2023 January’s Extra Ordinary

January is derived from the ancient god Janus, a symbol of beginnings and transitions, whose two faces look to the past and future, making it a not-so-ordinary month.  Two faces of January, indeed! Laura Vicuna Foundation (LVF) rejoices at the countless traces of generosity of Christmas spillover for our Solidarity Serye, especially to our Child Protection Communities. LVF welcomes with great optimism the year 2023 with doorways, a fresh start, and the sun’s rising and setting with our unbounded commitment to safeguarding children’s rights and youth empowerment. Likewise, January being the first month of the year is genuinely Salesian Month as LVF celebrates, together, as a center and community-based programs, the feasts of our dear Salesian Saints; Blessed Laura Vicuna, Blessed Louis Variara, Blessed Bronislao Markiewicz, St Francis of Sales and St John Bosco! We at LVF are excited to discover the unfolding of the year 2023. 

LVF CUBAO, QUEZON CITY

• LVF’s GOODBYE TO the YEAR 2022 & WELCOME PRAYER 2023!
• FAMILY DAY CELEBRATION AT LVF!
• GETTING DIGITAL: VIDEO AND PHOTO-EDITING WORKSHOP
• THE NETWORK STAKEHOLDERS CONFERENCE ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING
• LVF-Online Catechesis
• LVF SOLIDARITYSERYE
• PASWI CIRCLE OF PRAYER 

LVF PALAWAN

• KAMUSTAHAN
• YES-AHA (JAN 27,2023)
• BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

LVF MALIHAO, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

• FIRE SAFETY PREVENTION SEMINAR AND DRILL
• TRIDUUM TO BLESSED LAURA VICUNA AND MR. FRANCISCO DIZON SCHOOL VISIT
• LVF CENTERS’ CELEBRATION OF THE FEAST OF BLESSED LAURA VICUÑA DON BOSCO CELEBRATIONS AT LVF CENTERS.

LVF’s GOODBYE TO the YEAR 2022 & WELCOME PRAYER 2023

While waiting for 2023, the LVF Educating Community spared a moment of silence and prayer to reflect: what are the things you are grateful for, what to let go of, and what do you hope for the new year? Looking back on everything that had happened, 2022 was a year to be thankful for. God’s providence is overflowing. It was also the year we grieved the sudden loss of Sr. Ana Guerrero, a much-loved Sister by the LVF Quezon City Educating Community. Life is fleeting. There will be a time when we’ll become a memory, and we better make a good one by living a purpose-driven life. At LVF, we may have encountered roadblocks, but we were able to rise above these, having Jesus and Mary at our side.

“As the deafening sound of the fireworks lit up the sky to signal the arrival of the new year, our hearts were filled with excitement and hope for the coming year! Knowing He is with and among us, we will bask in our Lord’s glory.” 19-year old Sab exclaimed.

FAMILY DAY CELEBRATION AT LVF

Jan. 15. Warm hugs, teary eyes, and joyful hearts! The family day allows reconnecting: re-energizing, refocusing, and sharing quality time. LVF’s Family Day Celebration is initiated and sponsored by Mr. Precious and Mrs. Alice Andam and has been an LVF-QC tradition for about 10 years. Ma’am Alice shared the challenges she has gone through as the eldest among twelve siblings and how she did her best to support her siblings in going to school until they graduated, migrated to the US, and journeyed towards their success as a family. With her encouraging words, she inspired the families that they too can rise from the situation they are in-through education. It was exciting each time the gates opened and the girls’ family members arrived. As Mae Ann exclaimed, “I was not expecting my family to come. I was very surprised when I saw them. I was so happy that I slept with a smile.”

GETTING DIGITAL: VIDEO AND PHOTO-EDITING WORKSHOP

Jan. 23-24. The Laura Vicuña Foundation, Inc. joins the two-day face-to-face Capacity Training Workshop on Storyboarding and Video Editing spearheaded by the Caucus of Development NGO Networks, Inc. (CODE-NGO). The two-day activity was full of new learnings and fun as the participants took hands-on practice on video/photo editing to convey messages to viewers through multimedia effectively. The training workshop aims to help participants create storyboards/scripts and videos highlighting their organization’s COVID-19 positive response efforts. In March, each Foundation participating in the training will showcase its output via CODE NGO Livestream. Ms. Rosea, LVF social worker, and Hannah Babes, LVF child advocate, represented LVF.

THE NETWORK STAKEHOLDERS CONFERENCE ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Sr. Candy Carmen Balverde, FMA, attended the NETWORK STAKEHOLDERS CONFERENCE ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING organized by ARISE, the Frontline of Abolition, at Manresa Retreat House Quezon City last January 13-14,2023. The conference tackled the global and national situation of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. The participants also visited a shelter for trafficking survivors. The participants also shared effective practices and opportunities to fight human trafficking. To conclude the conference, workshops among network partners and commitment per organization were done.

LVF-ONLINE CATECHESIS

As part of the celebration of the Epiphany, a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. Sr. Candy Carmen Balverde, FMA, facilitates an online catechesis to the families of LVF-Child Protection Communities (CPC) of Judge Jimenez, Culiat, and Hillcrest in Quezon City and Vicunians of Provincial House in Sta. Mesa Manila.

LVF SOLIDARITYSERYE

 The Laura Vicuña Foundation, Inc. continues to share and be connected to the people in the community. This SolidaritySerye effort is made possible by our donors. We thank Zois Meatown for the pork and pork liver, Breadtalk, and RFM Corp for the bread! The families who received them are very happy.

PASWI CIRCLE OF PRAYER

Every Wednesday, we continue to have our stop-over with the Lord.  The Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc., with LVF’s Managing Director, Sr. Ma. Victoria P. Sta. Ana, FMA as coordinator.  She co-hosts the COP with PASWI Executive Director, Mrs. Eva Ponce De Leon who continue to inspire social workers nationwide with the sharing on the Word of God and their story of conversion, rising above the challenges they have experienced and turning to God and serving Him in gladness. Indeed, every Wednesday, Is our ‘Pahinga kasama si Hesus’. (Rest with Jesus)

PALAWAN NEWS
KAMUSTAHAN

On January 16, 2023, the center Social Worker Ms. Delia Valledor, RSW, conducted “Kamustahan” with the resident – learners. The “kamustahan” started with an opening prayer. Afterward, the learners were divided into two (2) groups, one for the boys and the other for the girls. Everyone participated well in the group discussion and sharing. They shared their Christmas break experiences with families and relatives. Joy, love, and gratefulness can be seen in their eyes while having happy moments with their loved ones.

YES-AHA

On January 27, 2023, the Laura Vicuna Foundaion Inc – Palawan, conducted YES-AHA (Youth Empowerment through Sustainable Agriculture and Health Advocacy) KICK-OFF for this year an Advocacy for the young people to empower and encourage them to agriculture is worth the time for them than SOCMED or the Internet. This (YES-AHA) primarily aims to prevent and manage this generation of children from cybercrime, bullying, etc. Preventing this situation is securing our future. Today’s YES AHA, was spent harvesting rice in the fields. In this activity, we were divided into 4 groups for 4 purposes. 1 is for GAPAS (cutting), two is for TALI (threshing and tying), three is for HAKUT (gathering), and lastly is for IMBAK (hauling). This activity lasted the whole day with joy, excitement, commitment, hard work, and teamwork with an extra struggle and challenge due to the rainy day, but our young people were so blessed and grateful for the blessing they received from our rice field.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

A surprise birthday party was held at Laura Vicuna Center Palawan. On January 26, a day to celebrate the birthday of all January celebrators, including Sr. Rosalia, Sr. Imelda, and three other learners. The celebration was planned secretly by the community to surprise them! The staff and the learners helped to decorate the multi-purpose hall to become a festive celebration. The siblings of Sr. Mel and Ate Flory Ate Baby were also there to celebrate with us. They were surprised, too, because they saw how the community loved their sister. The community thanked Sr. Mel for her love towards the community. It is the learners’ way of appreciating the Sisters’ presence in their lives. It was a celebration of life.

LVWDTC MALIHAW, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL
FIRE SAFETY PREVENTION SEMINAR AND DRILL

The Bureau of Fire Protection conducted a Fire Safety Prevention Seminar and Drill at Laura Vicuna Women Development Training Center (LVWDTC) Community on the 19th of January, 2023. The seminar commenced exactly at 9:00 in the morning at the school gym. It was an excellent opportunity for everybody because, through this activity, their awareness of fire safety will increase, likewise, in case of emergency, they know what to do. The event was successfully given to the school with the active participation of the Victorias City Fire Station team headed by SFO1 Anthony C. Banay, BFP-Victorias City Fire Chief. FO2 Klyn P. Caro led the orientation and the drill with his companion FO1 Jestonie O. Maningo and Joseph Aldrin V. Ledesma, one of the city officials assigned to the station. The team taught the participants the components of fire extinguishers and how to operate them. During the demonstration, students went into their rooms pretending they had classes; as the fire alarm rang, they hurriedly left their seats and went to the gym. FO2 Carosaid in his closing remarks, “There is no other method than to stay calm and follow the emergency procedures.”

TRIDUUM TO BLESSED LAURA VICUNA AND MR. FRANCISCO DIZON SCHOOL VISIT

The Laura Vicuna Women Development Training Center (LVWDTC) had a Triduum to Blessed Laura Vicuna morning of January 26, 2023. Fr. Jimmy Carmona, SDB, was the mass presider, and in his homily, he included the theme “Yes to Holiness.” He encouraged everyone to be good and to be holy. In the afternoon, the community welcomed Mr. Francisco Dizon, a Laura Vicuna Foundation, Inc. Board Member, as he visited the school. Mr. Dizon lives in Manila; he just visited Negros Occidental for business matter. He intentionally traveled from Bacolod to Victorias despite the bad weather to meet the students of Laura Vicuna. Mr. Dizon was not new to the place since he visited LVF school in Victorias, years ago.  The short program started as Sr. Ma. Guia S. Asparen, FMA, introduced Mr. Dizon in front of the students, who were excited to see the man behind the success and stability of the school. He stands in awe as he notices the number of students during the program. He was impressed by their dedication in coming to school despite the difficulties they encountered every day, such as the school’s location, muddy road, and financial instability. Mr. Dizon mentioned during the program that he would do his best to look for people with the heart to help young people. As a gratitude for his thoughtfulness and kindness, the students did a short presentation for him, a community dance that amazed him. Also, the students prepared a thank you card for him, which was read at the end of the program. The program ended with picture taking at almost four in the afternoon.

CELEBRATION OF THE FEAST OF BLESSED LAURA VICUÑA

LVF-QC.On January 22, 2023, the Laura Vicuña Foundation through the LVF Sisters, Staff, Girls, LVF TVET, QC Trainees, and its 10 Child Protection Communities celebrated the Feast of Blessed Laura Vicuña with eight hundred (800) participants who joined the online session. Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana, FMA warmly welcomed the participants to the session.  Ms. Carla Juncia, one of LVF’s Social Workers, facilitated the storytelling about Laura’s life. Laura Vicuña is another holy girl whose life seems a series of tragic events, yet whose hope in the Lord is a miraculous beauty and inspiration. Her father died when she was three, leaving her mother to become a mistress to a wealthy drunkard. Laura grew to see the sin past the veil of financial security he provided for their family, and she deeply desired for her mother to return to a state of grace. She regularly prayed for her mother before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament that she might return to the faith. Again, Sr. Marivic reiterated that abuse among children is real! It is happening. And we have to do our best to fight these abuses and protect the children. Fr. Favie Faldas, SDB, officiated the Holy Mass. In his homily, Fr. Favie reminded the girls to be inspired by Laura Vicuña’s courage to face all the challenges in their life.  Like the help done by the Salesian Sisters, Laura manifested the last years of her life praying to the Lord in front of the Blessed Sacrament for the conversion of her mother. On September 3, 1988, on the Young People’s Mount of the Beatitudes, in the presence of thousands of young people and the year of the 100th anniversary of John Bosco’s death, St. Pope John Paul II beatified Laura Vicuña. St. John Paul proposed her as a model of evangelical courage, to the point of giving one’s life, for the mission of salvation.  

LVF PALAWAN. On January 22, 2023, Sunday, the community of Laura Vicuna Center Palawan celebrated the feast of Blessed Laura Vicuna. The joy of the learners was visible on their faces when they entered the cooking contest. The 38 learners were divided into 3 Groups. They were challenged to make a dish from Taro or “Gabi.” They were tested with what they created as they pulled out every variety of dish. The first group presented “Paksiw na Gabi”. The second group prepared “adobo sa gata” and the last group prepared “ginataang Gabi”. The sisters, staff, and volunteers were pleased by how the learners did creative work. In the afternoon, a few learners participated in a poem contest; the contestants were nervous but did well. After that, every group dramatized the life of Blessed Laura Vicuna. They experienced how hard it was for Laura Vicuna to sacrifice her life for the conversion of her mother. After the program, every learner received a prize; they were happy because they received what they worked for. They thanked Sr. Cathy and the sisters for the wonderful activity.

DON BOSCO CELEBRATIONS AT LVF CENTERS

LVF-QC. The Laura Vicuña Foundation, Inc. has opened the weeklong celebration of the Feast of St. John Bosco. The LVF girls had a friendly cheer dance competition followed by various games: (table games)- games of the general, chess, scrabble, sports-table tennis, badminton, and basketball. These friendly games remind the girls of Don Bosco’s wish for the young: “My children, jump, run, and play! Make all the noise you want, but avoid sin like the plague, and you will surely gain heaven.” LVF also celebrated the Feast of St. John Bosco with the CPC Communities joined by more than seven hundred (700) beneficiaries on January 29 through a narration on DB’s life, his dream at nine, until his becoming a Salesian Priest and how his influence shaped the Salesian accompaniment to this day. In addition, Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana, FMA, in her opening remarks, emphasized that Don Bosco wanted to help the young before something happened to them, thus using the Preventive System. This system is all based on reason, religion, and loving kindness. Because of this, it excludes every violent punishment and tries to do without even mild penalties. The Feast concluded with the Holy Mass and awarding prizes to the winners of the Boscolympics. The Big Heart Volunteer Group sponsored the prizes.  After that, the Sisters, staff, and girls had a fellowship night.

LVF PALAWAN. The Boscolympics is one of the most awaited celebrations, especially for the Salesian community. There were preparations, and everybody was excited for the weeklong friendly matches of various sports and games. On January 28 to 30, the basketball and volleyball championship roared with cheers from the crowd. During the celebration of the holy mass, seven of the learners who are Salesian Youth Group leaders were inducted. They pledged to perform their duties and responsibilities in the service and betterment of the community. They received a cross from Rev. Fr. Jeffrey, OSJ, and Sr. Catherine T. Urgello, FMA. Some may have lost the competition and struggled, but all enjoyed. It was another core memory to the learners, living Don Bosco’s dream for the young to run, jump, shout, and play BUT NEVER SIN. 

LVF MALIHAW. In celebration of the Feast of Don Bosco, the young and parent oratorians had their Boscolympics at the gym on January 29, 2023. A parade was going to the school after the Sunday mass in the Chapel of Binanlutan. The program started with a prayer and a message from Sr. Ma. Guia S. Asparen, FMA, School Directress. She was grateful for the presence and active participation of oratorians. As an energizer, a game called the longest line was played by everybody. Then, games such as shooting the ring, darting the balloons, and bingo were played. They were given four tickets to play the games they wanted and one ticket for snacks. Their smiles show that they enjoyed the event, not only because of the prizes they won but because of the camaraderie and the experience they had that day. After the fun games, snacks (bichon, bread, and juice) were given to every Oratorian, the student volunteers, and Ms. Candy, who was there from the beginning to the end of the program. The event would not be possible without the cooperation of everybody, and thanks to God, nothing bad happened during the whole program.