Feature: UPIS Peer Facilitators: Messengers of Love
Cupid is on the hunt once again!
As February 14 nears, UPIS students start preparing gifts to make their loved ones feel special on Hearts’ Day. These small but sweet presents include roses, chocolate, and stuffed toys. However, presents like these are usually expensive when bought at shopping malls. But fear not, the Cupids of the Peer Facilitator’s Club (PFC) got your back!
The Cupid’s Express, an annual fundraising activity of the Peer Facilitators, was launched in the 1990’s and is still standing strong today! Contrary to popular belief, this tradition wasn’t just made for students with significant others or crushes. It was also created to demonstrate a student’s love for his/her friends, teachers, and parents. Although Cupid’s Express does not always fall exactly on Valentine’s Day, the PFC always aims to bring the love of the occasion to the UPIS community.
The fundraising also serves a double purpose as a teambuilding activity for the members of the PFC. The Peer Facilitators’ bonds are forged and strengthened as they carry Cupid’s responsibilities every 14th of February. The club is divided into teams assigned to specific tasks which include marketing, production, finance, and delivery.
A week before Valentine’s, our very own Cupids take orders from students who want to avail of their services. They offer fresh red and white roses, delicious chocopops, cute stuffed animals, beautiful balloons, honest and heart-felt LoveGrams, and even an Instax picture with your chosen person! This year, they’ve even added K-pop merch for pre-orders to their list. After receiving the orders, the Peer Facilitators would then remit and process their orders. The buyers then must decide how they want to receive their orders. They may receive them on the day of Cupid’s Express, have their orders sent to them by the PFC, or have their orders delivered directly to the customer’s desired recipient.
Being a Cupid isn’t easy though. Being the messengers of your Valentine’s wishes, they get to know certain secrets that customers may not always be willing to share, but don’t worry! Peer Facilitators will always uphold their promise to keep everything confidential. There are also cases when students see the order form and feel unsatisfied with the services offered. Sometimes, the Cupids also have trouble finding the recipients because they’re roaming the school grounds. In previous years, they had to be excused the whole day to distribute the orders, but this year, they only went out during lunch time to avoid inconvenience while classes are going on.
Despite these minor setbacks, all the hard work pays off when they see that their job brings priceless reactions from the receivers of the wonderful gifts. They are answered with confused but giddy looks and smiles from ear to ear from the grateful receivers.
With the help of the Peer Facilitators’ Club, Valentine’s Day is made unique and easier for UPIS students! // by Paola Pagulayan
