NAGA CITY -- Feared as spoiled brats and young neighborhood bullies in the 70s, a fraternal group called Padinos whose members have since grown up is revving up camaraderie and brotherhood by dedicating themselves to community services not only in this city but in other towns of Camarines Sur, as well.

        Gilbert Tapel, an original member and one of the organizers of their upcoming pro-community projects announced the conduct of forthcoming medical and dental services on February 23 this year in Bgy. Penafrancia, this city, in cooperation with Athena and Yakap Foundation.

        Some 400 indigents are expected to benefit from the mission with medical and dental doctors providing free tooth extraction and medical check-ups.

        Dubbed “Padinos Alay Barangay 08”, the activity will coincide with the birthday celebration of P/SSupt. Tomas Rentoy III, another Padinos original member.

        Adit, as he is fondly called by peers, was notoriously marked as a “toughie” and bully during his teen-age years with the group.

        Most of the members, tamed by time and circumstance, have regained their good name and place in mainstream society, some of them becoming police and military officers, bankers and businessmen while others faithfully do their tasks as government and private employees.

        Padinos is also mobilizing to organize its own disaster preparedness and assistance program.

        A disaster rescue team equipped with gadgets and equipment would soon be formally organized, according to Jigs Magpantay, the group’s information officer.

        He said the Padinos executive committee chaired by Tapel has organized a team that would undergo rescue training to assist government during calamities and emergencies.

        At least two rubber boats are expected to be donated by group members now living in the United States led by Mario Rubio, another original member-organizer.

        An emergency transport vehicle is also underway, Magpantay said.

        The Padinos membership, according to P/SSupt Rentoy, hopes that the public had forgiven them for the transgressions and juvenile troubles they committed in the past and would now regard them as responsible citizens who would be part of the solution, rather than the problem, in community building.

        “We shall pass this way but once,” Rentoy said adding, “Let us not be deprived nor prevented from doing goodwill to our fellowmen for we shall not pass this way again.”