Far Eastern University (FEU) has been named one of three national winners of the People Program of the Year at the 49th People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) Awards, held during the 2025 PMAP Annual Conference at Nustar Resort & Casino, Cebu City, from October 22 to 24.
The award recognizes FEU’s Bread of HOPE, a community extension initiative that equips female persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) with livelihood skills through hands-on bakery training and psychosocial support. Implemented by the FEU Community Extension Services (CES) in collaboration with the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (ITHM), the program demonstrates how education and community partnership can enable rehabilitation, dignity, and sustainable livelihood.
“At FEU, we believe education should go beyond the classroom. It should respond to the needs of communities and create real opportunities for change,” said Dr. Luzelle Anne Ormita, Director of Community Extension Services. “Bread of HOPE is rooted in this philosophy. By integrating livelihood skills with psychosocial learning, we help women in confinement rebuild their confidence, strengthen their sense of purpose, and prepare for a productive life after release.”
Aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8, 10, and 16—which promote decent work, reduced inequalities, and inclusive institutions—Bread of HOPE bridges academic expertise with community needs. It empowers participants to build practical skills and self-reliance while contributing to broader efforts toward social inclusion and justice.
Inside the Manila City Jail Female Dormitory, where the program is implemented, participants operate a functioning bakery that allows them to earn income and support their families while in detention. Alongside the breadmaking component, Spread of HOPE teaches jam-making and product development, while FEU Psychology faculty and students provide psychosocial sessions that nurture self-worth and emotional resilience.
By linking academic expertise with community needs, FEU’s Bread of HOPE demonstrates how universities can help achieve inclusive development, turning classrooms into catalysts for human transformation and empowerment.
The People Program of the Year is among PMAP’s most prestigious national distinctions, celebrating organizations that champion people-centered innovation and social responsibility. FEU’s inclusion in this year’s roster underscores its long-standing commitment to nation-building, guided by the University’s core values of fortitude, excellence, and uprightness.
