Balik Alumni Sessions: Coming Home, Giving Back

Foundation University’s Alumni Relations Office successfully organized Balik Alumni Sessions as part of its continuing efforts to reconnect alumni with their alma mater. The program gave the alumni the opportunity to engage with students, allowing them to share their journeys, experiences, and professional insights.

The sessions featured four alumni guest speakers: Carlo Patoc, Vini Grace Lambayan, Mary Joy Estoconing, and Sue Anne Villarete-Pinili. 

Carlo Patoc, a graduate of BS Information Technology (BSIT), gave a talk titled “Leveraging Skill: Finding Purpose” to BSIT students. The session was engaging and filled with valuable lessons, giving students a clearer understanding of how to use their skills with purpose. Carlo encouraged them to make the most of their talents and offered advice on how to turn these into meaningful careers.

For Vini Grace Lambayan, alumna of the School of Industrial Engineering and Technology, sharing her knowledge to the students was surreal. “It felt just like yesterday when I was sitting where they were, filled with dreams, ambitions, and uncertainties about the future,” she shared. She looked back on the impact that Foundation University had on her life and emphasized how returning as a speaker brought a deep sense of fulfillment. “It felt meaningful to come full circle, to give back to the same institution that once nurtured my growth and believed in my potential. Being able to share that journey with the current students is a privilege I will always treasure.”

Mary Joy Estoconing, an alumna of AB Broadcasting, described her experience as humbling, meaningful, and fulfilling. “It was an honor to share my knowledge and insights with the students from Foundation Preparatory Academy (FPA) and Broadcasting. But what struck me the most was how the learning continued even after the session ended,” she said. Even after the session, students approached her with questions, which turned into casual and heartfelt conversations. “That informal, genuine exchange reminded me how powerful open conversation can be, and how much students value real, relatable guidance,” she added. She couldn't help but reflect on how far she’d come, and how much of that growth began right within the university campus.

Sue Anne Villarete-Pinili, a graduate of Political Science, expressed how fulfilling it was to share her knowledge with students from her home department. “I appreciate that the session was made intimate so I can really connect with the students, share some jokes and accommodate their queries,” she said. She felt happy to see the new generation of Political Science students, sharing the same vibe she used to have when she was still a Political Science student herself.

The Balik Alumni program not only highlighted the career journey of Foundation University graduates, but also built connections between generations, thereby strengthening the bond and loyalty of the alumni to their alma mater.