DAUGHTERS OF MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS

Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco

Philippine Province

P E R L A S A W A R D E E

for

MOST VALUABLE RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION

The Philippines Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization of socio-civic and business leaders whose goal is to acknowledge achievers and role models, who, in some moments in their lives, have demonstrated sterling virtues, or exemplary achievements or leadership, which have touched the lives of people in the community they serve. This prestigious award-giving body confers the PERLAS AWARD on VALUABLE FILIPINOS AND INSTITUTIONS.

In response to the current global recession, the underlying theme of the 22nd PERLAS AWARDS centers on Transforming Crises into Opportunities.

It is with great honor that the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians was unanimously chosen by Philippines Foundation as the Perlas Award for Valuable Religious Institution, for the development of technical courses to prepare the needy and the skilled youth in gainful livelihood, instilling in them the value of hard work and the dignity of labor. This award is given with the following citation:

PHILIPPINES FOUNDATION, INC.

PERLAS AWARD

On

THE DAUGHTERS OF MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS,

Valuable Religious Institution,

for its work in developing the academic and technical skills of the youth

in their engineering and technology courses in Cebu.

Along with the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, four individuals and three other institutions were also honored. They were acknowledged as: Valuable Socio-Civic Institution, Valuable Institution in Business and Advocacy, Valuable Charitable Institution, Valuable Leader in Education, Valuable Philanthropist, Valuable Role Model in the Media Profession, Valuable Journalist and Perlas Citation for Honesty.

The formal, elegant and very inspiring 22^nd Perlas Awards on Valuable Persons and Institutions conferred by the Philippines Foundation took place on March 5, 2009, 5:30 p.m. at SM Theater One.

The 1,500-seater theater was filled with young people, businessmen and women, educators, socio-civic leaders, media, guests, past and present awardees who witnessed this wonderful and inspiring occasion. We, on our part, were very happy to have with us the representatives of our Educating Community: students and parents from the Basic Education, trainees, in-plant trainees and past pupils from the Technology Center and faculty from both schools, who came in full support.

Rev. Fr. Ernesto Javier, S.J., president of the Philippines Foundation, Inc. gave the rationale of the event, “…In the midst of this financial darkness, we gather this evening not in sadness but in celebration. Celebration of the capacity of the human being and human institutions to rise above the mess we create and out of our man-made disasters to create a newer better world. This evening, we celebrate our capacity to transform crises into opportunities…” He was even happy that majority of the evening’s audience are Cebu’s young people. He addressed them, “As you watch the awards being given, you will see for yourselves fellow Cebuanos and Cebuano organizations whose spirit points to the solution to our world’s disaster. Just as human greed and selfishness have brought upon this disaster, so it will be human generosity and concern for others that will bring us to recovery and a better world. The world we of older generation would like to leave for you and the generations after you.” In closing, he said, “This evening’s Perlas Awards may not have the polish and glitter of the recently held Oscar Awards, but long after the Oscar statuettes have tarnished, these Perlas awards will continue to shine because generosity is more lasting than glamour, service of others is more durable than self-centeredness and love is more enduring than vanity.”

Rev. Mo. Provincial Sr. Alice Fulgencio, FMA, with our Directress, Sr. Mabel Pilar, FMA, our Technical Directress, Sr. Aurora Roble, FMA and the Basic Education principal, Sr. Marita Cedeño were called onstage to receive the award to the applause of everyone and the standing ovation of our Educating Community.

More than the media coverage and mileage, varied newspaper articles and applause from different people, this award means so much to the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. As we are about to celebrate our 25^th year of presence here in Cebu in 2010, this Perlas Award for Valuable Religious Institution is a fitting gratitude to God and to Mary Help of Christians for making us humble instruments of transforming our mission of education into opportunities of hope, value and Christian formation and academic and skills training, that our young people especially young women who are at risk, may truly be empowered to be actively and socially involved in the promotion of Gospel centered values and the common good in their families, company / work places, society and the world at large. This is the vast and challenging field entrusted to us by God, and we, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians will cultivate it all the more in spite of many setbacks, difficulties and limitations particularly of resources, that we may offer the Lord a bountiful and fruitful harvest.

- Sr. Ann Lyn Magno, FMA

The Bright Spot in the Picture

Last February 14, 2009, the Provincial Educating Community Gratitude Day Celebration, ended the mystery and suspense we had to grapple with everyday, waiting for who would be the next FMA Provincial Superior! When Sr. Alice Fulgencio announced the name of Sr. Sarah B. Garcia, jubilant reactions immediately altered the moments ago quizzical look on the faces of the Sisters.

Sr. Sarah hails from Canlubang, Laguna. She was born on March 7, 1958 from Juan Garcia and the late Margarita Bawagan. She began her Aspirantate on May 31, 1974 at the age of 16. She was then on her third year in high school at Sta. Cecilia Catholic School. She had her first profession on May 24, 1979 in Canlubang and her perpetual profession on August 5, 1985 in Nizza Monferrato, Italy.

After her first profession in 1979, she was assigned at the Ladies’ Residence in Pius XII Catholic Center and took her Bachelor of Science in Education at Philippine Normal University. She was then transferred to Victorias where she taught at St. Mary Mazzarello School. It did not take long, she was sent to study in Rome where she earned her Licenza in Scienza dell’Educazione (Catechetica) at Auxilium – Pontificiá Facoltá di Scienze dell’Educazione. Coming back after five years in Rome, she was assigned for a year to teach in the Novitiate, then another year as Animator at Mary Help of Christians School.

The dynamics of events shaped and prepared her for bigger responsibilities. She became the Formator of Novices for 9 years then spent 12 years as missionary in Cambodia. Her faith and zeal never waned.

Last February 15, a day after the announcement, she stepped on Philippine soil, greeted by a good number of Sisters at the airport. She was probably still shaking off the shock and surprise but her face managed well a lovely smile.

After her five-day meeting with the Provincial Council and the Community Animators, she flew back to Cambodia but will be back again soon and for good.

The Holy Spirit finely articulated the answer to the most pressing needs of the Province. We look forward to a bright picture we will be piecing together with Sr. Sarah Garcia!

- – - Sr. Debbie S. Ponsaran, FM A

Anniversary of Religious Profession

The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians celebrated its 136^th foundation on August 5, 2008. This momentous day calls for a great celebration for the Philippine Province for the gift-presence of two Golden Jubilarians, two Ruby Jubilarians and six Silver Jubilarians …the province’s gems and jewels!

“Gold carries obvious significance. It is precious across all cultures and times. It is a gift fit for royalty. It was a gift to the Christ child that meant “You will be a King…”

Sr. Maria Luisa E. Lumibao, FMA

Sr. Maria Luisa had her formation years in Japan. After her first Religious Profession on August 5, 1958, she came home to the Philippines and was assigned at Holy Trinity Academy, Balic-balic. In the years 1965 to 1975 she was sent as missionary in Australia. And as balikbayan after ten years, she enjoyed her life in the different communities: Novitiate, Tondo, Punta and Minglanilla. After which, she went to Japan as missionary for ten years among Filipino migrants and is now back to the Philippines for good. Sr. Maria Luisa is a Tarlaqueña. It is in this place where the seed of her religious vocation grew and was fortified like a precious gold that was offered and fully given as a gift to the King of her heart.

Sr. Gloria V. Vicencio, FMA

Sr. Glow, as she is most fondly called by everyone, is a resident of Blumentritt, Mandaluyong City. The eight among ten children, at thirty-four years of age and as a licensed teacher, she joined the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. She had her First Profession in Hong Kong on August 5, 1958. Sr. Glow was first assigned at Holy Trinity Academy, Balic-balic. Some years later, she was transferred to Tondo where she remained for sixteen years. Who in Tondo would not know Sr Glow anyway? It was truly in this place that her great apostolic zeal was fully enkindled. Obedience then called Sr. Glow to move to Mary Help of Christians School – Canlubang and now at present, at Don Bosco Sta. Mesa. But true to her name, Sr. Glow is always radiant like gold that is brilliant and ever glowing.

“He who is already down, fears no fall” is the constant refrain that she gives when asked of her idea forza.

Which color would you spontaneously associate with love and vivacity, passion and power? It is obvious, isn’t it? Red. Red is the colour of love. It radiates warmth and a strong sense of vitality. And red is also the color of ruby, the king of the gemstones. In the fascinating world of gemstones, ruby is the undisputed ruler.

Sr. Ma. Pereluz J. Villanueva FMA

Sr. Marilu, as she is known to all, hails from the land of sugarcane…Victorias! She is one of the first vocations of the oratory in St. Mary Mazzarello School – Victorias.

She was sent to Turin, Italy in 1962 where she had her formation. In 1969, she came home to the Philippines and was assigned at St. Joseph Aspirantate. Later on, she discovered the seed of missionary vocation growing in her heart which she nurtured. Without any doubt, she became most fervent in expressing her desire to be a missionary. Her wish was realized in 1995 when she was sent to work among the Filipino migrants in Japan for 12 years. Truly thankful for the gift of her life and vocation, she wondrously proclaims… “Seek joyfully the Kingdom and the rest will come in abundance.” Indeed, God is Good!!!

Sr. Florita G. Dimayuga, FMA

Sr. Florita, born in Canlubang, Laguna, is the youngest among her five siblings. She entered the Aspirantate of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in 1963. Two years later, she was sent to Turin, Italy for her Postulancy and Novitiate. She made her First Profession on August 5, 1968 in Casanova, Italy. Coming back to the Philippines, she was assigned at Holy Trinity Academy – Balicbalic as Assistant Principal and later on as Community Animator.

Sr. Florita served in the Institute’s Generalate as Secretary to the Councilor for the Missions, Sr. Lina Chiandotto, for thirteen years.

She’s happy to be back in the Philippines as she serves in various ministries: ARELA, preaching retreats and giving spiritual directions ….but most of all, Sr. Florita is a joyful bearer of God’s foreseeing love for the young. “ … and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” ( Jn1:14)

Silver often symbolizes riches, just as gold does. Silver can be glamorous and distinguished. While gray-haired men and women are seen as old, silver-haired denotes a graceful aging. Silver is the color of peace and persistence.

Sr. Ida C. Bermudez, FMA

Sr. Ida grew up in Cabuyao, Laguna, the third of six children of Mr. and Mrs. Marcos Bermudez. She joined the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians as a young professional. After some years of discernment, she totally gave herself to God as she made her First Profession on May 24, 1983. She was first assigned at St. Mary Mazzarello School – Victorias. She took the role of a Community Animator in some houses.

“Remain in my Love” is the glittering line that makes Sr. Ida’s FMA life radiant and ever authentic as she holds on to what is essential…Love for Jesus!

Sr. Malen Estacio, FMA

Sr. Malen is a native of Bataan, the place which is also known as cradle of heroes. The fifth of six children, Sr. Malen was a lay missionary in Thailand and Iran before she entered the Congregation. On May 24, 1983 she made her Religious Profession and was assigned at St. Mary Mazzarello School, Victorias. Her missionary passion was so great that it brought her again to the mission — Cambodia. It is truly in this place that she finds herself at her best for almost sixteen years now.

“ Be joyful in hope, patient in trouble, and persistent in prayer. (Rom 12:12)” …is Sr. Malen’s heartbeat which enables her to live her “silvering” FMA life filled with God’s foreseeing love for the young and for the people entrusted to her care.

Sr. Evelina C. Saludares, FMA

Sr. Evelina, from Pulilio, Quezon, is the fourth of six siblings. She made her First Profession on May 24, 1983 in Canlubang, Laguna. She was then assigned in Punta Princessa, Cebu. In 1990, she applied for the missions and was sent to Kenya and now at present in Zambia. Sr. Evelina is joyfully giving herself at the service of the people of Africa. “Make your home in Me as I make Mine in you…” is the moving force that keeps her apostolic zeal for the mission ever burning for almost 17 years now.

Sr. Elizabeth Villanueva, FMA

Sr. Beth grew up in Makati City. As an active youth in San Ildefonso Parish, she gradually discovered a seed of religious vocation growing in her heart. She asked to join the Institute even if it was against the will of her parents. God’s grace paved a way for her to realize her deepest desire. In 1983, she made her First Profession in Canlubang. Sr. Beth was first assigned in Pius XII Catholic Center Ladies’ Residence. Being the only daughter in the family, she felt the need to be near her parents in their old age. In December of 2001, she asked to be part of the USA Province to be close to her family. At present, she is the Community Animator of the FMA Provincial House in Texas.

Sr. Florencia A. Soberano, FMA

Victorias is a land of sunrise and sunset…a land of love and sweet smiles. True to its nature, Victorias has been giving a good number of vocations to the Salesian Family.

After Sr. Florence’s First Profession in 1983, she was sent to Pius XII Catholic Center Ladies’ Residence as her first community. In 1998, she asked to be a missionary in Cambodia. Coming home to the Philippines, she was assigned in Negros and Canlubang communities. In 2006, Sr. Florence went back to Cambodia and is happily convinced of God’s plan for her…”as certain as the dawn is God’s fidelity.”

FMAs Get Actively Involved in Defense of Truth

Through prayers, advocacies, and presence, the FMAs actively uphold the truth in two of the more hot social issues besetting the country today — the Lozada witnessing in the ZTE scandal and the Sumilao farmers’ cause to regain their land.  It is significant to note the position of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP) and the Catholic Educators Association of the Philippines (CEAP) where the FMA Philippine Province is a member of both.  AMRSP says (excerpt):  “We thank God for having been given the rare privilege of taking an active part in the triumph of truth over lies in a culture of fear and moral bankcruptcy.  We believe Jun Lozada is only an example of what is happening in our government institutions.  We humbly recognize that God, in His mysterious ways had made us his instrument in enabling Jun Lozada to come out with his historic revelation to the Press and to the Senate; we consider him a modern David confronting a Goliath… Let us heed the call of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) for communal action:  Truth hurts.  Truth reveals.  But the truth must be served.  The truth will set our country free…  This truth challenges us now to communal action…”

CEAP says (excerpts) :  “Following his conscience, Rodolfo Lozada Jr. these days has revealed possible corruption in the handling of government contracts.  His confession has stirred memories of other allegations by other people of graft and greed in the government, and is shaking the souls of many to speak and act in response.  What of us, the CEAP, an association of 1,252 schools, colleges, and universities with at least 2 million students and around 120,000 school personnel and faculty?  We too must speak, we too must act…   In tandem with the CBCP we invite our member schools and their constituents, our alumni and friends individually and communally to pray for guidance on what to do in these times of tension and difficulty…. We encourage the establishment of truth centers in our schools so that our students, teachers, and staff are led to continuing awareness, reflection, and formation toward social-political engagement…”

On the Sumilao Farmers, last February 11 and 12, Don Bosco School Community provided home to them and invited them to pray with and speak to the Sisters, students, and staff on issues of the land taken from them.  This is a concrete step of solidarity and getting the FMAs and their constituents engaged in supporting the cry of the poor when the government fails to move.  The Sumilao farmers have the right to their 144-hectare ancestral land now taken over by a big business firm.  The Catholic Church continues to support their cause especially through Bishop Pabillo, SDB and the Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan by the Ateneo de Manila University of the Jesuits.

Partihan 2007

Partihan 2007, the Annual Christmas Party for Streetchildren organized by the Laura Vicuña Foundation, Inc.  of the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco, was held last December 15, 2007 from 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Museo Pambata, Roxas Blvd., Manila.  Some 1,500 streetchildren graced the Christmas party which started with the celebration of the Holy Mass followed by the cantata, entrance to the museum, and gift-giving.  Thanks to our generous benefactors who made this event possible:

1. The Laura Vicuña Foundation Board of Directors, especially the President, Sr. Alice Fulgencio, FMA and the Vice-President, Justice Ricardo Puno, Sr.
2. Mr. Joey & Mrs. Marissa Concepcion
3. Ms. Joey Sison
4. Mr. Paquito Dizon
5. Ms. Marilen Espiritu
6. Ms. Josie Tan
7. Ms. Vicky Cuisia
8. Mr. John & Mrs. Lucille Mower
9. St. Paul College of Parañaque – High School Batch ‘75
10. Assumption College – High School Batch ‘79
11. Ms. Maria Araneta Fores
12. Dusit Hotel
13. Mr. Anthony Suntay

Provincial Chapter Good Night Talk by Justice Ricardo Puno, Sr.

October 27, 2007

At this late stage of my life spanning well over eight decades, I have had the distinct privilege of facing audiences of all ages, of different nationalities, of divergent stations in life, occupations, and vocations… from young students to professionals, from Asians to Europeans and Americans, from teen-agers to married couples, fjrom lawyers to doctors, from judges to justices, from consuls to ambassadors, from priests to bishops and archbishops.

But this is my first time, I have been invited to address an impressive gathering of religious Sisters – and I have never prayed harder than I have ever prayed before in preparation for this evening’s “Good Night Talk”.

A “Good Night Talk” – that was what Sr. Alice called it in her “Letter of Instructions” dated September 12, 2007.  It is also the very first time, I get very kind and specific written directions for my talk, defining my topic, and strictly limiting my speech to only “thirty minutes”.  I humbly and respectfully obey.  When I was a young professor teaching “Public Speaking” during my early twenties, I used to emphasize to my students that the worst fate that can befall any speaker is when his audience falls asleep.  Tonight, however, I have a strangely different mission — I shall be a dismal failure if my talk does not put you all to sleep in thirty minutes.

The theme for your XXII General Chapter Convention is:  “Called to be, today, sign and expression of the foreseeing love of God”.

The message more simply is:

“God is love”.  Love is often described as “giving, giving, and giving, until nothing more is left to give.”

You are here tonight, dear Sisters, because you gave God all that you have, and all that you are, and all that will ever be in your life here and hereafter.  But Scripture tells us that God cannot be outdone in generosity because God so loved us that He gave up His life for us.

On your part, you have given up the privilege, the pleasure and the comfort of your family home, to live, to work and to pray in unity, in togetherness, and in collaboration as a spiritually consecrated community.

While love does reign within the family circle, the love within your Salesian community spreads out its blessings in a larger measure because it transcends the limits of house walls, it effaces national boundaries and it completely encompasses the whole wide world of Salesians united in love.

Love can be received only when it is first given.  Love can be given back only after it has first been communicated.  The givers and the gifts must mutually come from opposite ways, and meet together from converging directions — love is not a one-way street.

Love is mutually felt, mutually manifested and mutually expressed.  I remember my father’s constant reminder.  Whenever we, his children, kissed him in parental greeting, he never failed to kiss us back.  I once dared to ask him why, and he replied:  “When you kiss me, you are saying that you love me.  I kiss you back to tell you that I love you, too.”

The ideal that governs your life in the sacred vocation you have embraced is to become “Mary-like”.  But our Blessed Mother taught us the simple and humble way of salvation, when in the wedding feast at Cana, Mary told us: “Do whatever He tells you.” (Jn. 2, 5)

Hence, to be “Mary-like”, we must also be “Christ-like”.  And so, like Christ you have indeed become devoted teachers of the young and loving providers for the poor.

The primary meaning of poverty is lack of money.  In that aspect, our country is over-populated by the poor.  But to St. Ignatius of Loyola, poverty does not only mean deprivation of material resources.  Poverty includes the poor in health, those distressed by human ugliness, those afflicted with physical disability, those suffering from failures, from cruelty, from maltreatment, from dire misery.

As teachers of our youth, like Christ and like Mary, you instill in young children the moral values and intellectual perspectives, the basic concepts of right and wrong, the commandments of rights and obligations, the religious tenets of a clean conscience.

As dedicated providers for the poor.  Like Christ and Mary, you participate in the guidance and support of the suffering masses towards the solution of psychological problems, the diminution of their dismal misfortunes, the guidance of their faltering steps towards proper equilibrium, and their attainment of social stability.

All these guidelines of action, all your missions of responsibility, all your philosophies of spiritual service to the youth and to the poor will be tragic frustrations unless they all become parts of your lives, parts of yourselves, unless you give and give, and give until there is nothing left to give. 

In fine, that is what it means to be “Mary-like”, to be “Christ-like”.  That is how we attain the PEACE we seek for ourselves, and the PEACE we strive to attain for others.

One who is not at peace with his or her conscience, cannot bring peace to the conscience of others.

What one knows, what one believes in, what one is — always find reflection in what we do, in what we say, in how we live.

You finally found PEACE, and Heaven began for you when you left home to be a Salesian.  You offered your earthly life, you sacrificed your entire past, present, and future human roles as loving daughter, faithful wife and caring mother, when you solemnly pledged to embrace your religious vows. 

In your new house of prayer, you have assumed your eternal roles.  You are the daughter of Blessed Mary, you are the spouse of Christ the Lord, and you are the Mother of the Holy Child Jesus.

Always remember in your minds and in your hearts that this doctrine, this mystery, and this reality of Jesus Christ still appearing to us today both as the Blessed Baby from Bethlehem and as the Risen Christ from Calvary, was solely intended and specially meant by Almighty God for each and everyone of you.

The life you chose is truly Heaven on Earth.  It is in fact Eternity in Time.

 Dear Sisters, Good Night and many flights of angels join you in your dreams.