From Libon, Albay to the busy streets of Mandaluyong City, Jeremy Laguilles carries with him a story shaped by service, gratitude, and a lifelong commitment to helping others.
Once a member of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Angels in Red Vest (ARV), Jeremy now works as a customer service representative (CSR) at Foundever Worldwide Corporate Center (WCC) in Mandaluyong—proof that opportunities, when nurtured, can blossom into purpose.
Before joining the private sector, Jeremy was once part of the DSWD’s workforce. Fresh from college in 2019, he served as a field enumerator conducting surveys and interviews in Camarines Sur. It was his first job, and one that left a lasting mark.
“I’ve been part of DSWD…my first job after I graduated last 2019. I was assigned as a field enumerator to conduct surveys and interviews in the town of Camarines Sur. Wearing a red vest is an honor to be part of the institution that supports the needs of every Filipino,” Jeremy shared.
Foundever, a global Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company known for delivering customer experience services, goes beyond business targets by actively engaging its employees in volunteerism. Jeremy is one of the members of the Foundever’s People Engagement Network, a group that champions volunteer-driven initiatives within the company.
“Kahit kami ay naka-focus sa pag-cater ng customers [of our clients] outside the county, pina-prioritize din ni Foundever na magkaroon ng ganitong program [para] ma-enhance din yung spirit of volunteerism,” Jeremy said in a testimonial video posted on the official Facebook page of the DSWD’s Pag-abot Program.
According to Jeremy, volunteerism is deeply woven into the company’s culture.
“This kind of Engagement activities at Foundever Philippines are designed to foster a culture of care, inclusion, and empowerment, aiming to make employees feel valued, connected, and motivated to thrive,” Jeremy pointed out.
This shared advocacy led Foundever to partner with the DSWD in the Walang Gutom Kitchen (WGK) at the Nasdake Building in Pasay City. During the activity, Jeremy was assigned to assist in the learning sessions of Tara Basa! Tutoring Program (TBTP).
WGK serves as a convergence hub of three flagship programs of DSWD—the Pag-abot Program, the Walang Gutom Program (WGP), and the TBTP. It provides hot meals to Pag-abot walk-in clients identified as children, individuals, and families in street situation (CIFSS), nutrition education sessions under the WGP, and reading corners and learning activities through the TBTP.
For Jeremy, the activity was more than just corporate volunteer work, it was a return to familiar ground.
Witnessing the TBTP learning sessions during the WGK service reaffirmed his respect for the Department. He personally observed how ARVs patiently taught children how to read, spell words, and build confidence through trivia and problem-solving activities.
“It’s a good job from DSWD, because [they also] give opportunities sa mga taong walang access sa quality education. Malaking bagay ‘yun para sa mga kabataan, and nakatutulong din para ma-enhance ‘yung reading skills nila,” Jeremy said.
Teaching, after all, comes naturally to him. Aside from being a CSR, Jeremy is also a licensed professional teacher—another reason why he gravitated toward the learning sessions.
“As an education student and licensed professional teacher, I’ve missed teaching young students who are eager to learn. That’s why I volunteered myself at that station to teach young/youth who do not have access to good quality education. During that day, it’s a great experience and another short-term goal to help them learn and give back the knowledge that I have,” Jeremy said.
As the session progressed, Jeremy found fulfillment in the smiles, curiosity, and enthusiasm of the children. He felt a familiar pull—the same sense of purpose that once led him to wear the red vest years ago.
Today, Jeremy Laguilles stands as a corporate worker, a licensed teacher, and a former DSWD employee. Yet beyond titles and roles, his story is a testament to the enduring impact of compassion and service.
Jeremy’s journey shows that the DSWD’s mission does not end when the vest is taken off. For those who once served—and those who were once served—the call to uplift others never fades.
Because in the heart of those who choose to serve, the red vest is never removed. It is carried forward—into offices, communities, and every act of kindness, proving that once an Angel in Red Vest, you will always be an Angel in Red Vest. (KB)
