Tag / 2022

by mir321

August 2022 News

GRAZIE MILLE AUGUST

“IN EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS!” – 1THES 5:18
The Laura Vicuna Foundation Inc. is in all praise and thanksgiving to our generous God who unceasingly pours ‘gifts’ of every kind to our Foundation; first and foremost, the GIFT of the SALESIAN SISTERS OF ST. JOHN BOSCO.  150 YEARS of service to the Catholic Church through the 92 countries graced by their presence and solicitous care and love for the young.  Indeed, this is a GRAZIE MILLE MONTH! A month of celebration at the same time of RENEWAL of our commitment to protecting, educating, and empowering children and youth.  We are unwavering in our commitment and desire to reach and be more visible to the peripheries and most needy communities. 
YES! LVF CAN!   

  • 150th Anniversary of the Institute
  • Commission on Human Rights –Kabataan Karapatan Caravan AT LVC!
  • COMMEMORATIVE TREE-PLANTING:150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INSTITUTE OF THE DAUGHTERS OF MARY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS
  • LVF-WEEKLY ONLINE CATECHESIS
  • The LVF Buwan ng Wika Celebration
  • WRITESHOP SESSION ON CHILD PARTICIPATION
  • SOLIDARITYSERYE
  • PASWI-CIRCLE OF PRAYER (COP)

LVC GRAZIE MILLE STORY

 HAPPY 150th ANNIVERSARY, FMA SISTERS

Aug. 05. The Laura Vicuna Foundation Inc. (LVF) celebrated the 150th Foundation Anniversary of the Salesian Sisters! The Sisters and girls had the triduum prayer intended for all the FMA sisters in the world. The LVF Child Protection Communities, organized by the Vicunians in the Cubao Home, surprised the Sisters with the celebration on Aug. 07, where each community prepared a thank you song and dance presentation for the Sisters: CPC Botocan sang “Gabay”; Gen. Trias Cavite and Brgy. Pinagkaisahan’s children, youth and parents danced; Some rendered a song entitled “Kumpas”; Hesus sa Krus; 12:51 from CPC Balara. It was a moment of gratitude to the Sisters who ceaselessly and tirelessly accompanied the children, youth, and families, touching their lives into becoming good Christians and honest citizens! Indeed, they are Mary in our midst.Grazie Mille LVF sisters: Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana, FMA; Sr. Analyn Guerrero, FMA; Sr. Candy Carmen Balverde, FMA; & Sr. Erlinda Soriano, FMA.

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS –KABATAAN KARAPATAN CARABAN AT LVC

August 09. The Commission on Human Rights’ (CHR) Kabataan Karapatan Caravan (KKC) at LVF Cubao, QC! CHR has been LVF’s partner in promoting child protection! They gave a session on children’s rights and the laws which protect them. Afterwhich, there was a workshop where the girls were made to identify the issues they have seen in the family, in schools, in the community they belong and how it affects children and young people.  Indeed, promoting child protection is not a one man’s job but a collective effort.

COMMEMORATIVE TREE-PLANTING:150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INSTITUTE OF THE DAUGHTERS OF MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS 


August 13. In this fast-changing era where biological evolution occurs at a naturally slow rate, Laudato Si’ is Pope Francis’ appeal to every person on our planet. “The issue of environmental degradation challenges us to examine our lifestyle.” “While planting, I realized that we must take good care of our common home. Whenever we cut a tree, we have to plant another, for if we do not replace it, our common home will be destroyed,” said Khaye, LVF child advocate who is part of the activity. “Good education plants seeds when we are young, and these continue to bear fruit throughout life.”

LVF-WEEKLY ONLINE CATECHESIS 


Sr. Analyn Guerrero, FMA, and Sr. Candy Carmen Balverde, FMA, facilitated an online catechesis for LVF Child Protection Communities. Sr. Ann emphasizes that “Mary, besides our loving and merciful mother, also symbolizes the values of Humility, Charity, and Simplicity as the most fundamental values we should have as Christians.” Sr. Candy talks about the importance of the symbols of the Holy Spirit: Living Water, Oil, Fire, Dove as a symbol of peace and. The catechesis is held every Sunday of the week via google meet and Facebook live.

THE LVF BUWAN NG WIKA CELEBRATION


“PILIPINO AT KATUTUBONG WIKA: KASANGKAPAN SA PAGTUKLAS AT PAGLIKHA”
(FILIPINO AND NATIVE LANGUAGES: TOOL FOR DISCOVERY AND CREATION)
 
Aug. 19. The Philippines is a country with ethnically diverse people. Scholarly studies suggest that there are some 150 languages and dialects spoken. This was the focus theme of this 2022 celebration of the Buwan ng Wika, “PILIPINO AT KATUTUBONG WIKA: KASANGKAPAN SA PAGTUKLAS AT PAGLIKHA.”  (FILIPINO AND NATIVE LANGUAGES: TOOL FOR DISCOVERY AND CREATION) Yes, at first glance, one would find this theme difficult. Still, the Vicunian organizers of the event ‘walk’ all through it patiently and informatively. The LVF girls are happy and willing to learn and explore the richness of our Filipino language and culture.
 
Ms. Cos and Ms.Yap’s team ( LVC girls) prepared various activities and opened the celebrations last Aug. 19, with the ceremonial ribbon cutting and short input on the theme.  Selected Vicunians performed the classic ‘Ako’y Isang Pinoy’ (I Am a Filipino) by Florante, and informative games thrilled them all the more.
 
At the culmination, the Vicunians honored our heroes as the day was National Heroes Day.  They enthusiastically prepared the roof deck for the said event.  Khaye and Edralyn were the hosts; they led the community to the singing of the National Anthem and gave a recap of the activities and contests that took place.  We have invited some judges-benefactors online to announce the winners of the two contests; they were Mrs. Bernadette Aurelio of Big Heart charity group, who frequently donates to LVF and do educational sessions for the girls, and Ms. Megan Guzman of Tugon Ateneo.   The contests were Group Singing of a song in different dialects dubbed “WIKA MO, AWITIN MO” (Gamit ang Katutubong Wika) (Sing Your Dialect) and the creation of an attire based on the culture of the region “FILIPINO KA, IPAGMALAKI MO”: Paggawa ng Katutubong Kasuotan (“You are a Filipino, Be Proud”): Making Native Clothing) each of the three groups represents. 
 
The Group Singing winners performed their numbers while the three group representatives for the Katutubong Kasuotan (Native Clothing) wore their original creations. Ms. Bernadette, in her high appreciation of the girls’ creativity, pledged to give prizes to the winners.   Sr. Marivic awarded them with certificates and little tokens and encouraged them, even more to study the Filipino language and culture without prejudice and bias in her Good Night talk. She also emphasized the importance of valuing our language as an identity and a way to understand ourselves better.  All were happy to end the night.  Jazz (a Vicunian) has this to say, “Even though it is quite difficult, I have learned a song that is written in Bisaya (Cebuano). I kept on stuttering! I discovered how rich our country is during our traditional clothing-making contest! The clothes have their history and meaning too! The activity is very challenging, especially when we try to do our best to give justice to the region we chose to represent. Still, I believe that if we will see it, nothing is impossible!”

ECHO OF THE WRITESHOP SESSION ON CHILD PARTICIPATION


Aug. 26. Mrs. Mercedes Juncia re-echoed the Writeshop Session on Child Participation Advocacy and Communication Plan to LVF staff she was part of on July 18-19. This was held at  Bayview Park Hotel, Roxas Boulevard, and was organized by the Council for the Welfare of Children. Mrs. Juncia and seven (7) LVF staff participants reviewed the tools and indicators used to conduct advocacies in schools and communities. This can help raise public awareness and further strengthen child participation in the country.

PASWI-CIRCLE OF PRAYER (COP) 


The Philippine Association of Social Workers’ Incorporated (PASWI)’ COP was hosted by the Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWDO) Palawan Chapter for the whole month of August.

LVF SOLIDARITYSERYE


With the Child Protection Clinic Communities, LVF continues to share its blessings. LVF girls pack school supplies, bread, and rice for those attending the weekly Catechesis conducted alternately by Sr. Candy Carmen Balverde and Sr. Ana Guerrero, FMA. Our hearts are warmed by the lovely smiles on their faces. We extend our gratitude to our contributors and supporters who work alongside us to help our brothers.

LVC GRAZIE MILLE STORY

August 15, The Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary was well celebrated by the LVC Community, prepared by a ‘triduum’ – three-day Payer Service before the feast proper.  The day started with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, followed by the joyful greetings of the Vicunians to the Sisters.  It was also a study day for the girls, but in the afternoon, Mama Mary gave us the most significant surprise- a gift, a new Vicunian, the nine-year-old Nellie ( not her real name) from one of the CPC areas we serve here in  Quezon City.  

All were delighted to have her in our community, though we know that this will be a great challenge for us to take care of a nine-year-old girl.  We are confident that Mama Mary brought and entrusted her to us.  And so, in the evening, we prayed the Holy Rosary fervently with her.  Sr. Marivic, in her Good Night Talk, seriously told the Vicunians that Jesus had entrusted us with Nellie and since she is the youngest in the house, all have the responsibility to teach and show her the right and the good things to do daily.  All agreed and have the goodwill to be of help in any way to her.

A Sister casually chatted with her after several days, and the conversation was very revealing;

Sister:   How are you, Nellie? How do you find your stay here with us?

Nellie:  I am so happy to be here Sister.  “Hindi po ako aalis dito tulad ng ginawa ko sa isang Center. Kase dito may tulugan ako, may masarap na pagkain, ligtas ako at walang katatakutan, nakakapaglaro at nakakapag-aral po ako!” (“I am not escaping from here as I did in another Center.  Here I have a bed, delicious food, I am safe and have nothing to fear, and I am able to play here as well as study.”)

This is precisely what Laura Vicuna Residential Home for girls is for, a haven of protection and a home that gives hope to every child like Nellie.