Officers and volunteers of the Mapúa MCM College Alumni Association gather at Carmen Integrated School in support of the alumni-led Program H.E.L.P. and its 55 Grade 1 beneficiaries.
As the first alumni organizations to adopt Program H.E.L.P., the Mapúa MCM High School and College Alumni Associations work with key institutional offices, volunteers, and partners to strengthen the foundational literacy skills of Grade 1 pupils at Carmen Integrated School.
Following the official launching of Program H.E.L.P.: Help End Learning Poverty and the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement on September 21, 2026, the Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao (Mapúa MCM) High School and College Alumni Associations began conducting the program’s regular Grade 1 reading sessions at Carmen Integrated School in Tugbok District.
Through this partnership, Carmen Integrated School became the adopted school of the two alumni associations, with its 55 Grade 1 pupils serving as the beneficiaries of the reading intervention program.
Session 1 was conducted on September 29, 2026, followed by Session 2 on October 13, 2026. These activities marked the beginning of a series of competency-aligned reading sessions designed to strengthen the pupils’ foundational literacy skills, reading fluency, comprehension, and confidence.
The College Alumni Association is led by Engr. Francis Gamad, an Electrical Engineering alumnus from the Class of 2022, 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 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics strand.
Together, the two associations are the first alumni organizations within the Mapúa MCM community to formally adopt and lead Program H.E.L.P. Through the initiative, they are transforming alumni engagement into sustained educational service—bringing graduates together not simply to remember where they began, but to help young learners begin well.
The alumni-led implementation of Program H.E.L.P. is conducted in collaboration with Mapúa MCM’s Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement (CSCE), headed by Ms. Marycon Delos Reyes.
CSCE provides the program framework, reading lessons content, instructional guidance, and technical support needed for the alumni volunteers to conduct structured and meaningful learning sessions.
The Office for Corporate Partnerships and Alumni Affairs, headed by Mr. Leopoldo D. Aquino Jr., supports the implementation through its two complementary functions. Alumni Affairs coordinates with the High School and College Alumni Associations and mobilizes alumni officers, while the Office for Corporate Partnerships facilitates the involvement of external partners and sponsors who help sustain the program’s activities.
The collaboration among CSCE, the alumni associations, Alumni Affairs, Office for Corporate Partnerships, Carmen Integrated School, volunteers, and sponsors demonstrates how different members of the Mapúa MCM community can work together toward a common educational purpose.
Program H.E.L.P. aims to address learning poverty by strengthening pupils’ foundational literacy skills, reading fluency, and reading comprehension.
The Grade 1 reading lessons are developed based on the Grade 1 learning competencies prescribed by the Department of Education (DepEd). This ensures that the lessons are aligned with the expected learning outcomes for pupils at this level.
Each reading session uses the following teaching methods:
Reading Aloud
The alumni volunteer-facilitator reads the story aloud to model proper pronunciation, fluency, and expression. This method also helps pupils develop their listening skills and become familiar with the story.
Reading It Together
The facilitator first guides the pupils in reading the highlighted words. The facilitator and pupils then read the story together, either line by line or sentence by sentence.
During the reading activity, the facilitator may ask questions to check the pupils’ understanding, clarify key details, and encourage active participation.
Applying What We Read
After the guided reading, the pupils independently answer comprehension questions based on the story.
This activity assesses their understanding and develops their ability to recall details, identify key information, and interpret what they have read.
VARK-Supplemented Activities
After each reading session, the pupils participate in activities based on the four VARK learning preferences: Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic.
These activities reinforce the reading lesson, encourage active participation, and provide varied opportunities for pupils to process and apply what they have learned.
Through these teaching methods, Program H.E.L.P. delivers competency-aligned, engaging, and meaningful reading sessions that develop the Grade 1 pupils’ literacy skills, comprehension, and confidence as independent readers.
Every unfamiliar word understood is a small barrier removed. Every sentence read with confidence brings a young learner one step closer to becoming an independent reader.
Alumni Volunteers Lead Session 1
Mapúa MCM alumni volunteers and employee representatives gather at Carmen Integrated School during the first session of the alumni-led Program H.E.L.P. on September 29, 2026, reaffirming their shared commitment to quality education and community partnership.
The first regular reading session on September 29 was facilitated by the following alumni volunteers:
- Tasha Therese G. Baldonado
- Luigi T. Felicia
- Justin S. Tan
The volunteers guided the pupils through the reading lesson and their corresponding comprehension and reinforcement activities. By listening patiently, explaining unfamiliar words, and encouraging the pupils to participate, they helped create a welcoming environment where the children could learn without fear of making mistakes.
Reflecting on the first session, Tasha Therese G. Baldonado, HS Alumna from AD Track reflected: “As a first-time volunteer, my heart is full of joy and gratitude, from the kids welcoming us with pagmamano to seeing their eagerness to learn, and as someone who loves teaching, I feel truly blessed to help them learn and grow through the Alumni-Led Program.”
Alumni High School volunteer Tasha Therese G. Baldonado points to an illustrated reading worksheet while guiding a small group of Grade 1 pupils during Program H.E.L.P. Session 1 at Carmen Integrated School.
Alumni Answer the Call for Session 2
Mapúa MCM High School alumni volunteers and Program H.E.L.P. partners gather at Carmen Integrated School following the second reading session, demonstrating their commitment to SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
The second reading session on October 13 brought together another group of alumni volunteers:
- 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗮
- 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗮 𝗙𝗮𝘆𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗼
- 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝘀𝗮𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗴
- 𝗔𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆𝗻 𝗢𝗰𝘀𝗶𝗻
- A𝘀𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼
- 𝗔𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗼
- 𝗞𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗹
- 𝗞𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗷𝗶𝗷𝗶
- 𝗥𝗼𝗵𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗼 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗰𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗼𝗻
With more volunteers participating, the pupils received closer guidance as they read the lesson, answered comprehension questions, and completed the VARK-supplemented activities.
For the Session 2 reflection, Nicole Antoinette D. Buena, HS Alumna from STEM Strand shared: “My heart is full knowing that, even for just a day, I became part of the little things that made these children smile, learn, and believe that the world is full of people who care — and even these smallest acts of kindness can make a difference in someone’s life.”
Nicole Antoinette Buena, a Mapúa MCM High School alumna, facilitates a guided reading activity with Grade 1 pupils during the second session of the alumni-led Program H.E.L.P. at Carmen Integrated School.
The volunteers served not only as reading facilitators but also as encouraging companions to the pupils. A reading session may last only an hour, but the confidence it awakens in a child can remain long after the classroom has grown quiet.
Blete Mae S. Dante, a Civil Engineering alumna from the Class of 2026, distributes food packs to Grade 1 pupils of Carmen Integrated School.
Food for the 55 Grade 1 pupils of Carmen Integrated School and the participating alumni volunteers during Sessions 1 and 2 was sponsored by ARCFLASH Electrical Supply & Hardware Materials Trading and Mr. Charlie Uy.
Their generosity supports an important part of the program experience. Providing food during the sessions helps create a welcoming environment for the pupils and allows the volunteers to devote their time and energy to the learning activities.
Program H.E.L.P. demonstrates that addressing learning poverty requires more than instructional materials. It requires educators who develop the lessons, volunteers who facilitate them, partners who sustain each session, parents who reinforce learning at home, and a community willing to remain involved.
Since the September 21 launching, MOA signing, and parents’ orientation, Program H.E.L.P. has followed its implementation schedule:
Date | Activity | Facilitator |
September 21, 2026 | Launching, MOA Signing, and Parents’ Orientation | Mapúa MCM and Carmen Integrated School |
September 22, 2026 | Pre-Test | Program H.E.L.P. Assessment Group |
September 29, 2026 | Session 1 | Mapúa MCM Alumni Volunteers |
October 13, 2026 | Session 2 | Mapúa MCM Alumni Volunteers |
The remaining activities are scheduled as follows:
Date | Upcoming Activity | Time |
October 27, 2026 | Session 3 | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM |
November 10, 2026 | Session 4 | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM |
November 24, 2026 | Session 5 | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM |
December 2, 2026 | Mid-Test | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM |
January 4, 2027 | Session 6 | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM |
January 19, 2027 | Session 7 | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM |
February 2, 2027 | Session 8 | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM |
February 16, 2027 | Session 9 | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM |
March 2, 2027 | Session 10 | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM |
March 9, 2027 | Post-Test | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM |
March 17–19, 2027 | Culminating Activity | To be determined |
The regular reading sessions are facilitated by Mapúa MCM alumni volunteers, while the pre-test, mid-test, and post-test are administered by the Program H.E.L.P. Assessment Group.
During the assessment activities, the sessions may begin earlier than the regular schedule because assessments are conducted individually with each pupil.
The scheduled break in December coincides with Mapúa MCM’s 11th Foundation Week celebration, the end of the DepEd Term 2 block, and the Christmas break.
The alumni-led Program H.E.L.P. directly contributes to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education, which calls for inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
By helping Grade 1 pupils develop foundational literacy, reading fluency, and comprehension, the program responds to the need for meaningful educational intervention during the early years.
Literacy is not simply another classroom requirement. It is the foundation through which children gain access to mathematics, science, history, technology, and the wider world of knowledge.
The collaboration among Mapúa MCM, Carmen Integrated School, the alumni associations, volunteers, parents, and sponsors also reflects SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, demonstrating how institutions, communities, and private partners can combine their strengths to address a shared social challenge.
Mapúa MCM alumni officers prepare school supply kits for the 55 Grade 1 beneficiaries of Program H.E.L.P. at Carmen Integrated School. The initiative invites more alumni to share their time, skills, and resources in supporting young learners throughout the succeeding sessions.
With the first two reading sessions completed, the journey of Program H.E.L.P. continues. The Mapúa MCM High School and College Alumni Associations invite more alumni to volunteer in the succeeding sessions and become part of this sustained effort to help end learning poverty.
Alumni may contribute by facilitating reading activities, guiding pupils during comprehension exercises, assisting with VARK-supplemented activities, providing learning materials, sponsoring session requirements, or encouraging fellow graduates to participate.
You do not need to be a professional teacher to help a child learn. Sometimes, progress begins with someone willing to sit beside a young reader, listen without rushing, and say, “Let us try that word again.”
Interested alumni may coordinate with the Mapúa MCM High School Alumni Association, Mapúa MCM College Alumni Association, or the Office for Corporate Partnerships and Alumni Affairs to volunteer or support the upcoming sessions.
Through Program H.E.L.P., Mapúa MCM alumni associations are showing that service after graduation can be deeply personal and powerfully practical. One story, one volunteer, and one learner at a time; they are turning pages—and opening futures.