OSCI honors partner sectors and organizations for 50th anniversary

For its 50th founding anniversary, the Office for Social Concern and Involvement honored and celebrated together with its current partner sectors and organizations through a recognition ceremony held at Leong Hall Auditorium last Saturday, 28 June 2025. There were over 200+ in attendance present across 70+ partners. 

All the guests were partners from different people’s organizations, non-governmental organizations, schools, government sectors, and communities who work with OSCI directly for the ladderized formation programs of the university.

Dr Benjamin Tolosa (Vice President for Mission Integration) gave the opening remarks and thanked all those present for their partnership. Dr Leland Dela Cruz (Assistant Vice President for Social and Environmental Engagement for Development and Sustainability) Dr John Gappy from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology (Coordinator for SocSc11-Binhi), and Dr John Paul Bolano (Assistant Professor from the Department of Theology) were also present.

Partners in Formation

“Ang Singkwento ay kwento nating lahat, tayong lahat na naging bahagi ng misyon na ito ng OSCI. Sa amin sa Solidarity with Orphans and Widows ito ay dalawang taon ng mabunga at malalim na  pakikilakbay,” Carol Daria, Coordinator for Formation of Solidarity with Orphans and Widows shared.

“Ang bawat pagtatagpo ng mga estudyante at mga nanay at kabataan sa SOW ay bahagi na ng aming buhay komunidad na nagpapalalim sa pang unawa ng buhay at pagtanggap sa mga pagsubok. Bilang mga partner communities, kami ay nagpapasalamat sa inyong pagtataguyod ng mga makabuluhang adbokasiya at pakikiisa sa aming mga pinagdaraanan, lalo na sa mga taong nasa laylayan ng lipunan. Umaasa kami na magpapatuloy ang gating partnership sa mahabang panahon.”

Several partners also shared their well wishes and experiences in the open forum that followed.

The day ended with closing remarks from Ms. Ophalle Alzona-Pornela, OSCI Director, thanking all in attendance for their continued partnership and support. “Singkwento. Ito po ang nakasulat sa inyong natanggap na imbitasyon para sa araw na ito. Dahil sa loob ng limampung taon ay naging saksi kami - tayo sa iba’t ibang kwento ng katapangan, pagmamalasakit, saya, lungkot, at higit sa lahat ay panibagong pag-asa. Sa loob ng limampung taon, nabuhay ang aming mga programa at nahubog ang aming mga mag-aaral sa inyong mga kwento – mga nanay, tatay, kuya, ate, ma’am, sir, kaibigan. Maging kayo man ay kasama na ng OSCI mula pa noon o ngayon pa lamang nakikilahok sa aming paglalakbay, kayo ay bahagi ng diwang nagbibigay-buhay sa aming tanggapan,” Alzona-Pornela shared.

“Kayo ang aming inspirasyon— Kayo ang patunay na ang mga kwento,  sama-samang pagkilos ay may kapangyarihang bumuo ng buhay, magbago ng pananaw, at magtanim ng pag-asa. Salamat sa patuloy na pakikibahagi sa aming misyon na sana ay magpatuloy pa hanggang sa susunod na dekada,” she concluded.

After celebrating 50 years of formation, social involvement, and working directly with communities, OSCI looks ahead and is already in the middle of preparations for the upcoming school year.

Complete List of Area Partners:

• Active Vista Center, Inc.
• Aguinaldo Learning Hub
• Area 17 Learning Hub
• Ateneo Center for Educational Development
• Bagong Anyo ng Buhay
• Barangay Balong Bato, San Juan City
• Barangay Corazon de Jesus, San Juan City
• Barangay Tumana
• Bigay Buhay Multipurpose Cooperative
• Bonifacio Day Care, Quezon City
• Buklod Tao Inc.
• Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO)
• Center for Migrant Advocacy City Government of Marikina
• City Government of Quezon City
• City Government of Navotas
• Community Crafts Association of the Philippines, Inc. (CCAP)
• Department of Education - Schools Division Office Marikina City
• Educational Research and Development Assistance (ERDA) Foundation, Inc.
• Gabay sa Agrikultura ng Sama-samang Ayta para sa Kaunlaran, Inc.
• Gawad Kalinga - Ateneo
• Gawang Kamay
• Guanella Center, Inc.
• Homenet Multipurpose Cooperative
• Ina ng Bayan sa Sais
• Institute for Consecrated Life in Asia
• Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas Foundation Inc. (WWF)
• Kapatiran Kaunlaran Foundation Inc. (KKFI)
• KASAGANA-KA Mutual Benefit Association Inc.
• Krus na Ligas Association for Hope and Unity Luzon Eco Transport Services and Multipurpose Cooperative
• Likhaan Center for Women's Health Inc.
• Marikina Watershed Kaysakat Association, Inc. (MARIWSKA)
• Oblate Sisters of the Most Holy Redeemer
• Open Table Metropolitan Community Church
• Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA)
• Pambansang Kalipunan ng mga Manggagawang Impormal sa Pilipinas (PATAMABA), Inc.
• Parel Organization for Water and Resources Inc.
• Persons with Disability Affairs Office Cainta
• Philippine Jesuit Prison Service Foundation, Inc. (PJPS)
• Puso ng Ama Foundation Inc.
• Roman Catholic Bishop of Novaliches, Inc.
• Samahan ng mga Community Health Organizations sa Tanay (SCHOT)
• Samahan ng mga Mamamayan Para sa Kalikasan ng Biak na Bato
• Samahan ng mga Magsasaka at Kababaihan ng Tayabas
• Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilya ng Pantawid (SNPP)
• Samahang Tanglaw ng Malanday Tutorial Outreach for Primary Studies
• San Joseph Free Farmers Association of Antipolo Inc.
• Scholars of Sustenance Philippines Inc.
• Senior Citizens Pride of Sta. Mesa (SCPSM)
• Serve the Children and Older Persons Foundation, Inc.
• Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan, Inc.
• Sitio Payong Neighborhood Association
• Social Action Center of Zambales
• Social Enterprise Development Partnerships, Inc. (SEDPI)
• Solidarity with Orphans and Widows, Inc.
• Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Inc.
• Tambutcho Transport Corporation
• Tara Kabataan
• Tumana Eco-Warriors Organization, Inc.
• Ugnayan ng Mamamayang Mangingisda ng Rizal Federation (UGMMARIZ)