Happy 16th Birthday, Pag-asa!

January 9, 2013:  Happy 16th Birthday to Pag-asa Social Center! 16 years of bringing back hope to the lives of the children and their families in Tagaytay City. Thank you Pag-asa! Maligayang Kaarawan sa iyo!

We start this update letter with the warmest welcome to our new supporters and friends! The entire Pag-asa family opens its arms wide, and embrace you! (Look at our logo with “embracing arms”!) Welcome to the family!

Pag-asa’s 17th Medical Mission in cooperation with Generika Pharmacy

And to those who have long been exchanging stories and news with us, thanks so much for staying and for your continuous support to our SAD (Support-At-a-Distance) program.

We greet in a special way our own Christian Meghini – from the group of Natalina Pellizzari – for his wedding with Martina Altinier last August! Our heartfelt best wishes!

To those who sent extra help, to those who are regularly sending help, and to our new friends who are organizing fund raising activities for Pag-asa: What you are doing, is unquestionably a legacy we will always repeat to our beneficiaries. You are all making a difference in this world!

Now, on to our news…

EVERY CHILD HAS A RIGHT TO A NAME AND NATIONALITY

The right to a name and nationality is one of the most fundamental of human rights. But millions of children spend much of their lives without any legal identity, and the benefits and protections it affords. Children who are not registered do not officially exist. On an individual level, this can complicate enrolment in school, and expose them to illegal adoption, exploitation as cheap labour, or involvement in criminal activities.

Children and their teachers enjoy their visit to
the city’s Dinosaur museum

Civil Registration Month is observed in the Philippines in the month of February, and this year’s theme “Tamang Rehistro, Pananagutan ng Bawat Pilipino,” (Correct registration is every Filipino’s responsibility) served as a reminder to all citizens to register vital events immediately, correctly and accurately, to avoid committing clerical errors. Erroneous, or ignorance of civil registration of documents, will further delay the availing of primary social services and privileges, like education, health and insurance benefits.

(The Philippines records births of at least 1.5 million a year, and it has achieved registration rates of about 90%. Aside from the unregistered births accumulated in earlier years, the effects of incorrect or inaccurate birth registration equates to not being registered at all.)

Pag-asa participated in this celebration by giving lectures to our families. The lecture yielded good results: Our families moved to remedy the problems. Some with vast changes to make postponed it, because it would take a huge amount.

LET ‘EM PASS TO SURPASS

This year we had a number of students on grade retention. (*Grade retention or grade repetition is the process of having a student repeat a course, usually one previously failed.) This may lower the self esteem of the students and make them feel they are mentally inferior, and cause them to give up on their academics. It may also cause them to be the subject of ridicule and bullying by other students. We believe that underperformance must be addressed with intensive remedial help, such as summer school programs, because we believe that it is important that students stay with their same-age peers. For our part, we help them with our tutorial lessons program.

To address the situation of students who get retention more than once on the same grade level, we asked the St. John of God brothers, of the Saint Raphael School for Children with Special Needs, to give a lecture to parents on the handling, not only of children with special needs, but also children with physical disabilities. The lecture was attended by 98% of our parents.

On our last update we mentioned about our volunteer Therapists (Lourdes Sales and Daniele De Patre) whose approach to therapy sessions is based on an atmosphere of love creating a Kuya-Bunso (Big brother-Younger sibling). Lourdes casually mentioned this approach to her PT (physical therapist) friends, and just out of curiosity they visited Pag-asa to see for themselves how our PTs do it. They immediately adopted what they have witnessed and after two weeks,they sent us testimonies that the approach has indeed helped them and their patients a lot.

Grade retention is one of the problems our children are facing in this age of electronic gadgets and the Internet. The ways kids spend their school day afternoons have drastically changed. Many choose to stay indoors and play computer games. Gone are the days when they would rather head out and play traditional games with their friends. There are also children (specially the teens) who feel worthless – or that there is nothing they are good at. They struggle with self esteem. But while there’s a time and place for technology-based entertainment, we, at Pag-asa, are also encouraging our children to take up interests that are relaxing and fun at the same time. Our Saturday programs are filled with different extra-curricular activities, where they can be involved – and find something that they are really good at – raising their self-esteem!

Donations from Friends and Sponsors

Physical activities bring children many benefits. A few of our children used to spend most of their times just watching basketball and other sports on TV (and literally glued to it for a long time). We encouraged them to go out and enjoy them more, by joining their school team. One basketball team of our students joined and won the tournament championship.

Some of our students participated in the DAMATH (math club) competition. Our Pelex Parina got the third place on first try, and became the champion the second time.

Maria Ellaine Yayen, another student of ours, was hailed champion in an inter-school Spelling Bee last September.
Many of our children are science enthusiasts and they participated in the Science Camp held in September, as part of the month-long celebration of the National Science Club Month.

HARD WORK PAYS OFF

We participated in the National Children’s Month, by honouring our student achievers, to show them our appreciation for their first successes as students. Emphasizing the importance of the role of the child in nation building, we shared to them that in order to be a builder of the nation, an achiever attitude should be carried on.

Halloween 2012

Since the National Children’s Month falls on October, we also organized for the children a Halloween party. Halloween is a festival not native to the Philippines, but is a recent adaptation from the West. Filipinos usually prefer to observe the more traditional All Saints Day or Undas on the first two days of November.

VEGGY GOOD!

We recently included Blood Chemistry, Chest x-ray, and ECG on our 17th Medical Mission accommodating almost a hundred patients. Those additions had been a great help to patients because it provided them information to their health conditions.
Celebrating this year’s Nutrition Month, we encouraged every Pag-asa member to eat more vegetables, so as to add more vitamins and minerals in the diet, as well as prevent non-communicable diseases such as various forms of cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Jhoemer enjoys the 3D book at the city’s Dinosaur museum

TO SEE IS TO BELIEVE

Our teachers organized a field trip for our day-care students to places that are familiar to young children. Together they toured around the immediate community: the hospital, the fire department station, the post office, and the museum. Children learn best through their first hand experiences because they are naturally curious.

HEROES OF PAG-ASA

Pag-asa, to acknowledge the tremendous sacrifice of our teachers, made the whole month of September special for them, by giving them a hand, and some small gift tokens (preparing them coffee, or even boiled bananas for a snack). Later in the month, we organized a Teacher’s Day celebration, exhibiting informative photos and texts, sharing of experiences, and a comedic presentation of our Theater group, on teachers and classroom humour. In the end we sang a special song for them. They are our heroes!!!

Pope Benedict XVI with our Ivan Luna

Pope Benedict XVI celebrated a special mass at St. Peter’s Square in Rome, to mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. In that very special occasion, our own Ivan Luna – a Pag-asa scholar – personally received from the Holy Father, a copy of the council’s messages that Pope Paul VI wrote in 1965. Ivan was among those chosen, to represent Asia and to receive this special gift from the Pope. The Holy Father told Ivan: “God bless Asia!” The Mass also opened the Year of Faith.

Emanuele &
Matteo

Also in October, our former Pag-asa volunteers, Emanuele Roggio and Matteo Chiericoni, of Viareggio, Italy, organized a fund raising activity for the Pag-asa Social Center in their parish, Sta. Rita. They were helped by members of the New Family Movement, who presented the SAD-program, as well as Ivan and 33 other youth of the Focolare Movement from around the world, who are right now in Loppiano (the little city of the Focolare Movement near Florence, Italy) to experience a life of love and unity. Together, they shared their personal experiences: as volunteer workers, and as beneficiary, along with the presentations of photos of the activities they did while in Pag-asa. Everyone who attended was amazed by the dedication we give every day in helping the poor and marginalized children. They ended the evening offering our Favola Shirts, and a burning desire to continue this work together with us. Thanks to all of you for this beautiful testimony of love for our children!

Our former Pag-asa volunteers, Matteo Chiericoni & Emanuele Roggio, came to the Youth Formation Center of the Mariapolis Peace in Tagaytay City last January, to experience a life of unity together with other youth of the Focolare Movement from different parts of the world.

Dear sponsors and friends, we hope that this update has been a gift to you and your loved ones! We hope and pray that this Christmas be beautiful, meaningful, and bring you and your family, happiness & joy this holiday season – and throughout the coming year!!!

Merry Christmas!

- Frank, Arlyn and your Pag-asa team

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- Update Letter in English
- Update Letter in German (Deutsch)

- Update Letter in Italian (Italiano)

See this story on Focolare Website in English

See this story on Focolare Website in Italian

Daniele with the kids of Pag-asa

Daniele De Patre, a Focolare Youth from Northern Italy, shares his experience in the Philippines, as he came and volunteered to work at the Focolare’s Pag-asa Social Center in Tagaytay. In line with the international Genfest held in Budapest, Hungary last August 31-September 1, 2012, here we publish how an Italian youth bridged cultural barriers by serving others.

After graduating from high school Daniele started to nurture a big dream. He wanted to spend his life helping others, especially those who are most in need. In 2009, he graduated in Physiotherapy and moved to Pisa to practice his profession. Working in hospitals and other medical clinics, he felt good sharing his knowledge and skills for the good of others. Operating in healthcare facilities, he was introduced to harsh environments, and it was in these situations of suffering and pain that he realized that people needed more support, comfort and care. This made him realize that outside his own world reality was completely different, as the poor and suffering were neglected, and had no hopes for improving their situation.

After two years, his dream of spending time serving in a remote and poor area became a reality. In fact, in January 2012 he moved to Tagaytay, a small city to the south of Manila in the Philippines. There he came in contact with a Social Center that tries to help the poorest people. He shares:”Pag-asa Social Center (Pag-asa means ‘hope’) welcomed me upon my arrival in the Philippines. I came on tiptoe into a completely new reality, away from my own culture. Here I saw a different situation of poverty and hardship.”

Daniele with the staff of Pag-asa Social Center

Pag-asa employs about 10 staff with many other people volunteering for this work. They spend their days bringing joy and hope to the poor in neighboring barangays. Daniele continues: “The first thing that changed my perspective happened when I got to know the poor. I felt part of a wonderful family. I then felt privileged, and, as a stranger and newcomer, in need of help myself. Here with my colleagues we built up a strong unity, all trying to cooperate and build bridges among us, witnessing to the beauty of a peaceful, clean, non-compromising environment, under the sun (literally). Their smiles, their availability and the desire to make me feel at home, inspired me to give my best and above all take to heart all their difficulties as if they were my own, so I tried to always be the first to share the skills I have learned in life.”

I learned that children who appear small, take in everything not only with their eyes, but also with their hearts and souls.

He had two main tasks: in the morning Daniele translated letters of children from English to Italian to their sponsors abroad, mostly Italian families, and in the afternoon, he offered physical therapy to people who needed them. Both jobs were quite new for him at first, but he had come to experience deep and new meanings behind them. While reading the letters of the children, he found himself more and more immersed in their world. He shares, “Although I did not know all their faces behind those letters, in their words I discovered all the joys, the difficulties or the hopes that they were living. I learned that children who appear small, take in everything not only with their eyes, but also with their hearts and souls. I realized that they have a special sensitivity and are happy in a simple way, for example, by just receiving a new pair of shoes or a colorful notebook! That’s how much the smile of a child is worth! For us Europeans, this way of appreciating things is getting lost, as we forget life’s essentials when we search for so many things in life. But here I really saw what is most important, the simplicity of their lives, in which anything that one receives is already a great gift and a cause for celebration!”

Daniele during his therapy session to a child

Then, by practicing his profession in the Philippines he found himself using and improving it. This was because his relationship with his clients was completely different. Before embarking on a therapy, he saw to it to build up a relationship or friendship, and a sense of solidarity and understanding with his patients. He shares: “It was wonderful to share in their most intimate thoughts, understanding how they felt and how they wanted to be helped. This happened to me especially with the parents of many children who came for treatment. I realized that they hid so many thoughts that disturbed them, and also uncertainties, and there was really a need to communicate with them. When they saw my willingness to listen, it seemed like their volcanoes were erupting and exploding as they poured out their feelings to me. In expressing themselves, they were already unburdened and this was a big help for them.”

Experiencing this environment, Daniele realized how much, before, he had lived superficially, in indifference and neglect of others. He shares: “It seemed then that the world revolved around me and my world, and those people that I had seen on TV news were so far away that I felt that I could not do anything about them. But now, living in the Philippines, I understood that I really could do so much. In fact, a lot! Just thinking about the sufferings of other people and their difficult situations will somehow change how we live our daily lives. It will even help us modify our habits, not wasting all our resources and wealth on trifles, but making good use of what we own. For here in the Philippines, although possessing so little, children and families rediscover hope and serenity in the midst of hardship. To see the poor with calmness and faith in God as they think of where to get their food for dinner, grateful for the opportunity to send their children to school and to see their eyes, deep with emotion, thanking you for a dress or something given to them, really filled my heart with joy!”

Daniele with the kids at Pag-asa Daycare School

Certainly it is unlikely we’ll think of these things if we are far removed from such a situation. Daniele understood that these things were so distant from his culture, and that people from his region in Northern Italy might not even think about such things. He admits, “But if I stop for a moment and remember that everything that was given to me, having been born in a rich region, possessing a house, cars and the many amenities that everyone dreams of, and especially the opportunity to improve myself by studying and working, I realized that everything was given to me freely, without any merit of mine (well, of course, thanks to my parents and those who lived before me in my country) … But somehow, this makes me think and appreciate what I’ve received, as I have now a responsibility to share this gift with others. As the gospel says, ‘Freely we received, so we freely we give…’ “

Daniele during a community visit

He adds, “The fact that I was born in Italy is such a big gift. I have received a precious gift for which I am so thankful. I may have been born in Italy, but another brother was born in Africa and another in Brazil and still another in the Philippines. Their conditions are bound to be different from mine, as some will live poorly and in suffering without their having chosen it. To this reality, I can’t close my eyes and be selfish. I cannot plug up my ears and then pretend that this brother will manage without my help. I also realized that at times I myself may be in need of help. I cannot tie my hands and pretend that the rest of the world doesn’t exist and I don’t need the others. My brother, being such, needs me and I need him too. As I realized this, I felt my heart exploding in my chest. I wanted to run to give my contribution to the realization of their hopes and my hopes too. I want to offer a brick for the construction of a new world in which my brothers and I can eat the same way, have opportunities to study and teach, to dress and to play without having to beg, to have a roof and a bed on which to rest one’s head at night and dream together that, finally, a more just world is not just a far-fetched idea, but here, thanks to everyone’s contribution, it is slowly becoming a reality.”

- This story was also published in Citta Nuova (Italian Magazine).

It’s been 15 years! And together we continue to help more and more children and their families – despite the economic crisis all of us are experiencing for the last years. In fact, 10 new sponsors joined us since February! For this reason we start this update letter with so much gratitude, and our warmest welcome, for them! We assure you: Your help will change the lives of “your” children for the better!

Teacher and Kids at Pag-asa

In a special way, we want to thank all of you – who remained faithful over all these years – and, through you serving as “connection” for so many of our friends: the untiring staff of the AFN – Azione per Famiglie Nuove onlus, with their program of the “Sostegno a distanza, SAD”, with 383 donors and sponsors; our many friends and sponsors from Teramo, Natalina Pellizzari, Bellante, Suor Bartolomea, Agnes and Diether Schenkel, their friends and the members of the Rotary Club of Papenburg; as well as the many, many donors and long term supporters – who are connected directly with Pag-asa. To each and everyone of you, our dearest sponsors and partners, thank you for your unwavering support. You have followed our growth carefully, and are responsible for the successes we have all been celebrating, year after year. Some of our supporters have passed on to heaven, but their families have chosen to continue their legacy: to help needy children across the continents.

As part of an ongoing effort to help you connect your child with your culture, we offered several cultural familiarization programs to the children in order to break down barriers (specially of the language). Now, whenever they write you a letter, they can at least tell you what they learned about your country and your traditions and compare it with theirs.

Special thanks to the Segard Family, the members and friends of the Association NDAO Monde Uni from France, for the 650 and 3300 Euros collected during their fundraising activities for our Chiara Luce Medical Clinic – which is regularly accommodating patients with permanent disabilities, cerebral palsy, and a child with developmental delay. Two new volunteer Physical Therapists showed us a different approach in treating patients. Daniele De Patre, from the province of Teramo, Italy, and Lourdes Sales from the Philippines – coupled with diligence, compliance, and dedication – are using continued interaction and coordination with their patients, producing incredible results! By setting first and foremost an atmosphere of love, they create a Kuya-Bunso (Big brother-Younger sibling) relationship, instead of a Therapist-Patient. Their patients surprisingly show a milestone in the mobility of their joints. They achieve greater flexibility and better balance and coordination. 

Daniele with the kids

Daniele De Patre, came to the Youth Formation Center of the Mariapolis Peace in Tagaytay City last January, to experience a life of unity together with other youth of the Focolare Movement. This became the chance for him to realize one of his dreams: to be able to help those in most need. When he came to work as a volunteer in Pag-asa, he was assigned in the translations of the letters of the children – from English to Italian. After reading what the children wrote, he found himself more and more immersed in their world. Though he didn’t see the faces of those behind the letters – in their words – he saw the joy, the difficulty, and the hope that they live. In the barrio visits, he experiences for himself the content of the letters. He saw how superficial and indifferent his life is – how much he takes for granted things he didn’t have to sweat for: food, clothes, and almost everything he wants. He adds: “after seeing how the children and families are already content to secure a meal for dinner, I realize I can change my habits – by not wasting resources in trifles, but to make conscientious use of them. I cannot close my eyes and be selfish; I cannot plug my ears and pretend that other people will manage without my help; I cannot clasp my hands and think that the rest do not exist. I think in this way now: I was born in Italy, while my brother was born in Africa, and another in Brazil, and another still in the Philippines. Their condition is bound to be different from mine, they can be poor and suffering. Thus I need to give my contribution to the realization of the hopes of my brothers. I want to put my brick in the construction of a world where my brothers and I can eat, have the opportunity to study, dress, play, and have a roof and a bed for the night, without having to beg.” 

Modry Bal (Benefit Ball) Czech Republic

The Modry Bal (Benefit Ball) was again held for the benefit of Pag-asa. Nine years after Petr Diblik from the Czech Republic initiated it, the new responsibles, Anicka and Marita, who organized its Jubilee (10^th year) celebration, sent us the eventual income (1,190 Euro!). This donation will cover the one-year school expenses (college) of one of our handicapped youth. Thank you very, very much!

We share the joy of our dear Suor Bartolomea on the festive celebration of her 60th Religious Consecration anniversary last January. 

 

Thanks for the visit of Father Theo Janssen, OFM Cap., responsible for the Men Religious of the Focolare Movement; Wolfgang Schratter, high school classmate of Frank Schmelzer; and Thomas, Christine and Joann Fugel, Bernadette Schmitt and Martin Bombik, all from Germany.

 

Congratulations to our 7 new university graduates and our two new teachers – they passed the State Board Examinations for Teachers!

 

Many thanks for the big boxes of educational and children’s books from Robert Swindells of UK and for the big boxes of clothes and toys from Frederic Marr of USA.

 

Three months ago…

Our children enjoyed their most awaited time of the year: the break from the pressures of school life! To beat the heat of the summer we visited our yearly destinations: Batangas, and Hardin ng Postema Resort in Cavite, whose owner, Angel Sesa, generously gave us free entrance – 6 years in a row now!

Thanks to our collection of ‘Piso Ko, Pag-asa Natin’, we could extend our help, through our Medical Assistance Program, in the hospitalization expenses, laboratory procedures and purchases of medicines for the sick, specially in these months of the rainy season. Many get ill due to the unpredictable weather.

VISITING PAG-ASA GIVES HOPE

The graduates of Pag-asa Social Center

For the parents: In our “Parents’ Education Program”, Dr. Elenita Alcantara, as an officer of the Department of Education and District Supervisor of Tagaytay Elementary School, gave an enlightening talk on a current reform issue on Philippine Education.

For the children: The students of The British School Manila, in partnership with Mr. Anton Vera of the EBM (Empowering Brilliant Minds) Foundation, came to share their knowledge of Math, Science, and Reading with our pre-school children for three days.

For the families: The Rissho Kosei-Kai, a worldwide Japanese Buddhist movement, sent 50 youth members for an immersion in the lives of the children and families we assist. They were overjoyed by the warm welcome given them by a remote barrio we are helping. They witnessed the Filipino’s optimism: experiences of resiliency in times of calamity were shared. And yet, we Filipinos still manage to smile! Leaving Pag-asa, they said they bring with them a great lesson learned from us: that as long as you live, there is PAG-ASA, there is hope!

PAG-ASA PRACTICES ENVIRONMENTALISM

The world’s ecological problem, of pollution, of environmental degradation and the resulting climate change, demands the cooperation of one and all. It requires a concerted effort on the part of everyone.

A simple, doable and direct solution, in a flood-prone country like the Philippines, where we use and throw away plastic bags – clogging our sewage systems – is to lessen, if not stop, their use.

In Pagasa, we do our share by changing our own mind-set and lifestyle: from the use of plastic bags, to investing in long-term reusable and recyclable bags (which we included in the Family’s Christmas gifts). We now distribute rice from our Discount Store using this bag, producing a positive impact on our environment, by ceasing the handing out of plastic bags. The families use these, not only in getting their share of rice from Pag-asa, but also whenever they go to the city market to buy things. In Pag-asa, we stopped using plastic bags, and help raise the public awareness of this specific habit and that of the bigger issue of our responsibility to care for the earth’s ecology.

PAG-ASA – ONE TEAM, ONE TIME (QUALITY), ONE FAMILY

Donations from Friends and Sponsors

Nowadays, children (including some of ours) are hooked and glued in front of computers – playing online games for hours – resulting to failing grades, even though they claim to study religiously every day. And, if not on computers, they often end up playing games on any mobile if they are in the house.

The root of this problem: the little time the parents are spending with their children! We called the parents to share about QUALITY TIME. The parents realized how easy it is to take this notion of quality time for granted, especially for ‘stay-at-home-mothers’. “Why do I have to make quality time for each of the kids, when I’m with them every day? They have plenty of my time. What is quality time, anyway?” asked one mother. The fact is, children deserve and require some of their parent’s undivided attention on a regular basis, for their own growth, self-esteem development, maturation, and in order for the parent-child relationship to grow and blossom.

Quality time with a child doesn’t need to cost a lot of money or of big amounts of time. It’s not letting the kids flip through books, while parents are reading their own, doing the dishes, or attending to the things that have to be done around the house. Putting down our own ‘to-do’ list, and giving our children our undivided attention during play time is a great way to spend quality time with our children. A mother of five might feel torn trying to read stories while everyone clamours for a spot on her lap. It isn’t the amount of time you give each child, but that each child gets to be the center of your world – sometimes! A good relationship with our children, based on quality time versus quantity time, helps children reach their potential, and grow into well-adjusted and confident adults. Quality time with our children helps in a variety of ways. One example: When they need it, they’ll know who to go to – instead of having to look for it from wrong people, or worst from wrong places like the internet cafes.

On the other hand, a number of our children spent their free time in our Computer Learning Center, studying the necessary computer skills. The 7-years old Computer Learning Center has been a big help for the children and even some parents! Recently, we awarded the “diploma” to 4 students who excellently completed the computer modules.

As a complement, we intensified our weekly basketball games knowing that playing basketball keep kids off the streets and computer gaming shops. After a series of games, we have come to close our very first “season”! Our players learn how to compete – that hard work, practice and sacrifice are important, in order to win! At the same time they learn to be fair, to be a sport, and have fun in a competition. They learn to accept losing – and chose to keep going! That is why, like for most Filipinos, basketball is an important sport for Pag-asa. For children and staff, playing basketball offers a way to engage in fun competition while getting regular and vigorous exercise. It is also a venue for constant social interaction, benefitting staff and children players alike, and the Pag-asa family as well.

We end this update letter, with joy and pride! Because of the activities we have mentioned in the latter part, the children and their families say that they feel more and more the “family atmosphere” in Pag-asa. Through your constant support, we remain committed to making our vision “TO BE OF ONE FAMILY” always a reality.

Wishing you the best summer ever …time shared with friends & family, not a care in the world, no clocks, no deadlines, sand in your shoes, and a sun-kissed face!

- Frank, Arlyn and your Pag-asa team

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- Update Letter in English
- Update Letter in German (Deutsch)

- Update Letter in Italian (Italiano)

We are in the monsoon season as we write this update letter to you. Due to worse typhoons that have hit the country in recent years, we have coordinated with the city government three months earlier and invited them to provide an interactive seminar for our center. The seminar on DISASTER  RISK  REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT (DRRM) discussed the need to lessen  the environmental impact of disasters like climate change, and promote the involvement of communities concerned, especially our communities in Pag-asa Social Center. The speakers who came stressed the implementation of actions and measures relating to all aspects of DRRM, which includes risk assessment and early warning, information awareness, the reduction of underlying risk factors, and preparedness for effective response and early recovery. By knowing what to do in these situations, people can then better cope with various calamities.

Dr. Giuseppe Poidimani dedicatedly helped us in medical consultations of children and families for 3 months. In between the consultations, he also helped us in the Italians translations of our children’s letters where he confessed that oftentimes he gets teary-eyed for reading the letters.

Three months after the DRRM, we have tried to deal with another kind of ‘disaster’.  After noting how some parents talked to their children in a negative way, we have decided to offer a talk about VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN. Verbal, physical, emotional, psychological and economic abuse, are all crimes of violence which  involve emotional anguish, public humiliation for the woman or her child and denial of financial support or custody towards minor children.  These women understood that they can always avail of protection to prevent further acts of violence from happening again and have access to necessary relief. The relief granted under a protection order serves to safeguard them from further harm, to minimize any disruptions to their daily life, and to give them the opportunity to regain control of their own lives. Since then, we have  continued this series of education for our mothers.

A big number of Pag-asa families still have infants and we were very grateful to learn that the objective of this year’s celebration of NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH is to encourage all sectors of society to help in promoting the proper practice of BREASTFEEDING.  By organizing a half-day of activity, we offered a small lecture to the mothers. We explained to them that breastfeeding not only saves their babies from sickness, but also provides them with long-term benefits. Studies show that breastfed babies do better in school cognitive tests. There is also a positive correlation between breastfeeding and children’s educational attainment, according to surveys.

In between those series of seminars, monthly meetings were held in 8 different communities. The meetings were organized and conducted by Irene de los Angeles. She is a lawyer at 80, and one of the founders of the 7 social centers linked to the Focolare Movement in the Philippines. Topics in this year’s meetings focused on God’s will and how to always love Him through the neighbours nearest to us. The monthly ‘Word of Life’ was also read and deepened  with the sharing of experiences from the participants. The ‘Word of Life’  is a chosen sentence in the Gospel by which the Focolare members try to live.  In addition to the meetings, some topics concerning the environment and nutrition were also discussed.

Irene was so impressed with one particular group with whom she commented was really “a community in the making”. Coming from far places, the communities comprised of families and the youth, all showed up at the venue despite strong rains. The venue became very quiet during the talks. The speaker thought that the number of participants was lesser because everyone was listening intently for fear of missing a word of information. Almost everyone was so moved by the meeting.

In about three months that you would be receiving this update letter, the graduation ceremories for our children would also be held.

GRADUATING IN A RECESSION 

We have several students whom you have helped up to their college graduation. They are all graduating in the midst of a global recession. It has been a difficult year for the economy as there is a very stiff competition between graduates, laid-off  employees, and job-switchers vying for just few available jobs. Global outsourcing, smaller wages and smaller career growth give the jobseekers very limited options. They are either forced to get underemployed by taking a job out of their own field or just take any offer even if it does not give them the salary and the career that they deserve.

Today’s economy and job market are both presenting discouraging situations to find jobs. There are simultaneous layoffs and forced resignations from big companies and a lot of unexpected scenarios. Unfortunately, a jobseeker would just always find himself spending a lot of time attending interviews and online applications. Hundreds or even thousands could be competing for just one vacant position.

After two and a half months of jobhunting, our graduate students considered taking an internship in their field—believing that this was a good way to get their feet on a company and a step which may lead to a full-time position.  Subsequently, our very first graduate, a nursing student, fortunately landed a job in a famous clinic that provides accessible, affordable and efficient quality healthcare. Also, two of our Information Technology graduates are now working in the central business district of Makati City on their own chosen fields.  One is a web designer and developer at an ultimate one-stop online bookstore in the Philippines, while the other graduate works as a System Engineer in a leading company that  provides  equipment and systems to the retail industry.

Irene de los Angeles & Dr. Giuseppe Poidimani

TEACHERS AND TEACHING

Periodically, we have a number of children who bring home a bad report card. This may not be too alarming, but after having seen a pattern of poor grades and teachers started notifying us that some of our children are struggling with specific subjects, we again considered offering tutorial services.

We know that children’s lives at home can be much easier if the bulk of their homework has already been done or at least discussed before dinner time. For those who have studying problems, a neutral homework coach with knowledge of what is being covered at school is a great ally and who else better fit to be coaches but the  students themselves. Together with our three graduate teachers who are all currently teaching in our day care center, we organized a LEARNING CAMP for 15 high school students who were willing to help around 20 slow learners of Grades 1 to 3 elementary students.

However, considering that non-participation during school lessons by these slow learners might also be the reason for their low grades, we taught them how to socialize by building a good relationship with their tutors. Later on, the students realized that their teachers can be their friends too and that they shouldn’t assume their  teachers are traditional teachers who are unapproachable.

One  of our graduate teachers expressed desire to leave classroom teaching. He explained that he didn’t want to teach on the standard  setup, but  that he intends to pursue teaching in ALS program or Alternative Learning System. ALS is a free education program which benefits those who cannot afford formal schooling and adapts to their available schedule. There are only two ALS teachers in Tagaytay and he hopes very much to be the third one, and to make a difference.

Special thanks goes to RITA ZANON for her donation of € 800,00 for the benefit of our center.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE 

Ronald Manguiat, the very first beneficiary of Pag-asa Social Center

Our future SPED (Special Education) teacher, RONALD MANGUIAT, the very first beneficiary of Pag-asa Social Center, is blind and currently doing ‘practice teaching’ for blind children. He has been making a difference for many years now and this year he surprised us again!  Just about to graduate next year, he has already received public recognition as one of the three BAYANING GURO’s (a hero teacher) during the commemoration of World Teachers’ Day and National Teachers’ Month. The event was aired on local TV last October and inspired all our children, even those without disabilities—to work hard and study well (see also http://channel11.gmanews.tv/front-row-presents-bayaning-guro.)

For the second consecutive year, Joshua and Daryl, our two children with special needs, competed once again in the 9^th SPED Olympics, a sports contest for children with disabilities. Thirty-one schools joined in this competition whose primary goal was to make these children feel that they can also live and share with their communities like normal kids. Some of the games were badminton, gymnastics, track and field, and other sports that would reveal their athletic prowess, despite their condition.  Joshua and Daryl joined the track and field division.

Before ending this update, we are happy to announce to all of you that finally, we have our own website pagasasocialcenter.org , designed and developed for free by our friend Henry Angeles. Please take a look at it! We hope you’ll like it! Please see our website and new e-mail address on the footer.

Now Christmas is fast approaching and we leave you with this message:

THERE ARE MANY MILES BETWEEN US, BUT THIS SEASON’S GREETING IS FOR YOU, TO WISH YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES A WORLD OF HAPPINESS ON THIS BLESSED CHRISTMAS DAY!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM DEEP DOWN IN OUR HEARTS AND A BIG “THANK YOU” FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!!!

- Frank, Arlyn and the staff of Pag-asa Social Center Foundation Inc.

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- Update Letter in English
- Update Letter in Italian (Italiano)

Letter from the Mayor of Tagaytay City

Letter from the Mayor of Tagaytay City 2

Original Christmas letter from Chiara Lubich (2003)

Translation of the Christmas Letter of Chiara Lubich

We have just finished the summer season while most of you are just about to enjoy summer vacation. Here we are again with some news about the months of December to June. We would like to thank you all for taking time to read our updates, for writing us and your children, and sending extra donations for the benefit of our children, the center, and our projects.

As Pag-asa Center moves on, it is always filled with novelty projects for the benefit of the children and their families. Almost every month there are things happening that we are proud to tell you about right away and we feel like we can-not wait for another six months just to let you know of our activities here. That’s why we created a social networking account (facebook) only for you. There you can

A nativity scene in one of the many beautiful Christmas presentations.

find us in galleries of photos and short write-ups. Several of you have already added us as friends and commented or “liked” us. Once again we invite all of you to check Pag-asa’s Facebook Page. If you wish to see recent photos of your supported children just tell us and we will be more than willing to grant your requests. Some of the news you will read now have been posted already to our facebook account.

Our months-long preparation for our Christmas party last December became: “The best Christmas Party ever of Pag-asa”! This was the remark of most people who approached and congratulated us during and right after the event. Some guests, due to conflicting commitments, told us beforehand that they would have to leave early. However, they couldn’t separate themselves from their seats because they were so glued to the presentations on stage. Barely a month after that we recalled our beginnings: after the Thanksgiving mass where Frank Schmelzer, the head of Pag-asa shared: “Pag-asa has no exact date of birth. We had no plan for starting something like this. We only came up with the anniversary January „09, because the death of Silvio (the son of Natalina Pellizzari, a foster parent who helped to start Pag-asa) is very relevant to the beginnings of Pag-asa, which, in 1997, did not even have a name yet.”

When Silvio died, Natalina was told: “Look, you lost one child, and only a mother can understand what it means, but you could have more than a hundred children back.” … and that‟s how something big like Pag-asa came to life.

Pag-asa is now 14 years old and in those years we have been acquainted with the way family members seek help. The help we extend is only for the studies, feeding and health programs of a child but usually here in Pag-asa when you officially support a child, the families assume that the support is meant for the whole family.

To make the familes realize that we can be partners in helping them and their neighbours we called for a meeting with the barangay officials on January 25 to discuss:

- Poverty alleviation – through income generation and livelihood projects.

- Food security – by promoting production and proper utilization of foods.

The mothers of our children received their certificates in Massage Therapy

After that initiative on our part, providence started pouring in: We received boxes of medicines from different donors. We had more than enough of them at that moment and to keep the providence circulating we distributed some boxes to the barangay health centers. A philanthropist from Manila who wished to remain anonymous donated a big amount for our livelihood programs and a member who acquired a special skill shared it with our mothers who were unemployed at that moment.

Speaking about unemployment, the number of unemployed persons in the Philippines is growing ever more, mainly among the youth. In addition, every year there is an estimated half million graduates who are out looking for a job. Pity to those who have not even finished a vocational course. Even worse, more and more are being displaced by companies everyday here and abroad.

Of course even Pag-asa is faced with this kind of problem among its members and they are left with no choice but to find other means to earn a living. With the hope of alleviating the growing unemployment rate, hand in hand we started a new livelihood training program in February with the help of Laura Novela, one of the mother beneficiaries of Pag-asa who first undertook training (outside Pag-asa) in massage therapy and later shared with Pag-asa what she learned. The first batch was made up of 14 mothers and even before they finished the course, clients had already started look-ing for them thus providing them a newly found source of income which they will be forever grateful for.

LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMS

One of the fathers of our children who acquired of the Cattle Fattening Livelihood.

Dear friends, you might know that many members of Pag-asa are also tenant farmers or farm caretakers and they are participating in cattle fattening schemes. They raise cows, and then they sell them at the market. This is a very important source of revenue for them. Most of them however don’t own the cows they are fattening because they cannot afford to.

With the help of a generous contributor, the Cattle Fattening Livelihood was realized in Pag-asa. We had 5  fathers who acquired this livelihood program and their hearts are overflowing with gratitude for this opportunity. Theirs (and also our) hope is, that one day with the income they will get from the sales they will be able to buy their own cattle to fatten!

Interested parents also took advantage of our newly launched livelihood projects on swine fattening and chicken poultry raising.

Even our FAVOLA shirt Livelihood Program is going ahead. Beside our already well known tourist T-shirts which we are selling throughout the country, now there are more and more requests for “made-to-order” printed T-shirts, not only by groups, friends, organizations, parishes and beach resorts within the Philippines, but also by friends, sponsors and organizations in Europe, who in this way want to help our Project and in return get quality at a reasonable price . If you or your friends are interested, just contact us through our website.

Favola Shirts

HEARTWARMING GIFTS

In March, after one year having enrolled their child in our pre-school, with many seminars for parents, our grateful parents wrote a collective letter of thanks to Pag-asa Social Center during the Family Day celebration. Here are some excerpts from their letter:

“Thank you… for teaching us to listen to the will of God and to be contented about the things we have. Slowly we are changing to become better parents. We have become closer and more loving towards our families, our spouses, and our children. …for showing us that nothing is impossible if God is with us. You have strengthened our communication with God. …and for helping us realize the importance of communicating with our children. You’ve taught our children not only academically but also, imparted to them with good values in life.

We were really touched by those words and to add to our joy, we were awarded by the Department of Education a certificate of recognition and appreciation for our valuable and continuous support extended to indigent school children.

Dear friends, because of your generous support, we are very proud to tell you that 5 of our university scholars have graduated this year: two of them are now teachers while the other 3 finished computer courses. Our happiness was really overflowing specially when two of our graduates passed the board: one in nursing and another in teaching.

Family Day: Some of our daycare children telling Frank what they wanted to be when they grow up.

SMILING SHOES

And then came April, a break from school..

Just because the school year has ended in April does not mean that the educational opportunities for our children are over as well. Since learning can take place throughout the year, even outside the classroom, we organized their vacations to include both fun and educational activities, helping them to learn with-out it feeling like a chore.

One of these activities is the basketball game… Team “Pag-asa”, our basketball team, is still at the beginning – but more than learning the fundamentals of the game, the team learned that playing basketball is not playing against opponents… They make friends with the opponents instead, remembering in every game the Cube of Love. After having played with our friends in Saint Gregory Academy in Indang, Cavite, they all came back home happy. They did not only win the game, but they also won friends. While they all wore smiles on their faces, their shoe soles were also smiling as they were slowly being torn apart from their toe-caps.

Some of our staff receiving a certificate of recognition from the Department of Education.

Team Pag-asa is an indigent team and buying a pair of even rubber shoes, in a flea market is difficult for them. Finding a used big box, one of us then turned it into a “Shoe donation box”. As it was displayed in the lobby of our Center, family members started to drop their extra and slightly used rubber shoes. Now only their faces are smiling because their shoes are better.

SUMMER OUTING 2011

School vacation will not be complete without the most awaited treat for our children, the summer outings! They say that children are like cement. Whatever falls on them while the cement is fresh makes an impression. To make less privileged children happy, by bringing them on an outing during this season

Teatro Pag-asa

(April and May) they deserve to enjoy too, is a way of showing them that there is hope, no matter how cruel life seems to them. Giving them hope encourages optimism in them, providing them a better chance to live happy and productive lives. If we do not show them kindness, they will take the path of hopelessness. Under the blazing heat of the sun, the children took time to go swimming. Everyone ate, sang, and played the day away. Then we wrapped the day up with multiple pictorial shots.

Dear friends, all this news was made possible because of your continuous support for us. Come rain or shine, you remain with us. Endless thanks to you!!! We know that some of you are sacrificing your vacation to help your needy children but may we still wish you a wonderful summer vacation! See you next updating!

- Frank, Arlyn and the staff of Pag-asa Social Center Foundation Inc.

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- Update Letter in English
- Update Letter in German (Deustsch)
- Update Letter in Italian (Italiano)

After only a few months, here again we have the latest news of our activities from July to November this year. Thanks through your continuous support and love, we are now able to improve the lives of 471 children from 274 families (October 2010)! Our gratitude also for all of you who gave us such encouraging feedback on our latest update-letter! We really feel more and more that we are one great family with all of you!

Blessing of the Medical Clinic October 29, 2010

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

During the earlier years of Pag-asa, we were organizing mass Church weddings to benefit many poor couples who had been living already together for years because of lack of money to get married. This program gives the couples the opportunity to have their matrimonial union in church and give them a decent ceremony without spending too much. We were able to accommodate most of them for their marriages except for those who had difficulties processing their papers. Last July, after a very long wait to have their papers fixed, three (3) of our poor couples finally exchanged vows during a mass wedding held at our local Parish Church.

We also discovered that many children were born to Catholic parents but grew up without having their baptism in Church. Lack of time, money, education and sometimes a question of faith were the reasons in most cases. Preparing the families on their way towards faith, this year we were able to celebrate a mass with baptism for five of our children.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION PROGRAMS

In Light, there is Hope…

Blessing

Chiara Luce Badano, a young girl from northern Italy, died 20 years ago at the age of only 18 years. She has been beatified last September 25, 2010 in Rome, and so she became the first member of the Focolare Movement raised to the Altar. During the mass they quoted one of her sayings “What matters is not so much speaking about God, but above all, I must proclaim him with my life.”

Inspired by Chiara Luce’s simple acts of love and strong faith to God, our youth put their voices into writing which you can also see in Facebook just add pagasacenter@yahoo.com

I feel happy whenever I am helping my family and my friends. I am helping my mother in cleaning our house. At school I am sharing my lunch with my classmate at times when she doesn’t have one. Whenever I do this, I feel happy because I feel like it is Jesus I am helping. – Iriks Maria Dalanon

 

 

While leaving the school ground one afternoon I saw a fellow student who unknowingly dropped his money. I picked it up and gave it back to him. – Jericho Eliazar

Chiara Luce

 

One day my father and I went to the market to sell our harvest. I saw a beggar asking for money. The money I had that time (20 pesos) was exactly the amount I needed to buy the basketball I had been longing to buy. However, I thought that I could still buy that some other time so I gave half of it to him. Right after that I saw my godfather coming in from the fruit section and he gave me 20 pesos, and so I was still able to buy the basketball. – Michael Eliazar

In memory of Chiara Luce as a model of modern sanctity for all young people and to remind us of her admirable courage and undying spirit, on October 29 her feast day, we finally had the blessing

Blessed Chiara Luce Clinic

of the small medical clinic in our center which will now carry the name Blessed Chiara Luce Badano Medical Clinic. Chiara Luce’s dream was to become a doctor and help poor children in Africa. Because of her deadly sickness she was not able to fulfill this dream…

The final realization of this clinic was made possible also through a big amount donated and collected during the 40th wedding anniversary of our faithful foster parents Nicoletta Panarello and Franco Zito from Milan, Italy. Thank you so much!

HEALTH PROGRAMS

After the pandemic AH1N1 virus last year, the Dengue (Hemorrhagic) Fever became the killer disease of 2010, affecting many Filipinos, especially children. Also some children of Pag-asa became victims of this mosquito-transmitted virus. To build awareness, our volunteer doctor, Dr. Sarcia, gathered the Pag-asa parents for an orientation about the disease’s background, prevention measures and its treatment.

Our Daycare children with vegetable-drawn masks

July is also the Nutrition Month in the Philippines. Pag-asa joined the campaign with the theme “A child with a bright future: Start it with a proper nutrition”. Our Daycare students paraded around the compound with their vegetable-drawn masks. They also watched a video about the benefits of nutritional foods and the disadvantages of not taking them.

Our nutrition-related activities, including daily feeding programs in three public elementary schools, are giving our children an edge in fighting malnutrition. We have been doing this for many years now.

PEACE-PROMOTING PROGRAMS

The 17 university students from Pag-asa, together with the youth of the Focolare Movement have joined the “Arms Down” signature-drive-campaign. With a pledge to shoulder one million signatures, they have linked up with other youth leaders across the globe in collecting 50 million signatures to lobby at the United Nations General Assembly for the abolition of nuclear arms production. Some of them even appeared on national television to promote this campaign which was originally organized by the youth members of the “World Conference on Religions and Peace” (WCRP), the world’s largest multi-religious organization.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

The upper-middle-class high school students of the “Community of Learners Foundation”, in partnership with 50 high school students of Pag-asa, have jointly conducted a Peace Camp aiming to undertake activities as a way to bridge cultures and socio-economic gaps. Together, they produced art work, games, read stories, and carried out activities promoting peace and camaraderie among teenagers across all economic classes. It was concluded by an exhibit of their written reflections, particularly on the concept of responsibility.

SPORTS PROGRAMS

A team of our high school students and their coach Vic Yayen play basketball not only to win games, but most importantly to win friends. He has been conducting training and work-outs every Saturday earlier this year. Last October, his team called “One Team, One Family” visited the St. Gregory Academy (a school with which we are also working together) to observe and plan a day of games with them.

VISITATIONS

Marco in our library

Among the many visitors at our center during the last 5 months a very special one was Marco Tecilla, the very first focolarino! At the end of his visit to Pag-asa last July 19, 2010 he wrote:

“Visiting Pag-asa and contemplating the marvelous work for the “favorite” of Jesus, I was moved!! It’s a real and authentic “Work of God”. I hope and wish that all the poor from this zone can find their home here, the hope in a world which is more just, according to the heart of Jesus! – Marco”

Also in July, Frank was invited to visit the foster parents group of Drs. Diether and Agnes Schenkel and the Rotary Club of Papenburg in Northern Germany. The Schenkel Family prepared a big “Pag-asa summer party” in their garden. They showcased a photo presentation of the Philippines and

Pag-asa summer party in Papenburg, Germany

the children whom they are supporting. The successful event was attended by more than 40 sponsors, friends and interested guests. Frank then updated them about the children and their families and was able to answer many concrete questions. A very big “Thank you” to them for this successful and beautiful evening!

Dearest friends, Inspired by Blessed Chiara “Luce” Badano, we would like to end this letter with this luminous Christmas message:

From Jesus’ words “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness”, we know that Christmas is a wonderful occasion where we can cancel all the mistakes of the year and everything is set right again when we forgive others and adopt as ours the culture of giving.. Christmas can also be better when we celebrate it by giving the LIGHT of love to those who need it the most.

Our real joy on this festive season is the opportunity to say thanks to you and to offer you and your family our best wishes for the coming Year!

May you have the real happiness of Christmas which is hope; the spirit of Christmas which is peace; and the heart of Christmas which is love.

- Frank, Arlyn and the staff of Pag-asa Social Center Foundation Inc.

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- Update Letter in English
- Update Letter in Italian (Italiano)