PHILIPPINES – Indigenous youth from Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia recently participated in an intense workshop designed to help them learn leadership skills. Held in Davao from April 28 to May 20, 2011 the Asian Indigenous People Youth Leadership Workshop is a result of the Jesuit Companions in Indigenous Ministry (JCIM) meeting held in Chiangmai in 2010.
“We send only the best men to the mission!” said Fr Mark Raper SJ in his homily during the missioning mass presided over by Philippine Provincial Superior Fr Jojo Magadia SJ. The mass was held at the Arrupe International Residence (AIR) on May 13, 2011.
Although Fr Mark was recalling the words of his former superior decades ago, the statement remained valid in the missioning of Fr Lester Maramara SJ from the Philippine Province to Timor Leste.
The third Hulas (the Pulangiyen term for training and formation) batch graduated in Bendum on May 28.
Led by Fr Pedro Walpole SJ, the Hulas initiative reaches out to address the skills and education needs of a growing number of indigenous youth in upland communities in central Mindanao, Philippines. The youth are encouraged to bring their knowledge and learnings into their personal vision and to use these to help sustain their families as well as the broader community in Upper Pulangi.
In a speech that highlights the essence of Jesuit education philosophy, incoming president of the Ateneo de Davao University Fr Joel Tabora SJ has called for universities to form students to respond to the ills in society with moral outrage and the desire to work for change, rather than apathy or fatalism.
Fr Ismael Zuloaga (CHN) was conferred the Luceat Lux Lifetime Achievement Award in March for his vision and leadership in making Xavier School the leading Catholic school it is today. At the award ceremony held at Xavier School, Greenhills West, San Juan City, the Philippines on March 11, 2011, Fr Zuloaga, the school’s director from 1965 to 1985, was described as a true son of Ignatius, father to generations of Xaverians, and inspiration to the entire Xavier School community.
Fifty-four pilgrims, including seven Jesuits and several very senior citizens, the oldest being 88 years old and the others trailing not far behind. Eight grueling days from Macau to Beijing, including travel by air, land, and sea to out-of-the-way places in China.
In remembrance of Bishop Francisco Claver who passed away last 1 July 2010, we publish here an interview of ESSC with the Bishop in March 2008 where he generously shared his sharp and wizened thoughts on questions of culture and environment, especially in the Cordillera, his cultural origin.
More than 100 Jesuits attended the Province Villa in Baguio City, April 5-11. Fr Manuel Perez, Minister of Ateneo de Manila University’s Jesuit Residence, was in charge. Fr Manny added a special attraction to the festivities when he pronounced final vows there on April 7.
Fresh faces are filling up the novitiates across Asia Pacific. Last February, Korea accepted five novices. In March, Indonesia welcomed 12 and Australia has three. Philippines has added five. And by the end of April, three more will be in the Myamar Novitiate. Thank you God for these abundant gifts!
An abridged version of the Philippine Jesuit magazine The Windhover is now available online. By subscribing to the magazine, you will help support the mission and ministries of the Jesuits in the Philippines. For inquiries, you may write to: editor.magazine@gmail.com