Photo: Tanglaw ng Claret

During the Mass of the Holy Spirit on August 5, 2025, Fr. Victor Sadaya, CMF, PhD, School Director, shared a touching story of Claretian volunteerism in his homily.

Fr. Sadaya shared with the community the quiet yet powerful act of service led by the Grade 2-Joy boys during the recent floods brought by Habagat and Typhoon Crising. Together with his classmates and their parents, Iñigo Johann Luis R. Marte distributed freshly baked bread to volunteers of the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QCMDRRMO)—all while wearing a Squid Game mask to remain anonymous.

Photo: Tanglaw ng Claret

“He didn’t want to be known,” Fr. Sadaya said. “But today, we recognize him not for fame, but as a symbol of the collective spirit of service shown by the Grade 2 boys. Their efforts reflect the very heart of our mission as Claretians.”

According to Iñigo’s parent, the initiative was a group effort. Using remaining class funds from the previous school year, the boys chose to provide bread—a healthy, preservative-free option—to help fill empty stomachs, even if just for a moment. Iñigo’s decision to wear a mask was intentional: he wanted to ensure that no one individual was singled out, emphasizing the unity and shared compassion of the group.

Their outreach extended beyond the initial donation. Another batch of bread was turned over to the school’s adopted community, and additional loaves were donated to the Kapamilya Foundation of ABS-CBN, further widening the impact of their efforts.

One of our Grade 2 students during the visit and sharing of freshly baked bread with the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QCDRRMO) amid the Habagat response. Photo from QCDRRMC Facebook page

This is not the first time the Grade 2 boys have responded to a crisis. In October 2024, following Typhoon Kristine, they donated crates of bottled water to the Angat Buhay Foundation. In March 2025, they conducted an outreach project in Tanay, Rizal, where they played with and gave gifts to 90 Dumagat individuals, supported by their families.

These acts of service, though quiet and often unseen, embody the true Claretian value of excellence—an excellence that is lived out through compassion. And behind these young boys are parents whose support, generosity, and example have been instrumental. The Claretian spirit clearly radiates not only through the students but also through their families—making these efforts possible and deeply meaningful.

As Fr. Sadaya reminded the community:

“True leadership is not about being seen but about making a difference.”

Let the example of these young Claretians inspire us all: to volunteer, to serve, and to lead quietly. Because sometimes, the greatest heroes are the ones who wear masks—not to conceal their identity, but to humbly give. #ScientiaMaximeCumVirtute