The University of the Philippines Visayas Action Research Project (UPV ARP) is a public service initiative of the UPV Division of Professional Education (DProfEd) formed in response to the Department of Education Region VI’s call to strengthen the action research culture in the region and align assessment guidelines with national policies. This qualitative study examined the experiences of teacher action researchers participating in UPV ARP’s capacity-building activities, focusing on exposure, implemented strategies, resource use, project modifications, and success indicators. Utilizing Stufflebeam’s Context, Input, Process, and Product (CIPP) Model, data were collected through interviews with eight stakeholders, including three DepEd teachers, two DepEd officials, and three UPV ARP faculty and staff, as well as through an analysis of submitted action research proposals. Results revealed key themes such as Teacher Education Institution Research Competencies Gaps, Clarificatory yet Prescriptive Processes, Beyond Academic Performance, Moving Forward, and Action Research in the DProfEd Curriculum. These findings offer insights for refining DProfEd’s program offerings and advancing public service as an academic endeavor. The study recommends that UPV ARP, DProfEd, DepEd, and Teacher Education Institutions integrate these findings into their initiatives to enhance research capacity-building and public service programs.