Bridging Communities: PTC-CSJ Scholars Engage with the Aeta Community in Porac, Pampanga

On October 5, 2024, students from Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna’s (Mapúa MCL) Mapúa-PTC College of Maritime Education and Training (Mapúa-PTC CMET) and scholars of the PTC-CSJ Foundation joined the community engagement “SamaKatutubo: Hearts and Minds for the Aetas, in Porac, Pampanga. Organized by the Office for External Relations and Global Linkages (OERGL), the event focused on addressing Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. 

The initiative included interactive activities, feeding program, and food distribution, fostering connections between students and the indigenous Aeta community.  

Among the participants was third-year student Michelle L. Belling, who shared her heartfelt testimonial: 

“As a third-year student at Mapúa MCL, my recent community engagement experience in Porac, Pampanga was both my first and, hopefully, not my last. The experience was deeply emotional and provided me with a unique opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Porac while gaining insight into the Aeta community’s situation. It taught me the importance of recognizing privilege and instilled in me a greater appreciation for the simple things we often take for granted, such as access to clean water, food, technology, and education. After this engagement, I felt a renewed sense of gratitude and a stronger drive to become a better citizen—one who can be a blessing and an advocate for indigenous people.” 

This testimonial underscores the profound impact of the program on the participants. Witnessing the resilience and warmth of the indigenous families left many students reflecting on their privileges and motivated to make a difference. 

The day’s activities highlighted the power of community service to bridge cultural gaps and inspire social responsibility. For the students, it was not just an event but the start of a journey to uplift marginalized communities and embody the spirit of inclusive leadership.