Over 200 students from various colleges joined LIKAS AGHAM’s two-day “Freshen Up, Rise Up” clean-up drive held August 7–8, marking the third year of its community extension initiative. The event brought together science majors, COEd seniors, ULUTA members, and engineering students for classroom preparation and campus-wide gardening sessions.
On Day 2, 46 participants completed gardening activities as part of the initiative. First- and second-year science majors worked at the LIKAS AGHAM Garden behind LU-Annex, while third- and fourth-year students extended the same service to GK Village in Gatid, Sta. Cruz, Laguna.
Incoming first year student David King shared that the sessions helped them appreciate nature and better understand botanical concepts essential to their major. Fritz Melicio added, “Participating in a cleanup drive and gardening activity teaches us the importance of keeping our surroundings clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.” LIKAS AGHAM President Kimthea Pontiga echoed this, saying, “We [science majors] cultivate not just plants, but a culture of care and sustainability within and beyond the campus.”
Meanwhile, the remaining 166 participants focused on preparing LU-Annex’s classrooms and facilities for the upcoming academic year. LIKAS AGHAM aimed to provide a clean and high-performance environment to welcome incoming freshmen.
Yev Marienne Peredo, ELITES’ Internal Secretary, emphasized that the drive fostered responsibility not just among RSOs but also among new students. ULUTA President Emerson Eulin supported this, reflecting on the collaboration: “It is also about cross-college collaboration… where even BSTM students supported the College of Education in welcoming LU’s incoming freshmen. It’s a beautiful blend of service and community.”
by: Jodel Sarmiento and Jovelle Reyes
Photos from: Keana Clein Belleza, Rar Rosto Nacora, Jessa Asuncion, & Darien Malahito
