Ateneo Laboratory for the Learning Sciences

The Ateneo Laboratory for the Learning Sciences (ALLS), in collaboration with the Ateneo Public Mental Health Collaborative (APMHC), took part in the Department of Education’s YAKAP at Kalinga Caravan and Audit of Nationwide Mental Health Hotline and Learner Support Centers at General Tiburcio de Leon National High School (GTDLNHS) on May 11, 2026.

ALLS and APMHC representatives Layla Villanueva, Jesther Resuello, Tina Alfonso, Ann Braga, and Dr. Camille Yusay demonstrated the bullying prevention materials they developed for both parents and students. Layla and Jesther facilitated the students’ game sessions of MahikaSama, an anti-bullying card game for high school students that uses interactive gameplay to raise awareness of possible bullying scenarios and appropriate ways to respond. Both digital and physical versions of the game were showcased. The participating students are part of the school’s Peer Facilitators program, now equipped with the necessary skills to facilitate MahikaSama sessions with the rest of the student body.

Meanwhile, Tina, Ann, and Dr. Camille engaged parents through a series of comics aimed at helping them recognize and respond to bullying situations in their children’s lives. The event was attended by Education Secretary Sonny Angara and members of DepEd and Valenzuela LGU, who visited the game sessions and discussions facilitated by the representatives.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara observing students of General Tiburcio de Leon National High School as Layla Villanueva hosts a game of MahikaSama. (Photo: DepEd Philippines Facebook Page)

Jesther Resuello explaining the game’s mechanics and rationale to Education Secretary Sonny Angara as students play the card game. (Photo: DepEd Philippines Facebook Page)

Tina, Ann, and Dr. Camille with the parents of General Tiburcio de Leon National High School students and the bullying prevention comic strips presented. (Photo: RenewHealth Facebook Page)

The Ateneo Laboratory for the Learning Sciences (ALLS) hosted a talk entitled “When Digital Innovation Meets Care: Lessons from a Large Danish NGO,” delivered by Pedro Ferreira on April 8, 2026 at Faura Hall, Ateneo de Manila University.

Dr. Ferreira, an Associate Professor at the IT University of Copenhagen, shared findings from his study on how digitalization affects older adults working in a Danish NGO. He explained that while digital tools are meant to make work more efficient and modernized, they can also create challenges for older volunteers. Many of these individuals joined to help their communities, but the shift to digital systems requires them to do more technical and administrative tasks, causing some to feel left behind.

In line with this, the discussion highlighted that digital transformation is not always ideal, as it can unintentionally exclude people whose strengths are in community-based and relational work. It also creates new challenges within organizations, such as shifting responsibilities among volunteers.

In relating these insights to the Philippines, Dr. Ferreira noted that care systems are deeply rooted in family and community networks. He emphasized that introducing digital solutions without considering these relationships may disrupt existing support systems, highlighting the need to design technologies that fit local contexts.

Dr. Ferreira shares his findings on tensions arising from digitalization.

The Ateneo Laboratory for the Learning Sciences (ALLS) is set to showcase For People and Planet: An SDG Adventure, a narrative-based game that teaches students about integrating the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals into everyday life. This will take place at Ready, Set, Resilience! An Afternoon of Gamifying Climate and Disaster Resilience, hosted by the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability (AIS) on February 20, 2026. See details below:

The Ateneo Institute of Sustainability (AIS), under the Climate and Disaster Resilience (CDR) Program, is hosting “Ready, Set, Resilience!”, a one-day event designed to have engaging and innovative games to introduce participants to climate and disaster risks while building upon practical knowledge and skills on mitigation, adaptation, and community resilience.

It also builds on crisis-oriented education by immersing learners in cooperative and scenario-based problem-solving (Fonseca et al., 2023); moreover, more localized approaches, such as games designed to be played during the event itself, can further contextualize learning within the Filipino lived experience.

🗓️ Date: February 20, 2026

🕰️ Time: 1:00-5:00pm (GMT+8)

📍 Venue: Heyden Hall, Manila Observatory

Register now!

go.ateneo.edu/RSRRegistration

Note: The event is open to the Ateneo de Manila community, is free of charge, and slots are limited.

This event is in partnership with the Ateneo Department of Environmental Science, Ateneo Laboratory for the Learning Sciences, and Climate Fresk Philippines.