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Alumni Mentoring Program Batch 2 concludes, expected to reach more CUs

| Written by Clariza Concordia

Starting his presentation with a series of photos flashed onscreen, BS Electronics Engineering graduating student Brian Patrick Ricafort talks about his five-month journey as one of the mentees of AMP Batch 2.
Photo by Misael Bacani, UPS-MCO.

 

As the second iteration of the Alumni Mentoring Program concluded, completers of the program — all graduating students of the University of the Philippines Diliman — shared how the mentorship sessions have helped them prepare for their academic and professional lives after college. The AMP Batch 2 mentees recalled their experiences and the lessons they learned in a gathering held May 22, at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UPD.

 

In attendance were the organizers of the initiative: officials and staff of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs-Office of Student Development Services, and officers of the UP Alumni Association of San Francisco. Joining virtually via Zoom were some of the AMP Batch 2 mentors, who talked about their journey in providing guidance and support to their mentees.

 

“You’ve taught us to reflect, to listen, to discuss, and to figure out how best we are going to handle a situation that we probably have been through in the past, but did not handle properly. And now we have an opportunity to help you navigate difficult situations,” mentor, Dr. Gigi Carunungan (on screen), tells the mentees, revealing AMP’s reciprocal learning experience.
Photo by Misael Bacani, UPS-MCO.
“I’m very grateful to our mentors. ‘Yong tulong n’yo talaga is not just for our mentees, but also for their families,” says Office of Student Development Services Director Tristan Nathaniel Ramos.
Photo by Misael Bacani, UPS-MCO.

 

An opportunity of a lifetime

Aaliyah Nicole Ybera, a graduating BA Sociology student, said that she first learned about AMP through an email from the Office of Student Affairs. “My first question was: How many people have access to these kinds of opportunities?” then realized, “I must be very lucky.”

 

Among the constant worries of her fellow students in the social sciences, Ybera revealed, are their theses, job security, and grad school. But joining AMP and having been given the opportunity to be guided by her mentor, Sonia Delen, director of financial and legal companies in America, helped ease Ybera’s anxieties. “Every time we met, I just felt very at peace and assured of the direction I will go into.” 

 

Ybera then relayed the program she had with her mentor. From setting a timeline to connecting with legal personalities in the Philippines, the two had a meaningful and productive experience.

 

As Ybera concluded her sharing, she expressed hope that more students have access to this “collaborative and expert-driven type of learning.”

 

University of the Philippines Alumni Association of San Francisco Director and AMP Program Head Michaela Abao-Viray (top of screen) bares future plans for the program.
Photo by Misael Bacani, UPS-MCO.
AMP Batch 2 mentee Mhariel Rose Loreto (second from left) receives a certificate of completion during the program’s culminating activity. In the photo are, from left, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (Student Affairs) Ma. Shari Niña Oliquino, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (Quality Assurance) Alyssa Peleo-Alampay, and Office of Student Development Services Director Tristan Nathaniel Ramos.
Photo by Misael Bacani, UPS-MCO.

 

Guiding framework

In a succeeding message, Dr. Gigi Carunungan, a AMP Batch 2 mentor, described the framework she used with her mentees. “What we, mentors, have done is to take every individual’s strengths and elevate them.”

 

She added the need to empathize, know, and care about the lives of their mentees.

 

Carunungan also shared that one of her mentees has decided to pursue graduate studies, while the other has already secured her first job. Under Carunungan’s supervision, her mentees underwent workshops on making their résumés, practicing for interviews, and even had the opportunity to meet industry professionals.

 

Completers of the AMP Batch 2 pose for a photo with officials of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs: Office of Student Development Services Director Tristan Nathaniel Ramos (standing, leftmost), Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (Quality Assurance) Alyssa Peleo-Alampay (standing, fifth from left), and Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (Student Affairs) Ma. Shari Niña Oliquino (standing, rightmost).
Photo by Misael Bacani, UPS-MCO.

 

Future direction

UPAASF Director and AMP Program Head Michaela Abao-Viray discussed future plans for the program. Expanding the mentor pool and connecting more students across all UP campuses are among the association’s top priorities.

 

Abao-Viray added that they hope the existing program can serve as a blueprint for other alumni chapters. She then thanked the students who participated in the program. “You’re the reason this plan exists, and you’re the reason why we’re confident in where it’s headed.”

 

AMP is an online one–on–one mentorship program that links UP alumni to graduating students of the university. The second batch of AMP was from December 2025 to May 2026.