CENTER FOR SOCIAL CONCERN AND ACTION (COSCA)
SUSTAINING MILESTONES IN SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT | ACADEMIC YEAR 2018-2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MESSAGES Message from the Office of the President 2 Message from the Office of Vice President for Lasallian Mission 3 PREFACE
4
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
6
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS Advocacy and Adult Formation Program (AAFP) Lasallian Sustainable Development Program (LSDP) Partnership and Network Development Program (PNDP) Program and Resource Development (PRD) Service-Learning Program (SLP) Student Social Formation Program (SSFP)
7 8 - 11 12 - 15 16 - 19 20 - 21 22 - 23 24 - 26
GETTING INVOLVED
29
REFERENCES
30
EDITORIAL TEAM
30
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT On Our Journey towards a Sustainable Future De La Salle University, through the Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA), continues to serve its partner communities in pursuit of its Vision-Mission as a leading University bridging faith and scholarship. More resolute than ever to promote a stronger, sustainable nation, we engage our students and faculty, as well as the other members of the Lasallian community, to serve as agents of change. In the past year, COSCA marked a number of notable achievements under its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Localization Project, in areas such as education, environment, health, and social enterprise. A major initiative was the Talim Bay coastal clean-up activity led in collaboration with Pure Oceans, and conducted in observance of the World Oceans’ Day on June 8, 2019. Gathered wastes were segregated, and those that could be recycled or upcycled were given to Envirotech Waste Recycling Inc. For our partner communities in the neighboring Leveriza community, COSCA continued its program on Alternative Learning System, an initiative to encourage out-of-school youth to return to high school and earn their diploma. To contribute to the promotion of health in our partner communities, COSCA extended medical missions to Brgy. Lumaniag, Lian, Batangas. At the same time, it encouraged the growth of social enterprises led by student fellows in the University, thus helping provide economic opportunities to our partner communities. In terms of social advocacy, particularly on the safeguarding of human rights and democracy, COSCA mounted a number of activities, including forums and mobilization efforts, together with the DLSU Committee on National Issues and Concerns (CoNIC). Indeed, the past academic year showed the unrelenting passion and commitment of the Lasallian community to make DLSU a key resource in the service of Church and society, especially the poor and the marginalized. May the spirit of our Founder St. John Baptist de La Salle continue to guide and fuel us on our journey towards a future that genuinely enjoys a sustainable, thriving, and beautiful planet. Br. Raymundo B. Suplido FSC President De La Salle University
2
MESSAGE FROM THE VP FOR LASALLIAN MISSION To the Lasallian Community, This academic year, AY 2018-2019, marks the first year of the implementation of DLSU’s four-year strategic plan. With DLSU’s aspiration to become an excellent, connected, and agile university , we believe that Social Engagement is one of the vital elements that will contribute to the university’s aspiration. It is part of our role as the Office of the Vice President for Lasallian Mission (OVPLM), through the help of COSCA, to involve not just the students and academic programs but also other units and departments on social engagement opportunities that will help the last, the lost, and the least in our society. Efforts to integrate social engagement in the academic programs of DLSU have been initiated prior to this year and continued until now. With that, we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who shared their skills and participated in the programs and projects initiated by OVPLM, COSCA, and your respective academic programs. As we carry on with our journey and prepare to celebrate the Tercentenary of our founder, St. John Baptist De La Salle, we truly recognize that our commitment to this endeavor is crucial in our mission as Lasallians. In line with that, may we continue to follow the footsteps of our founder and take part in the Lasallian Mission by using our own knowledge, expertise, and experience to continuously provide services and opportunities that will benefit the most vulnerable members of our society. Ms. Fritzie Ian P. De Vera Vice President for Lasallian Mission (AY 2018 – Present) De La Salle University
3
PREFACE Most annual reports would focus on what an organization has accomplished, how it has grown and how well it has performed for an entire year. While this edition would still present the milestones achieved by the center for Academic Year 2018-2019, the editorial team decided to give ample space for our partners’ voices and stories to be heard. The team led by our Program and Resource Development Unit went through a year’s worth of physical and electronic data to come up with the facts, figures and infographics included in this report. Unlike the previous year, the team also interviewed students, faculty members, employees and community partners with whom we have witnessed significant transformation in the way they view the world especially as lived by the poor and marginalized. Quotes from these interviews were included in each section describing each program’s involvement for the year. An accompanying booklet “Stories of Transformation in Social Engagement” that contains full stories of selected people involved in the center’s programs, projects, and activities is also included as part of this report. Their stories provide hopeful and inspiring accounts of how students’ accurate understanding of the dark Martial Law period could lead them to become vocal human rights advocates themselves. One of the stories describes how organized mothers found economic hope through LSEED. Another story also encourages us to visit condemned prisons, live for a week with small fishers and come home inflamed to do something to help them. Surely, these anecdotes and stories are insufficient for us to fully describe the situation of the last, the lost and the least that we’ve encountered. We certainly have a lot of catching up to do in the areas of local national policy advocacy, in documenting and publishing our work and in public engagement. These are the things we hope to accomplish in partnership with more experts and scholars in DLSU in the near future. May this report be our example and invitation for the reader to give the marginalized an ever increasing role in teaching minds, touching hearts and transforming the lives of students, colleagues and the institutions we work with. Live Jesus in our Hearts. Neil Oliver T. Penullar Director Center for Social Concern and Action
4
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In line with the Lasallian Core Values and De La Salle University’s (DLSU) aspiration to become an excellent, connected, and agile university by 2020 (De La Salle University Strategic Plan 2018 - 2022, pp. 6-8) the Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA) continues to support the university’s aspiration by strengthening and sustaining the involvement of the Lasallian Community on various social engagement efforts that will contribute to the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). For this academic year, COSCA, through its programs, provide social engagement opportunities to the academic units, staff, and students by involving them in various servicelearning activities, community immersions, interdisciplinary, and advocacy activities. The center also provided opportunities for DLSU students to work together with COSCA’s partner organizations and communities in the social enterprises that they initiated. Moreover, volunteering and capacity-building opportunities for the Lasallian Community such as the “For The Kids (FTK)” event, first aid trainings, and blood drives were also conducted by the student volunteer arm of COSCA. Furthermore, COSCA sustains its engagements and consistently carries out services that are directly aligned to the fulfillment of the SDGs as well as the needs of its partner organizations and communities. Alongside this, the center recognizes the inherent capacities of its partners by enabling them to develop these through the various trainings and livelihood opportunities. Through all these efforts and undertakings, COSCA was able to play a significant role in improving the university’s social engagement. Guided by our ardent zeal for service and desire for communion in mission, COSCA will strive harder to not only deepen the engagement of the Lasallian Community but also to contribute in the realization of social equity and justice.
6
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
AAFP
LSDP
PNDP
Advocacy and Adult Formation Program Sparks of Interest Turned into a Burning Passion for Change There is a lingering interest in today’s society to partake in human rights movements, yet many do not have access to avenues where they can act and advocate. Most harbor sparks of interest in pursuing social justice, yet do not know where or how to start. For many, the longing to make a difference is a constant battle. When issues on human rights and democracy are discussed among peers or seen and heard from numerous platforms, some gain a relative amount of interest then carry on with their personal affairs. Despite this, that spark of interest lives within them; it just needs the right kindling to transform into a roaring fire. This is the primary goal of the Advocacy and Adult Formation Program (AAFP), a program under DLSUCOSCA that fosters spaces and platforms for students to not only learn more about social issues but also take part in the discourse. This school year, the AAFP organized and facilitated a total of four (4) major forums and six (6) workshops that helped increase the awareness, interest, and participation of the DLSU community on human rights issues. Furthermore, they spearheaded two major volunteering engagements and various mobilization efforts for DLSU students, faculty and staff. Over 1,000 individuals took part in the activities, creating a substantially larger circle of new advocates within the university. The events focused on various themes such as Federalism, Child Welfare, the 2019 Elections, and Human Rights and Democracy trainings. Experts on the subjects were invited to facilitate and speak, helping the attendees
8
PRD
SLP
SSFP
9
AAFP
LSDP
appreciate the discussions on a deeper and more personal level. For students like Jeanne, Christian, and Karl, though initially enthralled to take part in advocacy events, they still felt anxious about serving as frontrunners since they were not yet well-versed on the issues. The forums served as an opportune platform for them to learn more about the issues, realizing how important their role is in helping the youth understand the pressing social issues in the country. Now, they serve as ‘truth guides’ and facilitators, leading other activities such as exhibits and discussions on the impacts of Martial Law. The AAFP team continues to work as part of the Committee on National Issues and Concerns (CoNIC) and the Lasallian Justice and Peace Commission (LJPC) to ensure the vibrant and sustainable participation of the Lasallian community in the different thrusts and thematic focus areas related to upholding inclusive rights (human and ecological) and developing our democracy. The team will continue to focus its efforts to help address national and local issues on governance, youth at risk, poverty alleviation, and disaster preparedness while promoting dialogue and peace-building. More than providing opportunities for learning, COSCA seeks to intensify the collaboration between various university sectors to expand the reach and strengthen the impact of nation-building activities.
KAMALAYAN FORUMS
THEMES: •Federalism •Child Welfare •2019 Elections •Human Rights and Democracy •Voter’s Education
290 10
Resource Speakers Partner Orgs. Students Other DLSU Staff Faculty COSCA Volunteers COSCA Staff
PNDP
PRD
SLP
SSFP
“’Yung idea ko lang before na parang kailangan malaman ko lang kung ano nangyari…napunta siya dun sa mas gusto kong mabigay yung kaalaman ko sa ibang tao… kasi kung para sa akin lang, kung parang curious lang ako, kung wala din naman akong mapagsasabihan parang sayang lang din kung maiipon at maiipon yung mga lahat ng information na nasa akin...” (“Before, my idea in participating is only to become aware. Eventually, I continued to participate and share the lessons I have gained with others. All those lessons will be for nothing if I keep those ideas and not use them to influence others.”) - Christian Esguerra, COSCA - LOVE
VOTERS’ EDUCATION
408
ELECTIONS VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT
Alumni
Retired Staff
Partner Orgs.
Partner Orgs.
Students
Students
Other DLSU Staff
Other DLSU Staff
Faculty COSCA Volunteers COSCA Staff
31
Faculty COSCA Volunteers COSCA Staff
11
AAFP
LSDP
PNDP
Lasallian Sustainable Development Program No Achievement without Goals and Action Every vision, no matter how ambitious, is always accomplished through establishing a set of smaller objectives that will serve as a strategic ladder towards achieving your goal. The Lasallian Sustainable Development Program (LSDP) led DLSU-COSCA’s mission toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level by identifying and addressing the needs of partner communities and working together with them to attain their goals. COSCA has identified four specific thematic areas of need that seem to thrive in DLSU’s neighboring and partner communities: Education, Environment, Health, and Social Entrepreneurship. This has led to the establishment of the LSDP components: (1) the Lasallian Accessible, Relevant and Alternative Learning (L-ARAL), (2) the Lasallian Environmental Sustainability and Governance (L-EnviSaGe), (3) the Lasallian Health Education, Accessible Resource and Training Service (L-HEARTS), and (4) the Lasallian Social Enterprise for Economic Development (LSEED). One of the major accomplishments of the LSDP this school year was the observance of the World Oceans Day, where COSCA collaborated with Pure Oceans, a marine conservation social enterprise that works with coastal communities to realize their mission of keeping our reefs & seas plastic free (Pure Oceans, 2016). On that day, COSCA and Pure Oceans conducted a closed-loop clean-up activity at Barangay Lumaniag, Lian, Batangas. A total of 257.5 kilograms of waste were collected and segregated during the event. These were successfully diverted from the Talim Bay and will no longer threaten any marine life. After the clean-up, 187 kilograms of recyclables were considered for upcycling through Envirotech Waste Recycling Inc., while others were either recycled or disposed to a Sanitary Landfill in Bauan, Batangas. This activity further affirmed DLSU’s commitment to help save the country’s marine species by keeping their habitat clean and free of single-use plastics. Alongside endeavors to help save the environment, the LSDP through LSEED also worked toward helping communities become sustainable by encouraging the creation of new innovations and socially relevant entrepreneurial opportunities. The social entrepreneurship program was able to support and mentor 14 students in their journey towards garnering awards from prestigious local and international competitions. One of the endeavors developed was “IsdaBEST,” a social enterprise that offers world-class yet affordable marine products made by local communities. It offers a catch-and-culture solution that empowers coastal communities through market-matching, low-cost aquaculture, and social franchising. 12
PRD
SLP
SSFP
Source: Pure Oceans (2019)
13
AAFP
LSDP
PNDP
A similar enterprise is “Juaniko,” an initiative that uses supply chain models to effectively distribute dry goods to sari-sari store owners. Juaniko offers a lower price range of goods to help augment the income of the mothers in the community. It provides essential support for community stakeholders while also enabling the student innovators to come up with ways that aid in achieving community resilience. On the other hand, the L-ARAL component of LSDP also led and encouraged hundreds of out-of-school youth and adults to continue their education through the Alternative Learning System (ALS). This year, 29 ALS students graduated after passing the latest Department of Education (DepEd) Accreditation and Equivalency Test. Inspired by the achievements of all community partners and stakeholders, LSDP stands by its unwavering commitment to help respond to the needs of local communities through strategic methods and consistent monitoring and evaluation practices. The team believes that all roads leading to achieving the SDGs can only be realized through participatory and collaborative effort with multiple sectors, particularly those in the community.
4 out of 5 ALS Learners graduated in A.Y. 2018 - 2019
“[N]aisip namin po namin ito kasi maraming sari-sari store dito tapos gusto po naming makatulong sa maliliit na sari-sari store kasi nga po yung ibang sari sari store hindi sila naggrow minsan nawawalan [s] ila ng puhunan… gusto namin wala nang mahihintong sari-sari store” (“Since there are many sari-sari stores in our community, we wanted to help the store owners so that their businesses will continue to grow and not fail due to the lack of resources.”) – Lourdes Pajares, BMMK
14
PRD
SLP
SSFP
INCUBATED SOCIAL ENTERPRISES (SEs) 5
A.Y. 2017 - 2018
10
A.Y. 2018 - 2019 0
2
4
Special Fellowship Program
6
8
10
Regular Program
LSEED MEMBERS A.Y. 2017 - 2018
11 24
A.Y. 2018 - 2019 0
5 SE Fellows
10
15
LSEED Committee
20
25
Partner Organizations
PATIENTS’ PROFILE (CORRALS MEDICAL MISSION)
Elderly Adults Children and Youth
26
15
AAFP
LSDP
PNDP
Partnership and Network Development Program Building Stronger Communities by Empowering its People In the last several years, individuals and institutions have long considered their roles in contributing to positive social change. Many companies have made their products and services inclusive and sustainable, while schools have integrated social impact programs and subjects into their curricula, and people have become more keen on offering their time and skills to various philanthropic programs. Although the road toward genuine social transformation remains arduous, ultimately there have been significant milestones toward that end. This is because despite the marked increase in interest to participate in various causes, many of these programs do not generate real and lasting impact. Guided by the biblical adage “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime,� the Partnership and Network Development Program recognizes that it takes more than providing temporary aid to the communities to empower them to strive toward their own development and resilience. To help contribute toward the latter, PNDP ensures that the Lasallian community’s partners are provided platforms for capacity building and training development that are based on their most pressing needs. One of the organizations that can attest to this is the Lian Fisherfolk Association (LFA), a COSCA partner for over 12 years now. One of the programs initiated by PNDP based on the identified needs of the LFA is the Mangrove Reforestation Project which started in 2009 through the funding assistance of the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PTFCF). Ten years since the project was launched, LFA has been able 16
PRD
SLP
SSFP
SUPPORT FOR PARTNERS
Services Capacity Building Resources
36
Awareness Raising
17
AAFP
LSDP
PNDP
“…napakasaya na ng nangyari sa buhay ko. Dahil sa inyo ‘di na ko mag-iisip na bukas wala o bukas aagahan ko ang gising para kumita.Dahil sa inyo nagkaroon kami ng kaunting ipon kaya masaya ako na naging partner kayo ng aming samahan.” (“I am very grateful with what happened in my life.With your help,I no longer worry whether I have nothing for tomorrow or I would need to wake up early to earn money.With our group’s partnership with you, I now have savings for my family.”) - Edgardo “Enggay” Casihan, LFA
18
PRD
SLP
SSFP
to sustain the gains of the project and empower itself to work toward their community’s resilience. The organization has remained grateful to DLSU for its support and partnership. Because of the said intervention, there has been a significant reduction in damaging environmental impacts. The community has also signified improved vegetation of the mangrove forest, facilitating the cultivation of countless aquatic organisms. By linking LFA to key partners and providing avenues for further learning, PNDP helped enable the fisherfolk organization to become engaged actors and stewards of their community’s natural resources. This not only ensures that they take ownership and responsibility for the project but also contributes toward the sustainability of the endeavor. Among the members of LFA who were empowered to be active players in the community is Mr. Edgardo “Enggay” Casihan, who was able to renovate his kubo or shanty through the additional income he gained from selling mangrove seedlings. The PNDP ultimately believes that real and lasting impact can only be achieved when stakeholders in the community are empowered to stand and take action for their own development and resilience, making sure they are actively involved every step of the way. Through its work in COSCA, the program continues to strive toward the achievement of this vision, ensuring that the university’s social investment activities are in line with and address the actual needs of partner communities.
19
AAFP
LSDP
PNDP
Program and Resource Development Fueling Change While the need for sustainable resources is often talked about, it is still unclear to many as to why it is important to focus on and invest in resource development and management. The role of Program and Resource Development (PRD) is to ensure that COSCA is continuously given the support it needs to aid the continuous operation and development of all its programs. This is done through consistent efforts to gather funds, to collect necessary items, and to actively seek partners in advocacy. This year, PRD has accumulated over 5 million pesos in funds and items through its resource mobilization efforts. This has helped the various programs of COSCA carry out its goals – reaching people and communities that need assistance. Through these grants and donations, the programs were able to help out-of-school youth, families needing medical and dental care, differently-abled children, communities affected by disasters, and children with malnutrition, among many others. COSCA believes that resources do not only refer to material assets but to people’s individual capabilities as well. The unit aids in investing in capacities to ensure the sustainability of programs through finding partners to provide technical assistance and skills training to stakeholders. Some of these are the series of social enterprise trainings for student fellows and capacity building trainings and project support for community partners in the Talim Bay Area. PRD remains dedicated to its role in helping to fuel change by mobilizing resources for all these programs.
20
PRD
SLP
SSFP
COSCA FACILITATED RESOURCES
GRANTS FOR: o o o o
Technical Trainings Infrastructure School Supplies Health Services - Medical Mission - Feeding Program
Cash Donations Grants
82.4% 21
AAFP
LSDP
PNDP
Service-Learning Program Anyone Can Make a Difference De La Salle University (DLSU) has always been known for being a philanthropic institution. To strengthen this cause, the administration reflected on discovering ways to ensure that its advocacy becomes larger and more sustainable every year, thus the inception of the ServiceLearning Program (SLP), a program that ensures that all key sectors of the university are properly equipped to lead and implement endeavors on social engagement. In 2011, the DLSU Strategic Plan began to mandate all colleges to integrate Service- Learning (SL) in at least one academic program each. This directive helps impart to students that any course they have chosen to undertake can become an opportunity to help the society at large, most especially the most vulnerable sectors. It encourages students, faculty, and other personnel to take on careers that contribute to social change or to incorporate it in their current professions. Dr. Maria Paquita-Bonnet, also known as Dr. Kit, is a professor of the Business Administration graduate program. She expressed how SLP paved the way towards her passion to work with Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs). Through this program, she was given the chance to visit the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) with her students for the first time where she was introduced to the plight of detainees. According to Dr. Kit, the first few visit hours had changed her entire perspective altogether, pushing her to encourage more people to understand their predicament, find ways to assist in their recovery, and provide restorative justice to PDLs and their families. Since then, she has brought 198 students in NBP for about five terms to render service to the PDLs through various trainings/seminars on personal effectiveness, spiritual formation, values formation, health and wellness, mental health, computer literacy, teaching and learning styles for PDL teachers, and other livelihood opportunities. Aside from encouraging students and professors to help this vulnerable sector, the SLP also provides actual assistance to communities. Economics professor Dr. Mitzie Irene Conchada has integrated SL into her formerly standard classroom theory discussions by bringing her students to the field to help in the conduct of community profiling. Her students were not only able to see firsthand the state of poverty in the country, but they were also able to help community leaders and local organizations validate and analyze the needs of their members for the development and improvement of local programs. COSCA believes that now is the time to foster an era where not only empathy is at the forefront but engaged social action, encouraging students and the whole Lasallian community to continuously make an effort in helping to address social issues on a larger scale. 22
PRD
SLP
SSFP
SERVICE-LEARNING STUDENTS’ PROFILE
2,715
A.Y. 2017 – 2018
3,276
A.Y. 2018 - 2019 0 TREDTWO CSP CSRGOVE
500
1000
COBCSRG ECONDEV
1500
2000
BUS560
LBYCHIE
ACETHICS
PROGDEVT
2500
3000
SPEECOM GEPCOMM
3500 LCFAITH HUMMS
SERVICE-LEARNING PARTNERS’ PROFILE Faith-based Orgs Academic Institutions International
13 13
Non-Government Organizations Sectoral / People’s Organizations LGU – Municipal/City Level LGU – Barangay Level
“I teach and COSCA helps me out in the implementation. Students learn both the concepts and real situation on the ground . In this way, they were able to share their skills, their knowledge,and their value system with those who have less in life.” - Dr. Maria ‘Kit’ Paquita-Bonnet, DLSU- MOD
23
AAFP
LSDP
Student Social Formation Program Never just for yourself, but for others as well Colleges and universities are primarily intended for academic education and research. Students are expected to focus on attending classes, getting good grades, and learning all technicalities of the careers they’ve chosen to take as prerequisites for their success in their future professions. Nonetheless, we need to be reminded of two things: (1) Students need other avenues for learning other than the four walls of their classrooms, and (2) Employers do not always consider academic standing as the primary or only requisite for their workforce. Thus, students need the opportunity to enhance their skills holistically. The Student Social Formation Program (SSFP) facilitates social formation activities to help students become empowered, socially critical, and engaged individuals. This is achieved through various types of activities that gives them the chance to take responsibility, explore new experiences, and put their skills and interests to practice. For instance, this year, the SSFP Coordinator organized events such as the EHEMPLO Immersion Program, an activity that opened doors for student-volunteers to interact with some of the neighboring communities of DLSU, and work with them in identifying areas where potential partnerships are possible to address rampant issues. EHEMPLO helps Lasallians learn more about the struggles and concerns of the marginalized sectors in Philippine society, serving as a venue where they can practice their skills and talents through service activities. Nikaella Llantino, student-volunteer, said, “[EHEMPLO] was an experience that enabled me to get out of my comfort zone, humbled my heart, and opened my eyes to reality.� From being a relatively reserved girl, she now finds comfort in talking to people, getting to know them, and initiating meaningful conversations. She now considers herself as someone who is more knowledgeable on social issues. 24
PNDP
PRD
SLP
SSFP
25
AAFP
LSDP
PNDP
COSCA VOLUNTEERS’ PROFILE
RCY
250
26
COSCA-LOVE
PRD
SLP
SSFP
The Coordinator also led “Love X Pag-asa,” a project where students got the chance to visit and work with the children in Bahay Pag-asa, a youth center that acts as a transformational facility for Children-in-Conflict with the Law (CICL) and Children-at-Risk. Apart from opportunities to immerse and hone their skills in working with communities, student-volunteers are given the chance to lead projects of their own – one of these being the For the Kids (FTK) activity. FTK requires the annual collaborative effort of about 150 student leaders from planning to execution; with over 500 individuals from the Lasallian Community (students, faculty, administration, etc.) dedicating their time and effort during the program proper. The activity is meant to serve as a venue for over 1,000 children with special needs to have fun, learn, and spend time with those outside their daily routine. In addition to this, other activities that foster bayanihan are the conduct of blood drives, first aid trainings, and HIV awareness seminars by the DLS-Red Cross Youth. Reniza Yvonne Gonzales, a student leader who once considered herself an inactive student in high school, believes she has become a more proactive, responsible, and confident young woman through her engagements with the SSFP. As well, she was able to reflect on her life principles, noting that:
“I now know that I should be living for others and not just for my own self. Whatever [I] choose to do in the future, [I] should always consider how it could benefit our society and the people around us. Whatever [I] choose to do impacts a lot of people as well,even if [I] don’t realize it right away.”
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GETTING INVOLVED
As DLSU’s COSCA continues its work in promoting social engagement, we encourage you to: Be a Student Volunteer: To become a member of our student volunteer groups in COSCA and participate in the activities that they organize, you may contact us at:
Collaborate for the SDGs: To implement activities with COSCA on Education, Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Health, and Social Enterprise, you may contact us at:
Juanito Alcazar SSFP Coordinator Email: juanito.alcazar @dlsu.edu.ph
L-ARAL: Mark Benedick Chavez L-ARAL Specialist Email: mark.benedick.chavez@dlsu.edu.ph
Be a DLSU Staff/Faculty Volunteer: To become volunteers and participate in the Adult Formation activities initiated by COSCA, you may contact us at:
L-EnviSaGe: Annadel Sapugay L-EnviSaGe Specialist Email: annadel.sapugay@dlsu.edu.ph
Jose Maria Angelo Herrera AAFP Coordinator Email: jose.maria.herrera@dlsu.edu.ph
L-HEARTS: Leo Tadena LSDP Coordinator Email: leo.tadena@dlsu.edu.ph
Be a Donor: To become COSCA’s partner as providers of various resources or services that will contribute in the implementation of our programs and projects, you may contact us at:
LSEED: Norby Salonga LSEED Specialist Email: norby.salonga@dlsu.edu.ph
Maria Carmen Apuli Resource Mobilization Specialist Email: maria.carmen.apuli@dlsu.edu.ph Collaborate for Service-Learning: To implement Service-Learning with COSCA in your academic programs, you may contact us at:
Become a COSCA Partner: To conduct projects and programs on DLSU’s partner communities and organizations through COSCA, you may contact us at: Marichel Escalante PNDP Coordinator Email: marichel.escalante@dlsu.edu.ph
Marietta Guanzon SLP Coordinator Email: marietta.guanzon@dlsu.edu.ph 29
REFERENCES: De La Salle University. (2019). De La Salle University Strategic Plan 2018 - 2022. Manila, Philippines. Pure Oceans. (2016). Pure Oceans. Retrieved from facebook.com/pg/ PureOceansPhilippines/posts/?ref=page_internal Pure Oceans. (2019). Lian Coastal Clean Up Data. Retrieved from https://www.facebook. com/DLSUCOSCA/posts/2162325300555037
EDITORIAL TEAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Neil Oliver Penullar COSCA Director
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Mary Angeli Alagar Program and Resource Development Coordinator Anna Pauline Paguia Technical Writer
COPY EDITOR
DLSU - Office for Strategic Communications BAGCED - Department of English and Applied Linguistics
CONTRIBUTORS
30
Jimi Caldea Juan Paolo Cendana Jericho Roel Cruz Marichel Escalante Marietta Guanzon Jose Maria Angelo Herrera Laizalyn Layco Patricia Emily Lim
Bethany Grace Lucero Angelika Mae Mozo Roel Quenamot Mary Ann Santiago Leo Tadena Benjamin Emmanuel Uy Niku Vicente Rafael Zaballero
COSCA
TEAM
Center for Social Concern and Action RM 202, Br. Gabriel Connon Hall De La Salle University 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Direct Line: (02) 523-4143 Trunk Line: (02)524-4611 https://www.dlsu.edu.ph/offices/ovplm/cosca/ @DLSUCOSCA
@cosca_official