Attendees of the Social Development General Assembly posed for a group photo, signifying a renewed commitment
to solidarity and collaboration as the new school year begins.
With the spirit of collaboration and shared mission, the Social Development (SD) Cluster ushered in academic year 2025–2026 through its General Assembly held on 13 August 2025, at the XU AVR 1, facilitated by Service-Learning Formator Ms Paulyn Erica M Porras. The annual gathering brought together members of the Cluster and key University administrators for a time of reflection, alignment, and renewed commitment to the University’s mission of forming men and women for and with others.
As has been the tradition at the start of every school year, the General Assembly served as a venue for discernment on the Cluster’s direction. It provided space to revisit milestones of the past year and to envision ways forward in light of the University’s role as a Jesuit institution engaged in social transformation. Mr Nestor M Banuag Jr, Director for Social Involvement and Advocacy Program (SIAP), warmly welcomed the attendees to the assembly.
Ms Therese Rhea Rose Baliwag-Vallente, Assistant to the Vice President for Social Development, presented the SD Cluster’s accomplishments and milestones from the previous year, highlighting the many ways the SD units have journeyed with partner communities, advanced advocacies, and deepened social engagement. This was followed by Engr Dexter S Lo, Vice President for Social Development, who presented the Cluster’s targets for AY 2025–2026, underscoring the call to greater collaboration and magis. The significance of the presentations was affirmed through reflections shared by University representatives and administrators, including Mr Don A Velez, Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Higher Education; Dr Hercules R Cascon, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Management Officer; and Mr John Phillip N Talaba, Central Student Government President.
Capping the event was a message of support and affirmation from the University President, Fr Mars P Tan, SJ, who echoed the words of Fr Arturo Sosa, SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, in his address to the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) Assembly in Bogotá, Colombia: “The Jesuit University: Witness to Hope, Creative and Dialogical Presence.” In his message, Fr Tan emphasized the mandate of the Social Development Cluster to engage in meaningful collaboration that strengthens the University’s threefold mission of instruction, research, and formation.
The General Assembly once again affirmed the Cluster’s commitment to form students who journey with and for others, while deepening meaningful partnerships with communities and stakeholders. As the SD Cluster sets its course for the new school year, the assembly ignited a renewed spirit of service and mission, inspiring the Xavier Ateneo community to actively champion the social transformations needed for a more hopeful and humane future.