Ateneo Socio-Civic Engagement for National Development Excellence Awardees for SY 2024-2025 (OVPMI Memo)

23 June 2025

First and foremost, warmest congratulations to our awardees!

Through the Ateneo Socio-Civic Engagement for National Development (ASCEND) Awards, we recognize the most outstanding efforts in community-engaged learning and service across the University. This initiative highlights exemplary students from both the Senior High School and Higher Education units whose work embodies the ideals of Service-Learning.

Thus, I am pleased to officially announce the 10 Excellence Awardees for the ASCEND Awards for the 2024–2025 School Year. These individuals and groups represent the most compelling, relevant, and community-grounded student research and project initiatives of the year. Their work demonstrates thoughtful collaboration with community partners, innovation rooted in local contexts, and an unwavering dedication to inclusive development and social transformation.

Their 5-minute videos are included in this announcement because, in an age of misinformation, honest and compelling storytelling matters. These narratives help bring their work to life, offering clear and grounded accounts of how Service-Learning can foster integral formation and social change.

Senior High School – Research
Assessing Disaster Risk Reduction Knowledge and Practices Among the Ibaloi Indigenous People in Benguet
by
Raymond Joseph Benedict B. De los Reyes, Breanna Yzielle A. Andres, Renee Gabriela N. Balgos, and Jacob M. Regala
(Grade 11–STEM)
Faculty Adviser: Gabriel Danielle Luiz G. Eslava
Partner Community: The Ibaloi of La Trinidad, Benguet
[Watch the 5-minute video about the research here.]

College Coursework – Senior Project
StaROps: A Standardized Relief Operations Database for Tanging Yaman Foundation
by
Beatrice Nicole Almazan, Myka Angela Candelaria, Louise Martina Estevez, Trisha Gabriele Lemoncito, Don Ferdinand Santiago, Caitin Beatriz Tan, and Mariel Aurea Villafranca
(4 BS Health Sciences)
Faculty Advisers: Norman Dennis E. Marquez, MD, and Vanessa T. Siy Van
Partner Community: Tanging Yaman Foundation
[Watch the 5-minute video about the project here.]

College Coursework – Junior Project
Rise Up for Catch-Up: Building a Self-Sustaining Tutoring Community of the ERDA-SaBaNa Youth in Tondo 
by
Reynelle Herence Ma-ao ^a, Johanna Templo ^a, Christiana Jasmine Medrana ^b, Ma. Kinah Zildjian Montesa ^a, Jeanette Elaine Tolosa ^a, Gabriel Joseph Verona ^a, and Erika Celine Villanueva ^a
(^a 3 AB Development Studies, ^b 4 AB Development Studies)
Faculty Adviser: Mark Anthony D. Abenir, DSD
Formator: Jose Emmanuel O. Patrimonio
Partner Community: ERDA Foundation, Inc. (SaBaNa Center, Tondo, Manila City)
[Watch the 5-minute video about the project here.] 

College Coursework – Research
Salo-SaLutuanan: A Participatory Action Research on Mobilizing GK Pangarap Village Towards Community-Driven Innovation
by
Christine Noelle Choo ^b, Glenn Derwin Dela Torre ^a, Emirozz Czarlene Labaria ^a, Chae Eun Lee ^a, Pio Francisco Ramirez ^b, Maria Fiona Marguerite Salazar ^a, Loraine Gabriel A. Sumaylo ^b, and Erika Celine Villanueva ^a
(^a 3 AB Development Studies, ^b 4 AB Development Studies)
Faculty Advisers: Mark Anthony D. Abenir, DSD, Maria Victoria F. Punay, and Nota F. Magno
Partner Community: Gawad Kalinga Pangarap Village, Barangay Lobogon, Del Carmen, Siargao
[Watch the 5-minute video about the research here.]

College Thesis – Project
The Acquisition and Implementation of an Electronic Medical Record System with Process Re-engineering for the Health and Nutrition Unit of DepEd Schools Division Office, Sto. Tomas City
by
Nicole Therese L. Arcenas, Cuitlauzina Brianna Cerbito, Leopoldo A. De Castro III, Darrel Ethan C. Ong, Kamille Claire Y. Tiu, and Michelle Simone T. Yu
(4 BS Management Information Systems)
Faculty Adviser: Sandra Francesca A. Lovenia
Partner Community: Department of Education – Health and Nutrition Unit, Sto. Tomas City Schools Division Office
[Watch the 5-minute video about the project here.]

College Thesis – Group Research
Factors Influencing Participation in the Schistosomiasis Mass Drug Administration: A Case-Control Study in Barangay Laguna, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro
by
Ericka Patrice B. Abaño, Jana Therize G. Barrientos, Justin Antonio Lagman,  Trisha Gabriele B. Lemoncito, Caitin Beatriz D. Tan, Chiara Marie Fe M. Tolentino, and Ysabela Marie C. Ulanday
(4 BS Health Sciences)
Faculty Adviser: John Q. Wong, MD
Partner Community: Barangay Laguna, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro
[Watch the 5-minute video about the research here.]

Postgraduate Coursework – Project
Kwentong Kalusugan: Pag-unawa sa Karaniwang Karamdaman sa Komunidad
by
Jericho Dugenia, Alexandra Marcelo, Alyssa San Felipe, Martin Tan, and Sophia Vivar
(YL8 - MD-MBA)
Faculty Adviser: Ingrid Mejia Paneda, MD
Partner Community: Barangays West Crame and Corazon de Jesus
[Watch the 5-minute video about the project here.]

Postgraduate Thesis – Research

A Needs Assessment for the Development of the Masayang Pamilya Program for Teenage Parents Using Photovoice
by
Nina Linly D. Capulong
(Master in Counseling Psychology)
Faculty Adviser: Edith Liane P. Alampay, PhD
Partner Community: Masayang Pamilya Organization, Inc.
[Watch the 5-minute video about the research here.]

Warmest congratulations once again to all the awardees!

May your examples of excellence in service inspire our youth!

May you continue to be the light of hope and integrity in these challenging times!

I would like to express my deep gratitude and appreciation to the Service-Learning Program Management Team (Dr. Mark Anthony D. Abenir, Atty. Sabrina Kate D. Paner-Montiel, and Dr. Genejane M. Adarlo) and the ASCEND Awards Committee, composed of Denzel S.D. Domingo (GBSEALD Faculty Representative); Dr. Aldo Zelig U. Tong (JGSOM Faculty Representative); Dr. Manuel R. Enverga, III (RGLSOSS Faculty Representative); Jacqueline Marie J. Tolentino (SOH Faculty Representative); Dr. Katherine B. Buenaflor (SOSE Faculty Representative); Atty. Ray Paolo J. Santiago (ALS Faculty Representative); Reginald Rex E. Barrer (ASOG Faculty Representative); Dr. Ingrid M. Paneda (ASMPH Faculty Representative); Orfelino H. Panotes, Jr. (ASHS Teacher Representative); Bea Trisha B. Navarro (ASHS Student Representative); Mr. Lean Rosendo (HE-Undergrad Student Representative); John David Castro (HE-Grad Student Representative); and Joseph Adrian D. Capuno (Awards Secretariat).