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LCF Learning Journey Equipped Emerging CSR Leaders for Greater Impact

Participants of LCF Learning Journey Batch 9, during their Culminating Activity at Zero Ten Park, Makati City

Last March 19, 2026, the LCF–CSR Institute successfully culminated this year’s Learning Journey, with a total of nine representatives from three member organizations. The culminating activity marked a meaningful close to an enriching and immersive experience designed for emerging leaders in corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Offered annually, the Learning Journey brings together participants from LCF member organizations to deepen their understanding of impactful CSR practices while fostering collaboration across sectors. The program provided a dynamic platform for learning, exchange, and reflection among peers and industry leaders.

Participants during their visit at Cebuana Lhuillhier Foundation, Inc.
LCF Learning Journey Batch 9 participants at Jollibee Group Foundation

A key component of this year’s program was a series of site visits that allowed participants to engage directly with host organizations and observe CSR initiatives in practice. 

The visits were held on February 26 at the Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. (CLFI) Office in the morning and the Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillhier (PJL) Museum in the afternoon; March 5 at the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) in the morning and Unilab Foundation (ULF) in the afternoon; and March 12 at the Megawide Corporate Foundation (MCFI) Office in the morning and White Cross in the afternoon. While the Unilab Foundation was not a participant in this year’s Learning Journey, they generously opened their doors to host the Batch 9 participants, further enriching the experience through knowledge sharing and engagement.

This year’s cohort featured representatives from a diverse range of industries and advocacies, all united by a shared commitment to social impact. Participating organizations included were  Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc., Jollibee Group Foundation, Inc., and Megawide Corporate Foundation, Inc. Their officers actively contributed to insightful discussions and meaningful exchanges throughout the program. The participants are as follows:

  • Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc.
    • Andjie I. Ubaldo – Program Assistant
    • Proceso II D. Celis – Project Lead
    • Laira G. Caamic – Program Lead
    • Garry Perez – Program Lead
  • Jollibee Group Foundation, Inc.
    • Giselle Louise R. Lapid – Advocacy Officer
    • Veronica Y. Limpin – Program Officer
    • Jerrel Edric B. Mallari – Program Specialist
  • Megawide Corporate Foundation, Inc.
    • Julia Izah S. Agida – Program Officer
    • Saleah Joy Uclusin – Program Officer

Throughout the sessions and site visits, participants engaged directly with CSR leaders, gaining valuable insights into how organizations design and implement programs that respond to real community needs. The culminating activity served both as a reflection point and a celebration of shared learning, highlighting the importance of peer exchange in strengthening CSR initiatives.  

From left to right: Mr. Eduardo "Jon' G. Policarpio, Jr., Director of Operations of Unilab Foundation; Ms. Gisela Tiongson, President of Jollibee Group Foundation; and Atty. Mia Castro, Consultant at Megawide Corporate Foundation
LCF member leaders share their expertise and impart knowledge to the participants. From left to right: Mr. Eduardo “Jon” Policarpio, Director of Operations at Unilab Foundation; Ms. Gisela Tiongson, President of Jollibee Group Foundation; and Atty. Mia Castro, Executive Director at Megawide Corporate Foundation

A key highlight of the culminating activity was that each participant outlined proposed initiatives and strategies tailored to their respective organizations, demonstrating how insights on stakeholder engagement, partnership-building, program innovation, and results-driven evaluation could be translated into concrete, impactful programs.  

Ms. Jo-Ann Tacorda, Executive Director of Cebuana Lhuillhier Foundation, Inc. shares her thoughts on the participants’ presentation as a panelist during the Learning Journey’s Culminating Activity

As shared by Ajie Ubaldo of CLFI, “When we present the programs from our perspective, we think they are already effective, but from an external perspective, we better see what can still be improved. That’s my main learning from this journey. It was really meaningful and fun at the same time.”  

Adjie Ubaldo presenting during a Learning Journey session at Cebuana Lhuillhier Foundation, Inc.
Adjie Ubaldo presenting during a Learning Journey session at Cebuana Lhuillhier Foundation, Inc.

Similarly, Saleah Uclusin of MCFI emphasized the importance of stepping back—not only to recharge, but to better understand the perspectives of others: “Dapat talaga di ako kasama [sa Learning Journey] kasi iniisip ko, ang dami kong kailangang gawin and ang haba ng workshop. But [because I joined], I realized how important it is to step back and move away from our desks—not only to recharge, but to better understand others’ perspectives. It gave me the chance to connect, gain new insights, and step back from my routine. I am truly grateful for the opportunity, the learnings, and the community we have built.” 

Thank you to Unilab Foundation for graciously opening their doors to welcome our Learning Journey participants. While Unilab Foundation was not part of this year’s program, they generously hosted Batch 9, enriching the experience through meaningful knowledge sharing and engagement.

LCF Learning Journey Batch 9 participants at Unilab Foundation
LCF Learning Journey Batch 9 participants on their visit to Megawide Corporate Foundation

Key themes of the Learning Journey included stakeholder engagement, partnership-building, program innovation, and results-driven evaluation. These topics guided the learning sessions and equipped participants with practical tools and fresh perspectives to enhance their work. More importantly, the experience deepened their appreciation of how strategic CSR efforts can drive sustainable and meaningful impact.

As speakers shared their stories of commitment to country and community, participants were inspired to further elevate their own initiatives. Ultimately, the Learning Journey not only recognized the growth of each participant but also reinforced a collective commitment to advancing responsible and responsive CSR practices across organizations.

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LCF – CSR Institute opens 2026 with Stakeholder Analysis and Engagement Workshop

From February 10 to 12, the League of Corporate Foundations – CSR Institute (LCF-CSRI), in partnership with Zero Ten Park Makati (venue partner), conducted its Stakeholder Analysis and Engagement Workshop, held online via Zoom on February 10 & 11 and in person on February 12 at Zero-Ten Park, 11th Floor, Frabelle Business Center, Legazpi Village, Makati City. Sessions ran from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and gathered CSR practitioners within and beyond the League.

The workshop served as an avenue to deepen participants’ understanding of stakeholder engagement and stakeholder management; guide them in identifying, categorizing, and prioritizing stakeholders across CSR operations; integrate stakeholder engagement into the CSR project cycle; and introduce key stakeholder engagement standards.

Through discussions and practical exercises, participants explored how meaningful and sustained engagement can strengthen trust, improve program responsiveness, and enhance long-term impact for communities and organizations alike.

The workshop was led by Mr. Paulino “Paul” M. Buenconsejo, Executive Director of E. Zobel Foundation, Inc., and Mr. Ceazar Valerei “Levis” E. Navarro, Executive Director of Rex Education Foundation, who shared institutional knowledge and practical insights drawn from their years of experience in CSR and community engagement.

Reflecting on the workshop, participant Kristoffer Von Pierre Peralta, Community Stakeholder Management Officer of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., shared that the sessions reaffirmed the value of pausing to reflect on how organizations engage communities, noting that stronger stakeholder management makes programs more grounded, responsive, and meaningful. 

“Stakeholder management is something I deal with every day in my work, and sometimes it’s easy to forget to step back and really reflect on how we engage people and communities.

This workshop reminded me why that work matters. It helped me see how better stakeholder management can make our programs more responsive, more grounded, and more meaningful for both the organization and the communities we serve. It came at just the right time for me.”

— Kristoffer Von Pierre Peralta, Community Stakeholder Management Officer, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

The workshop was attended by representatives from LCF member organizations and partners, including

  • Jan Alexis Fortu, Community Relations Specialist; and LNGPH–South Premiere Power Corp.
  • Rosalyn M. Simara, COMREL, LNGPH–South Premiere Power Corp.
  • John Korniel Y. Etchon, Community Relations Specialist, LNGPH–South Premiere Power Corp.
  • Paula Nicole A. Zaldivar, Inclusive Education Programs Section Head, Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc.
  • Dave Parsley Revilla Lavalle, Financial Inclusion and Special Projects, Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc.
  • Patricia F. Uy, Manager, Ayala Foundation Inc.
  • John Kenneth M. Colada, Formation and Training Associate, OnGround Partners, Inc.
  • Erikha Ghale M. Villasanta, Community Programs Officer, Gokongwei Brothers Foundation
  • Kate N. Hipolito, Community Officer, Gokongwei Brothers Foundation
  • Kristoffer Von Pierre P. Peralta, Community Stakeholder Management Officer, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

Through initiatives like this, LCF continues to support its members, partners, and the greater CSR community in adopting stakeholder-centered approaches that strengthen the quality and impact of CSR programs. 

The Stakeholder Analysis and Engagement Workshop is offered annually by LCF-CSRI. On March 24–26, 2026, LCF-CSRI will also conduct its Financial Management & Accounting Standards for Nonprofits Workshop, which is designed for administrative and finance officers, program managers, and development sector professionals who need to strengthen their knowledge of program budgeting and financial management.

For more information about LCF-CSRI’s training offerings, please contact Marga Hernandez, CSRI Program Officer, at programs.lcf@gmail.com.

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SBFI Marks 900th Classroom Milestone through School Building with TLE Laboratories in Zamboanga

More than 8,000 students of Zamboanga City High School Main (ZCHSM) learned to live with limits. With over 200 class sections but only 136 available classrooms, the school operated on a strict two-shift system—some learners beginning their day before sunrise, others ending classes near dusk. Specialized subjects like Technical and Livelihood Education (TLE), which require proper laboratory spaces for hands-on learning, were especially affected. Yet despite the shortage of rooms, students continued to show up, teachers continued to teach, and the school pressed on, holding firmly to the belief that education must go on—no matter how constrained the space or how long the day.

That long-standing challenge found renewed hope on December 5, 2025, when Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) turned over a new two-storey, six-classroom building to ZCHSM which housed SBFI’s 900th classroom. The structure will be used specifically for TLE programs, providing students with safe and dedicated spaces for caregiving, dressmaking, drafting, cookery, and other life-shaping skills. The milestone was made even more meaningful as it echoed SBFI’s history with the city—Zamboanga was also the recipient of the Foundation’s 100th classroom back in 2014, making this latest donation a powerful symbol of more than a decade-long commitment to education.

Led by SBFI Chairman Rafael Simpao Jr., the turnover ceremony marked more than the unveiling of a building—it celebrated the resilience of a school that never stopped serving its learners. “This 900th classroom is not just a milestone for the Foundation, but a testament to the countless students and educators who continue to persevere despite limitations,” Simpao said. “Zamboanga City has been part of our journey from early on, and we are honored to continue building alongside this community.”

For Dr. Anna Bella Espinosa, Principal of ZCHSM, the new building answers a need she has seen firsthand since assuming leadership of the school. “Our biggest challenge was never the number of learners—it was finding enough spaces where meaningful learning could happen,” she shared. “TLE subjects demand laboratories where students can practice skills with dignity and safety. This building finally allows our learners to experience what quality, hands-on education truly looks like.”

With the turnover of its 900th classroom, Security Bank Foundation has now donated 901 classrooms to 153 schools in 92 cities and municipalities nationwide, impacting the lives of more than 40,000 learners each year. 

#BetterBankingIsSustainable #BuildASchoolBuildANation #ClassroomsDonation #SecurityBankFoundation