Amazing Quarantine
At LVF life does not simply goes on, LIFE BEGINS every day because every day is a new beginning! Yes, it is truly amazing to find out that in the face of this extended ECQ and as its seeming terror looms wider; we find ourselves more serene and calm as days go by. Time became precious and being together as a family is more treasured, activities set not just tasks to accomplish, but duties done with responsibility. We have grown as individuals and as a community! We have reached the conviction that COVID 19 can let us feel isolated BUT BUT NEVER WILL BE ALIENATED FROM THE REST OF HUMANITY. And ONE with the WHOLE GLOBAL FAMILY OUR BATTLE CRY REMAINS … WE HEAL AS ONE!
LVF CARES: Living our SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
For almost three months after the President’s order of putting Metro Manila in an Enhanced Community Quarantine, the Laura Vicuna Center-Cubao, a Salesian Spirit in action, extended help to our modern day heroes, the FRONTLINERS. With the support of Atty Joel Syquia and family, we distributed five hundred (500) packs of hot meals with juices, cooked and prepared by the LVC-Cubao FMA Sisters, staff and girls. Our LVF Staff was cordially welcomed by The National Children’s Hospital and East Avenue Medical Center on May 07 and May 16 respectively.
This undertaking acknowledged the frontliners’ efforts to combat the COVID 19 Pandemic and a clear demonstration of their fidelity to their oath, risking their lives while saving others. Leaving their own families so that others may remain with theirs. Inspired by the charism of St. John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello, we continue to act with courage, sympathy and faithful prayers in this challenging time. Let us lead a life-giving Church! Solidarity in action and at its best!
LVF SOCIAL WORKER FORMS PART OF S.A.P. EVALUATORS
The Social Amelioration Program (SAP) is a program instituted by the government through the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Law” that provides emergency subsidy and assistance in crisis situation to families who are greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. And the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is the government’s implementing body in this new program. To ensure transparency in the identification of qualified beneficiaries, the Barangay Councils of Brgy. Pinagkaisahan headed by their Chairman Mrs.Graziella Saab issued a Barangay Executive Order No. 12, S-2020, creating a team of evaluators whose main task is to evaluate and identify the qualified beneficiaries of the said program based on the guidelines given by the DSWD. There has been widespread news and complaints coming not only from the residents but even from the LGUs that there is corruption in the program implementation and the slow distribution of the emergency subsidy.
Coming up with a team, the Council of the Brgy. Pinagkaisahan has invited the Laura Vicuna Foundation to sit as one of the evaluators, represented by the LVF Social Worker Mr. Ryan Azucena RSW together with the other team members (chaplain-priest, 1 lay minister of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish, 1 LuponTagapamayapa, 1 professor of Crame Cubao, 1 teacher of Ramon Magsaysay Cubao High School). The Team of Evaluators, was given an orientation by the DSWD employees with the help of barangay officials about the guidelines for the qualifications of beneficiaries of the SAP. In order for them to start the identification of the beneficiaries. The evaluation and selection of 841 qualified families out of more than 4,000 filled out forms took 2 days (April 21-22,2020) to finish the verification and validation processes of the information though house visitation was conducted by the barangay in order to make sure that the selected beneficiaries really deserve the subsidy under the Social Amelioration Program.
On May 03, 2020, the barangay Chairman called for an assistance from the team of evaluators for another set of evaluation and identification process since many of the selected families who were selected on the first set were disqualified after the house visitation conducted by the barangay councils. It was found out that some written information on the forms are not true. The barangay is having a hard time since the National government is imposing a deadline for the distribution of the cash grant which will have a second tranche next month. According to them it really takes time because of the geographic area and number of families under their jurisdiction added to this that the system is new covered by the SAP. The Laura Vicuna Foundation is very much honored to have contributed in this trying times even in a simple way, working for the welfare of the people in the community specially on this pandemic COVID-19 crisis where many of the activities under our Community- Based program were suspended such as our Child Protection Clinic on Wheels and Advocacy Awareness Sessions.
LVC NEGOSYO NA! (ENTREPRENEURSHIP)
Amidst this COVID-19 Pandemic, the LVC Sisters has taken the opportunity to teach the girls in-depth knowledge on entrepreneurship, equipping them with life skills so that they become life-ready when they are no longer at the Center. So that they become self-sufficient individuals responsive to their basic needs.
The nine-day afternoon sessions were facilitated by Sr. Clara Alacapa, FMA. They have learned the 101 of business Set-up, advertising, partnership and marketing, to mention a few. The girls have learned how to make effective advertising materials, set up their own company with innovative and new products and showcasing their creativity in marketing strategies and more. Activities like these encouraged them to think independently, practice their decision-making, work collaboratively with their peers, cognitive capacity and develops too their social skills.
Celebrating our Mother Mazzarello’s Feast
What is more fun and interesting and effective way in reaching your audience than a short play? Sr. Gloria Agagon, for the Feast of Mother Mazarello has introduced to the girls her life in Mornesse, her values, her faith, her vocation. Hence, finding connection from her life story to theirs, the girls were encouraged to make a short play portraying her (Mother Mazarello) life. The girls never say never! They actively participated during the practice and are always having fun!
Trembling with cold hands and nervous voices, the LVF girls were put in the limelight as they portray different characters in reliving the life of Mother Mazarello at Mornese. On the Feast Day of Mother Mazarello, the Sisters and staff enjoyed the girls’ performance! In their own best way, they gave justice to their characters and expressed their love for Mother Mazarello. The play was an off- shot of SYM sessions done by Sr. Gloria with the girls, journeying through the life itinerary of Mother Mazzarello from Mornese to Nizza to the birth and expansion of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
LVF’s UNSTOPPABLE AMIDST COVID 19
We are unstoppable. As for the academic advancement of the LVC girls, the UST-Angelicum Home Study Program continued, in fact, the girls had their EXAMS last May 15, 2020. This only proved the strong determination of our Foundation to make our young people achieve their goals in life and make education their priority.
A UNIQUE FMA ANNIVERSARY for the V. LUNA HOSPITAL FRONTLINERS
May 24, 2020 – LVF celebrate with Sr. Marivic (31styear), Sr. Clara (29th Year) and Sr. Ana (24th year) of Religious Profession as Salesian Sisters! A unique kind of feasting was done by the community by preparing 200 pax of hotmeals with juices for our frontliners at the National Children’s Hospital and V. Luna Medical Center respectively. Through God’s grace, we continue to give love, joy and hope to our frontliners in this time of adversity.
Mary, personified through our LVC-FMA Sisters in Cubao who never cease to open not only their hands but their hearts most especially to those who needed care and love. Through them, the girls, and even the staff have found the warmth of a loving mother and spiritual guide.
LVF Palawan
Demonstration and Hands on Service …. Farm Enhancement During Quarantine.
In order to make our time useful during the period of quarantine and realizing the high demand for food, we decided to maximize our farm by preparing, planting, growing and re designing our place. Through the creativity, cooperation and unity of everyone, we were able to optimize and see the possibility of a developing and “blooming” beautiful farm garden.
ONLINE ADVOCACY – LAUDATO SI WEEK May 16-24
The internet has become an active platform for advocacy and education. It has also been a place of sharing valuable materials for a worthy cause. Last May 16-24, 2020, the Church has dedicated the week as “Laudato Si” Week. Laudato Si (Praise God) is an important document of Pope Francis that clearly states each person’s responsibility to care for our common home. On our hand, we posted the following slides in facebook our way of living Laudato Si through our way of living in the center.
ZOOM MEETING WITH TESDA
Last May 19, 2020, the Laura Vicuna Center Palawan joins TVET ONLINE FORUM for TVIs Palawan facilitated by TESDA Palawan. The topic discussed was the Policy Direction in the Operational Plan OPLAN TVET Abot Lahat Towards the New Normal. Three of our staff and myself joined the zoom meeting.
SHARING ON OUR PANDEMIC QUARANTINE EXPERIENCE
Depression, anxiety and fear are possible effects of the pandemic crisis. It is important to keep oneself sane and in a good disposition. To allow ourselves to process all that is happening with the corona virus, we allotted time for group sharing of our personal pandemic quarantine experience. It was very helpful to express our feelings, anxieties and as well as lessons learned from this crisis.
PARANGAL SA AMING FARMERS – PISTA NI SAN ISIDRO
Heartfelt gratitude to our hardworking farmers Ronnie Palma, Matet Palma, Francis Gabua and farm consultant Melchor “Tatay Chong” Gabua for the love, care and dedication they offer to ensure a healthy and enough food on our table. With the help of San Isidro, patron of farmers, may all farmers be blessed with strength and sufficient corresponding compensation in all their hardwork and tiredness in planting and in all farming activities.
Laura Vicuña Foundation, Inc. 