- November 28, 2025
Excellence in Engagement: Mapúa MCL Ranked as Top 18 Education Stakeholder at DepEd Cabuyao’s Gawad Ugnayan
Article written by Eala Faye Mazaredo
Figure 1. Dr. Joy G. Hofileña (CSCE Director) accepts the award for Mapúa MCL at El Cielito Hotel Santa Rosa Laguna during the 8th Gawad Ugnayan 2025, with officials and employees from DepEd Cabuyao.
Santa Rosa City, Laguna – In a powerful showcase of the synergy between academe and public education, Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) was officially recognized as the Top 18 Outstanding Education Stakeholder at the prestigious 8th Gawad Ugnayan awarding ceremony. The event, hosted by the City Schools Division of Cabuyao (SDO Cabuyao) on November 25, 2025, celebrated the contributions of a massive network of support, with Mapúa MCL emerging among the elite tier of collaborators.
The 8th Gawad Ugnayan was held at the El Cielito Hotel in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, bringing together employees and key officials from the Department of Education – SDO Cabuyao, principals and coordinators of public schools, and respective individuals from a sprawling list of 1,186 total education partners. Mapúa MCL’s placement in the Top 20 puts the institution in the highest bracket of stakeholders, demonstrating an exemplary level of commitment and resource extension to the division’s public schools.
A Celebration of Commitment and Collaboration
The annual Gawad Ugnayan is a cornerstone event for SDO Cabuyao, serving as a heartfelt tribute to the collective effort of numerous partners and stakeholders whose unwavering support and generosity have significantly uplifted the various schools and the entire Cabuyao educational landscape through various initiatives, acknowledging the vital role played by partners from diverse sectors—including Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), industries, companies, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), civic organizations, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), and foundations.
The venue buzzed with anticipation as employees and officials of SDO Cabuyao, principals, school heads, assistant principals, and Adopt-a-School Coordinators mingled with the esteemed representatives of the partner organizations during the registration and welcome reception, which led into a delightful luncheon socialization.
Program Highlights: Inspiring Words and Collective Vows
The formal program commenced with the traditional national anthem and invocation of AVPs. Dr. Edna F. Hemedez, Chief of the Curriculum and Implementation Division (CID), set an encouraging tone with her introductory remarks, underscoring the indispensable link between the community and the success of the students.
This was followed by a powerful motivational address and partnership toast delivered by Dr. Jose Charlie S. Aloquin, OIC Chief of the School Governance and Operations Division (SGOD). Dr. Aloquin’s address reinforced the SDO Cabuyao’s mission and the critical role of stakeholders in achieving shared educational goals.
A highlight of the ceremony was the symbolic activity, the “Tree of Collective Commitment,” which involved the acknowledged schools and partnership focal persons partaking in a symbolic gesture of unity. This segment was adeptly led by Ms. Josiel Joulie L. Punongbayan, Education Program Specialist II of the Social Mobilization and Networking Section—notably, an esteemed alumna of Mapúa MCL from the College of Arts and Science (CAS) Bachelor of Multimedia Arts (BMMA) program. Her role in organizing the Gawad Ugnayan and spearheading the symbolic activity showcased a full-circle contribution. It signifies that Mapúa MCL not only supports the public education sector through institutional partnerships but also produces dedicated professionals who go on to lead and manage social development initiatives within government agencies like DepEd. The Tree of Collective Commitment was a powerful metaphor for the enduring and growing collaboration, visualizing the impact of partners like Mapúa MCL on the roots and branches of the public school system.
The program transitioned into the core of the event following an inspiring Keynote Address from Mr. Ernesto Dimaunahan of the Cabuyao Lions Club, the Top 1 Stakeholder from the previous year. His address provided powerful testimony to the continuous and dedicated service required to maintain a top partnership rank.
Mapúa MCL Secures Top Honors Among 1,186 Partners
The afternoon culminated in the much-anticipated recognition segment, beginning with the presentation of special awards, followed by the spotlight moment for the city’s most generous collaborators. The recognition of the top 20 education stakeholders was a highly anticipated part of the program, celebrating the institutions that have made the deepest impact. Among the vast field of 1,186 total education partners recognized by the City Schools Division of Cabuyao, Mapúa MCL stood out prominently, securing a coveted spot as Top 18.
Mapúa MCL’s recognition underscores the effectiveness of its specialized approach to community outreach, primarily driven by the Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement (CSCE). The CSCE is the institution’s arm for managing its corporate social responsibility, ensuring that the institution’s intellectual and technical resources are translated into tangible benefits for the local community.
Representing the institution and proudly accepting the award was Dr. Joy G. Hofileña, Director of the CSCE. This achievement highlights Mapúa MCL’s dedication to its core mission: to not only provide quality education to its students but also to help solve society’s problems through the expert application of existing knowledge.
A Call to Service: Setting the Standard for Institutional Support
The ceremony concluded with the awarding of the distinction award to the most outstanding partners and a final, memorable group photo opportunity with the awardees, capturing the shared triumph and optimism for the future of education in Cabuyao.
The 8th Gawad Ugnayan reaffirmed that the pursuit of quality education in Cabuyao is a shared responsibility, with Mapúa MCL leading the charge among higher education institutions in securing a brighter future for the division’s learners. It was more than just an awards ceremony; it was a firm restatement of the SDO Cabuyao’s belief that education is a collective responsibility, and that the success of every Cabuyeño student is inextricably linked to the dedication and generosity of its education stakeholders. The event successfully honored the present and solidified the foundation for continued partnership in the years to come.
