IRIGA CITY — Marking seven years of continuous collaboration and service, the Formation and Student Support Services (FSSO) of Ateneo de Naga University conducted its 7th community outreach with the Pong-Ol Tribe in Barangay La Anunciacion, Iriga City, on July 26, 2026. Held in celebration of the Feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola under the theme “Fostering Ignacianidad: Growing in Friendship with the Lord,” the initiative fostered deeper formation, dialogue, and fellowship with the Pong-ol tribe, an indigenous community composed of families from the Cimmaron and Tabangnon groups.
This sustained engagement since 2019 brought together FSSO formators and staff from the Office of Mission and Identity, led by Dr. Janet Badong-Badilla, alongside teams from the College Campus Ministry (CMO), Office of Student Affairs (OSA), and College Ignatian Formation Program and National Service Training Program (CIFP-NSTP) Department. To broaden the reach of this initiative, the FSSO welcomed new collaborators, as the Office of Social Concern and Responsibility, the Institutional Testing Office, and the University Library stepped up to join the outreach mission.
Various activities were conducted simultaneously to meaningfully engage different members of the community. Dr. Janet Badilla and Ringo Badilla facilitated a recollection-formation session, titled An Pambihirang Klaseng Perlas, which invited parents to rediscover the gift of parenthood and recognize their children as precious pearls entrusted to their care by God. This was followed by personal small-group conversations and a gift-giving activity. Meanwhile, the Samahang Tagapagtaguyod ng Edukasyong Pilipino organized Iparahay as part of its LiteraSaya 2.0 functional literacy program, and also provided essential school supplies to indigenous high school students enrolled in the Alternative Learning System. At the same time, CIFP students and their formators led interactive sessions for the younger children, featuring storytelling, engaging games, and school supply distribution.
The FSSO extends its heartfelt gratitude to the barangay officials of La Anunciacion, headed by Barangay Captain Rolando Serrano, as well as the entire Pong-Ol Tribe, for their warm welcome and hospitality. Through meaningful encounters like this, Ateneo de Naga University continues to reaffirm its dedication to walking alongside indigenous communities and embodying the true spirit of Ignatian service.
Written by Janice L. Tresvalles
Photos by Al Balderas & Kokoy Almoneda
