Makihimanwa: Horizon

activities

Cabusao, officially the Municipality of Cabusao (Central Bikol: Banwaan kan Cabusao; Tagalog: BayanngCabusao),isa5thclassmunicipalityinthe province of Camarines Sur, Philippines According to the2020census,ithasapopulationof19,257people.

There is no formal evidence of the town's establishment, but according to some locals, it was establishedinMay20,1911,samedaywiththefeastof San Bernardino de Siena (town's patron saint) and churchestablishmentinhonorofHim

Embracing Illuminating the Path Beyond hope,

theHorizon

ByTonilianneGraceQuillo &ShiaraMaeHosmillo

This cover encapsulates the essence of sunlight rising above the horizon line, meaning that hope peeks through the tribulations of life, no matter how bleak the future appears. The darkness emphasizes the emerging light from below, drawing the audience’s attention Similarly, whenspiritsaredown,andpeopleslowlylosefaith to believe, even only one piece of positive news can release an exhale of relief As humans, we havenospecificideaofwhatthefutureholds,but if we turn our heads to the direction of the sun once it rises, perhaps the present can shine brighterthananyunforeseenfuture

Goals of the magazine

Totranscribeandcapturetheeventsinthethreeday immersion of N2 that took place in Villasan, Cabusao,lastMarch6-8,2024

To represent the class of N2 of Sir Joemarie A Boletic and serve as a remembrance of their experiencesintheimmersion

To impart reflections and insights of the class of N2 to the readers and motivate them to live out theselearnings

makihimanwa: engagement of

The line beyond our time horizon

ByTonilianeGraceQuillo

Wheneverwegetachancetotakeevena simple glance above us, where the radiant blue towers over any person, building, and even mountains, do we notice the clouds hovering about? Do we see how the darkness of the blue sky fades to light as it stretches

over the horizon? Do we ever realize that we seek its presence in the absence of this everyday sight? Whether we do or not, we’ve inevitably grown so accustomed to the world around us that we fail to recognize its contributiontoourexistence.

One concept of our humanity remains overlooked,likethehorizon itliterallygoesright above our heads. As unusual as it sounds, our lives share similarities with the great canvas above The world often clouds our minds when sound judgment is required, our hearts experiencethunderousstormsaswetrytocalm theeyebeforeitbecomesatyphoon,andwefail to contain the chaos because that is the essenceofhumanity.Wearecreatedtochange; it is never meant to stay the same at any time but is intended to remain. What also remains despite the countless overcast clouds we’ve experiencedisasinglepatchoflight hope.

Whether we are struck by the darkest mornings and the coldest nights, we know that hope on the horizon is still above us, regardless ofhowmuchhumanityhastriedtodestroyit As we encounter the strongest storms and flashes oflightningthatlifehastooffer,itcanbedifficult to glance at the sky and think about hope. However, there are certain people individuals, groups, and even institutions alike that work against these calamities to restore hope for others.

The Ateneo de Naga University course National Service Training Program aims to do such through the Community Immersion Activity, which essentially raises the effort of helping students understand what horizons lie beyond their current realities. This activity, entitled “Makihimanwa: An Engagement of Solidarity,”becameadoorforustobeonewith the community of Sitio Villasan, Cabusao, and experience life under their sky. As we entered the threshold of their horizon, we stopped becoming merely students and transformed into children of Villasan. We exercised our socialresponsibilitybeyondourindividualityas we took solidarity with the community. This opportunity to partake our gifts, knowledge, and time to the families enriched our hearts withfulfillmentandclaritythatotherwisewould not have been possible if it were not for the efforts of our formator, Sir Joemarie A Boletic, our class, N2, our volunteers, Kuya Rafi and Kuya John, and everyone who put their minds andheartstomakethisimmersionhappen.

As the sun rose on the first day of our immersion, till it set on the last night we spent with our host families, we poured our hearts among the locals, from the children to the elderly, so that we may be able to leave them with a memory that is as timeless as the sky above. We hope that you may also see the horizon as we did, and as we return to this journey with our hands guiding yours, we wish the sight before you is as colorful as we remembered, from the pink and orange hues of the rising sun until the sky is peppered with hopesanddreamsintheguiseofstars.

Acknowledgement

ByMaxineNicoleBernales

OnbehalfoftheentireclassofN2,wewouldliketoextendoursincerestgratitudeto everyonewhocontributedtothecompletionofourimmersion.

Ateneo Naga University de

First and foremost, we express our most profound appreciationtoAteneodeNagaUniversityforallowingusto

partake in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our immersion experiencehasindeedopenedoureyestotherealitiesof theworldandhasservedasasteppingstone,providing us with invaluable life skills and lessons that will undoubtedlyendurelongbeyondthismoment.

Community ofVillasan

Ourdeepestgratitudegoestothelocalsofthe VillasanVillage,whowholeheartedlyacceptedusinto

theirhomesandshowereduswithloveandcare Inthethree (3)daysthatwestayedinthearea,notoncedidwefeellike strangers in an unknown place but rather children coming hometoafamily.

We extend our gratitude to the Barangay Kagawads and Tanods of Villasan, Cabusao, who stayed up late every night for three (3) days to ensureoursafetyinthearea.Wemayhavepaidlittle attention to their work, but things may have gone differentlythanplannedwiththeirprotection

Jeepney

Barangay and of Villasan Kagawads tanods drivers

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the drivers whose skillful navigation led us to our destination safely and without delay. Our journey towards Villasan village would not be successful without their expertise in driving through the long roadsbetweenNagaandCabusao.

Go Lastbutcertainly nottheleast,we thanktheLordGod forguidingus throughoutthe activity.

Student volunteers

WewouldliketothankKuyaRafiandKuyaJohn,thestudentvolunteers,fortheir generosityandwillingnesstoserve.Theyembodiedthespiritofvolunteerism,always readytohelpwhenthesituationcallsforit

odThe of N2

students

We would also like to thank the presence of each other, ourbelovedclassmatesinN2foralltheenergy,time,andeffort theyofferedtomakethisMakihimanwaimmersionsuccessful

Ourenthusiasmandgenuinewilltoparticipatewerefelt fromthepreparationsuptotheactualevent,which manifested in the immersion's success Every committeewasdedicatedtofulfillingtheirtasks, especiallythecommitteeheads,whoseconstant reminderspushedthememberstostepupand providetheirbestoutput.Ourpalpablechemistryas aclasshasfilledtheVillasanvillagewithlaughterand joy,makingtheexperienceunforgettable.

Our NSTP102 formator

Wordscannotdescribehowgratefulwearetoour belovedformator,SirJoemarieBoletic,whohasbeen consistentlypresentsincetheverybeginning,upuntil now helpingusinthepreparations,challengingus tobecomemoreparticipativeinclassdiscussions, andremindingusofessentialthingsthatwemight haveoverlookedwithouthisguidance.Despite thedemandsofhandlingmultipleNSTP classes,wedidnotfindhimunpreparedor falteringinsupport Hehasalwaysbeen thereforus,readytoextendahelping handwithabrightsmileonhisface.

Oneofthegoalsofthe Makihimanwaimmersionis tofindGodineverything, andIthinkIspeakfor everyonewhenIsaythat God’spresencewasfelt throughouttheevent.

Sir Joems

Sir Joems

From the Formator

Ang proseso ng pagbabago kasama ang lahat ay nagsisimula sa pagbibigay linaw at sapat na kaalaman sasarili Itoaydapatnakaugatsakaranasanngindibiwal upang maging totoo at tapat ang magiging tugon sa mgaisyungatinglipunan

Ito ang konkretong tugong ng NSTP CWTS ng Ateneo de Naga University sa malawakang isyu ng lipunan na nagpapahirap di lamang sa mga nasa laylayan ng lipunan bagkus sa lahat ng mga pilipino Ang “Community Immersion” ay isang pamamaraan upang mas malalimang maintindihan at maunawaaan ang konsepto ng tamang pagtulong at pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng kapwa at lipunan Ito ay ibinase sa nagingkaranasaniSanIgnaciodeLoyola

Sa aking mga estudyante, sainyong pagtatapos sa NSTP 102 hangad ko na maisabuhay ninyo ang lahat ng ating natutunan sa klase. Gamitin ang inyong mga naging karanasan sa “Community Immersion Activity” upang magawa ng may husay ang inyong mga tungkulin para sa sarili, para sa kapwa at para sa ating bansa. Gawin natin instrumento ang ating mga sarili upang maging tunay na pagbabago para sa ating bansa. Punan ang ating mga sarili ng Pagmamahal sa sarili, kapwa, bayan at ng Diyos, dahil ito ang mag sisilbing pondasyon at sandalan natin sapag-sasaayos ngatinglipunan.

itodahilsainyongtulongatgabay Nagpapasalamatakosa Ateneo de Naga University sa pagbigay ng makahulugang aktibidad sa mga estudyante upang sila ay mamulat sa tunay na sitwasyon ng ating bansa Nagpapasalamat din akosaSitioVillasan,Brgy Castillo,Cabusao,CamarinesSur sa pangunguna ng kanila Punong Barangay, Kapitan Gregorio Lerin at kay Kuya Sandro Morata Salamat po sa paglalaan ng oras upang maging maayos at matiwasay ang buong proseso ng immersion Nagpapasalamat din ako sa mga naging “host families”, salamat po sa pagpapatuloyngakingmgamakukulitnamgaestudyante Ang inyong presensya sa buhay nila ang magsisilbing angkla nila sa pag tahak ng maayos at tapat na pagsisilbi sa ating bayan Salamat din po sa lahat ng komite lalong lalo na sa mga heads ng mga komite Salamat sa pagbibigay ng buong serbisyo para maging matagumpay ang ating Immersion Salamat din po sa CIFP and NSTP office, Office of Mission and Identity(OMI) at sa Center for Community Delevelopment Office(CCD) sa pagbibigay ng pagkakataong magabayan at makapagbigay din ng gabaysaakingmgaestudyante.

Sa pagtatapos ng aking mensahe gusto ko po sanang humungi ng tatlong pabor sa lahat ng nagbabasa ng magazine na ito lalong lalo na sa aking mga estudyante. Araw-arawpiliinmagmahal,magtayaatamagpalaya.Una, piliing mahalin ang sarili, piliin mahalin ang kapwa at bayan, dahil walang ibang gagawa nito kundi ang ating mga sarili Pangalawa, Piliin pagtayaan ang sarili, ang kapwa at ang bayan, dahil sa pagtataya natin, nabibigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang ating mga sarili, kapwa at ang ating bayan na magkaroon ng Pagbabago Pagbabagong di lamang para sa iilan ngunit pagbabagong makabubuti para sa lahat Panghuli magpalaya, palayain ang ating mga sarili sa rehas ng sakit, lungkot at pighati Dahil kung hahayaan natin ang ating mga sarili makulong dito hindi natin magagawa ang mga dapat at tama para sa iba at hindinatinmagagawanglumipadngmatayogatmalaya

Nagpapasalamatakosalahatngtaongnagingparte ng aktibidad na ito Naging matiwasay at makahulugan Joemarie A.

N2 BLOCK PHOTO N2 BLOC

editor’s note

The other side of

life

Weeksofrestlessness,daysawake,andafewhoursbeforetheclassofamajorsubjectaretheusualtimes when a college student tries to contemplate their misery, life choices, and potential questions for the upcoming test Beyond the daily torment, there’s always a longing to escape everything in the present Eventually,adooropened,yetIneverthoughtitwouldbelikeathree-dayimmersioninVillasan,Cabusao

With the beating nervousness of my heart, I gulped all my undeniable fears, abrupt hesitations, and exaggerated thoughts on our first day of immersion, as being in a strange place was already enough reason. However, something in the breeze and the welcoming atmosphere alleviated every tension and stress,evincingextraordinarypositivityandexcitement.

Ourtimefliesby,theysay wehadourchildren’sprogram,social’snight,andlotsoffamilyintegration but rewatchingmymemoriesinCabusaofeltlikeitallhappenedyesterday.They,thecommunityofCabusao, imparted to us a reflection and realization that true wealth is neither measured through money nor materialpossessionsbutassessedthroughthegenerosityofone’sheartandthetranquilityofone’slife I’ve seen such luxury through their contagious smiles, adventurous stories, warm openness, and the setting’s scenic rural greenery and serene beach Thus, the other side of life, the striking blissful simplicity of the peopleandcommunity,drewustothemandusheredourclasstounity

Asoneoftheeditors,thismagazinewillcaptureandpenthelovingmemorywehadinCabusaothrough our vigorous efforts of transcribing and reliving it, representing the N2 class and our immersion story. Nonetheless, we hope that our once-in-a-lifetime experience and narrative will be remembered and preservedthroughthismagazineyou'reholdingsothataspiringfutureclasses,generations,aswellasour futureselves,mayonceagaincatchaglimpseoftheothersideoflifethatwe'velivedinfleetingmoments.

Shiara Mae Hosmillo

Secretariat Committee

Finding the in bliss

"Everyjourneyeventuallyreachesitsdestination, buttheexperiencesalongthewayshapeusintowhowebecome.”

Inthecreationofthismagazine,wehopeforyoutofeelit,evenifitisjustaglimpseofwhatweexperienced duringourimmersion Tosharewhatwefelt,smelled,tasted,heard,saw,andthought;toallowyoutofeel thejoys,tranquility,andwarmthwehavereceivedfromoursecondhome Thejourneyweexperiencedand thepeoplewemetweretreasuresworthmorethanthestarsabove

Although many weeks have passed since our immersion in this magazine, it feels as though it has only been a couple of days since the creation of this magazine. The experience flowed like the waves from the shores of Cabusao and left as fast as it came. Yet, the impact it has is still present within us. It was refreshing, as if our minds, which were filled with worries, had been taken away by those waves, giving us the relief we needed to move forward. It was a bittersweet journey because we felt relief, but it ended abruptly a moment we had to learn that we cannot run away forever We must face reality and push through;wecanviewitnegatively,butIhavemorereasonstokeepgoing

Should a journey end? It will and should be There is no eternity in this world, and we must accept that Otherwise,itwouldbedenialanddelusion Itmaybesadforsomethinggoodtoend,butweshouldwiden ourhorizonsandfindnewthingstoseegoodin Anendingisjustanewbeginning;anendingofajourney just gives us more paths for us to take and more adventure to experience A whole enchanted world is waitingforus.

Igenuinelythankeveryoneincludedinthisimmersion.Ihavegainedmorejoyfulexperiences,andIhopeto have the same impact on them as they did on me. I thank Ateneo de Naga University, Sir Joems, my Classmates, my Host Family (Tatay Richard), the Barangay Captain, and the People of Cabusao. I will cherishthemomentsIhavesharedwiththem

Lei Hanns Bien

Documentations Committee

2024 March6

firstday

First day

TheReckoning

By Raytheon Aquino

After what felt like a month-long preparation, the beaming sun greeted Makihimanwa an activity both awaited and dreaded by some as we arrived at the beginning of our three-day immersion on March 6, 2024 As early as 6:30 AM, we began gathering at the ADNU Covered Courts From then on, we started signing the attendance sheet,followedbythedistributionofIDsheadedby the Secretariat Committee With everyone accountedforby8:00AM,weeagerlyboardedthe awaiting jeepneys, ready to set off for our destinationtothevillageofVillasan,Cabusao

Finally! After a lengthy journey of one hour and thirty minutes, our anticipation peaked as we finallyarrivedatVillasan Thewarmreceptionfrom the locals immediately embraced us. With great care, we temporarily unloaded our luggage at Kuya Arthur's residence, a haven of comfort that reflected his generosity and kindness. Following thisgraciouswelcome,weproceededtoDusayan, a neighboring village, where a welcoming mass .

March6,2024

awaitedus.ThismasswaspresidedoverbyFr.Ian, whose loving speech touched our hearts He reminded us that we, the students of N2, were not doing the host families a favor by staying with them Instead,theyweretheonesdoingusafavor by lending us their homes and teaching us invaluablelessonsthatwouldstaywithusforever. This set the tone for our Makihimanwa experience and made us appreciate the immersion even more.

As the mass ended, we assembled at Kuya Arthur's house, where one by one, we were picked up by our respective host families. Some graciously offered us rides to their homes, while others guided us on foot through their neighborhoods, extending warm invitations into their residences Upon arriving, we were greeted with hearty meals that satisfied our hunger Following this, we engaged in conversations, getting to know our hosts better. We also bonded with some classmates, playing solitaire and .

exploring the village together, fostering connectionsandcreatingmemoriesthatwilllasta lifetime

At 5:30 PM, the Program Committee launched our afternoon program We eagerly invited children to join us for this special event It Opened with a prayer, followed by the national anthem. To break the ice, we organized a game called "Group Yourselves," in which the kids enthusiastically engaged. Next on the agenda was a TikTok competition, where the children showcased their dance moves to popular TikTok hits! Following the lively dance-off, we hosted a game called "LongestLine,"challengingthekidsandsomeofus to create the longest line using their belongings The group with the lengthiest line emerged victorious. Participants who excelled in the activities received gift packs containing biscuits andcandiesasrewards Afterabriefbreak,where we cultivated a sense of togetherness by serving macaroni soup and juice to the children and

onlookers, we resumed our program by teaching the kids about St. Ignatius. Dividing them into groups, we narrated the story of St Ignatius in the Bikol language To ensure their attentiveness, we conducted a game where they had to line up according to the letter corresponding to the correct answer Those who got the answers right received loot bags as prizes. The program thus endedwithaclosingprayerandthen,wecleaned the area by disposing of pieces of trash that had accumulatedduringtheevent.

After a tiring yet eventful day, we returned to our respective homes Upon arrival, delicious meals awaitedus,lovinglypreparedbyourhostfamilies. As we savored the food, we engaged in lively conversations, deepening our connections with them. Knowing that an early agenda awaited us the next day, we promptly wrapped up the evening festivities, eager to rest and recharge for theupcomingevent.

2024 March

secondday

Harmony

Second day

By Crisha Mae Bañaria

As the sun began to rise again and the rooster’s crow awakened our peaceful sleep, it marked the beginning of another day for which we were thankful. At 6:00 AM, the immersion program kicked off with the family integration We ate a simple yet delicious breakfast with our host families, sharing light conversations before we left forthecommunityintegration By7:00AM,asense ofpurposefilledtheatmosphereaswegearedup for a clean-up drive. The clean-up drive was our initiative to help the village with its environmental situation Westartedbypickinguptrashalongthe road, tall grasses, canal, and lastly, by the seashore. Those bottles, plastics, sacks, and rubbersmettheirrightfulplace inthetrashbags The collective effort made the surroundings beautiful and fostered a sense of camaraderie within the group It lasted an hour, and after that, we returned to our host families to rest, clean ourselves,andbondwiththem.

March7,2024

Afterawell-deservedlunch,wereconnectedwith our host family for the afternoon's family integration session by engaging in conversation, learning more about their lives, and promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation for our experiences Some of us also went to our neighborhood and bonded with our block mates by singing along to the video karaoke, playing games, and eating Since we needed to prepare onemealforourhostfamilies,someofuscooked andserveddeliciousfoodintheirhomes.

The sun subsided in the afternoon, yet the excitement rose for the “Social’s Night.” At five (5) in the afternoon, the program committee started rehearsing and preparing for the event They prepared many programs and games to make ourSocial’sNightcreativeandmemorable,aswell as one for the books The event started at seven (7) in the evening through an icebreaker led by Dette, followed by an opening prayer by Vanna andopeningremarksbyme,Crishia Laughterand chatter filled the area as the “N2 Got Talent” performances started, showcasing each group’s talents from singing, dancing, and even roleplaying After that, the hidden talent of singers in our class was displayed through the “Blind Karaoke” game, where each group guessed the song,andeveryonegottojamwiththem

Right after the games, the program committee gaveussnackstomunchastheawardingstarted Wittyawardswerepresentedtomultiplestudents, including our formator, Sir Joems. Lastly, the most

awaited program is the exchange gift, in which gifts are worth a minimum of 50 pesos. We got randomandsillythings,againfillingtheplacewith waves of laughter The program came close to its end at 10 PM, allowing Sir Joems to deliver his closing remarks and us, N2, to take a photo opportunity taken by the documentation committee.

Thestudents’curfewstartedoncewewereinour respective homes with our host families. The student volunteers checked on us, ensuring everyone was safe and settled in for the night As thenightdeepenedandwedriftedofftosleep,we reflected on the day's experiences the comradeshipofcommunityservice,thewarmthof familyintegration,andthejoyofsocialinteraction

2024 March8

thirdday

Thirdday

March8,2024

FINALDAY:ABiggerPurpose

By Cyrian Marq Orcine

Afteranexhilaratingnight,therewasonemore ritual where our formator invited the class to witness the sunrise on the horizon of the peaceful community of Villasan. Four-thirty was the planned time to gather, but almost an hour was allotted to wait for our fellow blockmates, especiallyourbestformator,SirJoems.Wewalked and conversed with sleepy eyes but eager to witness the sunrise The photographs captured and the memories documented were mere testaments of a wondrous experience; Sir Joem’s ritual perhaps engraved a memory that we can carry for the rest of our lives. We lived here and witnessedtherurallifeinCabusao.

Thesunwasnowbrightaseveryonedecidedto return home an open and heartwarming environmentgiventoeachofus Somedecidedto

cook as a form of gratitude, bonding with their host families, while the others, with their blockmates, experienced Karaoke jams in the neighboringhomes.Likethepreviousdaysofliving in Cabusao, the repetitive nature of this experience provided comfort for us becoming accustomed to their way of living. Our experience gave us peace and a carefree life where worries f th b lif df th d

Tapos na ang aming obligasyon subalit ang pakikihimanw ay patuloy parin nating gagawin sa buha, maging sa labasman ng

institusyon

institusy . obligasyon pakikihimanwa buhay labas

As we were packing our things to leave our momentary homes, there was a short closing program led by Sir Joems and the barangay officials Kuya Sandro Morata, a barangayTanod,gaveusaparting message celebrating this successful and meaningful activity

A speech of appreciation to our families filled the environment with bittersweet feelings The jeep arrived and propped our belongings inside. We prepared ourselves as we said our farewell messagestothecommunityofSitio Villasan.

As we left this community, we faced children waving their hands and saying goodbyes to us. Their heartfelt gestures marked a path for contemplating this overall experience. Upon living their lives and struggles, our future careers gave us a framework to live that purpose to become men and womenforothers

WehavenowarrivedinAteneo.

01 financecommittee

MiguelAndrePajarillo-Head

PaulJoshuaAman

JohnKevinBraga-Co-Head

programcommittee

MariaBernadetteVanHout Head

JosephMiguelDreu Co-Head

BeatriceDominiquePepino RheaKrystelBonacua

secretariatcommittee

ShiaraMaeHosmillo-Head

logistics committee

Duyan

ease and content after the aving our first experience on a eems scary but ends up being

ABADINES,

Kim Russell C BS Civil Engineering

Beingpartofthedocumentationcommitteegaveme the opportunity to record the whole process of the immersion. However, the memories I will always treasure are beyond what my camera can capture I sometimes turnoffmycameratoimmersemyselfintherealworld I observethelocalsinCabusao,andIenjoymomentswith my classmates The community exposure was a good experience Ifgivenachance,Iwouldlovetodoitagain, with the same people, the same teacher, and the same place. I may forget the memories with them in my mind, but one day I will get my camera and watch the days whenwewerethereinCabusao

ALVAREZ, Jonnel C. BS Psychology

Camera

Herecomesthesun

m I joined for three days wasn't he family hosting us was super seeing the sunrise during our e realize how tough life can be don't have things like running y were promised these basic reminded me that we should who need it and work together eryone can have a better life. don't deserve the lives they live lp bring them up to give them severyoneelse

AMAN, Paul Joshua T BS Computer Science

BalladsUnheardOf

In a musical context, a ballad features a slow tempo, prioritizes storytelling in its lyrics, and evokes emotions This perfectly describes the lives of the people I have lived with and encountered during my Makihimanwa experience The slow tempo of a ballad represents their lives which is influenced by their hardships such as poverty,lackofaccesstowater,oreventhefactthatthey have been ignored by the government for far too long Yet, they remain resilient, and their stories remain as vibrant as ever. Comparing their lives to the rising crescendo of a ballad, they exhibit moments of beauty, strength,andhopethatsurelywilltouchyourheart

AQUINO, Raytheon P.

Itdevelopsmypersonality

understand the reality of eyarealwayspartofour ences, I've honed my so that whatever ,Icanovercomethem

ARCENAL, Fritz Ivy O BS Nursing

Veni,Vidi,Vici

WhenIfirstcametothearea,Iimmediatelyfelthomesick Theplacewas completely different from the city life I had grown accustomed to I even considered leaving However, as time passed, my experience taught me valuable lessons that cannot be learned within the four walls of a classroom It allowed me to see things from a different perspective It allowedmetoseethecontrastbetweenthecomfortofstayingwithinmy comfortzoneandthecomfortthatcomesfromsteppingoutofit Ienvied thewayoflifeinSitioVillasan;thewaypeopleinteractedwitheachother without the use of gadgets, and the simplicity of their lives I envied it because I knew that this simplicity could never be achieved in the place whereIgrewup But,throughalloftheforegoing,IcanconfidentlysaythatI conquered finding something to hold on to doing better and improving myselfandtobemorecompassionatetowardsthepeoplearoundme

Astheexperienceresurfacesinmymind,Icansaythattheimmersion allowed me to stay grounded and down-to-earth Personally, it was the epitome and embodiment of the Latin phrase acta non verba, which translatesto"deeds,notwords"Becauseastheharbingersofchange,we, theyouth,mustrefrainfrommerecomplainingandinsteadtaketangible action Hence, I leave you with this question to ponder on: how do you inspireotherstotakeactionratherthanjusttalkaboutideas?

BALUYO,

Mel Michael T. BS Accountancy

SimpleyetHard

Breather

My Makihimanwa experience was a breather for me inmanyaspects Itwasabreatherformymindfromthe struggles, pressures, and responsibilities I have to deal with every day; I found a moment where those things won’t bug my mind, giving me a short mental break from my usual surroundings. It was a breather for my heart by meeting genuine people like my host family andpartnerandbuildingfriendshipswiththem Itwasa breather for my soul, reconnecting with my inner self allowingmetoreflectanddiscover,broughtmeasense of peace, and found a new sense of purpose Hence, aside from being a breather, my Makihimanwa experience was also a rejuvenation for my mind, heart, andsoul,nourishingthemallsimultaneously

BAÑARIA,

Crishia Mae M BS Business Administration - Banking and Finance

The lifestyle in Sitio Villasan is simple because they have more access to their environment to get their food Theyalsohaveastrongsenseofcommunity,wherethey tendtoknoweachotherandaremorelikelytohelpeach other with their needs The lifestyle in the area is also challenging because they do not have a proper water supply Some of them also experience poverty, which makes them have a stressful life Despite their problems, theyarestillhappyandcontinuetostrivefortheirlives.

BELLEZA, Allen Renzmark M. BS Civil Engineering

BlissfullyWonderful

experience has been nofthreedays,Ihad d form connections challenging Apartof ed the simplicity of ents aspire to live a ve.However,Ibelieve ejoyinknowingthat gratherthanpitying than our sympathy; man beings not only es nd when I reminisce nrise with my N2Am thesand,towalking db th i f h

BERNALES, Maxine Nicole B

BS Computer Science

Go with the flow, swim with the tide, and roll with the punches are several of the idioms I often hear when I am faced with unfamiliar occurrences. Those experiences may sound risky, but I do it anyway because they exhilarate me rather than instill fear And with this mindset, I did not regret any second of being in Villasan, Cabusao The 3-day immersion brought me pure happiness from meticulously planningourprogramandbrainstormingideasforthekids,to meeting my partner and bonding with our host family, socializing with the neighborhood, and sharing waves of laughterwithmyclassmates.ThesearethemomentsIplace great value on. A fresh perspective has surfaced after this activity as it made me realize that warmth does not only come from your family and close friends, but it can also be radiated to those people you newly met. Specifically, it is the typeofwarmththatisunselfishandgentlethatinvitesyouto dancebarefootinitsembrace

BONACUA, Reah Krystel B.

BS Psychology

ADancewithWarmth

Attached

orthreedaysandtwonights It time, but it gave me a rich en now. I couldn't help but feel with me: my host family, the my partner If I were given the h them again, I would happily

BRAGA, John Kevin M BS Mathematics

Theimmersionhelpedmetorelaxmybodyandmind Ithelpedmeshortlyforgetschoolandsolelyfocusonmy wellbeing. It is also helpful to be away from the phone, which helped me regain my sleep and also made me more aware of my surroundings This immersion showed methekindnessofstrangers,whichisourfosterparents, which made me relax during our stay in their lovely home Theyshowedustheirdailylifeanditsdifficulties It inspiredmetothriveformoreandfightformygoals.

BRILLANTES, Xavier C. BS Civil Engineering

BondandConnection

Experienceisthebestteacher

a trip, but a enged my onimmersion ension and connection, rwiselysaid, htuslessons daries of our toCabusao, es but also a implicity, the e invaluable hrough lived

CANO, Samantha Ashley P BS Accountancy

The three-day immersion experience was quite enjoyable,andIamgratefulthatIwasabletoparticipate in this activity. Our host family is really nice to us, even though they prefer a girl student, but they embrace us andgiveustheopportunitytobeapartoftheirfamilyin threedays.Andthepeopleintheareaareincrediblykind andcourteous Andasamemberofthefoodcommittee, it is exhausting to prepare food and serve the people in the area, but when I see them smile while eating the macaroni that we prepared, the exhaustion fades into happiness So, while this immersion experience may be exhausting, it is really rewarding to be able to immerse yourself in the local community and with your classmates

CASIGAY, Karl Angelo S. BS Civil Engineering

HeartfeltConnection

busao, I found a second family d a canvas of community and ywelcomedmewithopenarms, y of warmth and acceptance As nessed the quiet strength of the , despite the weight of life’s through the walls. From the conversations and heartfelt ore than memories, I carried a he heartbeat of a place where amily, and love knows no

CASTOR, Kurt Jay T BS Civil

Engineering

UnforgettableImmersion,LastingBonds

My time there left an indelible mark on my heart, reminding me of the importance of empathy, solidarity, and the beauty of finding common ground amidst diversity As I bid farewell to Villasan, I carry with me the bittersweet longing for the deep connections and unforgettable moments that defined my time in this vibrantcommunity

I felt a sense of melancholy for both my classmates and the people of Villasan as our immersion came to an end all too swiftly. I regret that the residents won't have the opportunity to see me, the visual member of N2Am, again

CATIMBANG, Gabriel Angelo B. BS

TheOtherSide

DREU, Joseph Miguel B BS Psychology

Findingfulfillmentinthesimplestofmoments

I find immense fulfillment in immersing myself in the village, bringing smiles to everyone ' s faces and fostering a sense of warmth and welcome as if we were longtime knowingeachother Itbringsmegreatjoytowitnessthe whole community actively participating in the program we conducted, displaying remarkable cooperation and enthusiasm throughout When I initially met my parents there, I felt anxious and nervous due to the unfamiliar surroundingsanduncertaintyaboutthepeopleandtheir personalities However, those feelings quickly dissipated as they embraced me as one of their own They lovingly prepared meals for us, ensured we slept comfortably, and insisted we refrain from any chores despite our willingness to help Their care and hospitality throughout the immersion erased any doubts, making me feel truly athome.

FABIO, Evan Mar S. BS Civil Engineering

okay" was my mantra during the t awaited ahead But at the same ynotbethefirsttimeexperiencing eanevent,etc asIhaveattended xperiencingimmersingmyselfina able to sleep in a different home u have to look up as your family perience would make me miss so memorieswheneverIwenthome with my family alongside my indsmeofmygrandparentswho elivelihoodsbefore.EventhoughI sintheprogramcommittee,Iwas ur free time. I was glad that they ildren I wish that this experience othankfulthatIcanexperienceit e was the output of my mantra be able to see the calm side of

Lessonsinhumanform

saneye-openerformeasit my bedroom and school It are really more things that e we interact with for they form It was memorable for th of a home. Even after the ouch with them and I really d check on me too I really .

GABAY, Francine Ivanna C

BS Psychology

FindingSerenityintheCommunity

Amid my hectic academic schedule, my involvement in educational organizations, and various personal matters, I have found myself feeling completely drained and overwhelmed However, this experience has allowed me to step back and pause for a while During my stay with my host family, I immersed myself in their daily lifestyle and culture and had the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with them I am genuinely grateful for their kindness and hospitality, as they made me and Maxine feel like part of their family. The serene nature of their community provided a welcome respite from the chaos of my life The experience has been a much-needed break and has allowed me to clear my mindandrechargemybatteriestotacklethechallenges thatlieahead

HERMOSA, Aliyah Augen S.

BS Civil Engineering

CommunityOutreachinMotion

This phrase encapsulates my immersion experience incommunityoutreach Justasapebbledroppedintoa still pond causes ripples to spread outward, our participation in community service initiates a positive impact on others Each action, no matter how large or small, has the potential to cause ripple effects far beyond our immediate reach. It serves as a reminder that even the smallest act of kindness or service can haveasignificantimpactandsparkwavesofhopeand empowermentinourcommunities.

JUMAWAN,

Shean M BS Business Administration - Banking and Finance

Pagkasaro

Pagkasaro explains my experience with immersion

Because it shows my classmates willingness to make a connection with each other to help and make a memorable experience throughout the immersion Even when we experience problems and confusion about things we are not familiar with or the duties with which we are struggling, everyone is there to help and give supporttoeachother

MADERAZO, James P.

BS Information Technology

TheSunwon'trefusetoShine

ealized that some ers are born into hard to succeed; s with no choices

My host family in entlest people I've rdworking manwith them showed about how hard es you ' re given in ance of resilience en in tough times, nit Thate en

MARQUEZ, Nisavel M BS Business Administration - Banking and Finance

Pagkamuot

The immersion experience provided a profound realization of the importance of "pagkamuot," a Bikol word for love, particularly in the context of family. Witnessingandfeelingthelovewithinfamiliesduringthe immersionhighlightedhowlovingandvaluingourfamily can immensely enrich our lives. Love significantly contributestoeachofus;itgivesusagreaterconnection and unity in exploring new things, not with fear but with courage. Our journey has widened my perspective and alsodeeplyconnectedmetotheessenceofimmersing.I lovetoliveoutwhatI'veexperiencedandlearned,tohelp andbeaninspirationtoothers

OLASO, Mylah C. BS Tourism Management

Nostalgia

atourhouse remindsme grandparents I talk to our it makes me ustarandom attheirhouse athomethat

OLMOGUIS,

Axcel Rose B

BS Business Administration - Banking and Finance

The Makihimanwa experience transformed my perspective of life beyond what the academe can teach meaboutpressingissuesandsocialinequalities.Poverty situations are not always depicted as lowly, gloomy, and demoralizing;thecommunityarerichintheirownwayof living and their hospitality fostered a deep connection. While immersing myself, it is not the class divide that highlightstheimmersion,whereweAteneansaretheone givingthemfavor;itisforustoexperiencethegroundsof human life that we may learn and apply to ourselves. Humans are resilient enough to mitigate problems encounteredbuttheimmersioninvitesusanopportunity to change that status quo and as I experienced the struggle of water inaccessibility, it is a sign that no one chosetohaveadifficultlife

ORCINE,

Cyrian Marq V.

BS Civil Engineering

FamilyBond

valuable hemost y nature madeit greatly penness nts (our nts who arn from hatlevel have a mersion uingand worth of .

ORCINE, Rose Ann E

BS Tourism Management

After going home I felt like I went back in time: no responsibilities, neighborhood friends, and lots of free time.IfeltlikeIwasbackto9yearsoldwherethebiggest concernIhadwasbuggingmymotherenoughtoletme out to play Walking to the fish port with my classmate's host family struck me the most, and I can only describe the ambiance to be so full of life despite being textbook mundane Whendidgoingonawalkfeelsorefreshing?I findthewholeexperiencesurrealbecauseitfeltlikealife I'velongforgottendespitemychildishbehaviors.

PAJARILLO, Miguel Andre R. BS

Towalkinsomeoneelse’sshoes

ber It was willforever nmylife,I into their clarity The to doing selfless for

PEPINO, Beatrice Dominique C BS Accountancy

The immersion was an experience that was very new to me The idea of staying at a stranger's house made me feel a bit nervous and excited. During the first day, some of my worries went away because of how welcomingourhostfamiliesare Theimmersionwasfun, full of activities and things to do. I gained new experiences that will carry for the rest of my life I am thankful for our host family for welcoming us to their home.Myexperiencewasrefreshingandrelaxing.

POLLERO, Earl Joseph T. BS BA - Financial Management and Accounting

Presko

Acapsuleoftime

Ayaw?

mplydescribedasa of the immersion I o a strange place ar expectations for the third day, my le and meaningful will summarize my ansition of "Ayaw ll scene I saw that but the rest of the ace and especially changes in our mory will always be w everyone ' s faces s to genuine and preciation

PUNZALAN, Caresa Jane S

BS Business Administration - Banking and Finance

Having experienced the immersion with my partner and foster family, I see a place stuck in time, a common placeinthePhilippineswhereprogressishalted.Thefirst impression of the place was rife with hardship from no watersystem,propersanitation,andpathwalks Mymind blames the inaction of the LGUs in the area, however talking to my foster family, Nanay Alicia, gave me more insight into their living condition and current living condition. Looking at Villasan I can see that it is the current status quo of many barangays, most are underfunded, inaction of LGU/corruption, residents unwillingnesstofightfortheirrights,andtheaftereffects of the pandemic. Villasan is but another example of the decline of the barangay in our country, another place stuckintimestrugglingtokeepupintheworld

QUIBOT,

Mark Lawrence M. BS Computer Science

Hopeisjustwithinreach

ExploreBoundlessHorizons

QUILLO, Toniliane Grace P BS Psychology

Exploring boundless horizons is a journey into the unknown, an exploration of what has not yet been seen or experienced. It allows us to break free from what we know and venture into new opportunities and experiences Embracing the challenge of exploring new places,ideas,andculturesfostersgrowthandchange.By exploring boundless horizons, we open our minds and hearts to possibilities we may not have previously considered. It's not just about discovering new territories but also about discovering ourselves and our newfound abilities and interests With each step in exploring boundless horizons, our perspectives widen, and we becomemorecourageousinfacinglife'schallenges.

RUBIANO, Rhianne V. BS Business Administration - Banking and Finance

been learn elives s not eltthe They ke us them their y that opeis it

Makihimanwa:EmbracingSimplicity

Within 3 days and 2 nights of the Makihimanwa, a shortperiod,Iwasabletohaveagrasponlivingavery simple life. These fleeting moments gifted me with invaluable experiences and lessons that I'll cherish It taught me to appreciate the things we have and to experiencethelivesofotherpeopleinashorttime.This experience also brought people together, building new friendships, and camaraderie, and I also found solace As the Makihimanwa ended, I left with a new perspective on life, bearing not just memories, but a deeperappreciationforthecomplexitiesoflife

RUBIO, Isabel Briana M BS Psychology

ABittersweetExperience

Atfirst,IneverreallyexpectedalotfromtheimmersionandalthoughIveheardstoriesfrom the other batches that it was a fun and wonderful experience filled with happy and sad moments,IthoughttomyselfthatmaybeitwasonlyanexaggerationbutlittledidIknowthatI wouldsaythesamethingaboutitaftertheimmersion Beforewelefttheschool,Ifeltabit anxiousandscaredbecausethisisafirstformewhereinIwouldbasicallylivewithstrangers whomIhavenevermetbeforebutuponarrivingandmeetingmyhostfamily,theywelcomed uswithopenarmseventhoughwewerecompletestrangerstothemItwaskindofawkwardat firstwheninteractingwithmyhostfamilybuteventually,withmypartnershelp,wegottotalk andknowmoreabouteachothersliveswhichmademehappythattheyweredoingfinein theirhomesandsadthattheyrestrugglingwithdailynecessities Althoughwecannothelp them immediately, me and my partner tried our best to alleviate their hardships through helpingthemwiththeirneedsandofferingthemagiftthatwouldhelpthemeveryday My immersion experience wasnt all about my host family, I also got to know more about my classmateswhichI'veneverinteractedbeforesinceI'musuallythesilenttypeintheclass My firstthoughtabouttheimmersionwasthatitwasallabouthelpingthecommunitywhichwas rightsincewereallyhelpedthemfromcleaninguptheirplaceandmakingthemhappyand entertainedthroughourprogramsbutIneverexpectedthatIwouldbondwithmyclassmates aswellasgettoknowalotofthemfromtheseactivitiesalone Whenthelastdayarrived,Ifelt sadsinceeventhoughthreedaysisalreadyalongtime,itfeltreallyshortformeandalthoughI stillwantedtostay,goodthingsmustcometoanendandwesaidourgoodbyestoourhost family and the community I am forever grateful to everyone that made my immersion experienceanunforgettableoneandeventhoughitssadthatitsalreadyover Imstillhappy thatIgottoexperienceitwithmyclassmatesandmyhostfamilywhichiswhyIcansaythatit isabittersweetexperience

SABILE, Sean Benedict D.

BS Civil Engineering

GurongRealidad

rience harvested from the ess I realized that outside pus; there lies a lesson that bout the reality behind the r way of living How they sustainablelifeoutsidethe hnology. A slow-paced conceptof"instantaccess", s invaluable fulfillment that givesusanewperspective.

SAN VICENTE, Ricardo Manuel C BS Psychology

During immersion, marami tayong dalang bags and maletabutformeitfeelslikemaydalapatayongisang maletang walang laman. Ito yung lagayan ng magiging experience, lesson, at memories na madedevelop natin within that 3 days and 2 nights of immersion Kaya kahit nabawasan na tayo ng gamit pag uwi, nafeel kong may something na mabigat akong dinala Yun ay mga masasayangalaalawiththefamilynanagalagasamin, bonding at issues ng kaklase, and overall ganap sa Villasan. I already feel yung sinabi ni Sir Joems na pag puro major subject na kami, mamimiss namin ang NSTP subject

TAM, John Benedict M. BS Civil Engineering

Maleta

DiscoveringtheUnseen

n parts of life, whether in our orners of the world, shows us autifulthingscanbe,whichwe walkingthroughathickforest, ls new secrets waiting to be this journey, you need to be to face the unknown, but the llyworthit It'sallaboutlooking the little details of life, and ordinarythings.Thisexperience strong, and understanding as ges,helpingusunderstandthe

TENIA, Merline V BS Business Administration - Banking and Finance

AThree-DayJourney

Takingpartinthethree-dayMakihimanwaimmersion offered a tremendous understanding of humanity's interdependence. Each talk and interaction revealed layers of similar experiences, desires, and challenges among the diverse group of people One poignant realization was the capacity of empathy to bridge imagined barriers Whether it was sharing experiences with kids during sessions of learning or hearing an older citizen tell stories about the community's history, empathy was the unifying theme that ran through all of our interactions Authentic connections were made possible by the dissolution of barriers through sincere interestandattentivelistening.

VAN HOUT, Maria Bernadette M. BS Tourism Management

Anexperienceofmanyfirsts

ThisismyfirsttimevisitingCabusaobecauseofthe immersion This is also my first time living in a different place without anyone from my family This experience allowed me to experience many things I have never done before However, what struck me the most is realizing for the first time that not all faces of those experiencing poverty are always filled with frowns, worry, and troubles. This experience taught me that no matterwhatproblemsweface,wecanstilllivehappily Additionally, this is the very first experience that deeply ingrained in me the realization that living with others, regardlessoftheirlifecircumstances,canbejoyful,safe, andexciting Butasasocialbeing,afterthisimmersion, it was my first time realizing that we should use our resources and privileges to help others, regardless of scale, because turning our realizations into actions holdssignificanceindevelopingourcommunity.

VARGAS, Daryl B. BS Accountancy

ASSEMBLY

DEPARTURE/ TRAVEL

DISTRIBUTION TO HOST FAMILY

GETTING TO KNOW/ BONDING WITH THE HOST FAMILY

FAMILY INTEGRATION

COMMUNITY INTEGRATION PART 2 (CLEAN UP DRIVE) LUNCH TIME

INTEGRATION WITH HOST FAMILIES CLOSING

FAMILY INTEGRATION

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PART 1 (KIDS)

BONDING WITH HOST FAMILIES

PREPARATION FOR SOCIALS NIGHT

FAMILY INTEGRATION (EARLY DINNER)

Watch our DocumentationVideo

journeying with the horizon

ByMelMichaelBaluyo

Inthevastexpensewhereskymeetsland, Ijourneyedforthwithatremblinghand WithN2aspartoftheride, AndSirJoems,ourformator,asourguide.

Immenseguidingandplanningwereseen, Sothatwewillnotbenewtothescene. Intheblinkofaneye,thedayhascome, IstayedinaplacepeculiartowhereIcamefrom.

Thehorizonstretched,acanvasvastandwide, AmetaphorforthejourneywhereIcouldabide Asthehorizonfurtherstretchedahead, Ifoundavisiblepathtotread

InSitioVillasan,aworldapart, Wheregadgetsfade,andsoulsimpart Asimplerway,adeeperbond, Inhumantouch,truewealthisfound.

Witheachpassingday,Icametosee, Thebeautyinhumility

Forinthisjourney,farandwide, IfoundatruthIcouldn'thide

“Verbavolant,scriptamanent,”thewordstheysay, Butinthejourney,actionsspeakinadifferentway Forit'snotinthewordsweetchinstone, Butinthedeeds,intheseedswe'vesown.

Asthehorizonbeckons,withpromiseanew, Iholdontolessons,botholdandtrue.

ForinSitioVillasan,andbeyonditsembrace, Liesthecouragetoact,tocreateourownspace.