Text by: Samuel Brando Piamonte and Charmaine Lingdas
Photos by: Erlyn May Pareja, Sarah Hazel Moces Pulumbarit, NSTP

The University of the Philippines Manila held its first-ever National Service Training Program (NSTP) Fair and Recognition Ceremony from Oct. 21 to 24, 2025, at the Museum of a History of Ideas. The event carried the theme “Strengthening UPM NSTP Partnership with Institutions and Communities towards Meaningful Learning and Service Opportunities.”

Established under Republic Act 9163, the NSTP is a required college course that aims to develop in the youth a strong sense of service, patriotism, and social responsibility. It has three components: the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS), and Literacy Training Service (LTS), each fostering volunteerism and nation-building through defense, community service, and education.

NSTP Director, Prof. Josephine Agapito welcomed the participants and acknowledged that it was Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Bernadette Heizel Manapat-Reyes who came up with the idea of showcasing and sharing the activities of the NSTP through the NSTP Fair, “kung saan ang “Paglilingkod ng may dangal at husay, Service with Honor and Excellence, na  tatak UP ay mamamalas.”

She also emphasized the spirit of selfless service embodied in the NSTP, quoting a popular saying that no one lives for oneself alone. “Kaya naman ang National Service Training Program ay isang kursong naghuhubog sa ating kabataan ng ganitong pananaw at prinsipyo. Ang maglingkod sa kapwa ay hindi sinusukat o binibilang, bagkus ito ay ginagawa mula sa puso, may pagmamahal, at walang hinihintay na kapalit.”

The event honored outstanding project exhibits and booths, and NSTP partner organizations, and included the orientation of selected students into the National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC).

Awardees

Best in Project Exhibit

• 1st Place – College of Public Health
  • Project: Chikitings!: Strengthening Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) Practice among Children Aged 5–10 in Barangay San Jose, Navotas City
  • Partner Organization: Agham Youth UP Manila
• 2nd Place – College of Public Health
  • Project: Kwento’t Kalinga: Strengthening Health Awareness through Storytelling and Service in Navotas
  • Partner Organization: Agham Youth UP Manila
• 3rd Place – College of Dentistry
  • Project: Hello, Ngiti
  • Partner Organization: Asociacion de Damas de Filipinas, Inc.

Best NSTP Booth

• 1st Place – College of Public Health
  • Title: BUGSAY: Multisektoral at Pangmag-aaral na Lakbay ng Serbisyo
• 2nd Place – College of Dentistry
  • Title: Hello, Ngiti
• 3rd Place – College of Pharmacy
  • Title: PHARMAKalinga: A Colorful Dose of Care for Every Juan

NSTP partner organizations recognized during the event are the following: 

Agham Youth UP Manila, Asociación de Damas de Filipinas, Inc. (ADFI), Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School, Bagong Silang Community, Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR), Community Medicine Development Foundation (COMMED), Gawad Kalinga (GK Baseco), Institute of Occupational Health and Safety Development (IOHSAD), KAISAKA, Inc., Mother Earth Foundation, Padre Gomez Elementary School, Sangguniang Kabataan ng Brgy. Sumapang Matanda, Bulacan, UP Sandigan, Voice Philippines, Health Action for Human Rights, and the Department of Military Science and Tactics (DMST–UPD). The event also recognized individuals including Ms. Dominique Cheoc, Mrs. Ofelia Cheng, and Rhea Althea Guntalilib.

The four-day fair showcased the students’ creativity, commitment to community engagement, and dedication to public service highlighting NSTP projects and initiatives. The NSTP Fair reflected UP Manila’s continuing effort to nurture students who embody compassion, integrity, and a genuine desire to serve. 

#FP1 #FP6 #AccessibleUPLeadership

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