CARBONEL,ANGEL KAYE V.

BSN 2- BLOCK 8

MODULE 1
Dr. Pedro T. Orata and Volunteerism

LEARNING
OUTCOMES
At the end of the topic, you are expected to:

a. Identify concepts of volunteerism;

b. Create your own volunteerism commitment.

TOPIC
OUTLINE
Lesson 1: The Spirit of Volunteerism
Lesson 2: Activating the Spirit of Volunteerism

Source: UCU Archives

OVERVIEW
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?”

This statement from the great Martin Luther King stresses on assessing ourselves:
What can we do for others and how can we make a lasting impact on people’s lives?
Helping one another can help us build a holistic society that pulls each member up.
Helping should not be based on reward, recognition, and compensation. True
UCUians with undying commitment to serve extends their arms to those who are in
need, without any conditions.

The example set by the UCU’s founder and father of community schools, Dr. Pedro T.
Orata, is a concrete and great manifestation of his undying service for the community.
His vision of helping his countrymen to have access to quality education is truly a living
legacy that lives on down to our day.

As a UCUian who is conditioned to serve, what are you doing for others? How much
can you give to help someone in times of need? How will you help your community?
This module will help you understand the value of volunteerism and its impact to the
society. In this learning material, you will get acquainted with different situations that
help you reflect and develop empathy for others. As you develop these values in you,
you are set to commit yourself in the spirit of service, the spirit and hallmark of a true
UCUian!
 GETTING STARTED
What is volunteerism and how did this guide Dr. Pedro T. Orata in his
accomplishments? Let’s answer that question as we proceed to the next section.

LESSON 1
The Spirit of Volunteerism
No man is an island.

This famous adage from John Donne stresses that no person exists in isolation. Each
person is an innately social animal who needs to be part of the community in order
become fully human. It is important for people to recognize that they need society
because they form society, and they are part of it. Acknowledging that no one is self-
sufficient, each human needs the support of one another in order to thrive.

Volunteerism and Volunteer

While recognizing the need for each other’s support, our willingness is a force that
activates our capacity to help. Willingness capacitates us to weigh our moral
obligation and social responsibility. Through this, a person can have the ability to do
things according to his/her beliefs, principles, and capacity. Our intrinsic motivation to
serve others is driven by our desire and eagerness. This willingness to help and give
support is called volunteerism.

The Oxford dictionary defines volunteerism as “the practice of working as a volunteer,

especially in community service without a tangible compensation.”

Meanwhile, the Cambridge dictionary states that a volunteer “is a person who does
something, especially helping other people, willingly and without being forced or paid
to do it.”

Thus, volunteerism is the art of being a volunteer. Volunteerism is an act of giving

service or support without expecting a compensation or reward. It is a noble practice
of devoting time, talent, and skills for causes that benefit other people or organizations
rather than personal benefit.

The United Nations Volunteers, a world-wide organization that promotes peace and
development, defines volunteerism as a basic expression human relationship. It is
infused with values of solidarity, reciprocity, mutual trust, belongingness and
empowerment, all of which are instrumental to improve the quality of life.

The person who embodies these practices is possessing the Spirit of Volunteerism.

The Spirit of Volunteerism is an ethos that holds the collective principle of solidarity,
empathy, altruism, and empowerment, all of which significantly contribute to the
positive development of an individual, organization, and society. How are these
principles important in shaping a noble spirit of volunteerism?

Volunteerism and the Birth of Community Schools in the Philippines

Volunteerism is the same spirit that drove Dr. Pedro. T. Orata to establish the
community schools in the Philippines, which includes the Urdaneta Community
College (now Urdaneta City University) in 1966. His hardship, empathy to others, and
love for country were among his inspirations that propelled him to volunteer for one
greater cause.

Dr. Pedro T. Orata is a prime-mover of relevant, transformative, and quality education

that is accessible in the rural areas in the country. Through his initiative, many people,
including professionals and various organizations came to help to reorganize schools
and establish the first community college. A proof that Orata is a person who
possessed the Spirit of Volunteerism was when he served as the President of Urdaneta
Community College from 1966 up to his death in 1989, without receiving a salary.
Because of his genuine love for his people, he opted not to receive his salary and give
it to students who were struggling financially in their studies.

The idea of “quality education for all” would be no meaning without Dr. Orata who put
his vision into action, who put his action into service of his countrymen. Dr. Orata’s
legacy is a message to the world that one great act of volunteerism can transform
generations. May his works and contributions become your inspiration to dedicate
your passion for generations to come.

As a UCUian, you are challenged to embody the Spirit of Volunteerism to create a

meaningful life for yourself, to create a meaningful for others.

Quiz
Write TRUE if the statement is correct, and write FALSE if the statement is incorrect.
This quiz is part of your class standing.

The person who possesses the spirit of volunteerism devotes his/her time,
effort, and skills for the benefit of others without compensation.
2. Every person lives in isolation.
3. A human being has no will to do his/her moral obligation and social
responsibility.
4. Volunteerism is integral in improving the quality of life in the society.
TRUE 5. The idea of “quality education for all” is the greatest legacy of Dr. Orata
that was driven by his vision and passion to serve.
6. Empathy and service are not included in the ethos that encompasses the
Spirit of Volunteerism.
TRUE 7. Compensation and recognition were among of Dr. Orata’s inspirations to
establish community schools in the Philippines.
8. Dr. Pedro T. Orata opted to not receive his salary to give it to students who
were struggling financially.
9. Volunteer is a person who helps other people for a financial benefit.
10. A person needs to be part of the society in order to thrive.
 LESSON 2
Activating Volunteerism
In the previous lesson, you have learned about the Spirit of Volunteerism, which
is one of Dr. Orata’s legacies. In this lesson, you will get acquainted with different
groups of people who inspire others with their noble works for the community.

Bayanihan in times of need

Have you ever joined organizations in your school and community?

-YES
What were the things that motivated you to participate?
-THE THINGS THAT MOTIVATES ME IS THE PEOPLE ITSELF, BECAUSE
FILIPINOS ARE SO GENUINE AND HOSPITABLE. THEIR INFLUENCED IMPACT
ME BY THEIR ACTIONS IN SPEAKING GENTLY AND THE OUTCOME OF BEING
A VOLUNTEER THAT HAS MANY BENEFITS.
Do you consider yourself a volunteer?
-YES

Before you answer these, please take a look to various factors that lead people to help
one another. Please note some motivating factor that will inspire you to submit
yourself in the service of others.

It is in times of calamity that force people to help and support one another. The term
“bayanihan” is a popular word used in the Philippines to describe people who work in
collaboration and unity in achieving a common goal. The word comes from the word
“bayan” a tagalog term which means “town, community, or country. The term itself
means “being in a bayan.” Thus, being a member of a particular town, city or country
places you to a social responsibility— helping your countrymen.

In October 2009, the Philippines marked a remarkable Bayanihan movement as

various government, non-government, and individual sectors came together to help
the victims of Typhoon Ondoy (International name Ketsana). One of which is the
iVolunteer Philippines who came to exist and established its founding purpose.

The iVolunteer is non-profit organization that gives platform to many volunteers in

the country who want to help in different causes for sustainable development. During
the onslaught of the Typhoon Ondoy in 2009, some of its founding members,
volunteered and joined 505th Search and Rescue Group of the Philippine Air Force to
rescue our compatriots from the extreme peril. The said movement saved and
provided aid to thousands of lives during deployments in different parts of southern
and central Luzon. Since then, the organization Rescue 926 was founded and it has
been continuing its purpose of saving lives in times of unprecedented calamities.
Through the years, iVolunteer Philippines has been broadly promoting and campaigning
the concept of volunteerism through its programs BayaniRun, Start Your Adventure,
Time Please, Go! Volunteer, and Youth for Volunteerism that connect and build volunteer
partnership.

The Urdaneta City University also promotes the culture of bayanihan in times of
calamity. On November 17, 2020, the University Student Council and the Center for
Community Development Extension Services initiated a donation drive to help the
victims of the Typhoon Ulysses. UCU personnel, faculty members, and students
supported this endeavor by donating clothes and food packs, which were all sent to
Isabela and Cagayan.

Volunteerism is not just taking place in times of needs. Initiative is at the core of
Bayanihan. As a UCUian, you must think what you can do for others that will improve
their quality of living. Bayanihan is not limited to “what you can give” but to “what you
can do.” Your talent, skills, and knowledge are integral in shaping a sustainable
community. Your small effort of sharing, if combined with the efforts of others, can
make a powerful force towards nation building.

Reaction Paper

As you watch the program, reflect on the following questions:

• What were the different ways that Dr. Pedro T. Orata helped his community?
- Dr. Pedro T. Orata founded the Urdaneta Community College, now known as the
Urdaneta City University, the first community college in the country. He served as its
president up to his death in 1989 without receiving his salary and allowance, opting to
have these given to students who had difficulty in financing their studies.

- Community development is crucial because it provides the base upon which a city may
improve the quality of life for its residents. It builds robust, diversified communities that
can draw in and retain talent, launch and expand enterprises, and resolve problems as
they emerge.

Upload your reaction paper in the submission bin in iKonek.

Your reflection paper is automatically graded 50 points for as long as it answers the
questions raised above.
Why Volunteer?
As you submit yourself in the service of others, you may think a number of reasons
why you want to volunteer. Although it is better to help with no condition, but it is
completely okay to want some benefits for yourself from volunteering.
Here are some personal benefits of volunteering:
1. Earn confidence. Doing a volunteer work can help you gain confidence by
giving you rewarding and fulfilling opportunities and experiences.

2. Make a difference. The ultimate benefit of volunteerism is the positive impact

it brings, not only to the people and communities you help but also to you as a
volunteer.
3. Meet people. Volunteering is a great way of socialization. It helps you meet
different people from all walk of life and build friendship.
4. Learn new skills. Volunteering can be a great platform to learn new knowledge
and skills, and gain more experience that are essential for future endeavors.
5. Have fun! Most volunteers take community and volunteer work as a rewarding
yet an enjoyable experience.
 LEARNING ACTIVITY 2.2
Volunteerism Commitment
From the discussion on volunteerism, think of a way you can volunteer during this
time of the pandemic.

• Make a volunteerism commitment by completing the statement “I will…”

•
•

• Take a photo or selfie of you holding your commitment and upload it in the
submission bin provided in the iKonek.
For as long as you will pass a well thought-out volunteerism commitment, you will
automatically be awarded 25 points. However, no submission merits a zero score
for this activity.
 SUMMARY
Let us check out the major concepts put forth in this module.

• The Spirit of Volunteerism of Dr. Pedro T. Orata gave him motivation to

establish the community schools in the Philippines which include the
Urdaneta City University.
• Volunteerism is integral to the development of people, community, and
society in general.
• Bayanihan is a good example of volunteerism.
• Volunteerism is a hallmark of a true UCUian.

REFERENCES

Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.). Definition of Volunteer. Retrieved from

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/volunteer

Cover photo of module of Dr. Pedro T. Orata. (n.d.) Urdaneta City University archives,
Pangasinan.

Orata, P. (n.d.). My life and work, mostly work! Unpublished paper. Archives of the
Urdaneta City University, Philippines.

Oxford Dictionary, O. (n.d.). Definition of Volunteerism. Retrieved from

https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/volunteeris
m?q=volunteerism

Volunteers, T. U. (2019, December 9). The power of volunteerism. Retrieved from

https://www.unv.org/volunteerism/power-volunteerism