Succor and Sincerity: A Foundation's Vow

The St. Gerrard Charity Foundation, Inc. has pledged to continue helping the poor and needy — and not just Pasigueños. The charity foundation continues to give aid through medical assistance, funeral assistance, and medical equipment. The charity foundation is the social corporate arm of the quadruple A-rated construction firm run by businessman and philanthropist Curlee Discaya with his wife, Sarah Discaya, who ran for mayor of Pasig City in the recent elections but lost to Mayor Vico Sotto, who secured his third and final term as local chief executive.

Curlee, in an interview, said the charity foundation remains active and will continue to do good things to make a positive impact on others, especially the underserved. The 50-year-old construction magnate, who has achieved great success in life despite starting from humble beginnings, believes in paying it forward. “As blessings continue to flow into our company, we will continue to share blessings with other people,” the foundation’s president and chief executive officer said in a mix of Filipino and English.

Discaya said they do what they can for those in need in places when typhoon and other calamities hit, particularly in areas where St. Gerrard Construction has a project. “Sometimes they ask us for help, so we have no problems finding them anymore. Wherever our projects are, we help. When there are calamities, we are the first they think of. We help immediately,” Discaya said.

For now, the charity foundation is only accepting requests for medical equipment, financial aid for medical needs, and burial assistance. “Currently, our assistance in Pasig is limited to burial assistance, medical assistance, medical equipment assistance and indigent persons assistance,” Discaya said. The charity foundation, he added, has temporarily stopped accepting any kind of solicitation. “We prioritize those who are truly in need — hungry people, those who can’t buy rice and people with nothing. We prioritize people who are truly in need — as if between life and death,” Discaya explained.

Discaya said they would also temporarily stop providing food packs. “We just prioritize those who ask for assistance here at the office,” he said, adding that only bonafide residents of Pasig City are qualified beneficiaries. The charity foundation touches the lives of at least 300 beneficiaries every month. “There is a limit to our assistance, so we can help more people. What’s important is that we are able to give in a little way,” Discaya said. “If the request is too big, we refer them to the city hall. They have brackets in the city hall,” he added.

On top of the medical missions, St. Gerrard Charity Foundation has also been actively involved in various community service projects — in Pasig and beyond. On 5 February 2020, the charity foundation conducted relief operations for those affected by the Taal Volcano eruption. It also participated in clearing operations in Marikina City after Typhoon “Ulysses” hit on 19 November 2020. The charity foundation also holds gift-giving activities every December for Pasigueños and conducts a yearly bloodletting. It provided assistance to families displaced by a fire in Barangay Bambang on 20 June 2023.

The foundation’s community pantry served at least 3,400 families in Barangays Bambang and Malinao Pasig on 15 May 2021. Hundreds of wheelchairs and walking sticks were also distributed to Pasigueños in need. On 26 September 2022, St. Gerrard also distributed school items to 5,000 elementary learners in the city.