TSPI gratefully celebrates its 40th anniversary, on October 2021 with the theme “Sustained by God’s faithfulness” inspired by Isaiah 46:4. It is a year-long event that started with weekly virtual but up close and personal fellowship series with the Board of Trustees and TSPI employees. Each Trustee shared why they are in TSPI and how their passion and purpose align with their voluntary service to the organization. Their humble life testimonies and heartfelt messages that inspired the entire TSPI family resonate into the ultimate purpose of serving – to give glory and praises to God!
A whole day celebration was held on October 29, 2021, with a Thanksgiving Mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Rhoderick L. Castro, parish priest from National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Makati City. In his homily, he cited events in the bible that made forty as a significant number and that indeed TSPI’s 40th year must be celebrated with renewed spirit, grateful heart for the years that passed, and great expectation for the better years ahead.
Atty. Lamberto L. Meer, TSPI Chairman, formally opened the celebration by sharing his two important reflections as he reminisced his experience 15-20 years ago in a conference in Uganda, Africa. Firstly, God loves us so much that He will send people to show His love for us. Secondly, God calls us to serve, for our clients, for our colleagues, for each other but ultimately for Him! Just like TSPI being used by God as a channel to show His love to our less fortunate brothers. Each and every employee of TSPI is being empowered to proclaim God’s goodness through delivering its services with love and care.
The story of 85-year old guest Mrs. Belen Marciano, the old wife of late Mr. Avellino Marciano (the first TSPI client) refreshes the memory of how TSPI started its mission. She vividly shared how TSPI trusted and truly cared for them and still considered herself a member even after 40 years. “Ang loan ko ay character loan, walang collateral at napakababa pa ng interest. Pinahiram nila ako dahil may tiwala sila sa akin… Lord led us step-by-step.” She also recalled how they encouraged one another during bible studies.
One of the highlights of the celebration was the TSPI client recognition given to loyal clients, model TAAS agents, model client microentrepreneurs & farmers (Unlad Awards) and outstanding client leaders. The representatives of each award category gave thanksgiving messages about how TSPI helped them as well as their co-members transformed their lives and their families. They expressed their gratitude for being trusted with small livelihood/farm loans along with other programs of TSPI that helped improve their family’s quality of life. Likewise, they are grateful for the sense of dignity and self-confidence they gained through exposures to various client center activities, and for their strengthened faith in God through being part of a Christian organization.
TSPI was also honored by the warm messages and greetings of partners and alliances from the government, private and civic organizations. Moreover, heartfelt messages by respected heads of other microfinance organizations that were established in partnership with TSPI were both humbling and elating – President and CEO Angel L. de Leon Jr. of Taytay sa Kauswagan, Inc. (TSKI); President and CEO Rolando B. Victoria of Alalay sa Kaunlaran, Inc. (ASKI); and President and CEO Alma M. Estolas of Rangtay sa Pagrang-ay Microfinance, Inc. (RPMI). They honored TSPI, being their “mother organization”, for being steadfast in its vision and mission throughout the years and rooted for more fruitful years of its service to the poor.
In concluding the wonderful celebration, TSPI President Mr. Rene E. Cristobal, reminded everyone of the three “S” of how we can be sustained by God’s faithfulness: (1) We are Stewards – we are only trustees of given position, possession and popularity; (2) We are Servants – we must be good followers as we give not just opportunities but service; and (3) We are Shepherds – we should know our flock whom we serve and should embrace them. As he would always impart to TSPI family, “Ibigin natin ang ating kapwa tulad ng pag-ibig natin sa ating mga sarili sapagkat una tayong inibig ng Diyos nang tayo’y nasa kadiliman pa.”
As God said “I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (Isaiah 46:4) TSPI has been and will always be dwelling on God’s faithful promises – sustained by God’s faithfulness!