NEW INITIATIVES
Circuit re-establishes AKBAY as socio-civic project
Heeding the call of the times to serve the people, UP Circuit re-establishes AKBAY (Advancing Knowledge for the Betterment of Aspiring Youth) as its socio-civic project for communities in need last July 5, 2021.
Originally an academics-centered service initiative, AKBAY is now envisioned to “reach the unreached,” wherein it aims to “bring communities together” through sustainable community-specific solutions to problems, as per its mission statement.
“Its previous goal was to provide technological knowledge to high school students. This year though, ni-rebrand ang AKBAY [we’re rebranding AKBAY]. Hindi na siya focused on EEE but parang general help/socio-civic project ng Circuit [It’s not focused solely on EEE anymore, but is now UP Circuit’s general help/socio-civic project]. It aims to uplift and empower communities in need through immersion, amplification, education, and cooperation,” said Marion Delos Santos, one of the project’s overall heads for this year.
As it aims to cater to specific communities, AKBAY is set to conduct a three-week information and donation drive for the jeepney drivers of the Merville Pasay Alabang Jeepney Drivers and Operators Association (MPAJDOA-ACTO Pasay Chapter). These drivers provide for more than 200 families and are all affected by the government’s jeepney phaseout plan, hence the need to raise awareness about them online.
“We’ll interview the beneficiary first to get to know their problems and how we’ll be able to help kasi. Also, i-educate the public din [we will educate the public] about our beneficiary’s struggles and/or current problems ng mundo,” Delos Santos explained regarding AKBAY’s process with its target communities.
Beneficiaries are determined through a sensing form disseminated to UP Circuit’s members. Nevertheless, the project is still open to cater to more groups from different sectors, according to co-head Nathan Panesa. “We’ll be choosing the beneficiaries based sa needs nila and yung kakayahan ng AKBAY na makatulong [based on their needs and AKBAY’s capacity to help]. Like, one [community] na we’ll be able to help the most,” Delos Santos further added.
First conceptualized by UP Circuit alumnus (and now EEE professor) Lew Andrew Tria, AKBAY is envisioned to be UP Circuit’s flagship socio-civic program, standing alongside other flagship events such as SquEEEze and The E-Waste Project (TEP).
