Six Grade 12 students from Universal College of Parañaque, Inc. immersed themselves in an 80-hour work immersion at Manresa School from February 10-21, 2025, as a partial requirement of their Senior High School curriculum. Manresa School facilitated a valuable learning experience, allowing the students to gain knowledge and practical skills in administrative, guidance, and library work. 

Following an orientation, the students were assigned to the Junior High School Principal’s Office, Guidance Office, and LRC, with four students rotating library responsibilities under the guidance and supervision of corresponding staff and office heads. Detailed documentation of their daily schedules, tasks and accomplishment form was provided, ensuring a valuable work and learning experience for all. 

 The students diligently work in areas assigned to them.

The culminating activity was held on February 22, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM which was graced with the presence of Sr. Jeck Silorio, F.I., Sr. Nori Marquez, F.I., Sr. Gemma Doguiles, F.I. and Ms. Rose Ann B. Gonzales, UCP Immersion Monitor Adviser. Hosted by the Learning Resource Center (LRC) Personnel, the program commenced with an introduction by Ms. Concepcion B. Villagracia, who presented the students and the objectives of the work immersion activity, followed by the opening prayer led by Ms. Joy Santocildes.

The activity allowed the immersion students to share the valuable lessons they have learned and express their sincere gratitude to Manresa School. They highlighted the program's provision of real-world insights and hands-on experiences in office management and file handling; professional ethics and workplace conduct; as well as the development of their self-confidence, time management and sense of responsibility. 

Here are some of their reflections and realizations:

This whole work immersion experience will always be marked in my memory. It influenced me in my future career plans in a way that it inspired me to really choose a path towards Social Science related courses. - Althea Louise Angelica A. Almazan

Having this work immersion experience really helped me a lot. I have learned a lot of insights on the different types of workplace. This work immersion experience has immensely influenced my future career plans because it fueled me to pursue psychology even more. -Jairus James D. Bonifacio

This work immersion experience influenced my personal growth and future career by having proper time management, patience and acceptance of some mistakes. I am an introverted person and rarely talk to others so this experience really help me to boost my self-confidence and socialize with others.  - Kaycee Mabazza

I am assigned to the Principal’s office, so I mostly interact with teachers and staff. I always greet them with a smile. Through this, I have learned to socialize with others. It helps me to boost my confidence and understand how work tasks really operate. It also teaches me to be responsible and respectful as a student employee. -Maria Casandra Flores

I absolutely learned a lot about library management. Working in the library also has helped me gain insight as to how libraries operate behind closed curtains. I never thought it would be this hectic but after a short while, you’ll get used to it.  My experience benefited me a lot because at some point in the future, I wanted to experience working inside a library or building a bookshop because being surrounded with knowledge on paper is a kind of blessing.  - Weilana Marjolaine O. Toledo

During my work immersion in the library, I learned how to properly arrange books through shelf reading. This improved my ability to organize materials efficiently and maintain a structured system.  As a student who aspires to be a teacher one day, my work immersion experience in the library has greatly influenced my personal growth and future career plans. It has taught me the importance of patience, organization, and effective communication—skills that are essential for a teacher. -Jewelshanie C. Delos Santos

Sr. Gemma, Ms. Glenn Joy Abad and Ms. Loi Mandario on behalf of Ms. Edarlyn Lumbao, delivered a response speech, commending the students for their dedication and hard work throughout the immersion days. They emphasized the importance of the work immersion program in preparing students for their future careers and expressed hope that the  experiences they gained at Manresa would significantly contribute to their personal and professional growth.

Sr. Jeck SIlorio, F.I. gave an inspirational message about HOPE in line with the Jubilee Year 2025 theme: Pilgrims of Hope, which is an acronym for Happiness, Openness, Perseverance and Enjoyment. She likewise encouraged the students to apply the skills and live out the values they had gained during their immersion. To commemorate their experience, Sr. Jeck also presented each student with a special token, serving as a keepsake to remind them of their meaningful time at Manresa School.

One of the highlights of the culminating activity was the giving of certificates and tokens, formally recognizing each student for successfully completing their work immersion. The atmosphere was filled with appreciation and accomplishment as students proudly received their certificates, symbolizing the completion and end of their immersion journey. 

Ms. Ma. Luisa Mandario delivered the closing message, which began with a simple game about the life of St. Candida Maria de Jesus and a short sharing about the importance of work from the Christian perspective. This activity reinforced the significance of the students’ experiences, encouraging them to embody the values gained and pursue excellence in all the things that they do as family members, students and as professionals someday.

The event culminated in a simple Agape, filled with smiles and heartfelt gratitude and gift-giving from the students to the personnel. After the culminating activity, the students proceeded to their respective workplaces for their Post Immersion Activity until 12 NN. 

This pioneering Work Immersion Program was a testament to a robust educational collaboration and partnership between Universal College of Parañaque, Inc. and Manresa School, demonstrating a commitment to experiential learning and student development. The program successfully equipped students with practical skills, professional exposure, and values-driven learning within a supportive environment, preparing them for higher education and future careers.

Article by:  Ms. Denise Joy  G. Du and Ms. Loi Mandario

Photos by: Ms. Jenelyn M. Favila