PAST PUPILS OF THE FMA PHILIPPINE FEDERATION (2006 – 2007)

I. ELECTION OF NEW FEDERATION OFFICERS

The New Federation Officers will serve for a first term of three years and which may be renewable. After three years, a new election will be made for officers, while those who wish to render their further services may still continue.

Therese Brennicar Ramirez	Councillor for Far East Asia (International Delegate)
Ailleen Mari Mendoza	President
Lieza Marie Bituin	Vice President (OIC of Formation)
Vanessa Ventura	Treasurer (OIC of Apostolate)
Kathleen Iza Pagkalinawan	Secretary (OIC of Communication)
Jade Guerrero	Regional Delegate for Manila
Frances Galvez	Regional Delegate for Mabalacat
Me-Ann Chua	Regional Delegate for Canlubang & Mindoro
Melaurie Anne Dofeliz	Regional Delegate for Negros
Angelica Cabiling	Regional Delegate for Cebu
Reneto “Smokey” Delfino	Regional Delegate for Cebu

II. INDUCTION RITES AND DINNER

The newly-inducted officers of the Federation promised to serve the Past Pupils in the Philippines at the Don Bosco School Manila on August 6, 2006. They were inducted by Sr. Nora Hernadez, FMA – Provincial Councilor. After the induction rites, they shared dinner together. Only 4 of the 11 officers were unable to attend because some were still in the South.

III. FEDERATION PLANNING AND BONDING IN LINE WITH THE GEM

The Federation Officers shared the weekend together for bonding and fellowship, and initial planning at Star Boulevard Inn, UN Avenue, Ermita, Manila last October 28 to 29, 2007.

They came up with the series of assemblies and symposia for 2007 in-line with the aspects of GEM which were discuss to us by Sr. Marissa. We also plan for the meetings with Sr. Maria Delos Angeles Contreras, FMA and Boonsoom Nansumboon.

They attended the Sunday Mass in Nuestra Senora de Guia Chruch, Ermita, as their thanksgiving.

IV. ENCOUNTER WITH SR. MARIA DELOS ANGELES CONTRERAS, FMA

The Don Bosco School community together with Sr. Maria Delos Angeles Contreras, Sr. Alice and the Federation Officers shared dinner together at the FMA Community Refectory on November 16, 2006.

The Federation with Sr. Alice and Sr. Maria met at the Conference Room where they shared the ongoing of the Federation and Sr. Maria shared the initiatives for the centenary of the Association and the nature of the association.

V. SHARING OF EXPERIENCES FROM BOONSOM NANSOOMBOON – PP FEDERATION PRESIDENT PROVINCE OF THAILAND

In the morning of November 26, 2006; Ms. Boonsom had shown the participants the activities of the Federation in Thailand. The contents and pictures related to the relationship as well as the cooperation with Salesian Sisters, annual meeting of the councilors of the Federation, annual re-union of the past-pupils who are living in Bangkok, visiting each Union and pre-past-pupils of every schools. Aside from these she also shared the experiences of working for vulnerable children and youths development programme (Tsunami Project and Scholarship for poor students in Salesian Sisters’ Schools). And overall, fund raising activities for self-sustainability of the Federation was also included in the presentation.

The representative of the Federation-Philippines and Sr. Marissa presented the activities of their Federation. They are: Raffle for cause, involvement in societal and ecclesial activities symposium of Philippine politics, annual Federation Assemblies, annual retreats, contact with local unions, Salesian family commission involvement, donation for the retreat house, attending world Confederation of Past-pupils Rome, Join World Youth Day, donation for scholarship and outstanding, etc. Aside from these, the activities of some Local Unions were also presented and several questions were brought up in order to learn from each others.

VI. SYMPOSIUM ON PHILIPPINE POLITICS

The Past Pupils faced the challenged of the upcoming elections by inviting and sponsoring a resource speaker Mr. Benjie Tulosa in a symposium on “Philippine Politics: Issues, Questions and Challenges for the Philippine Electorate” for the members of the Salesian Family. This was held at Don Bosco School Manila on March 3, 2007.

VII. PALAWAN EXPERIENCE

The Past Pupils Federation went to Palawan for almost one week (April 18 to 24, 2007). They forged a partnership with the SEMD (St. Ezekeil Moreno Dormitory) Palawan as it embarked on a volunteer work, fund raising (Miss Carito Concert – June 1), and other initiatives: honey fund raising and donation of school supplies, cloths, office materials and equipments, creation of the website, and of course . . . a lot of LOVE! The Past Pupils adopted this as their “mission land.”

VIII. ANNUAL RETREAT AT BATULAO

This year’s annual retreat was last April 27 to 29, held in Batulao with Miss Cory Villafania was the retreat facilitator. The theme was “Lord teach us to pray”: Lectio Devina

This moment helps us to center once again our daily life in prayer, seeking to mature and integrate our life in Jesus.

IX. BECAUSE WE CARE

The National Federation of the Past Pupils of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians together with the Don Bosco School Manila Educating Community Core Group sponsor a dinner concert for the Benefit of the of the students and volunteers of St. Ezekiel Moreno Dormitory (SEMD), in Macarascas, Palawan.

The concert entitled, “Because We Care”, featured the talents of the Hail Mary the Queen Choir, our very own Don Bosco Banda Kawayan, the Vioce Club from Japan and our Filipino jazz singer CHARITO (www.charito.com). The concert was held last June 1, 2007.

X. SALESIAN FAMILY COMMISSION INVOLVEMENT

The President of the Past Pupils FMA Federation attends the monthly meeting of the Salesian Family Commission which are held at the Provincial House of SDB(north) and echoes activities to other PP officers. They share and plan initiatives for the promotion of awareness and collaboration between the members of the Salesian Family in the Philippines. We also participate in the different activities such as Salesian Family Recollections, Formations and gatherings.

XI. 100 YEARS OF THE PAST PUPILS CELEBRATION

In preparation for the 100 years Celebration of the Past Pupils, we in turn wish to celebrate the 100 years of the Past Pupils here in the Philippines by an assembly. Details of the said activities are still to be discussed and plan.

XII. LOCAL UNIONS

A. INVOLVEMENT IN THE LIFE AND APOSTOLATE OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY/LOCAL CHURCH

Local Unions of the Past Pupils are actively involved in the life of the Community where they are. Some of their involvement includes:

• CAREER ORIENTATION/PP ASSOCIATION ORIENTATIONS Schools often invite our past pupils to be speakers or resource persons for career or life direction’s orientation for our graduates. They also give orientation for the Past Pupils Associations.

• LAY MISSION COLLABORATORS as teachers, members of the Salesian Family, mission partners as benefactors or sponsors of the community or the school – material or services.

B. LOCAL UNIONS ACTIVITIES THE FEDERATIONS OFFICERS MADE A VISITATION OF THE LOCAL UNIONS, INCLUDING THE SOUTH:

• MHCS CEBU is a very active local union. They have different activities for their formation, socializations and social responsibilities which are girded towards the poor especially the Oratorians in Cebu. They have scholarship programs and fund raising for the needed. They are always present in the activities of the school and actively animate the Sunday Mass of the oratorians.

• HTA Girls’ Department Balic-Balic: The revival of this local union was marked by batch reunions, recollections, etc. The Core Group initiated by Toyang Tacderas and companions did a fabulous job in the holding of “Balic Tanaw Balic Saya Reunions”, held last December 30, 2006 at DBS which was attended by FMA, PP from different batchers and teachers, including Msgr. Pgulayan who presided the Holy Mass.

• MHCS Mabalacat: The local union of MHCS Mabalacat is active in special feast days and special gatherings of the school.

• MHCS Canlubang: The local union of MHCS Canlubang is an active member of the ADHOC committee of the school and are planning to meet this month for their local union activities.

• SMMS Victorias: The Past Pupils of St. Mary’s extended all their energies and possibilities for the Golden Jubilee Celebration of SMMS and initiated the Laura Vicuna Park in the SMMS compound.

• Don Bosco School: DBS Past Pupils is a start up group. They are active in special occasions or feast days like DB fair, a recollection was held and a visitation in Burger King near UST to gather them.

• ACC Local Union: The Local Union had their new set of officer headed by: Jay Villanueva (President); Joy Mayuga (Vice President); Eva Culubong (Secretary) and Dianne Enriquez (treasurer). The sister animator will meet them on November for their planning and activities.