NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM

TALK 1
KELLY MAE CONCEPCION GRACIE YDHET BALLESTER
NICO ANGELO OLIVERA

As a Thomasian, how does the perspective of each speaker affect your understanding of
love and service toward community involvement concerning global problems or national
issues? Emphasize your answer by citing at least three (3) key takeaways, at least one from
each resource speaker.

Assoc. Prof. Rosalyn G. Mirasol, Ph.D.

● Literacy as a Tool for Community Empowerment
● According to Dr. Mirasol’s Literacy as a Tool for Community Empowerment talk, critical
thinking is used for community empowerment as it enables a child to think critically and
analytically and use this power to gain more knowledge and take more actions to
empower the community. Taking action is not just spreading awareness but giving back
to the community by immersing yourself in their situation, assessing their needs, and
doing something about their needs or the lack thereof.

Rev. Fr. Pedro M. Montalla

● Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance Inc.
● The mission of Father Pete is to recruit the Katutubos to be part of their advocacy, which
is to save the Sierra Madre. Our Katutubos are the most marginalized, according to Father
Pete, and that is why their way of living is through survival – through cutting trees.
Cutting trees affects our environment, as shown in the video; one of the evidence is the
flooding in 2004 in General Nakar, Infanta, at Real, Quezon. Thus, Father Pete’s mission
is to be with them and inspire them to change their lifestyle into a more sustainable and
green one.

Assoc. Prof. Kristine C. Reyes, Ph.D.

● Deaf and Disability Activist

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● According to Dr. Reyes, some extinction measures, such as in language, threaten cultural
ecology. She further discussed that we pathologize the deaf community as we, as a
society, force them to wear hearing aids and Cochlear implants as though they can be
normal like the hearing community. This can lead to language loss as society devalues
sign language, leading to environmental degradation as they will feel the restriction in
self-expression and erosion in their self-esteem. To empower the community, we must
acknowledge and destigmatize minorities and focus on their needs more because the
majority has all the resources and the advantages.

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TALK 2
LOUISSE GRACIEL ALONSABE and JOMAE DELA CRUZ

Provide two (2) issues mentioned or discussed in the webinar that struck you the most. How
does it affect you and those around you?

Issue 1:Kaliwa Dam and its effect on Sierra Madre

● Kaliwa Dam will give water to multiple provinces in Luzon. However, this will negatively
affect the Sierra Madre, which has protected the Philippines from multiple storms. As an
individual, this gives me the chance to be a responsible citizen and show my undying support
for preserving the Sierra Madre. From a wider perspective, this creates a division between
Filipinos, for others would rather lose the Sierra Madre due to little knowledge regarding its
purpose.

Issue 2: Pathologization towards the deaf community

● Pathologization towards the deaf community, where deafness is viewed primarily as a
medical condition requiring "fixing" rather than a cultural or linguistic identity,
perpetuates a harmful narrative that undermines the richness and diversity of Deaf
culture. As an individual, being influenced by such pathologization may lead to
internalized stigma and a sense of inadequacy, affecting self-esteem and mental
well-being among deaf individuals. On a broader level, society suffers as discriminatory
practices limit the inclusion and opportunities for deaf people, hindering their full
participation in different aspects of life.

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TALK 3
PATRICIA MAE TOLOSA & CHRISTIAN GABIJAN

One of the speakers mentioned a challenge; as an individual, what do you think is the
challenge given to you? As a group?

● Through the National Service Training Program, we are faced with the beauty of
diversity that exists within our society as we encounter people with varying beliefs,
cultures, and standards of morality. While these differences often become a reason for
indifference, it is essential for us to recognize the beauty that lies within them. As
individuals, the challenge lies in transcending these initial barriers and embracing the
concept of "pakikipagkapwa.” It requires a change in perspective from viewing
differences as obstacles to understanding them as opportunities for growth and
connection. However, as a group, I would say that “pakikipagkapwa” was never a
challenge but rather a unifying force. We may be different regarding cultural
backgrounds, but we are united with one goal – to build a better community. With this
shared purpose, despite our differences, we overcame potential obstacles posed by our
differences and created a harmonious environment where the richness of our varied
perspectives contributes to the strength of our collective efforts. By doing so, we
contribute to a shared vision of a more harmonious and inclusive community, where the
richness of our diversity becomes a source of strength rather than division.

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TALK 4
MIKYLA JANELLE TRINCHERA & STACEY FAYE CASTRO

Is reading still relevant in this era of AI, TikTok, and CliffsNotes? How?

● In today’s era where social media and artificial intelligence have played a significant role
in our lives, especially with the information that we absorb, we should note that reading
is still important; in fact, literacy is important. As the first speaker emphasized, literacy or
reading enhances or promotes critical thinking. All of the information that we see online
should be fact-checked and segregated. Although artificial intelligence can compile
information in a matter of seconds, it is also important to note that the information
presented to us may not always be accurate.
● Of course, with social media platforms such as TikTok, we cannot believe everything we
hear because most people fail to research and accumulate enough information to prove
their stands; some even use rumors or misinformation with what they share in the media.
Even with the existence of apps or sites such as cliffnotes, we should realize that things
won’t be spoon-fed to us in the real world. We should learn how to analyze the way we
study, the information we comprehend, and the sources of these that we use and consume.

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