Officers of the Mapúa MCM College and High School Alumni Associations with Grade 1 learners of Carmen Integrated School during the Launching of alumni-led Program H.E.L.P.
Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao (Mapúa MCM) marked a new milestone in the fourth year of Program H.E.L.P. (Help End Learning Poverty) as the Mapúa MCM College Alumni Association and High School Alumni Association became the first organizations to formally adopt and lead the implementation of the program.
The alumni-led initiative will support Grade 1 learners of Carmen Integrated School in Tugbok District. The involvement of the two alumni associations marks a significant expansion of the program, bringing together alumni volunteers, institutional partners, parents, and the school community in a sustained effort to strengthen the foundational reading skills of young learners.
The College Alumni Association is led by Engr. Francis Adrian Gamad, an Electrical Engineering alumnus from the Class of 2023, while the High School Alumni Association is led by Mr. Luigi T. Felicia, a Senior High School alumnus from the Class of 2023 under the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) Strand.
Responding to learning poverty
According to the World Bank’s 2022 Learning Poverty Brief, the Philippines recorded a learning poverty rate of ninety-point-five percent, reflecting the large proportion of children unable to read and understand an age-appropriate text. This challenge is influenced by various educational and socioeconomic factors and was further intensified by disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response, Mapúa MCM’s Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement (CSCE) launched Project H.E.L.P. at Langub Elementary School on September 22, 2023. Beyond serving as a reading intervention, the initiative was designed as a formal study that assessed the effectiveness of its instructional materials and learning sessions.
During its first year, the project supported Grade 1 to Grade 3 learners of Langub Elementary School through twice-monthly sessions aimed at strengthening their reading foundations. In its second year, the initiative evolved into a formal program and expanded to serve kindergarten pupils at New Matina Elementary School.
Program H.E.L.P. reached another turning point in its third year. Guided by findings from its earlier implementations, it refined its focus toward the most critical early-learning years—particularly kindergarten and Grade 1—and extended its reach to kindergarten pupils of R.C. Quimpo Elementary School.
Now in its fourth year, the program is expanding its reading intervention project to Carmen Integrated School, with the Mapúa MCM alumni associations assuming a leading role in its implementation while the High School department is leading the Project SOLVE-IT mathematics intervention initiative.
Alumni in full force
In collaboration with the Office for Corporate Partnerships and Alumni Affairs and with the guidance of the Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement (CSCE), the alumni associations will lead the implementation of Program H.E.L.P. at Carmen Integrated School from September 2026 to March 2027.
The program includes the launching and parents’ orientation, pre-assessment, 10 reading intervention sessions, mid- and post-assessments, and a culminating activity. Mapúa MCM alumni volunteers will facilitate the regular learning sessions, while the Program H.E.L.P. Assessment Group will evaluate the participating learners’ progress.
In preparation for the program, CSCE conducted an orientation and training for alumni volunteers on September 12, 2026, facilitated by Dr. Febbie Faith S. Ramos, a Mapúa MCM professor from the College of Arts and Sciences and a consultant for the program for her expertise in linguistics and language acquisition.
A total of 33 volunteers from the High School and College alumni communities attended the training and prepared to take part in the program’s learning sessions throughout the academic year. Volunteer participation, however, is not limited to those who attended the initial training. The alumni associations will continue to welcome alumni who wish to volunteer and support the succeeding Program H.E.L.P. sessions.
The initial group of trained alumni volunteers includes:
Alumni Volunteers from the College and High School
- Luigi Felicia
- Justine Tan
- Nicole Antoinette Buena
- Myka Consuegra
- Jaci Iturralde
- Samantha Lacia
- Thea Talidano
- Matthew Metts
- Sofia Acebu
- Josef Lechoncito
- Tasha Baldonado
- Keian Mar
- Monique de Lira
- Kent Vincent Cofreros
- Princess Sopia Kaduvatti
- Janelle Cassandra Uy
- Lawrence Libang
- Atasha Andacao
- Arvelyn Ocsin
- Nathaniel Doropan
- Ashley Ferrando
- Khalil Pajiji
- Francis Gamad
- Zheldrick Villarino
- Jessarn Balatero
- Vonne Krina Parico
- Patrick Baruiz
- Frances Angela Monton
- Melissa Lois Deveza
- Anya Sophia Pangilinan
- Cris Lawrence Sisbreño
- Keirren Medel
- Alexandra David
Mapúa MCM alumni volunteers during the Program H.E.L.P. orientation and training held via Microsoft Teams on September 12, 2026, in preparation for the reading intervention sessions at Carmen Integrated School.
A shared commitment to young learners
The launching program was welcomed by Engr. Alejandro H. Ballado Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Mapúa MCM, who expressed his gratitude to the alumni associations, Carmen Integrated School, sponsors, volunteers, and other stakeholders for their collective support and commitment to Program H.E.L.P. and its mission to support young learners.
Engr. Alejandro H. Ballado Jr., Mapúa MCM EVP/COO, delivers his opening remarks and thanks the stakeholders supporting Program H.E.L.P.
Dr. Jackie B. Suniega, School Head of Carmen Integrated School, also welcomed the partnership, emphasizing the importance of early reading intervention and the shared responsibility of supporting young learners.
Dr. Jackie B. Suniega, delivers her message on the importance of partnership in supporting Grade 1 learners through Program H.E.L.P.
“Through Program H.E.L.P., we take a collective stand to bridge this gap. By combining the heart, dedication, and community reach of Carmen Integrated School with the educational expertise, resources, and civic leadership of Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao, we are creating a powerful support system for our Grade 1 learners.” — Dr. Jackie B. Suniega, Principal, Carmen Integrated School
She further expressed the school’s gratitude to Mapúa MCM and its College and High School Alumni Associations for their commitment to educational equity and community development, describing the partnership as a reflection of the “true spirit of service and shared responsibility in nation-building.”
The messages were followed by the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between Mapúa MCM and Carmen Integrated School. The agreement formalized their partnership for the implementation of Program H.E.L.P. during Academic Year 2026–2027.
Mr. Leopoldo D. Aquino, Jr., Director, Office for Corporate Partnerships and Alumni Affairs, Mapúa MCM; Dr. Jackie B. Suniega, Principal, Carmen Integrated School; Dr. Lydia V. Ampo, Cluster 6 Public Schools District Supervisor (PSDS); Engr. Alejandro H. Ballado, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Mapúa MCM; Ms. Marycon C. Delos Reyes, Director, Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement, Mapúa MCM; and Mr. Desme S. Calayon Jr., Adopt-a-School Coordinator, Carmen Integrated School, during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of Program H.E.L.P. at Carmen Integrated School.
The agreement was formally signed by Engr. Alejandro H. Ballado Jr. and Dr. Jackie B. Suniega, marking the shared commitment of Mapúa MCM and Carmen Integrated School to the implementation of Program H.E.L.P. The signing was witnessed by Mr. Leopoldo D. Aquino, Jr., Director of the Office for Corporate Partnerships and Alumni Affairs; Ms. Marycon C. Delos Reyes, Director of the Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement; and Mr. Desme S. Calayon Jr., Adopt-a-School Coordinator of Carmen Integrated School.
With the partnership formally established, the alumni associations reaffirmed their commitment to taking an active role in the program. Speaking on behalf of the alumni community, Mr. Felicia highlighted their collective commitment to service and acknowledged the participation of the College Alumni Association, led by Engr. Gamad.
Mr. Luigi T. Felicia, delivers his message on behalf of the alumni community, reaffirming their commitment to service and Program H.E.L.P.
“As alumni, we fully support this initiative because we believe that education is not only something we receive; it is also something we have a responsibility to help extend to others. Through our alumni volunteers, we hope to contribute not only our time and service, but also encouragement, confidence, and meaningful learning experiences for the students of Carmen Integrated School. Ultimately, this is what it truly means to be a Mapúan: to give back, to serve, and to help build a better community.” — Mr. Luigi T. Felicia, President, Mapúa MCM High School Alumni Association
Arcflash Electrical Supply and Hardware Materials Trading and Mr. Charlie Uy Power Support Beyond Classroom
Building on the alumni community’s commitment to service, Engr. Francis Adrian Gamad, proprietor of Arcflash Electrical Supply & Hardware Materials Trading and a Mapúa MCM alumnus, shared a message emphasizing that addressing learning poverty requires collective action and sustained investment in young learners.
Engr. Francis Adrian Gamad, Mapúa MCM alumnus and proprietor of Arcflash Electrical Supply & Hardware Materials Trading, delivers his message of support for Program H.E.L.P.
“Education is not simply an investment in classrooms, books, or technology. It is an investment in human potential. Solving learning poverty cannot be the responsibility of one institution, one school, or one government agency alone. It requires a collective effort from all of us.” — Engr. Francis Adrian Gamad
The program continued with the distribution of school supplies to 55 Grade 1 learners of Carmen Integrated School. The school supplies and snacks for the learners, parents, and alumni volunteers were made possible through the generous support of major sponsors Arcflash Electrical Supply & Hardware Materials Trading and Mr. Charlie Uy, strengthening the collective effort behind the alumni-led implementation of Program H.E.L.P.
School supplies were distributed to 55 Grade 1 learners of Carmen Integrated School, led by major sponsors Arcflash Electrical Supply & Hardware Materials Trading, represented by its proprietor and Mapúa MCM alumnus Engr. Francis Adrian Gamad, and Mr. Charlie Uy, represented by Ms. Janelle Uy, together with Engr. Alejandro H. Ballado, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Mapúa MCM.
The alumni association leaders who attended the launch were:
Mapúa MCM College Alumni Association:
1. Engr Francis Adrian Gamad
2. Ms. Janelle Cassandra Uy
3. Ms. Alexandra David
4. Ms. Blete Mae S. Dante
Mapúa MCM High School Alumni Association:
1. Mr. Luigi Felicia
2. Ms. Nicole Buena
3. Ms. Thea Talidano
4. Mr. Justine Tan
5. Myka Consuegra
From September 2026 to March 2027, the alumni volunteers will work closely with Carmen Integrated School’s Grade 1 learners through structured reading sessions and periodic assessments. The program will culminate in an activity scheduled for March 17–19, 2027.
Through the first organizational adoption of Program H.E.L.P., the Mapúa MCM alumni community demonstrates that the relationship between alumni and their alma mater extends beyond graduation. By offering their time, skills, and collective support, the alumni are helping address learning poverty—one learner and one reading session at a time.