June 2017
#TabangMARAWI UPDATES ON DONATIONS AS OF 11 JULY 2017:
► TOTAL CASH DONATIONS: PHP 2,664,819.00
► TOTAL EXPENSES: PHP 600,000.00*
* Used to purchase mats, kitchen and toilet materials, and other relief goods.
► TOTAL FOOD PACKS SENT: 9000**
** Each food pack consists of 3 kilos of rice, 5 canned goods, 3 packs of noodles, 1
pack biscuits, 1 pack “manna” (instant porridge) rice.
► TOTAL AREAS REACHED: 10***
*** Iligan, Saguiaran, Balo-i, Pawak, Bito Buadi Itowa, Balulang, Barra,
Malaybalay, Valencia, Cotabato.
CONTINUING EFFORTS:
The Philippine Province relief efforts coursed through Xavier University will soon focus on providing community kitchens, toilets, water filtering systems, psycho-social interventions, and medical missions. Monetary donations are still welcome: Account Name – Xavier University; Account Number – 9331-0133-63; Bank of the Philippine Islands; Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro Branch. Kindly email finance@xu.edu.ph once your donation is deposited.
ATENEO DE DAVAO: MINDANAO-SULU TIMELINE AND BOOK LAUNCH
The Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) held a truly unique event last 31 May 2017 at its Finster Auditorium. Dubbed “Our Stories, Our Hopes, Our Dreams,” the book launch organized by the ADDU Publications Office introduced two important works. The first is the Mindanao-Sulu Timeline Project spearheaded by Fr. Albert Alejo SJ and the Catholic Education Association of the Philippine’s (CEAP) Mindanao Peace and Education History Project. Funded by the World Bank. this project has culminated in a tarpaulin printed educational tool which traces the economic, political, social, an ecological strands in Mindanao history from prehistoric times to the present. It is an expansive educational instrument meant to aid in the peace process, and also to raise awareness concerning the legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people. Details for the dissemination and use of the Mindanao-Sulu timeline will be given once these are available.
The second work launched during this event is the book Mindanao Muslim History: Documentary Sources from the Advent of Islam to the 1800s. This landmark volume was compiled and edited by John Harvey Gamas, Mansoor Limba, Anderson Villa, Janor Balo, Maria Janua Cunanan, Heidi Gloria, and Ramon Belero III. In its press release, the ADDU Publications Office describes the book as follows: “The marginalization of Moro identity and the disregard for their historic agency fostered prejudices and biases that have alienated the Mindanao Muslims from the rest of the country. This alienation is perpetuated by the nationalist historical narrative of the north that continues to be the dominant discourse in what we anachronistically call ‘Philippine history.’ Privileging one version of the struggle against Spanish colonization glosses over parallel struggles across the archipelago. This book, therefore, seeks to address this lacuna in Philippine history by integrating Muslim historical experience in the discourse. It aims to achieve this objective by presenting primary documentary sources. These sources have been carefully chosen to highlight Muslim religio-political independence and the historical injustices committed against them.”
Attending the timeline/book launch were ADDU and CEAP President Fr. Joel Tabora SJ, Archbishop Emeritus Fernando Capalla, Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, CEAP Executive Director Jose Allan Arellano, CEAP Associate Director Mary Ann Cruz, Department of Education-SOCCSKSARGEN officer-in-charge Evelyn Fetalvero, Bangsamoro Transition Commissioner Datu Mussolini Lidasan, among others.
BUKIDNON MISSION DISTRICT: NEW POSTINGS
Four Jesuit priests have been newly assigned to the Bukidnon Mission District (BMD). Fr. Philip Yohan and Fr. Harvey Mateo were both ordained last 3 June 2017. Fr. Philip will be assigned as acting parish priest of St. Therese Parish in Miarayon, while Fr. Harvey takes over as assistant parish priest of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Graces Parish in Zamboanguita, and director of St. Isidore High School. Also new to BMD are Fr. Irmo Valeza, previously assigned in Philippine General Hospital, now assistant parish priest of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and director of Fr. Leoni Memorial High School in Cabanglasan; and Fr. Bros Flores, formerly of Loyola College Culion, now assistant director of Jesuit Retreat House in Malaybalay and President of Pangantucan Community High School. We accompany them in prayer as they begin their important work!
NOTE: This bulletin is meant to keep our Philippine Province Jesuits and partners in mission updated regarding developments in the implementation of the Province Roadmap. Please email any news contributions from your respective apostolates to rrivera@xu.edu.ph.