II

Dr. Pedro T. Orata

NOBILITY PROGRAM
URDANETA CITY UNIVERSITY
 MODULE 1
Dr. Pedro T. Orata and Volunteerism

Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

a. Identify concepts of volunteerism;

b. Create your own volunteerism commitment.

Topic Outline
Lesson 1: The Spirit of Volunteerism
Lesson 2: Activating the Spirit of Volunteerism

Overview
“Life’s most persistent and community. His vision of helping his
urgent question is, what are you countrymen to have access to quality
doing for others?” education is truly a living legacy
that lives on down to our day.
This statement from the great
Martin Luther King stresses on As a UCUian who is conditioned
assessing ourselves: What can we do to serve, what are you doing for
for others and how can we make a others? How much can you give to
lasting impact on people’s lives? help someone in times of need? How
Helping one another can help us will you help your community?
build a holistic society that pulls This module will help you
each member up. Helping should not understand the value of volunteerism
be based on reward, recognition, and its impact to the society. In
and compensation. True UCUians with this learning material, you will get
undying commitment to serve extends acquainted with different situations
their arms to those who are in need, that help you reflect and develop
without any conditions. empathy for others. As you develop
these values in you, you are set to
The example set by the UCU’s commit yourself in the spirit of
founder and father of community service, the spirit and hallmark of
schools, Dr. Pedro T. Orata, is a a true UCUian!
concrete and great manifestation
of his undying service for the

Getting Started
What is volunteerism and how
did this guide Dr. Pedro T. Orata
in his accomplishments? Let’s
answer that question as we proceed
to the next section.

2 Dr. Pedro T. Orata Nobility Program

 I
The Spirit of Volunteerism

No man is an island.
The Spirit of Volunteerism is an
This famous adage from John Donne ethos that holds the collective principle
stresses that no person exists in isolation. of solidarity, empathy, altruism, and
Each person is an innately social animal who empowerment, all of which significantly
needs to be part of the community in order contribute to the positive development of an
become fully human. It is important for individual, organization, and society. How
people to recognize that they need society are these principles important in shaping a
because they form society, and they are part noble spirit of volunteerism?
of it. Acknowledging that no one is self-
sufficient, each human needs the support of Volunteerism and the Birth of Community
one another in order to thrive. Schools in the Philippines
Volunteerism is the same spirit that
Volunteerism and Volunteer drove Dr. Pedro. T. Orata to establish the
While recognizing the need for each community schools in the Philippines, which
other’s support, our willingness is a includes the Urdaneta Community College
force that activates our capacity to help. (now Urdaneta City University) in 1966. His
Willingness capacitates us to weigh our hardship, empathy to others, and love for
moral obligation and social responsibility. country were among his inspirations that
Through this, a person can have the ability propelled him to volunteer for one greater
to do things according to his/her beliefs, cause.
principles, and capacity. Our intrinsic
motivation to serve others is driven by Dr. Pedro T. Orata is a prime-
our desire and eagerness. This willingness mover of relevant, transformative, and
to help and give support is called quality education that is accessible in
volunteerism. the rural areas in the country. Through
his initiative, many people, including
The Oxford dictionary defines professionals and various organizations came
volunteerism as “the practice of working as to help to reorganize schools and establish
a volunteer, especially in community service the first community college. A proof that
without a tangible compensation.” Orata is a person who possessed the Spirit
of Volunteerism was when he served as the
Meanwhile, the Cambridge dictionary President of Urdaneta Community College
states that a volunteer “is a person who from 1966 up to his death in 1989, without
does something, especially helping other receiving a salary. Because of his genuine
people, willingly and without being forced love for his people, he opted not to receive
or paid to do it.” his salary and give it to students who were
struggling financially in their studies.
Thus, volunteerism is the art of being
a volunteer. Volunteerism is an act of The idea of “quality education for all”
giving service or support without expecting would be no meaning without Dr. Orata who
a compensation or reward. It is a noble put his vision into action, who put his
practice of devoting time, talent, and action into service of his countrymen. Dr.
skills for causes that benefit other people Orata’s legacy is a message to the world
or organizations rather than personal that one great act of volunteerism can
benefit. transform generations. May his works and
contributions become your inspiration to
The United Nations Volunteers, a world- dedicate your passion for generations to
wide organization that promotes peace and come.
development, defines volunteerism as a basic
expression human relationship. It is infused As a UCUian, you are challenged to
with values of solidarity, reciprocity, embody the Spirit of Volunteerism to create
mutual trust, belongingness and empowerment, a meaningful life for yourself, to create a
all of which are instrumental to improve the meaningful for others.
quality of life.

The person who embodies these practices

is possessing the Spirit of Volunteerism.

Urdaneta City University 3

Activity 1.1

Quiz
Write TRUE if the statement is correct, and write FALSE if the statement is incorrect.
This quiz is part of your class standing.

________1. The person who possesses the spirit of volunteerism devotes

his/her time, effort, and skills for the benefit of others without
compensation.

________2. Every person lives in isolation.

________3. A human being has no will to do his/her moral obligation and

social responsibility.

________4. Volunteerism is integral in improving the quality of life in

the society.

________5. The idea of “quality education for all” is the greatest

legacy of Dr. Orata that was driven by his vision and passion to serve.

________6. Empathy and service are not included in the ethos that
encompasses the Spirit of Volunteerism.

________7. Compensation and recognition were among of Dr. Orata’s

inspirations to establish community schools in the Philippines.

________8. Dr. Pedro T. Orata opted to not receive his salary to give it
to students who were struggling financially.

________9. Volunteer is a person who helps other people for a financial

benefit.

________10. A person needs to be part of the society in order to thrive.

4 Dr. Pedro T. Orata Nobility Program

 II
Activating the Spirit of Volunteerism

In the previous lesson, you have learned causes for sustainable development. During
about the Spirit of Volunteerism, which is the onslaught of the Typhoon Ondoy in 2009,
one of Dr. Orata’s legacies. In this lesson, some of its founding members, volunteered
you will get acquainted with different groups and joined 505th Search and Rescue Group
of people who inspire others with their of the Philippine Air Force to rescue our
noble works for the community. compatriots from the extreme peril. The
said movement saved and provided aid to
thousands of lives during deployments in
Bayanihan in times of need different parts of southern and central
Luzon. Since then, the organization Rescue
Have you ever joined organizations in 926 was founded and it has been continuing
your school and community? What were the its purpose of saving lives in times of
things that motivated you to participate? unprecedented calamities.
Do you consider yourself a volunteer?
Through the years, iVolunteer
Before you answer these, please take a Philippines has been broadly promoting and
look to various factors that lead people campaigning the concept of volunteerism
to help one another. Please note some through its programs BayaniRun, Start Your
motivating factor that will inspire you to Adventure, Time Please, Go! Volunteer, and
submit yourself in the service of others. Youth for Volunteerism that connect and
build volunteer partnership.
It is in times of calamity that force
people to help and support one another. The The Urdaneta City University also
term “bayanihan” is a popular word used in promotes the culture of bayanihan in
the Philippines to describe people who work times of calamity. On November 17, 2020,
in collaboration and unity in achieving a the University Student Council and the
common goal. The word comes from the word Center for Community Development Extension
“bayan” a tagalog term which means “town, Services initiated a donation drive to help
community, or country. The term itself means the victims of the Typhoon Ulysses. UCU
“being in a bayan.” Thus, being a member of personnel, faculty members, and students
a particular town, city or country places supported this endeavor by donating clothes
you to a social responsibility— helping your and food packs, which were all sent to
countrymen. Isabela and Cagayan.

In October 2009, the Philippines marked Volunteerism is not just taking place
a remarkable Bayanihan movement as various in times of needs. Initiative is at the
government, non-government, and individual core of Bayanihan. As a UCUian, you must
sectors came together to help the victims of think what you can do for others that will
Typhoon Ondoy (International name Ketsana). improve their quality of living. Bayanihan
One of which is the iVolunteer Philippines is not limited to “what you can give” but
who came to exist and established its to “what you can do.” Your talent, skills,
founding purpose. and knowledge are integral in shaping a
sustainable community. Your small effort of
The iVolunteer is non-profit organization sharing, if combined with the efforts of
that gives platform to many volunteers in others, can make a powerful force towards
the country who want to help in different nation building.

Urdaneta City University 5

Activity 2.1

Reaction Paper
Write a reaction paper on the virtual program of UCU that will be broadcast
using FB Premiere.

As you watch the program, reflect on the following questions:

• What were the different ways that Dr. Pedro T. Orata helped his
community?
• How did UCU help its own community in its development?
• How important is a local university in community development and
nation building?

Upload your reaction paper in the submission bin in iKonek.

Your reflection paper is automatically graded 50 points for as long as it

answers the questions raised above.

Why Volunteer?

As you submit yourself in the service of others, you may think a number
of reasons why you want to volunteer. Although it is better to help with no
condition, but it is completely okay to want some benefits for yourself from
volunteering.

Here are some personal benefits of volunteering:

1. Earn confidence. Doing a volunteer work can help you gain confidence by
giving you rewarding and fulfilling opportunities and experiences.

2. Make a difference. The ultimate benefit of volunteerism is the positive

impact it brings, not only to the people and communities you help but also
to you as a volunteer.

3. Meet people. Volunteering is a great way of socialization. It helps

you meet different people from all walk of life and build friendship.

4. Learn new skills. Volunteering can be a great platform to learn new

knowledge and skills, and gain more experience that are essential for future
endeavors.

5. Have fun! Most volunteers take community and volunteer work as a

rewarding yet an enjoyable experience.

Learning Activity 2.1

Volunteerism Commitment
From the discussion on volunteerism, think of a way you can volunteer during
this time of the pandemic.

• Make a volunteerism commitment by completing the statement “I will…”

• The commitment states a particular community work you are interested
in.
• Your commitment is stated with a minimum of 4 words and a maximum 6
words.
• Take a photo or selfie of you holding your commitment and upload it in
the submission bin provided in the iKonek.

Note: For as long as you will pass a well-thought-out volunteerism commitment,

you will automatically be awarded 25 points. However, no submission merits a
zero score for this activity.

6 Dr. Pedro T. Orata Nobility Program

Summary
Let us check out the major concepts put forth
in this module.

• The Spirit of Volunteerism of Dr. Pedro T.

Orata gave him motivation to establish the
community schools in the Philippines which
include the Urdaneta City University.

• Volunteerism is integral to the development

of people, community, and society in general.

• Bayanihan is a good example of volunteerism.

• Volunteerism is a hallmark of a true UCUian.

References
Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.). Definition
of Volunteer. Retrieved from https://
[Link]/dictionary/
english/volunteer

Cover photo of module of Dr. Pedro T.

Orata.(n.d.) Urdaneta City University
archives, Pangasinan.

Orata, P. (n.d.). My life and work, mostly

work! Unpublished paper. Archives
of the Urdaneta City University,
Philippines.

Oxford Dictionary, O. (n.d.).

Definition of Volunteerism.
Retrieved from [Link]
[Link]/
us/definition/english/
volunteerism?q=volunteerism

Volunteers, T. U. (2019, December 9). The

power of volunteerism. Retrieved from
[Link]
volunteerism

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