A HOLLY JOLLY DECEMBER

December is a time to be merry as it is the Birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ! It is the most awaited month for all. It is a time for homecoming, reunions, reconciliation, giving, inventory of one’s life and projects, and sharing one’s blessings. Cold breeze, bright and colorful Christmas lights, tall, ornamented Christmas trees, Christmas carols, gifts, cheerful atmosphere. It is the last month of the year. Indeed, for all of the blessings that we have received for the whole year, we shout out at LVF:

Lord, thank you for the year 2022, which has rendered Laura Vicuna Foundation fruitful. Thank you for providing for all our needs and helping us build safe, B.R.A.V.E., and resilient communities serving 13,549 children, youth, and family members in its different Child Protection Communities and Centers in Metro Manila, Cavite, Palawan, Negros Occidental, and the 7,369 persons who regularly joined the 2022 online Catechesis. 

• LVF 32nd ANNUAL PARTI-HAN KAY SAYA 2022!
• ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN TO #ENDOSAEC
• LVF’s #BRAVE
• CHILD PARTICIPATION AND COMMUNICATION PLAN VALIDATION WORKSHOP
• ICCP TURNING OVER OF DONATION CEREMONY TO LVF
• PUNO & PUNO LAW CHRISTMAS GIFTGIVING AT LVF
• INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS WHO BROUGHT JOY TO LVF, QC
• SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 
• RECOLLECTION: PREPARING FOR JESUS’ BIRTH 
• LVF STAFF RECOLLECTION AND CHRISTMAS PARTY
• FEELING THE MAGIC AT FIESTA CARNIVAL!
• LVF CELEBRATES SR. ANA’S GOLDEN BIRTHDAY!
• PASWI C.O.P 

LVF 32nd ANNUAL PARTI-HANG KAY SAYA 2022

PARTI-HAN-which means to impart, to give, or to share. The Laura Vicuna Foundation’s Annual Parti-han celebrated every December, is the most awaited celebration of our Child Protection Clinic Communities (CPC), for this is the day of unboxing the gifts! The LVF sisters, girls, and staff excitedly packed 1,500 gift packs of blankets, spaghetti, hotdogs, kikiam, bacon, popcorn, pillows, choco mucho, milo, milk, and rice. As we hand them their gifts, we are also readying their hearts for the coming of the child Jesus as our theme states, “LVF 32nd Annual Parti-hang Kay Saya: Hatid si Kristo sa Puso ng Bawat Isa!” (LVF 32nd Annual Parti-hang Kay Saya: bringing Christ to Everyone’s Heart!)

Khaye, LVF child advocate who also volunteered to join the gift giving, shared that upon seeing the CPC Truck, people swarmed! “Takbuhan sila nung Makita ang CPC Truck. Masayang tinatanggap ng mga tao ang mga regalo. Sinasabi nila na malaking tulong daw sa kanila.Nagpapasalamat sila sa mga donors at pati na sa kanila Sisters.”  (When they saw the CPC Truck, they ran towards us. They were so happy to receive the gifts and even said the gift packs immensely helped them. They also expressed gratitude and thanks to the donors and the Sisters.) In their Facebook posts, families who received the gift packs say they are thankful for the  Christmas gifts. Mr. Ryan Azucena, social worker, Khaye, volunteer, and Jean Gonzales distributed the giftpacks to the CPC Communities in Marikina, Taguig, Gen. Trias Cavite, Botocan, Culiat, Bacood, Judge Jimenez, Pinagkaisahan, Hillcrest, Sta. Mesa. 

PARTI-HAN 2022 is made possible with the unwavering support of some of our donors and our board of Trustees: RFM Corp., Ms. Marissa Concepcion, Zoi’s Meatown, Atty. Eric Puno, Ms. Josefina Tan, Mr. Francisco Dizon, Ms. Vicky Cuisia, and Ms. Marguerite Sy. 

ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN TO #ENDOSAEC

As part of the Annual Partihan celebration, Mr. Ryan Azucena talked about Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) to 786 children, youth, and families of LVF CPC Communities. He discussed its nature and its proliferation, underscoring that online abuse is a reality while reiterating that the family and community have vital roles in mitigating and preventing OSAEC victimization.

LVF’s #BRAVE

A total of nine hundred forty-four (944) students were given advocacy sessions on I am BRAVE (Buddies Reject Abuse Violence and Exploitation) by Ms. Carla Juncia on the 3rd of December at Villacin National High School (84); December 5 at Mabini National High School (196), December 6 at Caduhaan National High School (600) and Dr. Vicente Gustilo Memorial National High School (64).

There was an animated discussion on what they would do if they encountered these situations in which the students engaged.  In the end, they committed to sharing what they have learned on their social media account, knowing how to defend themselves so that they will not be abused by others, reporting cases of abuse, and being brave to say no. These sessions are in partnership with DepEd Cadiz City.

CHILD PARTICIPATION AND COMMUNICATION PLAN VALIDATION WORKSHOP

LVF joins the 3-day Validation Cum Capacity Building on the development of the Child Participation Advocacy and Communication Plan Validation Workshop at Twin Lakes Hotel, Tagaytay, December 1-3, 2022. This validation workshop aims to validate the outputs from two previous write-shops on the development of the Child Participation AdvoCom Plan and to capacitate partner agencies and organizations on how to conduct and maintain the child participation advocacy and communication plan. Jerill, LVF Child representative, appreciated the workshop, for her right to participate was acknowledged. “Ang pakikilahok ng mga kabataan sa mga programang katulad nito…kung saan kami ay nakakapagpahayag ng aking opinyon at pananaw sa pagbalangkas ng mga polisiyang may kinalaman sa aming mga kabtaan.” (The participation of young people in programs like this…where we can express our opinion and vision in formulating policies related to us.”) Ms. Rosea Monsay, social worker & LVF child advocate Jerill Nadora represented LVF.

ICCP TURNING OVER OF DONATION CEREMONY TO LVF

Dec. 12. The ISRAEL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE PHILIPPINES (ICCP), through their fundraising activity, turned over a Php 250,000. Check donation to the Laura Vicuna Foundation, Inc., led by the Ambassador of Israel to the Philippines. Ilan Fluss, wife, Mrs. Gila Fluss; ICCP President Yoray Ofek and Mrs. Bea Ofek; ICCP Directors Ms. Marge Barro, Mr. Itamar Gero, Mr. Idan Segev, Corporate Secretary Jane Lopez, and Treasurer, Mr. Michael Macatangay, who introduced Laura Vicuna Foundation to ICCP. 

Amb. Fluss, his wife, and other ICCP officers warmly interacted with the girls, listening to their stories, praising their performances, and appreciating their handmade crochet and thank you cards. It was an honor to be recognized and brush shoulders with kind-hearted people! Laura Vicuna Foundation is grateful to be the ICCPs beneficiary organization this year. 

PUNO & PUNO LAW CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING AT LVF

Dec. 15. The Puno & Puno Law Offices celebrate Christmas annually at the Laura Vicuna Foundation with 120 children from Sta. Mesa and Cubao! The kids enthusiastically participated in the games the lawyers and administrative staff had prepared. This celebration has been the Puno & Puno Law Office tradition since the 1990s with the late Justice Ricardo C Puno, Sr., its founder and incorporator and Vice President of LVF.  The Puno staff caroled the children.  As gratitude, the children also performed Christmas songs and dances to the Puno staff! Mr. Eric Puno, LVF Board of Trustees, expressed how happy he was to celebrate Christmas with the kids! Mr & Mrs. Eric Puno and the Partners of the Firm turned over their cash donation to the Foundation.

INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS WHO BROUGHT JOY TO LVF, QC

Thanks to the groups and individuals who gave Christmas treats to the LVF children:  Mr. & Mrs. Regis Puno; Mr. & Ms. Javier & Catherine Puno; Mr & Mrs. Peter & Irene Paulino; Jannette Marcial; Emma Isip; Dr. Kris Bello; Mr. Guido DÁrgensio & Elks Club; Ms. Carmelle Alog; Kabataan Culture; Alpha Phi; Czar & friends; Ms. Brenda Angeles & staff @ UnionBank; Israel Chamber of Commerce; Rotary Club of Makati Central; Zoi’s Meatown; Chinese Binondo Parish; Caritas Manila; McRhon & friends; students of Miriam College; Ateneo Tugon Group; Thank you, too, cash donations:  Atty & Mrs. Uey Joson; Atty Olma Inocencio; Ms. Charilu Puno; Betsy Ramos & Family, Tribal Korner Arts & Designs- Jonalyn San Diego; and Green Jakobsen.

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. (Luke 1:30) Every 8th of December, we celebrate the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pope Francis says that on this feast, we contemplate our beautiful Immaculate Mother and recognize our truest destiny, our deepest vocation: to be loved, transformed by love, and transformed by the beauty of God.  We look at Her, our Mother, and we let Her look at us because She is our Mother and loves us very much.

RECOLLECTION: PREPARING FOR JESUS’ BIRTH 

Dec. 11. In preparation for the birth of Jesus, Sr. Candy, FMA gave a recollection to a total of seven hundred ninety-one (791) participants of LVF-Child Protection Communities (CPC), LVTC-QC Trainees and LVF-Girls. In her reflection, Hannah put into writing her personal meaning of P.A.S.K.O: Paghihintay sa pagdating ng Aking Panginoon. Saan man ako paparoon bawat Kilos ko’y iaalay sa Panginoon. Oras ay h’wag sasayangin na hindi ka nakagawa ng mabuti sa kapwa. (Waiting for the coming of Jesus, my God. Wherever I am, my action will be offered to Him. Do not waste a time in doing something good to your fellowman.) Bilang isang bata, maisasabuhay ko ang pasko. Sa pang-araw araw kong pamumuhay, laging lumapit sa Panginoon.  (As a child, I can live Christmas. In my everyday life, I always come to God.)

LVF STAFF RECOLLECTION AND CHRISTMAS PARTY

The Laura Vicuña Foundation’s staff had an Advent recollection facilitated by Sr. Candy Carmen Balverde, FMA, on December 22, 2022.  It was an opportunity to prepare the hearts of the staff for the Christmas season. To sum it up, Christmas is a time for being thankful for all the blessings received.  It is optimistic, not asking God to change our situation but letting God transform us for the better.

The Sta. Ana’s Family sponsored a Christmas buffet lunch for the LVF Staff at Four Seasons, where they enjoyed an unlimited and hearty lunch of their choice. In the afternoon, there was a revelation of manitos/manitas with the Educating Community, followed by a simple get-together.

FEELING THE MAGIC AT FIESTA CARNIVAL

Dec. 15. The twenty-five (25) children with their parents and guardians of LVF-Child Protection Communities enjoyed the Mini Fiesta Carnival and Christmas on Display with plenty of various rides and games at the Araneta City. The kids enjoyed the Happy Cars, boat pool, mini trampoline, Jurassic adventure, and many more!   After that, they were given gifts and snacks. “It is heartwarming seeing our children play and be children! We also had fun!” Ms. Cendy said that as she watched her son play. LVF was thankful to the J. Amado Araneta Foundation for giving this fun and memorable Christmas experience to the children and their parents after almost three years of the Pandemic.

LVF CELEBRATES SR. ANA’S GOLDEN BIRTHDAY

Dec 5. In celebration of Sr Ana Guerrero’s 50th birthday (in heaven), LVF-QC EC and Nanay Evelyn, Sr. Ann’s mother, spent a day at the Manila Memorial Park! The girls reminisced their memories of her. They cried, laughed, and offered a prayer and rosary for her eternal repose.  

“Thank you so much for the love and a life given to God and the young. We love and miss you so much! Pray for us!”-Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana, FMA

PASWI C.O.P 

The Philippine Social Worker’s In. (PASWI) takes the spirituality of its members seriously. Every Wednesday is a stop-over with the Lord to pause from the multiplicity of their work and recharge. This December, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) Palawan and PASWI Palawan Chapter co-hosted the COP in preparation for the birth of Jesus. Social workers from Luzon, Visayas join it, and Mindanao via zoom and Facebook live. This Christmas, may the joy and peace be with you throughout the year.