guarding the ballots,” continued Pimentel.

Also present in the gathering of NAMFREL volunteers was Marlon Libot, NAMFREL Coordinator in 1995.  Libot narrated how NAMFREL was instrumental in ensuring the integrity of the elections when three boxes came out of the Cagayan de Oro City Hall controversially in May 2013.  
NAMFREL’s thanksgiving Mass at Xavier University Church included prayers for the Barangay polls, and for the NAMFREL volunteers and their families.

The celebration culminated with NAMFREL’s traditional Light-A-Candle ceremony and community singing of the inspirational “One Little Candle” and “Pilipinas Kong Mahal.”  Volunteers also pledged their commitment to safeguard the integrity of the election process and the ballot, and to strengthen citizen participation in the electoral process to achieve free, honest and meaningful elections, without fear or favor, in a non-partisan manner.

“Other than leadership in nation building, NAMFREL is volunteerism,” emphasized by Engr. Pimentel.  It is worth noting that XU’s KKP Volunteer Program was started by NAMFREL volunteers in 1986. The volunteers and generosity of people keep NAMFREL alive all these years.

XU’s celebration of NAMFREL’s 30th anniversary was a simultaneous activity in major cities nationwide.  “It served as a kick-off to a planned year-long observance of the anniversary,” said Nestor Banuag Jr, the current NAMFREL Provincial Coordinator.