Who would have imagined that what once seemed like a far-off hope for the youth of Paquibato District, Davao City, a place once known as a hotbed of insurgency, would now unfold before their very eyes?
For 20 students from the University of Southeastern Philippines’ (USeP) Malabog Extension Campus (MEC), the path to a college education was once uncertain. Among them, 15 are Indigenous Peoples (IP) students whose dreams of higher learning are now within reach, while 5 non-IP students joined to complete the 20 slots required by Unifrutti. Through MEC, these students are now being drawn closer to opportunities for learning and empowerment, becoming the hope their communities have long awaited.
Now, these students walk through the sprawling banana plantations of Unifrutti Tropical Philippines, Inc., not merely as visitors, but as trainees, sleeves rolled up, hands in the soil, and hearts set on a brighter future. The heavy burden of financial struggles no longer looms as it once did, thanks to the strong partnership between USeP and Unifrutti Foundation Inc. (UFI).
On July 31, 2025, USeP President Dr. Bonifacio G. Gabales, Jr., traveled to Bukidnon to see this transformation in action as part of the monitoring. He was joined by Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jeneifer C. Nueva, MEC Coordinator Mr. Rolen A. Bocog, and MEC Faculty Mr. Jaharry B. De Los Reyes. The USeP Team arrived at the Unifrutti facility, Mt. Kitanglad Agri-Venture Inc. in Bukidnon, where they were warmly welcomed by Dr. Francis Evan L. Manayan, the Local Compliance, Risk, and Sustainability Officer of Unifrutti.
This opportunity is made possible through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between USeP and UFI for the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business program. The agreement provides structured, supervised training aligned with the curriculum, the option to extend training by mutual consent, and safeguards for student welfare during emergencies.
What was once a distant dream in a conflict-affected community is now a living reality and with every day of hands-on experience, these students are cultivating their agricultural skills, as well as the seeds of peace and progress for Paquibato.
A partnership that goes beyond training
For Pres. Gabales, aside from the routine check, the visit also served as an opportunity to express the University’s gratitude to its partner, who has gone the extra mile in providing scholarship opportunities.
“We are deeply grateful to Unifrutti for opening its doors to our students, not only by providing them with valuable hands-on training, but also by extending scholarship assistance, free food, and accommodation. This kind of partnership empowers our students to pursue their dreams without the heavy burden of financial constraints,” he said.
The President’s words found resonance among the students themselves. The trainees shared that the opportunity had opened doors not only to new skills but also to renewed hope. The trainees expressed gratitude to USeP and Unifrutti for providing such a valuable experience, noting that the training offered lessons they could take back to their community. The support extended through free food and lodging was also highlighted as a great help, allowing them to focus fully on their training without the burden of worrying about their daily needs.
These students came from various indigenous tribes and barangays in Paquibato, reaching as far as Barangays Tapak, Lumiad, Lamanan, and Salapawan, among others.
Life and learning in the highlands
For the students, the shift from their home communities in Paquibato District, Davao City, to the highlands of Bukidnon has been both challenging and rewarding. Mr. Mascarinio A. Onsad, 29, a member of the Ata-Manuvo tribe and one of the trainees, described the difference between their expectations and the reality of life and work at Unifrutti:
“Pagsugod namo diri kung unsay mga expectation namo before tong naa pami sa Davao City, lahi diay pag-abot namo diri. Nindot kaayo ang pag-approach sa mga supervisor ug managers. Nindot ang pagtudlo nila sa amoa ug nasabtan gyud namo. Amoang pagpuyo dinhi okay man, labi na sa akoa nga naa koy pamilya. Pasalamat kaayo mi sa tanan sa pagdawat, labi na sa Unifrutti company ug sa tanan nga nagtrabaho diri.”
(“What we expected back when we were still in Davao City turned out to be different when we got here. The supervisors and managers were very welcoming. The way they taught us was excellent, and we truly understood. Our stay here has been good, especially for me since I have my family with me. We are very thankful to everyone for welcoming us, especially to Unifrutti Company and all those working here.”)
Mr. Onsad shared his heartfelt gratitude, saying they were deeply thankful to their teachers and the members of the USeP Top Management for visiting them, as it meant a lot and gave them a boost of encouragement during their training.
He shared that he was motivated to continue his studies because he wanted to show his two children that education is important, no matter how hard life gets. He added that once he graduates and finds a stable job, he also plans to enroll his wife at USeP so they can pursue education together.
Meanwhile, it was noted that more students are now encouraged to enroll in senior high school, knowing that an accessible University now exists in their community.
Eyes on the first graduation
Furthermore, Pres. Gabales shared his excitement for a historic milestone, which is the MEC’s first-ever graduation in June 2026.
“Excited ko nga mupaso mo with toga, June 2026, the first commencement exercises sa Malabog Extension Campus, first batch. Kamo ang pioneering. Pasalamat ta sa Unifrutti kay nidawat sila beyond sa atoang gipangayo nga assistance. Kamo ang mag-dikta sa sunod nga henerasyon sa scholars sa inyuha. Importante kaayo inyong role kay kamo ang mahimong modelo sa inyuhang mga kauban sa Malabog ug Paquibato District (I’m excited to see you march in your togas this coming June 2026 — the first commencement exercises of the Malabog Extension Campus, first batch. You are the pioneers. We’re truly grateful to Unifrutti for going beyond the assistance we asked for. You will set the standard for the next generation of scholars in your community. Your role is very important because you will become role models for your fellow students in Malabog and Paquibato District),” Pres. Gabales addressed the students.
The President reminded the students that their performance would play a crucial role in determining whether more scholars from their communities would be given the same opportunity in the future. He therefore challenged them to excel in their training and uphold good conduct.
The journey of MEC began as a concept developed through the Peace 911 initiative, with the vision of establishing a college extension campus that would bring education closer to the IP communities of Paquibato District. What started as an idea has grown into a product of shared dedication and collaboration.
Through the collective efforts of the University, the City Government of Davao–Peace 911, Barangay Malabog, Barangay Paquibato Proper, and the Department of Education, this vision has taken root and continues to thrive.
This initiative builds on the foundations laid during the administration of Immediate Past President Dr. Lourdes C. Generalao, and today it carries forward as a continuing commitment to expand educational opportunities for the people of Paquibato.
Meanwhile, the partnership between USeP and Unifrutti has provided a lifeline that brings dreams closer to reality for students from some of the most underserved areas in Davao City. With the MEC’s first graduation on the horizon, these young pioneers are showing that with the right opportunities, support, and determination, education can truly transform lives and open doors to a brighter future.
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