More than 1,300 volunteers from TELUS Digital Philippines came together at Jacinto Zamora Elementary School in Manila’s Pandacan district to support Brigada Eskwela, helping prepare the 105-year-old campus for the new school year through large-scale refurbishment and learning space improvements.
The initiative, part of the global TELUS Days of Giving volunteer movement, took place at the public school, which serves more than 2,000 students. Volunteers—many of whom came straight from their shifts—repainted 71 classrooms, nine hallways, and eight staircases across three buildings; refurbished more than 1,120 student chairs; and completed a mural to revitalize shared spaces. Preparatory repairs, including work on roofing, windows, and classroom fixtures, were also carried out to improve the school’s overall condition.
The effort supports the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela, a nationwide program that mobilizes communities to help prepare public schools for the upcoming academic year. This year also marks TELUS Digital Philippines’ 12th year of participation. Over that period, more than 21,000 team members have contributed over 100,000 volunteer hours toward refurbishing and improving 15 public schools nationwide.
“Many schools across the country continue to face infrastructure and classroom challenges, with an estimated shortage of 165,000 classrooms nationwide. Our teams are excited to play a part in creating better learning environments for the next generation,” said Anne Muñoz, Country Vice President for TELUS Digital Philippines. “Through TELUS Days of Giving, our team members around the world dedicate their time and energy to causes close to their hearts, and supporting Brigada Eskwela is a powerful example of that. Together with local communities, we’re helping ensure that students return to classrooms that are safe, welcoming, and ready to inspire learning.”
For Rajiv M. Dhand, Leader of Global CX and Trust & Safety Operations at TELUS Digital, the strong turnout reflects the power of collective action and shared purpose.
“This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate the International Year of Volunteers, a recognition of something we witness firsthand on days like this—that volunteerism is not just service, but bayanihan. True change does not come from programs or policies alone; it comes from people choosing to show up for one another,” he said.
“We’re not just renovating classrooms; we’re reinforcing a message to every student here that their future matters and that they have a community standing beside them. For these students, this is visible proof that their dreams deserve support. And for all of us, it’s a reminder that we are stronger when we come together with purpose, compassion, and action.”
TELUS Digital Philippines is also preparing for another TELUS Days of Giving activity later this year in support of Brigada Eskwela in Iloilo City, home to two of the company’s sites.
The day’s activities at Jacinto Zamora Elementary School are expected to benefit students and faculty throughout the upcoming school year. The initiative demonstrates how collaboration between the private sector, government, and local communities can contribute to improved learning environments and support systems for students.
