From Darkness to Dignity: JCI Manila Illuminates an Off-Grid Indigenous Community

High in the mountains of San Jose, Tarlac, Sitio Pisapungan ends its days earlier than most places in the Philippines. When the sun sets, darkness swallows the land. No streetlights, no glow from windows, no electricity to extend the rhythm of life. For generations, the families here have lived with nights so dark that walking outside becomes a risk, studying becomes difficult, and every day feels shorter than it should be.

On November 22, 2025, that darkness was met with a different kind of light.

A Project Meant to Restore Dignity

For the Baby Jaycee team of JCI Manila, the project was never simply about installing solar lamps. It was about dignity.

“This project is our way of telling the community, ‘We see you, and you matter,’” says Project Chairman Arren Quezada.
“Light is just the beginning. This is Phase 1 of a 3-year partnership with Global Peace Foundation.”

That long-term commitment is central to the project’s purpose: start with safety and illumination, then build toward education and sustainable livelihood.

The team was inspired by the resilience of families who have lived without electricity for years, yet continue to thrive through farming, manual labor, and strong communal bonds. When JCI Manila’s partnership with the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) opened doors to this remote village, they recognized an opportunity to serve where support rarely reaches.

This is not a one-off outreach. It is the first step in a multi-phase program aimed at long-term empowerment.

The People Behind the Light

Leading the initiative was:

• Arren Quezada – Project Chairman; coordination with GPF, fundraising lead

• Ritch Traballo – Co-Chair; external partnerships, corporate coordination, finances & project management

• Jam Villanueva – Documentation, creative direction, volunteer coordination

With combined efforts, the team mobilized volunteers, strengthened partnerships, and raised support amounting to ₱800,000 in cash and in-kind resources.

Several institutions stepped forward after seeing the scale and sincerity of the project.

Major Sponsors: Security Bank, Megawide and FlickerTech; Minor Sponsors: Cypress Bomanite and Valdeco.

These organizations aligned with the mission of sustainability and inclusive development, contributing not only funds but also volunteers and logistical support.

The Journey to the Community

The hike to Sitio Pisapungan was both challenging and eye-opening. The two-hour trek across rivers, uneven terrain, and forested trails underscored just how remote the community is. What appeared manageable on paper quickly became a firsthand lesson in the daily realities residents face. Navigating slippery paths and steep inclines highlighted the difficulty of accessing basic goods and services in an off-grid environment.

“The hike made us understand the community more deeply,” Ritch shares. “Every step showed us how difficult everyday life is without electricity.” Local guides accompanied the team, offering context on the tribe’s challenges: limited mobility after dark, long travel for supplies, and the constraints of relying solely on daylight. They also shared their hopes for improved safety and opportunities once the solar lights were installed.

The hike served as both immersion and realization, grounding the team in the community’s lived experience and reinforcing the importance of the project and its future phases.

A Turnover That Felt Like Homecoming

When the team arrived, they were greeted with cultural performances and a warm welcome from the community. The turnover program unfolded in a heartfelt sequence: introductions and opening messages, a cultural presentation from the tribe, and demonstrations to help families learn how to use and care for the solar lamps. The formal turnover of both street and household lamps followed, then the day eased into conversations and quiet moments of immersion with the families who would soon feel the change these lights would bring.

The project provided:

• 10 solar street lamps in key public areas, including bridges and community centers

• 100+ portable solar lamps, one for every household

For the 100+ families living in Sitio Pisapungan, these lights mean safer nights, longer productive hours, and children who can finally study after dark.

Life in Sitio Pisapungan

Life in the community is simple and deeply rooted in tradition. Families rely on nature: farming, gathering, and manual work—and without electricity, their routines rise and fall with the sun. When daylight fades, so does much of their activity: darkness limits movement, children sleep early because they cannot study late, and livelihood hours are cut short. Safety becomes a nightly concern, and in that darkness, the community feels quietly isolated from opportunities.

Despite all this, Pisapungan is filled with warmth: humble, resilient, and united.

This project marks the start of a structured 3-phase trajectory:

1. Phase 1 – Light
   Solar street lamps and household lighting

2. Phase 2 – Education
   Tools and programs to help the youth access knowledge and technology

3. Phase 3 – Livelihood
   Sustainable programs designed to support long-term income generation

“Lighting is not the impact. It’s the catalyst,” Arren explains.
“The real goal is empowerment.”

Leadership That Guided the Way

The team extends gratitude to Director Joshua Aragon and Commissioner Dan Gallego, whose guidance shaped the project.

“They helped us tap sponsors, negotiate support, and stay aligned with our purpose,” the team shares.
“They gave us presence and direction.”

The team extends its gratitude to the GPF team: Kier, Lance, and the field coordinators; along with the JCI Manila volunteers, SBC volunteers, and PCol. Miguel M. Guzman, former Provincial Director of the Tarlac Police Provincial Office. They also thank Security Bank, Megawide Foundation, and FlickerTech; the barangay officials, tribal elders, and local government units; the documentation and media teams; the local guides who ensured the team’s safe passage; and everyone who hiked, carried supplies, and gave their time to make the project possible.

Arren, Ritch, and Jam hope to continue working in advocacies rooted in sustainability, indigenous empowerment, education access, and technology that uplifts. Their journey to Sitio Pisapungan reminded them that service is seldom easy, but always worth it.

“Service becomes real when we step out of our comfort zones,” the team reflects.
“Sometimes the simplest interventions, like a single light, can grow into life-changing opportunities.”