By Imee G. Gumiran
๐๐ป ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ฏ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ก๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ช๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ปโ๐ ๐ ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต, ๐๐ต๐ฒ โ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฎ๐ฝ ๐๐ฎ ๐๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ต๐ฎ๐ปโ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ต๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ถ๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ด๐ป๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ปโ๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฏ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐, ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐พ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป, ๐ฒ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ ๐๐ต๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ผ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ธ๐ป๐ผ๐, ๐ฐ๐น๐ฎ๐ถ๐บ, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ถ๐ฟ ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ด๐ต.
The Isabela State University (ISU) Palanan community showed its dedication and empathy by organizing the โYakap sa Kababaihanโ outreach program at the Indigenous Peoples (IP) Core Shelter in Brgy. Dimapnat, Divilacan, Isabela, on March 20, 2026.
More than just an activity, the initiative became a meaningful engagement, bringing together Agta women, children, and families in a space filled with warmth, respect, and genuine connection. The program aimed to uplift and empower the community by recognizing womenโs strength and important role, while also promoting awareness of their rights and those of Indigenous Peoples.
Through the combined efforts of the Extension and Training Unit, the Gender and Development (GAD) Office, and the Agriculture Student Body Organization of ISU Palanan, the outreach came to life with both heart and purpose. Each group played a vital role in ensuring that the activities were not only helpful but also meaningful and empowering.
One of the most touching moments of the day was the distribution of preloved clothes, made possible through the generosity and coordination of the student organization. This simple act of giving brought smiles and comfort to many families. A feeding program followed, creating a joyful atmosphere as children and parents shared a warm meal together.
Beyond these acts of service, the program also created space for learning and reflection. The GAD Office led an open and engaging discussion on the rights of women and Indigenous Peoplesโencouraging participants to better understand their value, their voice, and their place in society.
The visit to Brgy. Dimapnat was not only about extending help but also about building relationships. It strengthened the universityโs connection with the Agta community and reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive and community-centered development. Behind the scenes, the Extension and Training Unit ensured that everything ran smoothly, allowing the program to leave a lasting impact.
โYakap sa Kababaihanโ was more than a one-day outreach, it was a shared experience of empathy, empowerment, and hope. It reflects ISU Palananโs continuing mission to stand with communities, especially women and Indigenous groups, through service, education, and genuine care.