Instead of the usual gift items this holiday, why not opt for a different kind of present? One that fills tummies and helps young women scholars graduate.

Starting this month, the Punlaan School, an NGO-managed technical-vocational school that focuses on food and beverage services training, is organizing a food sale that will offer Christmas goodies baked by its own students. The gift ideas are very affordable: 5 pieces of to-die-for choco chip, walnut and raising cookies cost only P130 per pouch, while a package of 4x8 inch-sized rich choco-filled brownies are priced at only P150.

Anne Marie Jacinto, school directress, says that the school is grateful to have had private individuals and corporate donors, like GLAD, supporting them. "Their support is a boon for the school since they provide us with all the quality products we need which greatly facilitate and enhance the culinary skills training of our students," she says.

As one of the event's major sponsors, GLAD, through Clorox International Philippines, Inc. has been providing the school with all the baking materials they need... "We at Punlaan are very fortunate to have them, and we are truly grateful for their help," says Jacinto.

The food sale is part of the school's effort to raise funds for its underprivileged but deserving students - many of whom live in far-flung areas like Antipolo, Fairview, Cainta, Taytay and Bulacan - and thus require quite a sum for transportation and food allowances as they report for on-the-job training in Makati, Manila, and other sites.

Currently, the student population of Punlaan (located along Paterno Street in San Juan) is at 160 students per year. Majority of its young women scholars rely on funds donated by private individuals and companies. Many of the students are also hard-pressed to earn money to support their family, and are thus training hard to be able to someday join the workforce of restaurants and fine-dining establishments. The sad reality, however, is that a majority of them do not even have the means to eat three square meals a day.

But for the majority of its students, there's still room for hope. Punlaan, after all, has a 100-percent track record of all its students eventually becoming employed in prestigious hotels and restaurants immediately after graduation. Aside from teaching them job skills and good work values, the school also offers spiritual formation through the Prelature of Opus Dei. Punlaan School is a project of the Foundation for Professional Training, Inc.

For inquiries, call 7270581 or 82.