Three solidarity service-learning initiatives of Ateneo DS students chosen as finalists for the Uniservitate Award 2024

The Uniservitate Award is a global recognition, organized biennially, to identify and showcase the initiatives that combine academic excellence and the concrete testimony of a socially committed institution. It also acknowledges and promotes Catholic educational institutions that best integrate academic learning with community service.. As described in the Uniservitate’s official website, it is based on the assertion of the Global Compact on Education: “The true service of education is education to service.” 

The Uniservitate Award is open to Catholic higher education institutions worldwide known for their projects, practices, courses, and institutional programs involving solidarity service. Selection of finalists and eventual winners involves a very stringent and rigorous evaluation and assessment process across multiple stages with the help of a diverse and distinguished group of judges.

For this year’s Awards, a call was made to nominate student-led Service-Learning (SL) Projects and Experiences, highlighting impactful initiatives developed within January 2021 until the submission deadline of nominations last May 2024. The Uniservitate Asia & Oceania Regional Hub (UA&ORH) received a total of 39 submissions, and 26 of which were deemed impactful, thus making the Awards highly competitive this year.

The Office of the Assistant Vice President for Social and Environmental Engagement for Development and Sustainability (OAVP-SEEDS) is happy to share with the Ateneo Community that three solidarity Service-Learning initiatives implemented by student teams from the Ateneo Development Studies Program have been deemed “outstanding” by the Uniservitate Awards Evaluators and chosen as Finalists for the Uniservitate Award 2024.

The first of three solidarity SL initiatives to make it to the finals is “PROJECT BANYUHAY: A Series of Capacity-Building Workshops for the Digital Storytelling of UGNAYIN National Indigenous Youth Network and Indigenous Youth,” which took place from August 2022 to May 2023.

It was carried out by Team Bukás na Búkas, which consisted of seven Development Studies Students who were in their third year at the time of this project, namely Jake Rico M. Bacani, Mariana Josefa P. Hermoso, Anne Margaret J. Hernandez, Mary Franz Benilde P. Manlutac, Charisse Maxine O. Parchamento, Felicia Isabel A. Singson, and Ryan Gabriel B. Suarez.

Guided by Dr. Mark Anthony D. Abenir of the Development Studies Program and Ms. Maria Flor V. Soriano of the Office for Social Concern and Involvement (OSCI), and in partnership with the Non-Timber Forest Products–Exchange Programme, Philippines (NTFP-EP Phils) and the UGNAYIN National Indigenous Youth Network, they empowered indigenous youth groups in Palawan, Sierra Madre, Bukidnon & Misamis Oriental, and Negros Occidental to advocate for their cultures and address community challenges through digital platforms.

You may view PROJECT BANYUHAY’s Digital Impact Story to learn more about their Service Learning initiative.

The second solidarity SL initiative chosen as a finalist is titled “SigLakas ng mga Magulang at Pagkapit-Bisig ng Kabataan Program: Strengthening Health and Empowerment in Barangay Bagong Silangan,” which was held from August 2023 until May 2024.

This development program was a collaboration between Team Sandigan ng Silangan (Paolo Joaquin M. Barro, Nica Meriel B. Gabito, Monica Isabel Jose, Pio Francisco B. Ramirez, Mary Anjannette C. Santos, Erri Mikaela G. Tan, Neema Gabrielle E. Villarin) and Team SinagSkwela (Geordine Claire B. Aguilar, Juan Paulo A. Idanan, Jezzyrae B. Maglente, Alisha Elaine B. Edralin, Olivia Mary Gypsy A. Webb, Janine Marie P. Balajadia, Kenzo Luis L. Young).

Under the mentorship of Dr. Mark Anthony D. Abenir and Ms. Maria Flor V. Soriano, and in partnership with the Educational Research and Development Assistance Foundation, Inc. (ERDA), Samahan ng mga Magulang sa Bagong Silangan (SMBS), and Katipunan ng mga Kumikilos na Kabataan ng Bayan ng Bagong Silangan (KKK), they implemented two complementary projects.

The first was “SigLakas: Empowering Barangay Bagong Silangan Parents for Health Resilience and Advocacy” by Team Sandigan ng Silangan. This project focused on empowering parents with vital health knowledge and skills, aiming to build a network of trained community first responders and health advocates who can address community-related issues in emergencies and disasters.

The second was “Tayo na sa PAGKAPIT-BISIG! Igniting KKK Passion and Youth Organizing in Barangay Bagong Silangan” by Team Sinagkwela. The project aimed to foster leadership and solidarity among the youth to revitalize participation in community development initiatives in their barangay.

To learn more, view Project SigLakas’ Digital Impact Story and Tayo na sa PAGKAPIT-BISIG’s Digital Impact Story.

The third solidarity SL initiative finalist from Ateneo is entitled “Pagyabong ng Yamang Ani: Cultivating Growth and Sustainable Livelihoods among Agricultural Communities in Antipolo,” which spanned the period of August 2023 to May 2024.

The project was conducted by Team KaAni, which consisted of eight third-year Development Studies students: Audrey C. Dizon, Charles Aaron F. Magahis, Kayla Kristen S. Manlapaz, Jameelou M. Maramag, Joanna Marie Parangue, Anahata Joselle C. Perez, Loraine Gabriel A. Sumaylo, and Jose Iñigo M. Magtibay. Their group also proceeded under the mentorship of Dr. Mark Anthony D. Abenir and Ms. Maria Flor V. Soriano.

Their project sought to enhance economic sustainability for four farming cooperatives in Barangay San Jose and Barangay Calawis, Antipolo, namely Calawis Punlaang Bayan, Inc. (CPBI), Marikina Watershed Kaysakat Association Inc. (MARIWSKA), San Jose Free Farmers Association of Antipolo, Inc. (SJFFAAI), and Tulungan Sa Kabuhayan ng Calawis, Inc. (TSKC). They did this through a series of workshops on resource organization, product development, market relations, and product pitching to potential investors/buyers. The ultimate ambition of "Pagyabong ng Yamang Ani" was to facilitate a transformative journey for these organizations, positioning them to autonomously generate value-added products and navigate the market, redefining farming as a dignified and sustainable pursuit for their community members.

To learn more, view Pagyabong ng Yamang Ani’s Digital Impact Story.

We take this opportunity to congratulate the students behind these remarkable solidarity Service-Learning initiatives for reaching the finals of the 2024 Uniservitate Awards. Their significant work addressing societal issues exemplifies excellence and underscores the importance of integrating Service-Learning into our curriculum. These initiatives highlight the Ateneo's commitment to transformative education. We wish them all the best in the final stages of the Uniservitate Award 2024.

Photos courtesy of the Uniservitate Award 2024 Finalists and their faculty adviser.