“The classroom setting is really different from the real world,” Jethro Arroyo, 20, a student camper from the University of Sto. Tomas and assigned under MSME, said.

While experiences come and go, there are those, which will always be one of a kind. The student camper experience, as told by the 54 students who recently graduated from the program, is one of their many experiences that will certainly stay with them.

Chosen among a roster of 191 students in PLDT’s student camp program during its initial launch last June, 54 students were accepted to take on the experience of what it’s like to immerse themselves in the Company’s culture. Assigned in the Company’s different divisions and business groups, these student campers were mentored by some of PLDT’s best leaders. Learning and discovering the culture fueled by commitment, service, and innovation, these student campers embodied pusong PLDT during the duration of their student camp stint.

Some of the activities these student campers underwent include a Kamustahan catch-up session with HR; a leadership training session with two renowned speakers namely, Atty. Marc Castrodes and Francis Kong; a whole-day team-building activity in Bulacan; and a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity, in partnership with the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) and Gawad Kalinga, through a house-building project in San Pablo, Laguna.

During the student campers’ revalida last July 26, the top three project expo and top three project revalida winners were chosen by five judges and one online judge. Last July 27, the top three project revalida winners were provided with an opportunity to present their projects to PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.

“To all our student campers this year, this is our 14th year that we’re doing this particular program for the company and we’re grateful to all the campers for joining us and I do hope we could see all of you to be part of the PLDT family when you do graduate from school. So congratulations and maraming salamat,” Pangilinan said.

PLDT executives were also present during the project revalida presentation, including PLDT EVP and Consumer Business Head Ariel Fermin, PLDT FVP and HOME Operations Head Ren Ren Reyes, PLDT FVP and Controller Chaye Cabal-Revilla, and PLDT Information Technology (IT) Head Arvin Arbolado.

Top seed

Hailed as top seed during the project revalida presentations, Josiah Eufemio, 19, a BS Industrial Engineering student from the University of the Philippines – Diliman, was assigned under the Technical and IT Recruitment. Eufemio presented a project that merges two seemingly unrelated disciplines – lean technology and recruitment. “Lean technology is a manufacturing principle from the Toyota manufacturing system. I particularly looked at our OJT process because we are the top choice for OJT in the Philippines. As of the moment, 70 applications are processed by HR per week,” Eufemio said.

Asked about his experience in presenting his project to MVP, Eufemio considers it a rare opportunity. “The experience of presenting my project to MVP was something that I would take with me for the rest of my life,” Eufemio said. “During our meet and greet as well, he said something quite notable about being yourself when asked by a fellow student camper on how to be him.”

“Of course, it will be good to have someone to be your model or to have him as a good example to your path. But basically, it boils down to everyone being themselves and creating their own path towards their goals,” Eufemio added.

During the student campers’ graduation, PLDT HR Management and Development FVP Emiliano Tanchico congratulated the student campers on an immersive experience during their two-month internship. “We’re very glad that a lot of you have learned and experienced something different. And I hope that your experience here in PLDT will be something that you can build upon as you finish your course and grow as professionals,” Tanchico said.

Indeed, it was an experience like no other. Ending the student campers’ graduation on a high note, these 54 students will bring home with them a two-months-worth of memories and a lasting friendship.