- January 12, 2026
Mapúa MCL’s Samakatutubo: Hearts and Minds for the Aetas Brings “Bayanihan” Spirit to Barrio Pasbul, Porac, Pampanga
On December 14 and 15, 2025, Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) reached out to the Aeta community of Barrio Pasbul, Porac, Pampanga through Samakatutubo: Hearts and Minds for the Aetas, a two-day community engagement grounded in compassion, shared effort, and meaningful service. As shared by Prof. James Ronald Mesina, Vice President for External Linkages and Transnational Education (ELITE), the initiative forms part of “At the Frontlines of Social Responsibility,” Mapúa MCL’s call for its graduates and stakeholders to return to their Alma Mater and work hand in hand in community engagement—underscoring community service as the institution’s third mission.
Barrio Pasbul is home to an Aeta community where families continue to face challenges related to limited access to basic social services. Children in the community often have fewer resources, making continued support and engagement important to their overall well-being and development.
The community was chosen because of Mapúa MCL’s long-standing relationship with the Aetas of Porac. Engagement with the community began as early as 2015 and was further strengthened when Mapúa MCL formally adopted the community in 2018. Over the years, this partnership has allowed the institution to better understand the needs of the community and provide support that goes beyond one-time outreach activities. Led by the Alumni Center, in collaboration with the Office for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagement (OSPGE) and Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement (CSCE), the initiative brought together volunteers from across the Mapúa MCL community. Students, alumni, administrators, and staff worked hand in hand to serve more than 800 Aeta children and extend support to 120 families through donations and on-ground engagement. The activity embodied the true essence of “bayanihan”, where shared responsibility and unity served as the foundation of the program.
The engagement was carried out over two days, with each day designed to reach different groups. On the first day, volunteers went directly to Barrio Pasbul and spent time with Aeta families. Children participated in games and activities led by the Center for Guidance and Counseling (CGC), creating moments of joy and connection. The day also featured “Teambayanihan,” a gift-giving activity where donations collected through the Bayanihan BINGO Challenge were repacked and personally distributed to Aeta families.
Senior High School Department, while the Mapúa Laguna Institute of Aviation (MIA), led by its Dean, Capt. Michael John Reyes, managed the food committee and prepared meals for learners and volunteers.
Support for the program was made possible through the Bayanihan BINGO Challenge, which encouraged participation from different sectors of the Mapúa MCL community. 200 individuals took part in the challenge, composed of 71 students, 78 employees, and 51 alumni. Their combined efforts helped generate the resources needed to support the two-day activity.
The initiative was a resounding success, bringing meaningful support to Aeta children and families, fostering active participation, and strengthening community connections. Its positive impact was evident in the enthusiastic involvement, well-coordinated activities, and heartfelt engagement of the Aeta families and other stakeholders.
The impact of the engagement was also reflected in the shared reflections of volunteers and committee leaders who took part in the activity. Ms. Zyra Irene Napolis of the Center for Guidance and Counseling shared that the experience in the Aeta community in Barrio Pasbul, Porac, Pampanga brought everyone back to what truly matters — finding joy in simple moments and in sharing one’s time, talent, and treasure. She noted that this spirit of giving is one of the reasons December remains a meaningful and much-anticipated time of the year.
Capt. Michael John Reyes, Dean of the Mapúa Laguna Institute of Aviation, described the engagement as a powerful reminder of the value of service. He shared that through the gift-giving and feeding activities, the team was able to bring joy, hope, and care to the Aeta community. More importantly, he emphasized that the experience was equally enriching for the volunteers, offering lessons in empathy, unity, and purpose. He encouraged students to continue joining community engagements, highlighting that lasting impact is achieved when people work together. For Ms. Natalie Joyce Rivera, Faculty Member of the College of Arts and Science (CAS), the Aeta community of Barrio Pasbul continues to be a source of inspiration. Having walked alongside the community since 2016, she reflected on how their simple way of life reflects deep gratitude, resilience, and joy that go beyond material things. She shared that the community serves as a reminder that true happiness is found not in what one has, but in how life is valued and shared with others.
Maria Sabien Saclote, a Senior High School student, shared how the outreach challenged her expectations and reshaped her understanding of happiness and community. As a member of the entertainment team, one of her most memorable moments came after hours of teaching, games and activities. During a short break, she witnessed Aeta children teaching volunteers a Kapampangan greeting — “mayap a aldo”— meaning “magandang araw.” The simple exchange deeply moved her, as it reflected a genuine sharing of knowledge, where teaching and learning flowed both ways. She emphasized that outreach programs like this reveal the beauty of diversity and inclusion, reminding participants that happiness can be found in the simplest moments and that such programs empower people by bringing communities closer together.”
For Pooja Ram, a 3rd-year B.S Psychology student, being a part of the SAKAMATUTUBO program was a long-awaited dream and a deeply meaningful experience. She shared that the engagement allowed her to step beyond the classroom and truly understand the value of service, compassion, and social awareness. Interacting and playing with children from the Aeta community taught her lessons that could never be found in books alone. Working alongside her schoolmates and teachers, she witnessed how even small efforts could bring joy and hope to others. The experience strengthened her appreciation for Mapúa MCL’s commitment to community service and inspired her to remain actively involved and mindful as both a student and an individual. She described the experience as unforgettable and expressed her eagerness to volunteer again in the future.
From the alumni perspective, Paul Justine Abelgos shared that joining the community engagement in Porac, Pampanga as an alumnus was a truly heartwarming and meaningful experience. Returning not just as a former student but as someone who continues to carry the values instilled by the institution made the experience especially significant. Spending time with the Aeta community reminded him of the importance of genuine connection, humility, and giving back without expecting anything in return. He shared how meaningful it was to work alongside fellow volunteers and witness the resilience and smiles of the community. The experience reaffirmed his gratitude for Mapúa MCL and its continued commitment to making a difference beyond the classroom, and he expressed his hope to support more initiatives like this in the future.
Through Samakatutubo: Hearts and Minds for the Aetas, Mapúa MCL further strengthened its support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG
10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. The activity showed how shared effort and continued partnership can create meaningful support for communities.
To learn more about the programs, services, and activities of the Alumni Center, please contact Ms. Cinderella Leila T. Manalang via email at [email protected], or reach the Alumni Center at [email protected].
