Tiny yet heartfelt, doing more for the vulnerable

When business becomes heartfelt, we can do more for the vulnerable. After all, the business of the Church is to show compassion and mercy to the fringes of society. This prompted the Archdiocesan Nourishment Center (ANC) of Davao to launch its program of feeding poor children since 2015.

In a MOA signing dubbed as Bridging Hope: A Partnership Between Acacia Hotel Davao and Archdiocesan Nourishment Center held at Acacia Hotel, Bajada, Davao City on July 24, 2025, Msgr. Paul A. Cuison, Director of ANC, gratefully recalled, “We have been looking for benefactors to help us in this ministry, in this Apostolate. We have been feeding more than 800 children and 500 children on a daily basis of the 7 centers in existence of the ANC. When I was told about this initiative, this desire of Acacia to partner with us, my answer was really a big yes. As I keep on repeating to our people, the ones working in ANC, feeding is just the entry point. There are more that we can do to our people.”

Ms. Dafodil Martinez-Bahani, Resident Manager of Acacia Hotel, in her welcome message said, “We always say that our service is heartfelt. Our tagline, heartfelt service should not only be felt within the hotel but it should go far beyond its walls, our walls, especially to those who need it the most. By joining hands with ANC, we are committing ourselves to a deeper purpose, one that extends beyond hospitality and into the heart of the community. Together, we aim to support nourishment, the programs of outreach initiatives and sustainable efforts that uplift lives, bring dignity to those who need it the most. This is more than just a partnership. It is an alignment of values, a coming together of two organizations who believe that service when done with love can truly transform lives.”

The said MOA signing was graced by no less than Most. Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao who said that, “What happens this afternoon here, this MOA signing between ANC, and slash Church, and Acacia Hotel is tiny, in the scheme of global miserable news. But I would like to tell you, I think that is what is Christianity. When Jesus was born, the big news was the owner of the world, meaning Caesar Augustus was keeping with pride the census of Israel. That was the big news. But the tiny news was a child was born in Bethlehem. So I would dare to put our event this evening in that scheme of things, the way salvation history happens. It is small indeed but in its smallness we have the backing of the Lord.”

After the touching performance of children beneficiaries of ANC, the launching was closed by Mr. Eduardo Pacana of the ANC Board of Trustees who said that “the partnership between the ANC and Acacia Hotel Davao is more than a formal event. It is a testament to the power of unity, compassion and shared action in serving those most in need in our community. It shows what is possible when business and faith come together with a shared purpose.” (Photos: DCH and Msgr. Paul Cuison)