The National Child Labor Committee awards its recognition to Laura Vicuna Foundation Inc. as its anti-child labor program partner for its valuable contribution in the prevention and elimination of child labor in the Philippines on December 6, 2017 at Hotel Jen, Pasay City. Sr. Phebe Lacse, FMA accepted the award from DOLEUsec. Joel Maglunsod on behalf of Sr. Marivic P. Sta. Ana, FMA. The 2017LVF Parti-han is a day to remember for the kids. Laura Vicuna Foundation (LVF) celebrated its 27th PARTI-HAN SA EK (Enchanted Kingdom) on December 3, 2017 with the theme, “SALAMAT! ANG PUSO NG PASKO.” Seven hundred thirty (730) street kids and urban poor children coming from the Child Protection Clinic on Wheels communities in Taguig, Marikina, Culiat, Bacood, Sta. Mesa, Judge Jiminez, Hillcrest, Brgy Pinagkaisan, Cavite and youth/oratory centers of the Salesian Sisters like Pampanga, Laguna and other parts of Metro Manila together with some mothers, adult volunteers and the Salesian Sisters assisted the kids celebration. The LVF PARTI-HAN is a sharing of blessings of corporations to LVF’s annual gathering of a thousand street kids. Only 10 year old children and above were brought to EK. The smaller ones will be served at the new LVF building in Cubao. Fr. Jayson David in his homily said that we are all rejoicing because Jesus the Son of God was born into this world. His birth brings us joy. The birthday song should be the appropriate song to be sung for this occasion. He even encouraged the children to have a gift for Jesus. On the other hand, Sr. Mabel Pilar, FMA in her Christmas greeting told the audience to be prepared for the coming of the Lord with hope in their hearts. It was the first time for the children to enter EK. EK was open to them from 11 in the morning till 9 in the evening. They were thrilled by the awesome rides. Their magical experience brought them to Cloud 9. How they enjoyed every minute of it! Some of the Board of Trustees were present during the celebration like Mrs. Marissa Concepcion who came with her daughters and Mrs. Marilen Espiritu. They helped Sr. Mabel Pilar in the distribution of goods. The children received a bucketful of food stuffs to share with their families. As they went home their hearts were joyful and grateful for this unforgettable and memorable moment in their lives. A million thanks to Mr. Mario & Mrs. Cynthia Mamon for the free entry to the EK and to Mr. & Mrs. Marissa Concepcion, Mr. & Mrs. Francisco Dizon, Ms. Josie Tan, Ms. Joey Sison and other benefactors for the gift packs that were given to the kids. The Laura Vicuna Foundation’s Vice President, Mr. Francisco Dizon surprised the Sisters, teachers and students with his visit to the Laura Vicuna Women Development and Training Center on December 6, 2017. He was happy to see the newly renovated buildings and saw more things still needed to be given attention to. He greeted and gave the good day talk encouraging each one especially students to study hard, obey rules and regulations of the school because that is very important when they go for work and face the real world of work. The Laura Vicuna Foundation (LVF) was invited by the Development Action for Women Network and Batis AWARE Organization (DAWN) in partnership with Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for a Theater Workshop on December 11, 2017 at Bayview Park Hotel. Ten (10) LVF girls accompanied by Sr. Clara Alacapa, FMA participated in this IACAT-DAWN SURVIVORS’ DAY CELEBRATION with the theme “ Survivors Empowering Survivors”. The Laura Vicuna Foundation (LVF) was invited by the Department of Labor and Employment-Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (DOLE-BWSC) in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the Launching of its SHIELD (Strategic Help desks for Information, Education, Livelihood and other Developmental Interventions) against Child Labor Story Book on December 8, 2017 at the DSWD Auditorium. The LVF girls lead the assembly for the opening prayer through their choreographed dance. OIC Secretary Emmanuel Leyco and Asec. Aleli Bawagan have all praises for the LVF girls. The Laura Vicuna Foundation Inc. (LVFI) had a ceremonial grant agreement signing with the Children’s Hour Philippines Foundation Inc. at the Ayala Tower One, Makati City on December 15, 2017. LVFI was chosen as one of its recipients for its grants. The LVFI was represented by Sr. Sarah Robas, FMA and Ms. Mercedes A. Juncia. Since it is the “Year of the Poor”, about fifteen hundred (1500) underprivileged individuals benefited from the series of Laura Vicuna Foundation’s (LVF) gift-giving activities that took place in December: to the following areas:- Pinamana Site, Napindan, Taguig; Barangays Pinagkaisahan, Hillcrest, Judge Jimenez; Heneral Uno, General Trias, Cavite; Bacood; Nanca, Marikina; Culiat; Negros and inmates of Muntinlupa City Jail. The Sisters, staff and LVF girls brought hope to these underprivileged individuals and made them feel the presence of Jesus in their lives. There was also joy when they see the happiness it has brought to these people. Aside from that, LVF came up with its own initiative of raising people’s awareness through a simple talk about trafficking for labor exploitation for Barangay Pinagkaisahan, Hillcrest and Judge Jimenez to provide protective services to prevent these children at risk from ending up as child laborers, abused and trafficked. Christmas is truly CHRIST's dwelling among His people! Last December 10 to 13, 2017, the Blessed Laura Vicuna Community Palawan was blessed by the presence of FIL-PNGProvincial Superior Sr. Mabel Pilar for her days of canonical visit. They were indeed moments of intense personal and community encounters where the Holy Spirit inspires and guides everyone to greater commitment, zeal and radicality in responding to the mission of Palawan. Sr. Mabel's encounter with the parents, staff, volunteers and learners were also very fruitful where each one felt listened and accompanied towards their journey to holiness through the Salesian Preventive System. Gratitude overflows in the hearts of everybody during these days of visit, indeed, Christ dwelling through the loving presence of His servant leader. Last December 26-30th four male teachers from UST-Angelicum College Inc. conducted the year end REAP thesis defense and exams among the 57 learners. The learners were very serious in their studies and with the desire to pass the exams, they did their best to achieve the goal. Indeed, everyone passed the exams! Five learners defended their thesis on the last day of exam and they were congratulated by the professors. Their paper needs some revisions though. Everyone was happy and thankful especially to the teachers who forego their Christmas break to come to Palawan for the exams. The learners are now ready to step up to the next level of their modules.
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FORMATION OF PALAWAN LEARNERSGod calls us to a mission. The Holy Spirit guides us. Our Holy Mother protects us. When we are called to serve, we go. Sometimes it takes a while to understand what God wants and plans but most often than not, the path is paved for us and the obstacles are overcome. For three (3) days from November 24-27, 2017, the LVF volunteers, Ms Carol Thor and Ms Sofia DeGuzman, had the opportunity to serve the LVF Palawan Learners at Barangay Macarascas, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. With the guidance of our Salesian Sisters, they were able to share their knowledge, experiences, learning and formation to 57 young people whose ages range from 13 to 18 years old. It was a fulfilling intense 3 days of formation and forum on Children’s Rights, Self-Awareness and Self-Esteem. These young people had the openness of hearts and minds to listen, absorb and hopefully apply in their lives what the volunteers have imparted. Looking at them, being with them, one can feel an overwhelming desire to protect them. The hardship of their lives made some timid, others defensive, and even bitter but what is glaring in them is their desire to be better. They have DREAMS and the LVF volunteers hope to assist them in the best way they can. The LVF Volunteers thank Sr. SocRetardo, Sr. Zeny, Sr. AilynCayanan, Sr. Aleth Evangelista (who invited them), Angela Mahoney, our VIDES-U.S.A. Volunteer, Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana (for always believing in them), and Fr. FlorManlongat of the San Exequiel Moreno Parish. The Feast of Christ the King was a great day to remind ourselves and these young people that there is only one King and that is Christ. It is so easy for these young people to be drawn to the pop idols that they see, to be attracted to the glitters that media unabashedly promote as true and beautiful. The LVF volunteers encouraged them to look into their hearts and believe they don’t need their earthly idols and that they are more beautiful. I Am A Child of God, I Am Beautiful.-This is their 'battle cry' as they bravely and sensitively engage each young person to share who they are now and who they dream to be. The volunteers also gave practical tips & lessons to help them with their studies and life. Their last hours with the Palawan learners were made meaningful by their songs, dances and good wishes but most especially by their heartfelt prayers and dedications they offered for them. Past Pupils Homecoming @LVC on the First World Day of the PoorOn November 19th, Laura Vicuna Foundation, welcomed about a hundred Past Pupils who have come home from the different centers of LVF: CPC & LVTC, Sta. Mesa; LVWDTC, Malihao and LVC, Cubao. It was a great day of sharing among the different batches with the oldest batch attendees of 1997 and the youngest past pupils of 2017. After the words of welcome of Sr. Marivic P. Sta. Ana, they happily reminisced the past and acknowledged as God’s miracles their journeys. How happy they were to be back in the company of the Sisters, former classmates and friends. How grateful they were to the Sisters and staff in not giving up on them and believing in their possibilities. As today the Pope has declared as the First World Day of the Poor, Sr. Marivic also conscienticized the participants with a power point presentation on the Holy Father’s declaration and what can be done as the world is faced with the different faces and forms of poverty. They have to empower themselves to speak up when confronted with social injustice, moral degradation and generalized indifference. Even if they are struggling in their lives economically, no one is too poor to share their blessings.Their faith in God should overflow in their service of the poor, growth in fraternity and solidarity with the poor. Organizers of the 2017 Past Pupils Homecoming are: Ms. Ivy Gay Gantuan, Ms Anna Liza Corro and MsCharinaTolibas. They solicited prizes from among Past Pupils to the delight of the participants. Sr. Ana Guerrero also spoke on the plans of the Past Pupils Federation and invited them for the upcoming General Homecoming on March 19, 2018. Sr. Marivic solicited suggestions for the 30th year Anniversary of LVF in 2020. Agape while raffles of grand prizes followed. Batch 2012 has accepted the challenge to be the organizers the 2018 Homecoming. CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPThe Laura Vicuna Foundation (LVF) was invited by the Council for the Welfare of Children for the first Southeast Asia (SEA) Prix Jeunesse Children’s Workshop at the Manila Peninsula on November 27-29th. Tricia Nadine Velasquez was LVF’s child representative. She learned visual storytelling from Sir Alex Asuncion and tips on video making from Ms. Livi Zheng. Her work was one of the entries in the photo gallery with a caption of “Every morning is a blessing so we can thank Him everyday.” VISIT OF MO. ANNA MARIA MATTIUSSI TO LVFMo. Anna Maria Mattiussi, FMA, the first Provincial Superior of the FMA Philippine Province visited the Laura Vicuna Foundation (LVF) on November 6, 2017. Being the Founder of the LVF, Mo. Anna Maria was amazed with the remarkable growth of LVF from its humble beginnings. She marveled at the 6-storey LVF building as it constantly strives to GIVE HOPE A HOME to many children and young people. Ms. Josefina Tan hosted a dinner for Mo Anna Maria at Chef Jessie, Rockwell Club with 12 other Trustees and Members of LVF last November16th . Other Sisters who visited the new LVF Building this November are: Sr. Maria Nieves Reboso, FMA, (General Councillor for Formation) Sr.Sarah Garcia and Sr. Elizabeth Marquez. PES SEMINAR IN LVF PALAWANSixty parents of the LVF Palawan learners participated the Parents Effectiveness Seminar (PES) conducted by Sr. Aleth Evangelista, FMA, last November 4th. Substantial, deep and spontaneous sharing of their lives surfaced as well as their realization of their beautiful call and mission to take care of their families especially their children. The parents were teary eyed when they looked back at their own both painful and memorable childhood experiences and the values within their own families which they carry up to now and are trying to inculcate to their children. The session ended with a prayer to the Holy Family for guidance, strength and inspiration as they continue to uphold and love their own families. |
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