USM-ESO and ISPEAR Empower Kasunayan Community through Outreach and Skills Development

Makilala, Cotabato Province – As part of the UNIK Project, the University of Southern Mindanao Extension Services Office (USM-ESO), together with the Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (ISPEAR), conducted a wellness, livelihood, and cultural outreach program on July 13, 2025, at the Kasunayan Caritas Village in San Vicente, Makilala.

During the visit, ISPEAR faculty facilitated a series of hands-on sessions focused on wellness, livelihood, and cultural enrichment. Prof. Vinus P. Java and Ms. Bae Kellah Landawe guided participants in assessing their physical activity levels using tools such as Body Mass Index (BMI) calculations and heart rate monitoring. Dr. Moreno B. Java Jr. led fitness instruction on warm-up routines, stretching techniques, and injury prevention to promote safe and effective movement. Mr. Jemwell Francisco, on the other hand, focused on wellness leadership, introducing methods for exercise instruction, safety protocols, and motivation strategies to help sustain community-led fitness programs.

For livelihood development, Dr. Helen Grace D. Lopez conducted practical training on body massage and nail art services, providing residents with potential income-generating skills. Meanwhile, Prof. Jessa S. Buisan, Dr. Jomar S. Esto, and Ms. Alaizah Macapasir led a cultural enrichment activity highlighting indigenous dance and traditional practices that fostered both physical well-being and pride in cultural identity.

Village leader, Bae Genibel B. Timpawa, thanked USM and ISPEAR for their support and emphasized the need to protect indigenous traditions while creating more opportunities for education, healthcare, and sustainable livelihood.

The visit gave the USM team a clearer understanding of the community’s needs and opened possibilities for future collaboration focused on wellness, livelihood, and cultural development.