Write-up of Pere Bernard Holzer on our French Camp

An intensive French Summer camp

After the retreat, we went home for only two days: time to clean up the house again and follow on the work around the property. Soon, we were back to Antipolo for a whole month of intensive French camp. Sixteen studious members met for this first experience: six Religious of the Assumption, three Little Sisters, four brothers and three of our candidates. The staff members were Marie-Liesse de Morel, a friend of the Assumption family in France and teacher of French as second language, and the three Assumptionist priests who volunteered as trainers. Here is the usual program: three classes in the morning, one class of phonetic in the afternoon, followed by practical work in small groups, then a singing class (both liturgical songs and folk songs like Alouette, Quand on n’a que l’amour, Sur le pont d’Avignon, Souffle imprévisible, etc…). Even the Morning and Evening Prayers were in French and part of the daily Mass. Twice a week, we would have a French movie (subtitled). Saturday mornings were devoted to tests… But Sundays were set aside for visits of the region and light programs. Add to that a typical repas français prepared by a chef and a traditional Barrio Fiesta night on the day of Graduation. For that special opportunity, the Provincial Superior of the Religious of the Assumption and the local community of the sisters were on hand. Even the workers who had prepared this beautiful meal were dancing with us. Here are Sister Mary Ignatius comments at the end of this first Summer camp:

The French Camp is one of my happiest summers. Pourquoi ? Because there was so much laughter in the house... even in little things like: wrong grammar and pronunciation, words that seem to sound something really weird, crazy things we did and said and the light-heartedness of each one. That contagious attitude to just laugh of our mistakes.

Of the 25-day intensive course on the language and its culture, I did not only enjoy the international-Assumption family experience but it was at the same time a goûtez, an écoutez, a répétez, s’il vous plaît, priez pour nous, sorties, et dîner français to name a few memorable events.

I have to admit that the language is not so friendly (at least to me). Especially with the number of unpronounced letters, attention to the gender of almost every word, the different accents you put on top of particular vowels, deciphering or catching the meaning of sentences spoken and constructing sentences without grammatical error.

I could very well picture the face and the gesture of Fr. Bernard tapping his right ear with his pointing finger exclaiming “le verbe et l’article, ma Soeur!” I must have sounded like a Korean trying to speak in English. But despite some exhausting sessions, I could still say: Let’s do this again. See you next season!”

After the camp, we go back home. It is time now to really take possession of it, to adjust to it, make it our own. We are preparing the new school year for mid-June. Some go to Baguio, six hours North of Manila, in order to prepare a liturgical song book. Others go back home and will be among the million volunteers to watch over the electoral process.

PIA Press Release
2008/03/26

DepEd Camiguin leads environmental education program via arts

by Restituta Y. Almunia & Bazil T. Sabacajan

Cagayan de Oro City (26 March) -- THE Department of Education-Division of Camiguin announced it collaborated with the Enigma Arts Circle in its bid to help promote the island-province of Camiguin as a major eco-tourist destination in the country.

Lately, Enigmata artists visited the Yumbing National High School in Mambajao town to train select students and teachers in the art of making plastic mosaic and paper mache out of waste, as well as weaving works of art using recycled bottles.

The activity taught participants the basic principles of recyling wastes.

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), along with the Art Asia Foundation, selected the Yumbing National High School as the breeding ground for traditional musicians.

Ten students were sent to the Enigmata Training Center in Maubog, Barangay Balbagon, Mambajao to learn the basic techniques of playing "kulintang" and other traditional Filipino musical instruments. Trainers came from the Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation Inc.

After the week-long training, the participants joined hands with counterparts from higher education institutions in the province and formed the group "Islakwatsa."

To cap the training, the Islakwatsa made a campus tour, showcasing their musical production called "A Music and Journey to the Heart of the Earth."

The concert was documented on video by some students from public secondary schools who were trained on film making last January 2008.

The aspiring filmmakers are coming up with a video documentary that attempts to depict the value of nature and instill among the people in the island-province the vital importance of its preservation and protection.

In a related development, Prof. Michael Parayno of Berkely University in California, U.S.A. spent a week with public secondary school students and teachers in the province, teaching them how to turn junk materials into bird cages that would serve as temporary shelters for weak and wounded birds. (DepEd-Camiguin/PIA-Camiguin i-Net) [top]

The MISSION

I am Bazil T. Sabacajan, a professional college instructor from Camiguin Island. I am also a young man who is attracted to the mission and charism of the Augustinians of the Assumption. I would like to contribute my unforgettable memories with the Religious of the Assumption Sisters in Kibangay Bukidnon last Oct. 31-Nov.3. It made me realized now that I should share my story because it has indeed a great impact in my life. Kibangay is one of the mission areas for the Religious of the Assumption here in Mindanao.It's so strange since I am the only man in the group but I never had experienced any dull moments with them since you can easily find your place to their presence. Indeed the Religious of the Assumption Sisters are truly women of faith and action just like the Augustinians of the Assumption whom I believed are also men of
faith and action.This is my Story:

THE MEMORABLE KIBANGAY........

The sun was bright.Dust touched my face as I hurriedly stepped at the gate of Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan . The place, as usual is not new to me for I obtained my baccalaureate degree in this university. Busy people,busy streets, that's how cities used to be.We'll be having an exposure and immersion to a place in Bukidnon. But a strange feeling urged my pulse telling me that this will be a different journey- an extraordinary one.
Because of this feeling, I interestingly started the excursion together with some Religious of the Assumption Sisters and their aspirants. Reaching Bukidnon ' we eventually engaged the long, winding, steepy road with heavy downpour. One of our companions , Sr. Josefa, a 66- year old RA nun didn't mind the bad weather, the rocky path or even the agonizing pain on her back.
We reached sitio Kibangay a few hours later.The place was clean, cold and natural- a good place for exposure and immersion. The people lived simply and all are religious. Unfavorably, the security, peace and justice is not so perceptible. Poverty , indeed, is very visible in the area.
Kibangay and earthly paradise, is where I learned three things that truly established in my mind: The apostolic life where I realized the essence of giving almost everything for the less fortunate, the prayer life in which I learned the true meaning of prayer, the tune of the vespers and lauds and lastly the community life where I had an opportunity to meet other and learned to adjust with the smooth atmosphere and unfamiliar environment.
Despite all these, this remote locality that for once I thought was peaceful, has its own hidden face of violence. On that very night, two religious people were beheaded inmotivatedly on a nearby sitio. Unlike in the cities, the law enforcers or the police could hardly reach this inaccessible area. sad to say, but the criminal is still roaming around in the vicinity,in short the criminal is still at large.. News spread in the next morning and we didn't do anything but to pray for our safety.
The morning of Nov.1 was the start of my immersion. Sr. Irene Cecille, RA assigned me to a foster father whom I used to call "Manong Dodong" ,uncle Dodong a simple widowed resident. Thoroughly we went to the cemetery to visit his wife. The long tour of the bushes led us to a simple, indigenous cemetery.
After saying short prayers, Manong Dodong then led me to their small chapel made of a bamboo and wood. Since then I recognized the great faith of this man with Christ. Shortly , we were about to go to his house, and when I asked him where it is located, he humbly pointed out a very small, distant "kubo" or hut on the way.
Arriving , I've seen that the house is composed of a room. In it is a bedroom, a small kitchen and a table and no toilet. He said they are four who live here. Deeply surprised, I can now see how ordinary his life is.
Curious, I asked him of why he didn't tried to concretized his house. He just plainly replied that he was once helped by the Religious of the Assumption Sisters, who gave him concrete materials but, he decided to donate those materials to the chapel because it needs more construction. These words struck my heart and it made me recognize an image of a man dedicated to service for God and his fellowmen.
I almost finished my immersion. After thanking Manong Dodong, I was back at the convent , resting , although my mind is still awake. I taught my heart of something true. That, "doing service is never easy. You have to give your heart for others unselfishly and willingly. For a man of service like Manong Dodong , God would surely reward him for his kindness in heaven.
Each moment I've shared with different people was totally enriching. Through it., I've known that we are born with a mission and that is, to be instruments of peace and mercy towards other people. and above all the most important things that I could bring whenever I will go are the values that I have discovered in this unforgettable journey of my life.
Kibangay is truly a good reflection of our society- poverty stricken. Ultimately, the ones who could visit the place will surely have a deeper outlook in life as what I have gone through. This experience changed a part of me and it made me realize the truth of our world today and the challenge that we must take to live without chaos, injustice, and crises but with peace, justice and harmony.