University News

Lingap Komunidad Brings Joy and Learning to Children of Paco, Manila

Heildenberg Dimarucot, News, Communication Management Office

As part of its yearend tradition, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) carried its legacy of service beyond campus walls and into the heart of the Paco community in Manila. Through the “Lingap Komunidad” outreach activity held on December 12, 2025, at the Asociación de Damas de Filipinas, Inc., the university shared joy, learning, and meaningful connection with dozens of young students.

Faculty members and staff came together to deliver educational supplies, meals, and an afternoon full of interactive games, transforming the community center into a lively space of learning and celebration. The initiative reflected PUP’s commitment to ensuring that children feel supported not only inside their classrooms but also within the communities where they grow.

“Our goal was to make sure these kids feel supported beyond the four walls of their classrooms,” said Airavie Austria, Chief of the Community Relations and Outreach Services of the University. She emphasized the university’s people-centered approach to education and outreach.

The highlight of the afternoon came when the children surprised their visitors with a prepared dance performance. What began as a simple presentation quickly turned into a shared moment of joy, as PUP faculty members rose from their seats to join the children on the dance floor. Laughter replaced formality, and the outreach evolved into a genuine community celebration.

This interaction captured the essence of PUP’s institutional motto, “Mula Sa’yo, Para sa Bayan” (From You, For the Nation), translating words into action through direct engagement and shared humanity.

Holistic Development Beyond the Classrooms
The outreach program was carefully designed to support the holistic development of the children cared for by the center’s four staff members and five volunteers after regular school hours. Recognizing that learning extends beyond academic instruction, PUP donated school supplies, coloring books, and arts-and-crafts materials to encourage creativity and ease the children’s educational needs.

A communal meal and lively recreational games further fostered a warm, inclusive atmosphere. As crayons brightened blank pages and music filled the room, the event became more than a donation drive — it became an experience of belonging and affirmation.

Lingap Komunidad Outreach serve its Purpose
As the colors from the new crayons brightened paper and the final chords of music faded, the true purpose of the day came into sharp focus. This outreach was important not merely as a school activity to commemorate an anniversary, but as the very emanation of PUP’s reason for being. A state university’s legacy is not etched solely in the diplomas it grants, but in the hope it imparts to the communities that surround it. It is measured in the weight of a schoolbag made lighter by donated supplies, in the confidence of a child who feels seen by a dancing professor, and in the strengthened resolve of volunteers who feel partnered with, not just patronized.

The “Lingap Komunidad” is a vital reminder that education, at its best, does not exist in an ivory tower. It must step out onto the street, into the community centers, and kneel to the eye level of a child. It is in these acts of shared humanity that the abstract concept of “service to the nation” becomes real, creating a continuous cycle where the university draws its purpose from the people and returns its full heart to them. This is how a university truly celebrates its history and embodies gratefulness as it ends the year — not just by looking back , but by ensuring its legacy actively builds a better, more equitable future for all.

This outreach activity supports Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), 4 (Quality Education), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).