Junior Engagement Program (JEEP)

Junior Engagement Program (JEEP) JEEP is an integral part of the Junior Experience.

JEEP is intended to provide the students a wealth of concrete experiences that will help awaken in them the need to grow in social engagement and responsibility and to develop the capacity for critical thinking. Through JEEP, the students are able to engage the people from various sectors and communities around them by stepping into their shoes and experiencing their way of life.

"Sa ikaapat at huli kong araw sa Robinson’s Supermarket (RS) Marquinton, nakadama ako ng lungkot. Sa katunayan, hindi ko...
03/06/2020

"Sa ikaapat at huli kong araw sa Robinson’s Supermarket (RS) Marquinton, nakadama ako ng lungkot. Sa katunayan, hindi ko inaasahan ito. Ang disposisyon ko noon bago ako magtrabaho sa RS ay ang lunurin ang aking sarili sa trabaho upang hindi ko mamalayan ang pagtakbo ng oras at matapos kaagad. Ngunit matapos kong maranasan ang pagtatrabaho sa RS at makilala ang mga trabahador doon, malaki ang naging pagbabago ng aking disposisyon. Napakabuti ng naging pakikitungo nila sa akin. Kahit kailan ay hindi nila ako tinuring na kaiba sa kanila. Bagkus, tinuring nila ako bilang kasamahan nila.

Habang lumalapit ang oras ng pagtatapos ng aking trabaho, lalo akong hindi mapalagay. Bago magsimula ang JEEP, ang nais ko tumakbo ng mabilis ang oras upang matapos na ito kaagad. Ngunit noong huli kong araw, tila gusto kong bumagal ang oras dahil marami pa akong gustong gawin, maranasan, at makilala. Kaya naman habang may oras ay isa-isa kong binalikan ang lahat ng mga naging katrabaho at kaibigan ko sa RS.

Babaunin ko palagi ang mga mahahalagang bagay na natutunan ko sa kanila tulad na lamang ng pagpapakumbaba, hindi pagmamataas, pagiging masiyahin, at higit sa lahat, ang pagtrato nang mabuti sa kapwa. Ang mga gabay at aral na ito ang laging magpapaalala sa akin ng mga naging kaibigan ko sa RS. Matapos ang biyahe ko sa JEEP, masasabi kong tumatak sa akin ito. Mga totoong tao ang nakilala at nakatrabaho ko. Tunay na kahanga-hanga at kagalang-galang sila. Higit sa lahat, ipinagmamalaki ko hindi lamang ang naging karanasan ko sa JEEP kundi pati ang mga taong ito na humubog at nagbukas ng puso at isipan ko sa pakikitungo sa tao sa pakikipagkapwa."
- Mark Tijidor, Robinsons Supermarket Marquinton, 2nd Sem, SY1819

"In all honesty, my 16 hours shift in Handyman was not enough for me to actually get to know the workers. I feel that Ha...
01/06/2020

"In all honesty, my 16 hours shift in Handyman was not enough for me to actually get to know the workers. I feel that Handyman was more focused on teaching its students rather than developing relationships with others- especially blue collar workers. Although I think it was mostly on my part as to why I did not get to know them on a deeper level since I was too focused on the tasks that they’d give us like trying to accomplish our quota, cleaning the aisles, and assisting customers. What I did learn though is that working as one of them is no easy job. I’d think it was bearable and possible to just assist customers but it was challenging. 4 hours was draining for me, what more for those who’d stand for hours just to assist customers while being able to keep in mind everything about what they’re selling? The 16 hours I spent in Handyman made me respect blue collar workers even more. I admire how physically and mentally strong they are; despite the challenges they face as blue collar workers, they are one of the most hard working people I know and they deserve so much more. Everything I have learned in Handyman are values I can instill and develop as I grow older and values I can use once I step into the real world of working."
- Ira Gabriella Santos, Robinsons Handyman Il Centro, 1st Sem, S.Y. 1920

"Being part of a big establishment with people counting on you to provide great service, you begin to realize that every...
27/05/2020

"Being part of a big establishment with people counting on you to provide great service, you begin to realize that everything isn’t about you. The great people working in our store aren’t simply working hard out of a selfish whim but because there are people depending on them to do their work well; to help customers and make a reputable establishment out of National Bookstore, and also to make money for their loved ones: their mothers, fathers, and children at home. Many of the ladies that I had the privilege of working with are the breadwinners in their family. Every paycheck counts for them, many working overtime and going home too late to eat dinner with their families. And yet, this exhausting cycle of work doesn’t make them into grumpy people. On the opposite, actually, they seem to be much more compassionate and open individuals compared to some of us in privileged positions working in our own respective jobs.

To be clear, I don’t believe it is enough to conclude with a cliché lesson like, be grateful for your blessings because other people may not have it as well as you. I think a more profound realization to be had from this entire experience is to genuinely appreciate the work from the service/retail sectors and acknowledge that money, class, or other positions of power and reputation does not and should not separate us from communing with them, sharing stories and blessings, and helping them with simple human kindness."

- Cleo Solon, National Book Store SM Masinag, 2nd Sem, S.Y. 1819

"I bring with me empathy. It is important to stop and feel what your neighbor is feeling before we judge them, say somet...
25/05/2020

"I bring with me empathy. It is important to stop and feel what your neighbor is feeling before we judge them, say something to hurt them. With this I bring kindness. No one knows what another is going through, especially if they are strangers. There are times when we feel like getting angry at a customer service personnel when they had nothing to do with your situation or for someone cutting in front of us in traffic. Each of these people can be at mental capacity and if we choose to be unkind to them, it may be the last thing that can trigger them to break down. It is our responsibility to be kind always. Thanks to the lolos and lolas in Luwalhati, I was able to feel that kindness and warm welcome."

- Brianna Cayetano, Luwalhati ng Maynila, 1st Sem, S.Y. 1920

"Compared to the first week where my approach was more cerebral in terms of analyzing social conditions and detached fro...
20/05/2020

"Compared to the first week where my approach was more cerebral in terms of analyzing social conditions and detached from what was actually happening, I think I was able to relate more to others and act out of love. As mentioned by Nero, what is asked of us is “to place deep value unto the personhood of others,” and this simple framework changes a lot of things. It also helps prevent cynicism, burnout and constant anger on institutions that cannot be changed instantly. It helps avoid a Messianic complex as well. Overall, it is just easier to immerse ourselves in the experiences of others when we do it with so much care and love for others.

From my conversations and experiences in JEEP, I learned the power of simply reaching out to others and being open. It becomes very easy to talk to them when there’s a genuine desire to learn more and connect. I also learned how important it is to provide safe and proper labor conditions, and that good management also involves providing opportunities for growth for your employees. These learnings I can apply to my personal life and also in application to my future work as a management major."
- Samantha Joy Yerro, Robinsons Handyman Il Centro, 1st Sem, SY 1920

"My experience in JEEP helped me to realize many things about both myself and the people around me. Everyday, I encounte...
18/05/2020

"My experience in JEEP helped me to realize many things about both myself and the people around me. Everyday, I encounter people like the ates in the snackbar. I pass by people who may be working minimum wage jobs. I buy from people who may be under contractual employment. I encounter those people almost everyday, but I never stopped to think about their situations before having to actually experience what they are doing through JEEP.

At one point, I questioned whether I was just really that self-centered, and if I just didn’t care about issues I’m not involved in. I questioned whether all that talking about helping others in school just didn’t touch me the way it should. However, as I further reflected on it, I thought that I can’t be fully blamed. I also have my own problems and my own difficulties that I have to think about. Although the problems I face may not be as difficult as theirs, I also have my own personal concerns that I wish to address. However, in addressing my concerns, I end up using all my time and energy and it just happens that I end up forgetting about other things beyond myself.

I think a lot of people experience the same thing. They’re so busy and life is demanding
so much from them, and they only have so much time and energy to spare. However, despite being so busy and absorbed in our own problems, it is still important to make an effort to step out of our own world and think about others. My experience in JEEP helped me to be more sensitive about other people and the possible issues they personally face. For example, I’ve become more patient with many workers in places such as shop assistants, vendors, fast food crews, etc. I know I have always been respectful to them even before JEEP, especially after comparing the way I talk to them and how a lot of other adults treat them. But after approximately 16 hours of experiencing their work, I am more aware with how I treat the people working in such occupations. I never forget to say thank you after I’ve gotten my purchase, and I always try to smile as I say so. One time, a fast food crew in mcdo accidentally dropped a tray and some of the food fell on me. I was not angry or annoyed, but I made sure to reassure him that it was okay. Another time, my parents were livid and complaining to an assistant on the phone. I tried my best to tell them to calm down and stop talking with a condescending tone. It bothers me a lot when people are treated lowly, or when people assert their privilege over another. Those people also have their own problems to worry about, and it would be best if people would treat them as human."

- Allyson Tracey Ng, Sta. Lucia East Cinema Snack Bar, 1st Sem, S.Y. 1819

"The reality I encountered is that there are so many people who are in need of the loans provided by the SSS. Those who ...
13/05/2020

"The reality I encountered is that there are so many people who are in need of the loans provided by the SSS. Those who avail of these loans can only receive around 16,000 Pesos each, but not all are qualified to get that much. Even for the ones who are, some need substantially more than that due to a loss of a loved one, or their house getting burned. I would imagine that this is a difficult reality for them to be in because they need all the money that they could get; even if it was just an amount that can sustain them for a couple of months.

As a government office, I thought the people would be indifferent, and slow at work. This I believe is the common perception of anyone availing government services. After I was put on the other side of the counter though, I saw how much the workers do their best, and care for others. These people genuinely help the ones that come into the office. It is just so difficult to serve everyone at once, and that’s why sometimes people think these workers are incompetent.

One of my biggest realizations is to give respect. The most consistent story I’ve heard from the people I worked with is that members constantly complain to them because they work slow, or some other reason. These people tend to forget that these employees are human too, and that their work is exhausting. I was only there for 4 hours a week, at the time period where there are the least number of members asking for a service. I can’t imagine how it’s like on other days, where there are long lines and the place is jam packed."

- Patrick Ganuelas, SSS-Alimall, 2nd Sem, S.Y. 1819

“On my fourth and final visit to MPM, I happened to meet Lola Cecilia, who Sir Marlon said would be able to answer all m...
11/05/2020

“On my fourth and final visit to MPM, I happened to meet Lola Cecilia, who Sir Marlon said would be able to answer all my group’s public administration questions. Right from the start, she was an interesting personality, greeting us all with warm smiles and sharing so much about her life so openly to a bunch of students she just met. Her story was particularly interesting as she talked about how she worked hard to get a scholarship in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina, which allowed her to get a bachelor’s degree and eventually a master’s degree in public administration, and find employment in MPM as a market enforcer. Along the way, she was able to support the education of her 2 kids, one of whom was a scholar in Ateneo. At some point, she even cried while telling us her story but it was obviously tears of happiness—and not sadness— for having survived all the challenges that life threw her way. In a way, meeting Lola Cecilia on my last area engagement was a fitting end to my JEEP experience because hers was the most personal story I’ve come to know. And this helped me realize that JEEP, more than anything, was really supposed to be about the people you met and the stories they shared. Initially, I thought there was also an effort to introduce Ateneans to labor-intensive kind of jobs/blue collar jobs and while it’s true for students assigned to supermarkets, bookstores etc., I didn’t see it as the main thrust, especially since us political science majors were mainly confined to office work. Instead, towards the end, I realized that JEEP was really about relating to others and hearing the stories they have to share. While I’ll remember the fun and novelty of the 360-degree surveillance cameras of MPM, what will truly stick to me more are the stories of Kuya Darius, Ate Jean, Lola Cecilia and Sir Marlon. I’m very grateful for their openness and accommodation towards us Ateneans.

I will continue to remember the stories and exchanges I shared with everyone I met in MPM. It allowed me to better relate to others and hear about what life is like for them. In reaching greater, better understanding of the other, I feel more ready to integrate into the world and not be defined by my privilege alone. I can’t change the fact that I was born into conditions that are better than most Filipinos today but I can control what I do with that privilege and JEEP taught me that this shouldn’t be a hindrance in relating to the other. We shouldn’t confine ourselves in our own secure bubbles because no true learning and understanding of the other will ever take place. The challenge is really to go beyond, actively seek out “the other” and listen to their stories because there is plenty to learn from the different people outside your comfort zone."

- Robyn Dy, Marikina Public Market Office, First Semester SY 18-19

10/05/2020

Sa mga ilaw ng tahanan at tumatayong ilaw ng tahanan ng kani-kanilang mga pamilya, kami sa Office for Social Concern and Involvement ay bumabati sa inyo ng Maligayang Araw ng mga Ina! Nawa'y biyayaan kayo ng ating Panginoon dahil sa pagmamahal at pag-aaruga na lagi niyong binibigay sa inyong pamilya!

"In finally being on the receiving end, I was able to walk in the shoes of people who work tirelessly and selflessly day...
06/05/2020

"In finally being on the receiving end, I was able to walk in the shoes of people who work tirelessly and selflessly day in and day out. I now have no excuse to mistreat anyone on a bad day, as these people are just like me. They are my co-workers, they are my sisters.

I was humbled to be working alongside like-minded individuals, I was humbled to see the hard work that they constantly put in, I was humbled by their experiences, I was humbled by the fact that they were willing to share these with me. Beyond my JEEP journey, I feel as if I can apply these takeaways to my future endeavors. With the dream of one day becoming an entrepreneur, my future company must have the advocacy of giving back to those who make our lives easier in one way or another."

- Vicky Manalo, National Book Store Robinsons Metro East, 1st Sem, SY 1920

"In general, what I realized through JEEP is that there is a source of motivation that keeps us alive, and that source o...
05/05/2020

"In general, what I realized through JEEP is that there is a source of motivation that keeps us alive, and that source of motivation is not something that has to do with ourselves. For instance, I might have asked myself why I was willing to participate in a program that not only required four hours of my weekend, but also required my energy, my cooperation, and my ideas. This program taught me that work is most fulfilling when it has so little to do with myself: when there is a greater concern for something beyond myself, when I am exposed to a worldwide issue that makes me feel so small and helpless, and when what matters is not your achievements, or your privileges, but what kind of person you are and the amount of goodness that your soul is able to offer to others."

- Bettina Tañedo, St. Mary Euphrasia Integrated Development Foundation Inc. (Proessing center for online sexually exploited children), 2nd Sem S.Y. 1819

"In my 16 hours of being in National Bookstore, I acquired knowledge that can only be learned through experience. I lear...
03/05/2020

"In my 16 hours of being in National Bookstore, I acquired knowledge that can only be learned through experience. I learned the patience to listen to people, the initiative to offer my help to others and most of all, the humility to realize that the people who work there are filled with wisdom and courage that I can learn from. Let’s be real, sometimes when we go to places like National Bookstore, we don’t really pay much attention to the staff, we forget that they are human beings with families to go home to and with dreams to achieve. As harsh as this may sound, usually we think of them as tools for us to use. But it shouldn’t be like that. I may have gone through less than a fraction of what they experienced over the years, but being part of the staff, I felt the need to be appreciated and respected by the customers. It’s not always easy to assist customers with their queries, I understand that now.

That being said, as a customer myself to establishments, I now realize the importance of being polite and patient. I realize that the people I may be talking to may sometimes be at a lost as well and so, there is no reason to get fed up with them. People are people, with feelings and emotions, everyone deserves to be treated with care and thought, but most of all, respect."
- Giana Moexia Discar, National Bookstore Q Plaza, 1st Sem, S.Y. 1920

Address

Pasig City

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Junior Engagement Program (JEEP) posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share