Two weeks later, Lando was invited by Tahanan ni Maria Director, Sr. Socorro Lee, R.A., who was at that time celebrating her birthday. The thought of having a party was not what Lando witnessed in Tahanan ni Maria, but a number of street or abandoned children including rugby boys & girls within the house. Inspired by Sr. Socorro’s devotion towards the children, Lando started reaching out Tahanan ni Maria’s children, inviting many to his house for a series of spiritual dialogues.

Lando saw how these children needed direct support and affection which led him to provide enriched activities and special programs for their development. His ultimate plan at that tie was to eradicate street-begging and leave no children sleeping on the streets asking for alms, which also endangered their lives and made them prone to vulnerability.

The constant visits to Tahanan ni Maria was a transformative process for Lando as he found himself more attached to the children and in fact devoted most of his time to become the “foster parent” of the street children. He posed one key motivating question to the children asking “Who among you here wants to study?” A few of the children responded in the faint hopes of renewing a journey back to a normal life. Gerald, Manuel (Mawi), Analyn and another girl raised their hands and acknowledged Lando’s offer.

The positive response prompted Lando to consult another RA Sister, Sr. Letty, the Superior of Kauswagan Community. He visited the Assumptions Sisters and discussed his plans about adopting the mentioned children. Part of his plans were to provide education and home for them. Sr. Letty and the Kauswagan Community agreed and supported Lando’s plans and requested him to bring the kids to St. Vincent Academy, Kauswagan Lanao del Norte, an Assumption Sisters’ administered school. Lando brought the four (4) children to Kauswagan for the intended plan, but after only a week, one of the children went back home. The remaining children continued the two-year study, while their needs were provided for. Soon after, the children went back to reintegrate into their respective families and lives normally in their communities.

Seeing the impact which transformed the children’s lives, from looting and begging to a brand new start with positive role models and the opportunity to study and change their own lives, Lando felt a huge sense of achievement and satisfaction.

2002

Butch Gatinao, Mr Delfin’s brother within BCBP, gave a Novena Prayer booklet of Our Lady of Good Remedy. A very precious and inspiring gift, Lando continued to say the novena prayer every day and sought guidance from Our Lady. His daily prayers enabled him to be more strong-willed, optimistic and determined. He became more inspired to help less fortunate children and pursue the fulfillment of a mission he believes to positively affect and help the lives of others.

2011

With the spiritual support of the Christian Community, bestowing God’s continued blessings, guidance and providence, the outreach activities that had been conducted over the years were flourishing and the increased reach of the Feeding Program aided by the growing number of volunteers.

2012

The MASSA Foundation was re-energized and reorganized. The Feeding Program was formalized by introducing a nutri-supplement for malnourished children, called Vitameal. This nutrition was supplied as a food supplement to different Barangays in Cagayan de Oro City particularly in Bonbon, Puntod, Kauswagan, Bulua, Macabalan, Lapasan, Consolacion, Barangay 23, Gusa, Cugman, Lumbia, Indahag, Lower Balulang, Calaanan, and Camaman-an. The same program was extended to nearby municipalities within Misamis Oriental to many impoverished areas.

2014

MASSA has expanded to other rural places specifically in Claveria and Lugait, Misamis Oriental and Talakag, Bukidnon. The exponential expansion of its activities triggered an awareness the movement had finally to acknowledge: it had been fulfilling a fundamental, humanitarian requirement to aid poor people. Thus, MASSA was launched and registered formally as a Foundation.

In October 2014, MASSA formally conducted a three-month program in selected barangays of Zayas, Mother Ignacia Del Espiritu Santo Subdivision, Cagayan de Oro City and in Barra, Opol, Misamis Oriental, wherein the Foundation fed (landless?) homeless families composed of 50 children and 50 mothers. To date, the activity continues to flourish and expand.

2015 to present

In 2015, the MASSA Foundation amended the focus and remit of its activities, to include (but not limited to) livelihood programs, educational training, wellness and similar health-based programs.

MASSA has now served over 250,000 free meals (and counting) to over 25 locations in the province of Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City and Bukidnon.

Devotion to our Our Lady of Good Remedy and Spiritual Beliefs

Lando believes that the persona of Saint John of Matha, who is behind the story of Our Lady of Good Remedy, personifies his dedication towards helping others in today’s world. His spiritual support is drawn by working through his identification with him.

Saint John invoked help through the intercession of Our Lady of Good Remedy. Just like Saint John, Lando draws from this spiritual guidance especially in difficult moments, while carrying forward the mission of the Foundation. Lando believes Our Lady of Good Remedy is the Patron who helps fulfil the mission of MASSA enabling any assistance from any source to assist less fortunate people.

With faith, the latter experienced one such powerful intercession when unexpectedly a source of funding was made available to him. Thereafter, he revived the feeding program activities of the foundation.

Lando started by helping a small number of individuals found in the streets. He then moved onto the City jail, German Doctor’s Hospital, Divisoria, Provincial Jail, Northern Mindanao Medical Center, J.R. Borja City Hospital, and the Cathedral Church. By now, the beneficiaries have already grown to thousands in number.

Creation of MASSA Foundation Inc.

MASSA was formed without any concrete funding assistance from any specific sectors. Yet it remained steadfast and focused with its dream in propagating human endeavour to help not just street or abandoned children, but to poor families lacking the means to provide provisions and support themselves.

Lando saw greater responsibility in providing not just Feeding Program Activities to various sectors communities, or regions, but driven with hope to continuously persevere through a strong Christian spiritual purpose, ethos and mission.