March 5, 2026 – The CEAP RACE Project, themed as “Research Capacity Building through Institutional Partnerships and Joint Research Presentation and Publication” conducted from March 3-5, 2026 gathered 82 mentees and 18 mentors from across Visayas and Mindanao at Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu. The opening ceremony set the tone for the three-day event with Rev. Fr. Karel S. San Juan, SJ, CEAP President, highlighting the importance of research in advancing quality Catholic education. Rev. Fr. Michael I. Pineda, SJ, Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu School President, welcomed the participants and affirmed the host institution’s commitment to strengthening research in educational practice, while CEAP Executive Director Mr. Narcy F. Ador Dionisio underscored CEAP’s mission to provide meaningful opportunities for faculty to upskill in relevant fields such as research. CEAP Research Committee Chair Dr. Richard R. Jugar, FHEA, then oriented both mentors and mentees on the long-term goals of the program and its vision of building sustainable research partnerships among CEAP member-schools.
The program continued with plenary sessions designed to guide participants through the essential stages of research development. Ms. Jessica Magallon-Avenido, LPT, Ph.D., the Head of Journal Publication at the University of San Jose-Recoletos, introduced the foundations of research, followed by Dr. Richard R. Jugar, who discussed problem conceptualization. Mr. Joey Estorosos, the Manager of Innovation & Technology Support Office, University of San Jose-Recoletos, explored the process of reviewing related literature and developing a conceptual framework, while Dr. Dennis V. Madrigal, the Dean of University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos de Bacolod Graduate School, presented key insights on research design and analysis. These sessions prepared participants for the mentor-mentee workshops, where schools worked collaboratively to refine research ideas and strengthen their proposals.
Mentors from partner institutions generously accompanied the participating schools throughout the workshops. From Aklan Catholic College are Dr. Ma. Abigail C. Nolasco, Mrs. Ann M. Templonuevo, MAEd, JD, and Mr. Alextaire C. Vilanueva, MEd, MAEd. The University of San Carlos was represented by Dr. Rolando V. Obiedo, Dr. Rhey L. Dizon, and Dr. Katrina Jhoanne M. Santos. The University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos was represented by Dr. Dennis V. Madrigal, while from the University of St. La Salle, the mentor is Mr. Dante D. Gustilo, Jr. Mentors from the University of San Jose – Recoletos included Jessica Magallon-Avenido, LPT, Ph.D., Engr. Randy Salazar, Mr. Joey Estorosos, and Mr. Jonecis Dayap. Ateneo de Zamboanga University was represented by Ms. Perla Arlene Ledesma. From La Salle University – Ozamiz, the three mentors are Dr. Carousel Tagaylo, Mr. John Mark Saldivar, and Dr. Catalina Maghamil. Notre Dame of Dadiangas University was represented by Dr. Alfie Maria R. Custodio and Dr. Ersweetcel C. Servano.
The inspiration and deeper ethos of the gathering were captured in the homily of Fr. Irmo Francis A. Valeza, SJ, the main presider of the Opening Eucharistic Celebration, who reminded the participants that research becomes truly holy when it bends low in service of others. He emphasized that research finds its deepest meaning not in recognition or publication alone, but in serving people who may never read the papers yet will experience the fruits of the work. Echoing this call, the CEAP Research Committee hopes that through initiatives like this, member-schools will continue to grow in competence, collaboration, and commitment to truth—pursuing research that serves communities with humility and advances the mission of Catholic education.