JANUARY HERALDS 365 DAYS OF NEW BEGINNINGS! 

January 2021 Celebrate endings, 365 days of new beginnings. January is popularly known as ‘the door that opens the New Year” started at LVF with much gratitude to God Almighty with hope, optimism and courage. LVF recommits new expressions of innovation in promoting solidarity and a culture of social protection. Christmas in January became a reality for us purely by God’s grace.

26^TH COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES – LAURA VICUÑA FOUNDATION, INC. TECHNOLOGY CENTER

The 26^th Commencement Exercises of the Laura Vicuna Foundation (Technology Center) Sta. Mesa was held here at the Laura Vicuna Foundation Center-Cubao, Quezon City.  Yes, the graduation theme; MOVING FORWARD DESPITE ADVERSITIES was toughly embodied by all the graduates, LVF Staff and technicians because all braved a face-to-face event in spite of the COVID 19 threat. Mr. Ryan Azucena, a Registered Social Worker who completed a training course at the Laura Vicuna Women Development Training Center (LVWDTC) in Malihao, Victorias City, Negros Occidental and had his OJT at the Bellevue Hotel  at Alabang inspired the graduates by sharing his journey of success which started at the LVWDTC Training Center. Congratulations to our 14 graduates of Business and Office Technology (BOT) with TESDA English Proficiency and Bookkeeping NC 3. We are so proud of you for you braved all to reach your goals and we pray that you continue to move forward in life despite adversities; making them stepping stones to rise, to upsurge no matter the cost. We strictly followed the AITF protocols and took all necessary permits from government agencies to make this possible.  No practice was ever held, all were very much cooperative and obedient to the rules.  Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana, FMA, LVF Managing Director, Sr. Analyn Guerrero, FMA, LVF Technical Directress Sr. Teresita Mislang, FMA were present during the event. By God’s grace, we were able to hold the commencement exercises at the LVF-QC building.

LAURA VICUÑAFOUNDATION’s EXTENDED CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING 

Jan. 10. The Laura Vicuña Foundation’s (LVF) Sisters and girls cooked, prepared, and packed one hundred(100) spaghetti meals for its Child Protection Communities in Judge Jimenez, Hillcrest and Brgy. Pinagkaisahan as last day of Christmas celebration! LVF Social Worker, Mr. Ryan Azucena and Volunteer Raven, distributed the foods. They happily received the foods and warmly thanked LVF.

LVF MEDICAL MISSION WITH A TWIST!

Covid19 Pandemic Crisis brought various changes in each people’s lives primarily in the way of our interactions with each other as the government-imposed safety guidelines/protocols that prohibits us to have a face to face activities. Because of this we undergone an array of adjustments for our safety and prevention of the spread of virus. Despite of this situation, the Laura Vicuna Foundation (LVF), which was also affected by this problem especially in its usual activities being initiated, made some adjustments and modifications in its programs and services especially in the implementation process. One of the activities under the community-based program is its annual medical mission for its Child Protection Communities and Schools in Negros Occidental where it reached a total of 3,000 children and families being catered last 2019. For 2020-2021, LVF through its Managing Director Sr. Ma. Victoria P. Sta. Ana, FMA, made a twist on its usual process of conducting medical mission where she initiated: Consultation at the Barangay Health Centers of the CPC-Communities or Tele Consultation and distribution of medicines by LVF Staff through the PCSO Project from January 2020 to January 10, 2021. Through its social worker, Mr. Ryan Azucena who facilitates the distribution of medicines to the members of its CPC-Communities. The medicines included anti-biotic, multivitamins, maintenance medicines and vitamins for the children. This activity was made possible through the cooperation and help of the Barangay Officials, doctors for the Tele Consultation and parent-leaders of each communities. The families were very thankful to the foundation for this activity as they felt the love and concern of the foundation for their safety in this difficult time. 

LVF JOINS 2021 INTERNATIONAL YEAR FOR THE ELIMINATION OF CHILD LABOUR KICK-OFF 

Jan. 21:LVF represented by Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana, FMA & Ms. Rosea Marie Monsay, joined the Kick-off event for the 2021 International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour live via Zoom,held at GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (3:00-4:15 Central European Time) 10:00-11:15 pm Philippine Standard Time. This year’s theme “ACT NOW TO END CHILD LABOR” is further deepened by Mr. Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General. The International Year will provide an opportunity to address the challenges posed by COVID-19 and to accelerate progress towards the goal set by SDG Target 8.7 to end child labour in all its forms by 2025 LINK

LVF is one with International Labor Organization(ILO) in sharing with the same advocacy: striving to protect vulnerable sectors especially children and to mitigate child labour in the country. #EndChildLabour2021

FEASTS OF OUR SALESIAN SAINTS 

January too is a Salesian Month, the FEASTS of our Salesian Saints. Feast of Blessed Laura Vicuna was January 22, a very dear saint for all of us not only because we named our house after her; neigh more the Foundation that cradles us for 30 plus years now but most significantly because Laura remains to be our inspiration and model in facing the harsh realities of life and weathering its storms with full trust and faith in God and devotion to Mama Mary.  Ms. Jhanica Banatin, a Past Pupil of Mary Help of Christians College, Canlubang and a member of the Laura’s Friends Club of the SYM had a heart-to-heart encounter with the girls on how Laura Vicuna has inspired and influenced their choices in life.  Sr. Analyn Guerrero, FMA with selected girls prepared a Prayer Celebration for the whole community and with Ms. Monsay, our Social Worker, the girls presented a skit on the life of Laura Vicuna and its message- invitation to the present generation.

BOSCOLYMPICS 2021 

Jan. 26. LVF formally opened the 2021 Boscolympic competition! This annual week-long celebration commemorates Don Bosco’s influence to the life of the youth. “Itong araw na ito ay ang pag-alala natin kay St. John Bosco sa oratoryong kanyang binuo para sa mga kabataan. Kaya nga Run, Jump, Play but Never Sin dahil lahat tayo ay malapit sa puso ni St. John   Bosco.” said Hannah, LVF Girl. (Today, we commemorate John Bosco’s oratory which he founded for children. That’s why Run, Jump, Play but Never Sin for we (as children) are close to St. John Bosco’s heart.)

Everyone roared with excitement when the torch went afire and they enthusiastically took the pledge of sportsmanship to practice fair play, honesty, respect and camaraderie. Everyday, the LVF girls journeyed with the Sisters in experiencing Don Bosco’s life, as Sr. Teresita Mislang, FMA, Sr Ana Guerrero, FMA, and Sr. Rose Panganiban, FMA gave them inputs about his (Don Bosco) childhood at Becchi, to his young adulthood at Chieri, and his life at Valdocco. Indeed, it is a way of deepening the girls’ relationship with Don Bosco as they get to know him more meaningfully.  

The Vicunians were thrilled to participate on various activities which was held everyday. And on the first day of competition, the volleyball court was full of deafening roar as each calls out and cheers for their own teams! They very much enjoyed the badminton, volleyball, basketball, game of the generals, chess, bato-bata, patintero and sack race! The competition ended with their cheer-dance competition and the team who got the highest points and was declared as champion of 2021 Boscolympic was the Green Team: H.O.P.E Stronger than Yesterday.

Since he is the Father and Teacher of the young, we should implore him to guide us to see things clearly and to accept them with all our heart.

NATIONAL DON BOSCO QUIZ BEE CHALLENGE 2021

On Jan. 30 one of our LVC girls joined The National Don Bosco Quiz Bee Challenge 2021 (online) by the D’WORD and ONE SYM.  It was a way of celebrating the great feast of our Father, Teacher and Guide, Don Bosco with the Salesian Family.  Joy prevailed in the whole duration of the Quiz Bee Challenge in as much as family spirit pervaded the event. Our girls, Staff and Sisters were in full support for Edralyn Abia who was able to join the Quiz Bee until the second round.  We salute her for giving her best, for representing Laura Vicuna Center in this affair.