“UT IN OMNIBUS Glorificetur Deus” is a phrase every Bedan knows by heart, and it was genuinely embodied by the students of the College of Arts and Sciences’ (CAS) Social Justice course (THED04). These students were enlightened through immersing themselves in communities, nurturing a social consciousness that flourishes beyond the academic setting.
Graced with the opportunity to uphold their advocacies beyond the classroom boundaries, Bedans under THED04 persisted in breathing life into the Benedictine hallmarks of Community and Conversatio. Whether taking part in local development projects or seeking refuge in the everyday lives of underprivileged demographics, their efforts resonate in the heart of communities that often remain unseen or unheard.
In an interview with Asst. Prof. Neilia Ramirez, fondly known by her students as “Ma’am Yang,” in her almost two decades of service to San Beda, she affirmed that these student-led initiatives aren’t just mere segments in the curriculum for they epitomize the school’s mission to foster socially responsible individuals.
“The immersion is aimed at making students aware, but more than awareness, it’s about experience,” said Ma’am Yang in elaborating on the program’s foundational principles. “The primary reason why students are encouraged to go to the community is not to give community service, but to be in solidarity with people—makipamuhay,” she added.
As Bedans witness the socio-economic disparities and confront the challenges these communities face, their perspectives widen, fostering a more profound and organic sense of social consciousness.
To this, Edriane Timothy “Iane” Tabor, a third-year Legal Management student, shared that through this program, he was able to live among communities affected by recurrent flooding near Laguna Bay and face their daily lives.
Tabor conveyed that “the primary objectives outlined for me at the beginning of the program was to immerse myself with how they live. It was not to provide help or to conduct community engagement projects, but to genuinely and candidly live like how they live.”
The program emphasized immersion over intervention. Tabor recalled the guidance from the Barangay officials, a local fisherman, vendor, and shoemaker, even those who live far from civilization, making it hard for them to receive ayuda from the government. All the insights they shared amplified Tabor’s immersion, enriching their experience with stories of struggles, expertise, and self-discovery.
Tabor’s narrative is a testament to the core of the THED04 Immersion Program at SBU. His encounters pave the way for the transformative potential of community immersion, exemplifying the institution’s commitment to nurturing socially conscious leaders.
In line with that, Ma’am Yang stated that part of social transformation is for the students to experience social issues. “You have to know, and be aware, [of] the organic experience of social issues. Para not only theoretically, but ‘yung action ng students sa social transformation hindi pilit.”
The University deeply invests in this immersion program, as Bedans are enriched with experiences and ready to mold a future where empathy, community, and social action flourish hand in hand.
Through Ma’am Yang’s guidance and the Department’s collective efforts, this program continues to drive Bedan students to dedicate their time and efforts to be one with the people, embodying the essence of compassion, solidarity, and responsibility–values that resonate profoundly during this festive season.
As part of his learning, Tabor concluded, “It is in immersing oneself in how they live do we truly get to know the gravity of their plight, especially during times of calamity. From living out what I’ve learned, it is also essential for me and my group to advocate for the needs of those that we [are] immersed with.”
Being their professor, Ma’am Yang proudly mentioned that the THED04 Immersion program not only aligns with the Bedan formation of fostering a profound sense of service, empathy, and communal responsibility among Bedan students but it even goes beyond as long as the students don’t forget our mission and vision.
Photos by Ryan Claude Sedano