- February 11, 2025
Bringing Joy and Gratitude: Mapúa MCL Volunteers Celebrate the Holidays with Aeta Families in Porac
Embodying the true spirit of the holidays and gift-giving, Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) volunteers participated in a four-day community engagement series, “At the Frontlines of Social Responsibility: A Community Engagement Series,” held on December 13–15 and 23, 2024. Organized annually by the Office for Strategic Partnership and Global Engagement (OSPGE), the event aimed to support the Aeta community in Barrio Pasbul, Porac, Pampanga.
The initiative began with the Bayanihan Bingo Card Challenge, an activity where volunteers filled bingo cards with essential items donated by generous donors. This initiative fostered the Filipino value of bayanihan (communal unity) and resulted in donations being carefully packaged into gift bundles for 140 families. Each family also received a “Team-ba” (Timba or pail) filled with necessities, distributed house-to-house by volunteers. Adding to the festive spirit, the volunteers serenaded the families with Christmas carols during the distribution, creating a joyful atmosphere.
The community engagement officially kicked off with an interactive program hosted by the Center for Guidance and Counseling (CGC). The program introduced and emphasized the importance of gratitude through fun games and engaging activities, setting a positive and reflective tone for the series.
On the second day, students and volunteers from the College of Health Sciences conducted another interactive activity, reiterating the significance of being thankful. This thoughtful session encouraged the community to embrace gratitude as a powerful and unifying value.
Each day of the series featured a feeding program, ensuring that nutritious meals were shared with the community members. Throughout the event, more than 700 individuals were provided with warm and nourishing meals. This consistent effort underscored the initiative’s commitment to addressing hunger and promoting well-being among the Aeta families.
The series culminated on December 23 with a celebration that included a recollection and a Bible study session. This final activity provided an opportunity for reflection, spiritual enrichment, and a deeper sense of community. The collaborative efforts of Mapúa MCL Volunteers not only brought holiday cheer to the Aeta families but also left a lasting impact, reinforcing the values of gratitude, unity, and compassion in a season of giving.
