“The future is not something we enter. The future is something we create.”
― Leonard I. Sweet
On 20 November 2025, the New Louisian Philosophical Society (NEOLOUPHIS) of Saint Louis University concluded Project Dunong—part of its Project Pilosopo Kuwago outreach—through a book donation drive at Barangay SLU-SVP Bakakeng, Baguio City.
Led by officers Anton Lawrence Ponce, Jonah Gabrielle Mones, and Philip Lawrence Pioquinto, with Mr. Dennis Placido of the Philosophy Department, the society donated two boxes of books for the barangay’s library and daycare center serving thirty-one children. The donation, received by Hon. Imelda Tess Anen Tibalao and council members Ronald Rabara and Ricky Antonio, supports the barangay’s initiatives for child protection and development, reflecting SLU’s values of Christian spirit, excellence, and service.
More than a culminating activity, the gesture stands as a contemporary expression of Binnadang—the Cordilleran tradition of community solidarity and collective responsibility. As Project Pilosopo Kuwago reaches its tail end for 2025, this final offering becomes a vivid reminder that shaping a brighter, more compassionate future is never an individual undertaking. It is, instead, a shared endeavor grounded in mutual support.
Each book donated under Project Dunong is more than a simple gift—it is a seed of knowledge, a tool of empowerment, and a symbol of shared responsibility for the generations yet to come. Entrusted to the children and residents of Barangay SLU-SVP Bakakeng, these books aim to spark curiosity, fuel imagination, and inspire collective action. They embody the belief that education is the foundation of human flourishing.
In the spirit of binnadang, these books represent how communities uplift one another, ensuring no child is left behind in the pursuit of learning and growth. This initiative, led by NEOLOUPHIS and its partner barangays, demonstrates that true service goes beyond material contributions—it involves nurturing minds and building communities.
This effort transcends charity. It reflects a philosophy of solidarity and hope, affirming that every act of giving invites us to dream, question, and build. By highlighting binnadang, the initiative emphasizes that communities thrive when people share their time, energy, and resources for the well-being of others—aligning with SLU’s values of community engagement.
Project Dunong reflects the university’s active participation in fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals namely, SDG 4 – Quality Education, SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities, SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, and SDG 17 – Partnership for the Goals. It also affirms the CICM advocacy of Peace, Justice, and Dialogue. (Article by Anton Lawrence Ponce | Photos from NEOLOUPHIS)
