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SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Into the Psygn: An Introduction to a Psylent Communication and Sign Language Workshop

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Into the Psygn An Introduction to a Psylent Communication and Sign Language Workshop.

Into the Psygn: An Introduction to a Psylent Communication and Sign Language Workshop

By: Rachelle Anne A. Abel

B.S. Psychology students from Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna’s (Mapúa MCL) College of Health Sciences taking up CHS321 & CHS322, Introduction to Clinical Psychology, and Introduction to Counseling along with Ugnayan ng Malayang Sikolohiya (UGMASIKO) and Mapúa MCL’s Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement (CSCE), successfully organized a “Psygn Language: Psylent Communication Through Action,” a basic sign language workshop and donation drive aimed at promoting inclusivity to students with special needs at the Francisco Balagtas Auditorium last February 24, 2025.

The event featured guest speakers who discussed and promoted sign language education in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, the workshop aligned with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. It addressed the challenges faced by deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and raised awareness about inclusivity among participating students. The workshop attracted 85 attendees from the B.S. Psychology program and interested students from other programs, along with 64 organizers and four (4) Special Education (SPED) faculty members from Calauan Central Elementary School.

The guest speakers, special education and sign language experts Mr. John Darell S. Ruiz and Mr. Nestor A. Miemban from CCES, shared their knowledge and insights about sign language. During the workshop, they highlighted the goal of effectively promoting sign language education while also emphasizing the importance of being inclusive to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. 

In an interview with Ms. Mabeth B. Francia, a faculty member under the College of Health and Sciences, and one of the organizers, shared, “I can honestly say that the goal was achieved as it sparked interest from the audience to indulge in learning sign language as an alternative communication technique and become aware of the conditions and needs of the deaf and mute community. They are very much present in our system and we need to see them as people with equal rights and should be given equal opportunities and equal treatment.”

Ultimately, the attendees learned various phrases in sign language such as how to sign their name in sign language.

Into the Psygn An Introduction to a Psylent Communication and Sign Language Workshop.

Patricia Althea Cueto, a 2nd-year B.S. Psychology student, shared her experience from the event, “Promoting sign language can empower people with hearing impairments by making them feel involved and welcomed. Additionally, it creates a more understanding and accessible environment for everyone, as well as breaking stigma and misconceptions [around sign language].” 

She later added that apart from sign language, they were also taught reading braille which made the workshop more interesting, “From then on, I have learned to be more sensitive and inclusive. I have even thought of learning more about sign language as well as braille to be able to communicate with mute and deaf individuals.”

The workshop concluded with a vision of fostering an inclusive environment. “Psygn Language: Psylent Communication Through Action” equipped attendees with the understanding that empathy and collective action are key to building a more equitable and inclusive community.

Bringing Joy and Gratitude: Mapúa MCL Volunteers Celebrate the Holidays with Aeta Families in Porac

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Bringing Joy and Gratitude Mapúa MCL Volunteers Celebrate the Holidays with Aeta Families in Porac.

Bringing Joy and Gratitude: Mapúa MCL Volunteers Celebrate the Holidays with Aeta Families in Porac

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.

Mapúa MCL Spreads Joy to the Aeta Community in Porac, Pampanga

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Mapúa MCL Spreads Joy to the Aeta Community in Porac, Pampanga.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

SDG 1: No Poverty

Mapúa MCL Spreads Joy to the Aeta Community in Porac, Pampanga

By Lois Gabrielle D. Tobias

 

Mapúa MCL Spreads Joy to the Aeta Community in Porac, Pampanga.

 

As part of the ongoing celebration of the 57th Founding Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), and 10 (Reducing Inequalities), volunteers from Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) organized a meaningful outreach program on October 5, 2024, titled “SamaKatutubo: Hearts and Minds for the Aetas”. Assistant Vice-President for External Relations and Global Linkages shared that ‘the project started in 2015 with some student volunteers and employees who thought of a unique community service project for the Christmas season. That was the first time that Mapua MCL got engaged with the Aetas community.

 

Mapúa MCL Spreads Joy to the Aeta Community in Porac, Pampanga.

 

The program was spearheaded by the Office for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagement (OSPGE), in collaboration with the Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement (CSCE) and the Mapúa MCL Alumni Center. Participated in by more than 50 volunteers composed of students, faculty members, employees, and alumni who organized a feeding program serving hot meals for some 300 Aeta residents and children. Volunteer participation is very strong for being able to gather donations such as rice, canned goods, and other essential supplies from their peers and friends in the Mapua MCL community. Volunteers from the Senior High School, Mapua-PTC College of Maritime Education, College of Health Sciences, Mapua Laguna Institute of Aviation, and the Mapua Institute of Technology at Laguna also organized games for the children and interaction activities with the local residents.

 

 

Prof. Mesina added that “SamaKatutubo: Hearts and Minds for the Aetas” does not end with the October 5 community engagement which coincides with World Teachers’ Day, stressing that this activity is a unique celebration as students receive a learning experience ‘outside the four walls of the classroom’ by having a meaningful interaction with the Aetas. To maximize the experience, the participants also had a side tour of the San Guillermo Church in Bacolor town which survived the devastation of the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991. It showcases a parish museum where photographs of the old and the present Church site are exhibited depicting the resilience of Filipinos in times of disasters and crisis.

 

Mapúa MCL Spreads Joy to the Aeta Community in Porac, Pampanga.

 

The community engagement is also timely as it coincides with Indigenous Peoples’ Month that is celebrated in October of every year. Mapúa MCL is set to return to Porac in December 2024 as part of its “Paskong Mapúa Malayan” celebration, continuing its commitment to support indigenous communities and expand its outreach efforts. As a key part of the OneMapúan community, Mapúa MCL reaffirms its dedication to social responsibility and the vision of “One Sustainable Goal,” ensuring that its efforts contribute to lasting positive change. Students, faculty members, employees, alumni and other partners are encouraged to collaborate with OSPGE and the Alumni Center on ways to help.

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

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

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

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. 

Mapúa MCL: At the Frontlines of Community Service: Community Engagement

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Mapúa MCL: At the Frontlines of Community Service: Community Engagement.

Mapúa MCL: At the Frontlines of Community Service: Community Engagement

 

 

The Office for External Relations and Global Linkages (OERGL) and the Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement (CSCE) collaborated to implement the project titled ‘At the Frontlines of Community Service: Community Engagement’ Series of service-learning and community service activities in the Mapúa MCL’s adopted communities. One of these communities was the Siena College Extension Mission School, Bo. Pasbul, Porac City, Province of Pampanga which was personally visited by the Mapúa MCL in July 2022 – two (2) years after the Covid 10 pandemic and lockdown.  An estimated 100 families from the Aeta community participated in the visit with a brief program organized by the OERGL and CSCE that also donated food packs, usable toys for children, and 100 bags of school supplies.

 

 

The Siena College Extension Mission School has been a long-time adopted community partner of the Mapúa MCL. The school educates the Aeta children of the community but lacks functional school facilities, including a library and accessible potable water, among others. The community is situated in a far-flung village where the absence of local transportation makes it difficult for the Aeta families to go to the town’s marketplace, hospitals, and other public services.

 

 

Another activity took place within the same community as part of Mapúa MCL’s Christmas community engagement in December 2022.  An estimated 100 participants from the Mapúa MCL (students, alumni, and faculty members) actively engaged with the members of the Aeta community who received Christmas food packs aside from the lunch meals personally cooked by the Mapúa MCL participants for the Aeta families. The series of activities hoped to deliver essential goods to the indigenous community and the Mapúa MCL hopes to respond to the community’s social issues in the future.