True to the Graduate School’s commitment to contextualized and transformative education, all activities and programs were carefully designed based on the expressed and studied needs of the community, discovered through ongoing community assessments and consultations. These initiatives were strategically aligned with the expertise and academic strengths of the graduate programs, ensuring that interventions were both relevant and sustainable.
The program began with a devotion shared by Rev. Dr. Johnson Mones, reminding the community that all good things come from the Lord, who is the source of life and blessings. It was followed by a medical mission led by faculty and students from the Master of Hospital Administration (MHA) and Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN) programs. The health teams provided free medical consultations, distributed essential medicines, and offered wellness education tailored to the health concerns of the community.
As a cutting-edge addition, free seed and needle acupuncture was administered by Dr. Charissa Raneses, a Graduate School alumna, which is part of her graduate capstone project—blending traditional healing with evidence-based practice.
Further enriching the health education component, MAN students produced and presented video lectures on Water Sanitation and Basic Life Support (BLS). These materials were designed to be culturally sensitive, practical, and replicable, empowering the community with life-saving knowledge and sustainable hygiene practices.
At the heart of the outreach and extension program was the dedication and turnover of vital community resources: two deep-well water pumps, chairs, a whiteboard, and educational supplies. These were the fruit of collective generosity, initiative, and sacrifice by Graduate School students headed by the Graduate School Student Organization, SSC, faculty, and administration.
It is worth highlighting that the whiteboard was a token of gratitude from the Doctor of Education students, headed by Dr. Tita Camat, as a gift to the community for their participation in a literacy extension program—a beautiful symbol of reciprocal learning and appreciation.
This impactful initiative was made possible through the unwavering support of University President Dr. Irineo G. Alvaro Jr., whose commitment to relevant, community-anchored education continues to guide WUP’s outreach extension efforts. Instrumental to this success was the leadership of Dr. John Mark F. Bondoc (Graduate School Dean), Dr. Eufemia C. Ayro (WESCOP Director, GS Student Organization Adviser & Program Head), Prof. Jenifer Villalon (GS Outreach & Extension Coordinator), and the active involvement of the entire Graduate School community—alongside the committed participation of faculty from various undergraduate and graduate colleges across the university.
The program delivered transformative lectures and workshops that tackled the pressing social and mental health needs of the community, led by MHA, MAN, MCJE, MPA, MSW, and Education Graduate Programs:
• Dr. Charissa Raneses, Graduate School alumna, guidance expert, and counselor, offered practical tools for stress management in her session “Balanseng Pamumuhay para Maiwasan ang Stress.”
• PMSg. Monaliza Vizconde, a proud graduate school alumna and active police officer, explained the Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) law, empowering families with legal protection and awareness.
• Nurse Roxanne Valino, MHA student, delivered a compelling talk on basic community health practices, aligned with national health promotion goals.
In response to the local community’s need for economic opportunity, the GS Outreach and Extension program included hands-on livelihood workshops conducted by faculty and alumni from the MBA, MIHTM, and PhD in Business programs and other university personnel—Mr. Joel Piring (Staff, Office of the President), Dr. Michelle Tangongan (GS & CHTM Faculty), and Prof. Nilki Toga (CHTM Faculty, GS Alumna) trained the participants in salty egg, longganisa, and tocino production, gaining not just skills but real options for sustainable income.
Five chosen participants were also granted startup packages to begin their livelihood ventures—turning knowledge into capital, and capital into hope.
“Back-To-School” emphasized not only the return to education but also its role in building inclusive, empowered communities. Dr. Maureen Bondoc revisited the core vision of the BTS Program before the distribution of school supplies to local children—affirming WUP’s belief that education is both a right and a responsibility to be shared. BTS2 was not a one-time project—it was a living expression of what it means to be rooted in faith and empowered for service. The Wesleyan Graduate School has proven once again that when academia listens to the needs of the people and responds with purpose, the result is not just charity, but lasting transformation.
With continued unity among administrators, faculty, and students—and under the visionary leadership of the University President—WUP’s Graduate School remains a beacon of hope, excellence, and servant-leadership in Philippine higher education.
Words and photos by the WUP Graduate School
