St. Paul University Philippines (SPUP) and the Benita and Catalino Yap Foundation (BCYF), successfully launched the celebration of Philippine Innovation Month on February 19, 2022. The web conference highlighted Innovations in Community Extension Services and featured the theme, “Transforming Lives, Innovating Future: SPUP’s Lifelong Commitment Towards Sustainable Community Extension Services.” The activity was participated in by students, teachers, community development practitioners, community extension volunteers, and community development advocates from all over the Philippines.
Mrs. Noemi T. Cabaddu (Director, Community Development Center) welcomed the participants and presented SPUP’s commitment in engaging community-partners through a holistic extension and outreach programs. In her message, Sr. Merceditas O. Ang, SPC, (President, SPUP) conveyed that SPUP has been leading sustainable community extension programs which foster active learning and social responsibility among the members of SPUP academic community, particularly the SPUP students.
In addition, notable attendees were present in the event. Mr. Antonio Yap (Chairman, BCYF), stated that SPUP has always been a long-term ally in giving aid to the needy, and expressed gratitude for SPUP’s good actions. Former Senator Teofisto “TG” Guingona III, (Chair, Mindanao CSR Council) also highlighted that the only answer to change was innovation.
The program ensued with the presentation of Dr. Jesus Pizarro (Director, Planning, Research, Innovations and New Technologies) leads Dr. Roldan Bangalan (Chair, SPUP Research Ethics) and Mr. Bryan Echanique (Research Lead) on the findings of their end line study on “Light for Hope Project: Empowering the Margins of Apayao,” a research-based project of SPUP for the benefit of its partner-communities.
Video presentations were also shown showcasing innovations in Community Extension Services through transformative, value-based, service-oriented and sustainable programs and projects initiated by SPUP Community Development Center and Paulinian Volunteers for Community Development (PVCD) – UNESCO Club. They included testimonies from program beneficiaries, who shared the impact of SPUP services in their family and respective communities. The program, hosted by Ms. Mardilyn Garcia (PVCD President) and Mr. Yowelle Sedano, (PVCD Creative Officer), also included the sharing and reading of community responsibility commitment. It was concluded by the closing remarks of Dr. Allan Peejay Lappay (Director, Alumni, External Relations and Advocacies).
