By: Matthew Escosia

13 cycles in and counting, the Camp ComCo Mentorship Program was able to produce fresh and interesting voices of the communications industry. If you are to ask an alumnus about their takeaways from the program, you are likely to hear that the learning experience has not only been bounded by PR concepts or essential work practices, but by Comco Southeast Asia’s four (4) thrusts (Igniting Brand Love, Igniting Talent, Igniting Social Change, and Igniting Southeast Asia).

With Igniting Brand Love and Igniting Southeast Asia, we learned the limitless possibilities of crafting and telling meaningful stories that are close to home (and beyond). Igniting Talent allows us to discover fun ways to grow skill-wise while Igniting Social Change made us realize that pushing for good things for this world can be made in a lot of ways.

These four thrusts are one of the many reasons why the Camp’s alumni are very much willing to be connected with ComCo SEA, regardless of their current connections and respective distances. With this, the Camp ComCo Alumni Society was born.

As alumni from the program keep growing and growing, it’s only a matter of time to gather everyone together. The Camp ComCo Alumni Society is comprised of literally every alumni of the mentorship program, officiated by graduates from the mentorship program.

Last December, the society was unveiled with a fun and worthwhile visit to the Precious Heritage Children’s Home, a shelter for children in Antipolo City, Rizal that provide the orphans, abandoned, neglected and tribal children in the Philippines with a loving environment and a nurturing place to call home for their protection, guidance, and security. The event is a part of CampComColidays, Camp ComCo’s annual celebration aimed to give more smiles and laughter every Christmas season.

The graduates and current apprentices of Camp ComCo or “ComCowans”, together with the people and staff members comprising ComCo SEA also known as “ComCoys,” joint forces and engaged with the kids of Precious Heritage in a day filled with games, sing and dance performances, and gift-giving.

“Helping an orphanage became a tradition for ComCo Southeast Asia and we want to do the same with Camp ComCo Alumni Society. As much as possible, we want to help different kids from different places so for our launch. Before, we helped Little Angels Home Orphanage in Tagaytay in our previous outreach events. For the launch of Camp ComCo Alumni Society, we decided to choose Precious Heritage. We’re thrilled to help and support more children in the future,” said Justin Harvey Llamosa, President of the Camp ComCo Alumni Society.

To cap the day off, Camp ComCo Alumni Society and ComCo Southeast Asia gave Precious Heritage Children’s Foundation as a Christmas gift to buy their dream washing machine.

“The society members are very participative, we were able to engage more than what we anticipate. I can really say that the activity is a success because we were able to see the smile on their faces and it is really heartwarming and rewarding for me,” Llamosa added.

“I was smiling at the back, silently seeing these scenes, ComCoys and ComCowans being kuya and ate to these children. This is why the Camp ComCo mentorship program was created. We are able to hone not just the best minds but the kindest spirits in town. More than the skills and passion for the craft, these young men and women have character and drive to help,” said Mr. Ferdinand Bondoy, Regional Integration and Chief Executive Director of ComCo Southeast Asia.

“I’m a mighty proud coach behind these ComCoys and ComCowans, making our vision and mission a full reality and seeing you making a difference in the community, in people’s lives.”