Dinner-for-a-cause held for MMSU retirees in distress
By Ian Paul Villanueva
Marking a first for the group, the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) Retirees Association held a Dinner for a Cause on July 17, 2026, at the MMSU Student Center to raise funds they could use to assist members who are facing financial challenges. The event was attended by 190 former MMSU employees.
Former MMSU Vice President for Planning and Strategic Foresight Ami Ruth Cocson, who spearheaded the event, said the funds they raised are intended for retirees who either have not yet received a pension or are not eligible to receive one due to their financial circumstances. “We thought of raising funds to help them,” she added.
Association president Dr. Santiago R. Obien, who served as MMSU’s second university president, thanked his fellow retirees for their support in the activity.
“We hope that, while the food is modest, we will enjoy it and make sure that we’ll go home happy about it. By simply being here, you have shown your generosity and your willingness to make a difference. So, thank you for believing that when people get together with a common purpose, we can accomplish something worthwhile,” Dr. Obien said.
MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., also graced the event and delivered his message of support for the association. He shared that he had asked the MMSU Global Alumni to allot a room for the retirees' association upon the completion of the Alumni Multipurpose Building, which is currently under construction. During the event, the group also took a moment to honor both Dr. Manzano and Dr. Obien for their July birthdays.
Beyond fundraising, the association remains actively involved in preserving university history. Dr. Obien and Dr. Cocson shared that the group is currently putting together a companion volume to their book titled “Burayok: Memories, Commitment & Resolve,” in time for the 50th foundation anniversary of MMSU in 2028.
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