Mission ThrusT Caps The Four-Year series oF augusTinian

spiriTualiTY Congress

1,2,3 pose! Participants of the 4th Augustinian Seminarians’ Spirituality Congress candidly pose with the youth of the Mother of Divine Providence Parish in Brgy. Payatas during the culminating activity, which is an exposure with people living in the area.

Mission was the centrepiece of the 4th Augustinian Seminarians’ Spirituality

Congress which was held at the San Agustin Center of Studies. The three-day forum was held last November 4-6, 2011 with the theme “TransforMission: A Renewed Commitment for Evangelization”. It was attended by the three formation communities of the Province of Sto. Niño de Cebu: the Collegium and Professorium departments of the San Agus-tin Center of Studies in Quezon City; the professional seminarians of the San Agustin Seminary in Makati City and the novices of the Augustinian Novitiate and Prayer House in Cebu. Thefirstdaycommencedintheaf-ternoon with the arrival and registration of the participants. In the formal opening of the program, the perspective setting was out-lined by the chairman of the Commission on Vocation and Initial Formation of the Prov-ince, Rev. Fr. Andrew Batayola, OSA and at the same time the Master of the simple pro-fessed.

Congress /Page 2

Collegium Section

Professorium Section

Collegium spearheads Christmas out-reach programs7 PA

ge

Informative crisis management talk aides students7 PA

ge

The professed of the San Agustin Center of Studies went on an immer-

sion with the indigenous people as the culmination of their formation class on Missionforthefirstsemester. In collabo-ration with Sr. Isirylin N. Fegarido of the Daughters of Charity and the Parish of Ina Poon – Bato in Botolan,

SPs commemorate Human Rights day in Tarlac6 PA

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SPs join 10-year old Communio gathering5 PA

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First Grand alumni homecominG For stVi at 15

The Saint Thomas of Villanova Institute (SACS) took a leap from its existence of fifteen years since its foundation in

1996. This was the first time in its history that an Alumni Home-coming was hosted.

sP Friars wear

G-strinG in

immersion

iMMersion /Page 6

hoMeCoMing/Page 8

Common Acts Section2

Dear brothers and sisters!

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you now and always. We hereby appeal for your support toward the train-ing of our seminarians. The following are the account details:PESO SAVINGS ACCOUNT: Account Name: San Agustin Center of Studies Library Account Number: 3371-0034-43DOLLAR SAVINGS ACCOUNT: Account Name: San Agustin Center of Studies Library Account Number: 3374-0300-77May the good Lord grant your heart’s desire and fulfill every plan of yours through Christ our Lord. We are looking forward to hearing from you soon. We count on your support.

Thank you and God bless!SACS Friars

For Donations:

Itwasfollowedbythefirstofthetripartite plan of the congress, following the ‘See-Judge-Act’ method of theologizing. The “seeing” part’s panel discussion was ushered in by the presence of four representatives from Au-gustinian congregations working in mission: Rev. Fr. Gilles Bloin, AA (Augustinians of the As-sumption); Rev. Fr. Apolinario Mejorada, OSA (Augustinians of the Province of Cebu); Rev. Sr. Cecilia Bayona, AMP (Augus-tinian Missionaries of the Philip-pines) and Rev. Sr. Cresteta Gra-na, OSA (Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation). The four panellists shared their mis-sionary experiences, related their ups and downs and exhorted the formands to work cheerfully for mission and to aspire for a great-

er missionary endeavour in and out of the Church. The second day was on the “judging” part. The morn-ing slot was taken by Rev. Fr. James Kroeger of the Maryknoll Missionaries. He theologized on the missionary endeavour of the Church by presenting some principles and thoughts concern-ing the biblical root of mission specifically from the Paulineand other New Testament epis-tles. Fr. Kroeger presented also a different view of mission in the Church seen as the result of the constant reforming of the Church and of the updating of herself as to how to respond to the ever message of Christ in the fast changing society. The after-noon session was the turn of Fr. Peter Casiño, OSA, an Augustin-ian of the Vicariate of the Orient and once a missionary in Africa. He elaborated on mission in the Augustinian context. He impart-ed ideas, principles and thoughts on Augustinian mission from his personal experiences. The last day was dedi-cated to the “acting” part when the seminarians visited and had a half-day immersion in Payatas, Quezon City. They were grouped into small teams and assigned to different chapels, spending the whole morning to listening, re-lating and sharing with the urban poor in the outskirts of the city. In the afternoon, the brothers went back to SACS spending the whole afternoon talking about their experiences and sharing their insights and concrete expe-

riences during the activity. After which, the reading of the acts was done and a video presenta-tion was shown, allowing the seminarians to situate mission at the very heart of the Augustinian way of life. The three-day congress was interlaced also with light moments and activities in the evening showcasing talents re-lated to mission and other simi-lar motifs. This congress is the last of the four-year plan of the Prov-ince to gather the seminarians to dwell in the spirit of renewal according to the spirituality of the Order. 2008 had seen the renewal of formation in the Or-der; 2009 tried to ruminate over interiority and its repercussions on affectivity; 2010 meditated on community, and this 2011 capped the program with mission and service to the Church. How-ever, according to Fr. Batayola the program does not really end here. It is his hope that it will be continued “depending to the next administrators of the Province.” At the closing Mass on November 6, 2011, a symbolic sending off of two fourth year simple professed friars was done toindicatethat thefinalstageoftheir initial formation ends with the act of sending them to the mis-sionary vineyard of the Province and of the Order. The Congress ended with a dinner program af-ter the closing Mass, where the formands and formators of the province both enjoyed the Augus-tinian camaraderie. Reyes, OSA

Fr. nohara appointed as new

formator

After six years of mission-ary work in South Korea,

Fr. Pacifico “Jun”Nohara, OSA re-turned home to the Philippines and was assigned as new member of SACS Community last May 2011. His presence in SACS

made the community more vibrant and happy. However, last November 14, 2011, the Prior Provincial and his Council in their October Pro-vincial meeting decided to assign Fr. Nohara as a new member of the Formation Team of the pre-novi-tiate level (commonly known as Collegium).To fully fulfill, then,in his new assignment, Fr. Joel Beronque, OSA, Master of col-lege seminarians, requested him to be the spiritual accompanier or the one in charge of the spiritual formationofthefifteenpostulants,who are now currently finishingtheir Bachelors’ Degree in Philos-ophy. Consequently, plans were set up as to how he could be help-ful to the spiritual growth of the postulants, especially consider-ing that in few months’ time they will be entering the Novitiate Pro-gram. In line with this, he brought the postulants to attend a forum on Missiology at the Institute for Consecrated Life in Asia (ICLA), where Fr. Nohara is currently tak-ing up his further studies in Mis-siology. Labana, OSA

“CONGRESS”/from page 1

SACS Update Vol. 12 - Issue No. 2 - September to December 2011

(Above) Delegates of the 4th Augustinian Seminarians’ Spirituality Congress which includes all levels of formation from pre-novitate to the post novitiate. (above right) Four Augustinians (ASOLC, AA, AMP and OSA) share their missionary experiences during the panel discussion on the first day. (bottom right) Fr. Kroeger summarizes his talk on the theology of mission into bullets.

Common Acts Section 3SACS Update Vol. 12 - Issue No. 2 - September to December 2011

“The only basis of our re-sponse to so many social

problems today is to love and to have concern for others.” These were the words of Rev. Fr. An-drew Batayola, OSA to some re-ligious brothers and sisters and to some whistle blowers against corruption in the government during a Mass sponsored by the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines last December 2, 2011 held at the chapel of La Salle Greenhills in Mandaluyong City at around 6:00 in the evening. Batayola, who repre-sented the Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu - Philip-pines, was the main celebrant and preacher of the said occa-sion. Drawing inspiration from the theme “Human Rights in Relation to Good Governance”, Batayola said that in order to make human rights a real advo-cacy, we should invest in corpo-rations and organizations which “first,provideequalemploymentopportunities for minorities and women; second, provide man-agement training and advance-ment for minorities and women; third,provideaffirmativeactionpolicies and do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex or race; fourth, utilize for labor practices and recognize the right of work-erstoorganize;andfifth,engage

in dialogue with employees and shareholders about labor rela-tions, apparent discriminations and other concerns about human rights.” Lamenting about the many social problems in the so-ciety today, he stressed that “Je-sus as the Gospels are telling us, had also his own programs in the ministry, a program of govern-ance. Ihatid ang mabuting balita sa mga dukha. Pagpapalaya sa mga bilanggo, sa mga bulag ang panunumbalik ng paningin. pagbibigay ginhawa sa mga api. pagpapahayag ng taon ng kabutihang loob ng Panginoon. Christ is calling us to continue his program for good govern-ance, a program for human rights.” The said celebration was attended by around 100 religious men and women from differ-ent congregations around Metro Manila. The presence of Mr. Jun Lozada, Ms. Heidi Mendoza, Col. George Rabusa, Ms. Etta Rosalas and Atty. Byron Bokar had become more meaningful as these personalities made a radi-cal choice to tell the truth against corruption in the government. With Batayola were the firstyearsimpleprofessedfriarswho also served as choir dur-ing the Eucharistic Celebration. Magin, OSA

Batayola speaks about good governance and challenges every Christian to pursue the cause of

human rights

Last November 12, 2011 at the San Agustin Chapel, three

Augustinian friars made their solemn profession of religious vows. They were Fray Romeo Tambacan Coronel, from Bal-ud, San Fernando, Cebu; Fray Lolibert Ondagas Endam, from Ayungon, Negros Oriental and Fray Harold Cañadora Langa-hin, from Basak, Mandaue City, Cebu. The ceremony started with a Eucharistic celebration at 9:00 AMofficiatedby thePriorPro-vincial Fr. Eusebio B. Berdon, OSA together with other Augus-tinian friars and guest priests. Fr. Andrew P. Batayola, OSA, prior of SACS and head of the forma-tion team presented the three friars as candidates for solemn rites.

Frays romeo, lolibert and harold make their solemn profession

After the solemn rites, the parents of the three friars wereaffiliatedtotheOrder.TheProvincial Secretary, Fr. Antolin Asor, OSA announced the new assignments of the three friars after their installation. Fray En-dam is assigned to the Augustin-ian Novitiate and Prayer House in Lower Mohon, Talisay City, Cebu; Fray Coronel is assigned to the San Agustin Community in Mati, Davao; and Fray Langa-hin is assigned to the San Agus-tin Center of Studies in Quezon City. After the ceremony, every-one partook of a simple agape at the Saint Thomas of Villanova Institute’s Multi-Purpose Hall accompanied by a special musi-cal program. Lingo, OSA

The 9th ISA Gathering (Iisang Samahan ng mga Augustinians) was held at the San Agustin Seminary, in Guadalupe Viejo,

Makati City last December 3, 2011. Sixty-two Philosophy students and twenty-six theologians from SACS attended the gathering to-gether with some solemn professed friars of the community. This whole day event was participated in by the formands of the Augustinian Province of Sto. Niño de Cebu, the Vicariate of the Orient, and the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation (ASOLC). Some of the formands and formators were also present during the event. ISA 2011’s theme was “Augustinian Encounter: Revitalizing ISA”, which expressed ISA’s foremost reason for its ex-istence that is to strengthen the friendship and camaraderie among all the OSA formands. This point was greatly highlighted in the morn-ing talk given by Sr. Cecile Ibana, OSA. It was indeed an event of encounter and sharing. Above all it was a formative gathering for all. The scheduled activities for the rest of the day facilitated the encounter among those who attended the affair. The celebration that began with a Holy Mass was capped by an evening’s program called, “The Augustinian Face Off”. Formands and formators prepared different presentations that entertained eve-rybody. Asor, OSA

isa CeleBraTes 9Th Year

(R-L) Fray Romeo Coronel, OSA, Fray Lolibert endam, OSA and Fray Harold Langahin, OSA

Living in one-ness of heart and mind is an identity of a true-blood-ied Augustin-ian.

Common Acts Section4 SACS Update Vol. 12 - Issue No. 2 - September to December 2011

Rev. Frs. Jose Seidel, OSA, Michael Alvin Sequio,

OSA, Ericson Borre, OSA and Andrew Batayola, OSA attend-ed modular classes on forma-tion at the Emmaus Center for Psycho-Spiritual Formation in the Ateneo de Manila University Campus in Quezon City. Accord-ing to Fr. Batayola, the Prior of the House and Master of Simple Professed, these classes also served as part of the ongoing for-mation of solemn professed fri-ars as stipulated in Constitutions of the Order which says that for-mation continues even after sol-emn profession. Eventually, both the formands and the formators willbenefitfromthesaidmodu-lar program. Frs. Seidel and Sequio took the 8-day live-out module on “Accompaniment in Psycho-Sexual Formation” last October while Fr. Batayola took up the 3-day live-out module on “Min-isterial Boundaries, Power and Self-Care” last November. However, Fr. Borre will be taking the 5-day live-out mod-ule on “Developmental Transi-tions and Transformation” on January of 2012. Labana, OSA

Around seventy solemn and simple professed friars and

Augustinian lay affiliates be-longing to the communities of Gubat, Chrysanthemum, Biñan, Guadalupe and Quezon City at-tended the 2011 Luzon Zone Christmas gathering last Decem-ber 19, 2011 at the San Agustin Center of Studies, Quezon City. The gathering started with a registration. The partici-pants then were divided into two groups for the talks. The firstgroup which included all solemn and simple professed friars had Fr. Sesenio Paderog, OSA as speaker. Fr. Paderog’s talk was held at the STVI Multi-purpose hall. He challenged the friars to be always in touch with them-selves as they are preparing for the Christmas event. Meanwhile, Fray Rodel Magin, OSA facilitated a talk entitled “Spiritual Preparation

a mission to initiate a dialogue of life in as much as the one-day and one-night immersion was not enough to engage in a deep-er understanding of the besieg-ing social issue in Luisita. While the presence of the friars gave strength and hope to the farmers as they yearn for fulfilling theirdreams to own the land, the life of the farmers meanwhile taught the friars how to widen their per-spective in living in a community such as that of the farmers and even offer their lives for the ser-vice of those who are in need. The immersion was a great success. Before leaving the area, the friars offered Christ-mas gifts to their foster families. Nombrefia, OSA

“TARLAC”/from page 6

One-liner News

Fr. Pacifico Nohara, OSA is scheduled for Rome to study Au-gustinian Spirituality Course from January 29 - April 25, 2012.

“Alay lakad para kay Maria” of college seminarians was success-ful last December 8, 2011.

As a new member of the SACS community, Fray Harold Langa-hin, OSA was assigned temporar-ily to assist the procuration office and the office of the secretary of the STVI.

Fr. Czar Emmanuel Alvarez, OSA and Fr. Michael Alvin Sequio, OSA were elected president and secretary, respectively, during the meeting of young academicians in the OSAAP (Order of St. Augus-tinian in Asia and Pacific) last September 30 to October 2, 2011 in Consolacion, Cebu.

Formators attend formation

classes

saCs hosts 2011 luzon Zone Christmas gathering

for the coming of the Messiah” for thelayaffiliatesheldatRoom3 – STVI classroom. He pointed out that just like in the book of the prophet Micah, every Christian Augustinians are also called by God “to do what is right, to love goodness and to walk humbly with the Lord.” After these simultaneous talks, all gathered at the STVI Multi-purpose hall for the celebration of the Eucharist which was presided over by the Prior of the House, Rev. Fr. Andrew Batayola, OSA with Fr. Emmanuel Czar Alvarez, OSA as homilist. A sumptuous lunch was served after the Mass. The 2011 Zonal gathering for Luzon capped by a program of presentations, games and exchange of gifts facilitated by the Sports and Socio-cultural Committee. Magin, OSA

Alumni and some guest priests pose for a souvenir picture after the opening mass that was presided by Fr. eusebio Berdon, OSA. Most of the partici-pants are solemn professed and simple professed friars, who graduated from the STVI.

Fr. Seidel (front 2nd from left) and Fr. Sequio (front 3rd from left) and other forma-tors studying in emmaus for the course Accompa-niment in Pyscho-Sexual Formation.

The Augustinian friars and lay affiliates take a souvenir picture to cherish the yuletide moment of gathering the celebration of oneness and fraternity.

Professorium Section 5SACS Update Vol. 12 - Issue No. 2 - September to December 2011

The Professorium community celebrated the Feast of St.

Nicholas of Tolentine last Sep-tember 10, 2011. The celebration was made meaningful when Rev. Fr. Nicholas Echeveria, OSA said the Mass to commemorate the Feast of the Augustinian saint, blest and distributed the famous Saint Nicholas bred. After the mass, the pre-

SNTH celebrates Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Day

The decade-old Communio Gathering of the theolo-

gians of the Recoletos School of Theology (RST) and of the Immaculate Conception Major Seminary (ICMAS) of the Dio-cese of Malolos was held at the Agatha Homes Resort, in Sta. Rita, Guiguinto, Bulacan and at the seminary compound of ICMAS on September 16 to 17, 2011. This tenth-year gather-ing bore a thrust for common reflection extracted from thebook of Psalms: “Quam bonum et quam iucundum habitare fra-tres in unum” Ps 144:1 (How good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity). The brothers began the two-day activity initially at the Dominican contemplative nuns’ Our Lady of Angels Monastery in Bocaue, Bulacan with a Eu-

charistic Celebration and Lauds presided over by Rev. Fr. Emma-nuel Cruz, one of the founding fathers of Communio. A series of activities were held at the Aga-tha Homes Resort, like the shar-ing of four senior seminarians from both institutions about their realizations, insights and sug-gestions on the decade anniver-sary of Communio and its future. Fray Ric Anthony Reyes, OSA was chosen to represent RST and shared his thoughts along with Bro. Expedito Agripa, ESHT, another senior seminarian from RST. Outstandingly, the event was graced by His Excellency Cirilo Almario, bishop-emeritus of Malolos. Team-building ac-tivities, leisure swimming, vid-eoke challenge and socializa-tion followed after lunch until four in the afternoon when the

brothers proceeded to ICMAS for the rest of the activities. At ICMAS, the brothers gathered at six in the evening for Holy Hour and Vespers at the semi-nary’s oratory. Dinner and pro-gram followed at the refectory where each institution and con-gregation showcased its talent in singing and dancing. On the next day, Bishop Jose Oliveros, DD of the Diocese of Malolos presided over the closing mass of the gathering. He challenged every seminarian, both diocesan and religious, to work out a good relationship and he also praised the existing collaboration of pro-fessors of both institutions which is indeed an unfailing expression of Communio. The activity end-ed with a communal breakfast in the refectory and the awarding of tokens of attendance to each

congregation and seminary that participated. The Communio Gath-ering, which marked its tenth year this 2011, was originally a brainchild of Frs. Emmanuel Cruz and Jorge Peligro, OAR, then colleagues at Angelicum, in Rome, Italy. As they handled formation offices in their re-spective places in 2001, Com-munio was born out of their personal friendship and eager longing to link the gap be-tween religious and diocesan seminarians. The Augustinian simple professed friars of the San Agustin Center of Studies (SACS) is proud to be part of this ten-year old endeavor for unity, collaboration and dia-logue on the level of formation since its beginnings.Reyes, OSA

SPs join the 10-year old Communio gathering

Last October 6, 2011 at around 2:00 PM in at the St.

Monica’s Conference Hall, San Agustin Center of Studies, the Committee on Sanitation and Maintenance of the simple pro-fessed Community conducted a seminar on Risk Reduction Man-agement. The rationale of the seminar was to give awareness of and to equip the friars for any possible dangers and calamities either natural or man-made, such as fire, flood and earthquake.The committee invited the most prominent resource personnel coming from the Quezon City Fire District of the Bureau of Fire and Protection, to the Chief of the Fire and Safety Education Department of the Quezon City

Fire Bureau, F/Sr./Ins. Cesar Pa-trocino Jr. and his team, to facili-tate the activity on Risk Reduc-tion. The team gave the pro-fessed basic orientation on the nature and the “do’s and don’ts” of calamities when they occur. At the end of the in-formative lecture all the simple professed friars, with the facili-tators, proceeded to the semi-nary ground in front of the St. Monica’s building to conduct a firedrill.Volunteerswereaskedto try theproperusageofafireextinguisherinputtingoffafireand also the proper handling of a fire hydrant available in theseminaryincasefiregetsworst.Miranda, OSA

novices and the solemn professed friars were invited to partake of the sumptuous dinner pre-pared by the simple professed. A birthday tribute was also given to Fr. Nick who celebrated his 71st birthday on the same occa-sion. The SNTH Socio-Cultural Committee also prepared a short program that showcased the tal-ents in dancing and singing of

the simple professed friars. The program was concluded with an inspirational message given by the Master of the Professorium, Rev. Fr. Andrew Batayola, OSA. After the short program, the community night, exclusively for the professed, followed at the fountain area of SNTH building.Tubid, OSA

Risk Reduction seminar orients professed

Buddy-system. One of the facilitators of the seminar-workshop demon-strates to the professed volunteers the proper handling of a fire hydrant by using the buddy-system, which is supporting the partner’s shoulder.

TSt. Nicholas of Tolentine

Professorium Section6 SACS Update Vol. 12 - Issue No. 2 - September to December 2011

the simple professed friars together with their formators, namely Fr. Andrew Batayola, OSA, Fr. Jose Seidel, OSA, and Fr. Ericson Borre, OSA stayed at Botolan in Zambales, where Aetas from Mt. Pinatubo moved after the destructive eruption of the volcano. The said immersion kicked off last October 17, 2011 as the friarscelebratedMassattheInaPoon–BatoParishofficiatedbyFr. Seidel. After the Holy Mass, the friars walked around 10 kilom-eters from the parish church to the immersion area. The friars were assigned to different families. The immersion culminated on October 20, 2011. In the morning of that day, the friars were able to spearhead a “barrio fiesta” during lunch time followed by giftgiving. In the evening, they were able to witness the prayer ritual of the Aetas led by their tribe leader. A cultural presentation by the Aetas after the ritual prayer made the celebration more cheerful despite the absence of electricity. The friars wore G-strings, a traditional dress of the male Aetas, and were able to participate in their traditional dance with only an improvised lamp as the source of light. The immersion with the indigenous people concluded on

October 21, 2011 with the closing Mass at the parish church pre-sided over by Fr. Ericson Borre. After parting ways with their foster families after the Mass, the friars went to the parish convent for the processing of their experience and key learning of the 4-day im-mersion. In a synthesis presented by Sr. Fegarido based on the shar-ing of the friars, the importance and the urgency of being with the marginalized constitute a challenge for every religious today, who are called to abandon their comfort zones as they serve the poor of Christ. She said that as men called to serve the poor, each has to re-spond to the challenge of building up a church of the poor through efforts that promote justice and solidarity along with the witnessing of the evangelical vows. Through the effort of Sr. Fegarido in coordination with Fray Mark Tampos, OSA, chairman of Mission and Apostolate Committee, the Aetas were given the opportunity to visit Manila. On December 16, 2011, they roamed around the Metropolis and stayed overnight in SACS. On December 17, 2011, before going back to their homeland, the Aetas entertained friars, seminarians and massgoers through their ethnic and cultural dance and songs they presented after the celebration of the Eucharist held at the San Agustin Chapel on the second day of the Misa de Gallo. For them and for Sr. Fegarido, it was their expression of gratitude for the spiritual and material support they received from the generous people through SACS. They departed at around 7:00 A.M. Magin, OSA

On October 24-28, 2011 the twenty-four simple pro-

fessed friars of SACS with two Chinese diocesan brothers had their retreat at the Queen of Peace Retreat House of the Ben-edictine Sisters of the Eucharis-tic King in Damortis, La Union. Rev. Fr. Sesenio Paderog, OSA facilitated the retreat on the theme “TransforMission: Mak-ing Disciples through Short-Term Missions”. Fr. Paderog guided the brothers in tracing their family history through genogram, after which the topic on vocation was ushered in. The retreat master also highlighted the vital role of

SP friars wear G-string in immersion

The Sports and Socio-Cultural Committee of the Profes-

sorium organized a Balik-Ugat program last October 28, 2011, after the five-day annual retreatof the friars. Balik-Ugat is an ac-tivity of commemorating the Au-gustinian forebears and visiting various precious ecclesiastical heritages in the Philippines that were handed down to the Fili-pino Catholics. Among the churches which were visited was the Basil-ica Minore of Our Lady of Char-ity or also named as Sta. Monica Parish in Agoo, La Union. In history, the said church was es-tablished by the Franciscan friars in 1578 and it was dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi. The Fran-ciscans soon withdrew from the place and the Augustinians took over. As a result, Agoo’s patron,

St. Francis was changed into Sta. Monica, in honor of the mother of St. Augustine. From then on the Augustinians were the ones managing the church until 1773 when it was handed over to the Dominicans. Again it was en-trusted to the Augustinians in 1774 until 1893. It was finallyturned over to the secular clergy in 1898. From La Union, the fri-ars headed to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag whose original im-age was historically brought by the Augustinian friars who were in charge of the spiritual admin-istration of the Manaoag town in Pangasinan from 1590 to 1613. In 1614, the spiritual leader-ship was transferred to the Do-minicans, under the patronage of Saint Monica. Cabahug, OSA

prayer in their lives as seminari-ans aspiring to become friars and priests in the future. The evan-gelical counsels – obedience, poverty and chastity - were also discussed, then the life lived in mission was talked about. Asor, OSA

SP friars hold annual retreat in La Union

SPs visit Augustinian heritages

Every December 10, the world celebrates Human Rights Day - a commemoration of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration

of Human Rights. One with this celebration and as part of their formation class in San Agustin Center of Studies, the whole Professorium Community went to Tarlac last December 10 to 11, 2011 for an immersion with the farmers in Hacienda Luisita. These farmers, as history has it, are victims of poverty for more than two scores now. Together with Fr. Andrew P. Batayola, OSA, Master of the Simple Professed Friars, the friars were sent to each family by two’s with

SPs commemorate Human Rights Day in Tarlac

TarlaC /Page 4Dialogue. Fray Julius, OSA (right) listens atten-tively to one of the farmers in Hacien-da Luisita in Tarlac about their fight for their rights.

Bahag. Some simple professed wear the tra-ditional costume of the indigenous group of the Aetas in Botolan, Zam-bales as part of ther ac-tual immersion with the community.

Fire out of a bamboo. Fray Peter, OSA tries to learn the art of cre-ating fire out of bam-boo trunks while being assisted by the tribe’s chieftain, Tatay Saki.

“immersion”/ from page 1

The simple professed friars together with their retreat facilitator, Fr. Sesenio Paderog, OSA (2nd row, 4th from R-L).

Collegium SectionSACS Update Vol. 12 - Issue No. 2 - September to December 2011 7

The college seminarians at-tended a talk on “Crisis

Management” that was held at the STVI multi-purpose hall on August 19, 2011. The formation team of the pre-novices headed by the master of students, Fr. Joel Beronque, OSA, invited a prominent and well-known speaker suited for this interest-ing topic Rev. Fr. Teodulo P. Gonzales, SJ.

On Friday evening of August 26, 2011 at 8:30 PM, despite the busy schedule of the seminary the

college brothers held a literary night graced by the presence of the simple professed friars, at the STVI multi-purpose hall on the theme “Generosity as the Basic Element of Mission and Evangelization”. The saidactivityhadtwoparts:first,theextemporaneousspeech contest and second, the verse choir competi-tion. The participants were divided according to their teams in the Intramural games namely, Japan, Korea, Pilipinas, Indonesia, India, and Australia. The contest was adjudged by two professors of STVI namely: Mr. Mark Benedict F. Lim, the Filipino subject professor, and Mrs. Joy G. Vargas, the moderator of the English Empowerment. The team Indonesia won the extemporane-ous speech contest, while the team Australia won the verse choir contest. Mimay

After almost twelve months from last year’s retreat,

the SACS’ collegium seminar-ians went back to the Mo.Teresa Spinelli House of Prayer run by Augustinian Sisters of Jesus and Mary at Kabangaan in Tagaytay City for the same purpose last October 10-12, 2011. This year’s retreat was facilitated by the current novice master of the Augustinian Novi-tiate and Prayer House in Cebu, Rev. Fr. Donato Elleazar, OSA. The three day “rest-and-medi-

Literary night highlights mission

Collegium goes back to Spinelli for retreatInformative crisis management talk

aides students

The Collegium Community, through its Com-mittee on Apostolate spearheaded Christmas

Outreach programs to the different apostolate ar-eas of both the aspirants and postulants. On De-cember 4, 2011, the second - year aspirants con-ducted a Christmas party for the poor children of Baseco Compound in Tondo, Manila. They were divided into two groups: the San Juan Bautista sub-parish which was headed by Rev. Fr. Thomas Banayag, OSA, and the St. Rita de Cascia mis-

sion station was headed by Rev. Fr. Joel Beronque, OSA. Meanwhile, on Decem-ber 5 and 12, 2011, the postu-lants capped their catechism apostolate for the year 2011 by initiating a Christmas party for their pupils in Culiat Elementary School. Presentation by sections, parlor games and others were among the activities prepared by them. Finally, on December 10, 2011, the third year aspir-ants brought the children from the nearby chapel in Project 6 to STVI multi-purpose hall for a Christmas gathering. The whole community thanked the sponsors and donors who made these Christmas out-reach programs a big success! Baric

Inthefirstpartofthetalk,Fr.Teodulohighlightedtheim-portance of “hinga para makapaghinga”, a reminder to integrate for the seminarians themselves the subject to dispersion due to vari-ous crisis. He also discussed four main objectives concerning this - namely self-knowledge, self-acceptance, self-esteem and self-purpose as tips on how to recover from stresses especially during religious formation. Dosdos, II

The third year aspirants had a successful immersion from October 13 to 15, 2011 in Bagong Silang II, Bacoor, Cavite. They were

distributed to foster families wherein they lived with them in order to experience the different ways of life according to the lifestyle of their respective foster families. The activity was realized through the help of Sr. Meljane Dialogo,OSA and Imelda Arellano,OSA of the Augus-tinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation. Cañete.

3rd year aspirants on a 3 day-immersion

Collegium spearheads Christmas outreach programs

Merry Christmas! Students of Culiat elementary School gather on the ground for their Christmas party sponsored by the Postulants through the help of some benefactors.

Fr. Teodulo gonzales, SJ

tate” moment focused on the im-portance of mission and forma-tion process for formands. Fr. Ellezar facilitated the sessions throughout the three day retreat. He started with an intro-duction on what a retreat was for and ended it discussing the ele-ments of an ideal formation. The seminarians capped each session with group and individual medi-tations. The retreat was conclud-ed with a short trip to People’s Park, Tagaytay City. Ramos

Some college seminarians listen eagerly to Fr. Donato ellezar, OSA as he talks about the elements of formation during their retreat.

Post. Noel eday (wearing black clerical) guides team mates for verse choir competition

It was held last November 25-27, 2011 at SACS. Being “alumni” do not only refer to those who graduated from the Institute, but, also to former students, who, at least, studied a semester. The homecoming was attended by 18 solemn pro-fessed friars, 15 simple professed friars and 30 lay alumni as well as the current students of the In-stitute. Some have flown from distant provinces and countries liked from Davao, Cebu, Iloilo, Singapore and United Arab Emirates in order to participate in the said gathering. In an interview with the over-all project head of the Alumni Homecoming, Fr. Michael Alvin Sequio, OSA, he gladly said that the first STVI Alumni Homecoming was generally a suc-cess based on the commendations and apprecia-tions he received from the participants. Various activities were carried out based on the goals of the homecoming, such as welcom-ing the alumni and making them feel at home, through a registration, an opening Mass and an acquaintance party - all held on the first day, No-vember 25, 2011. Second, in order to relive good memories of their formation life, common prayers, meals and games were organized to meet this goal. In

Collegium Section8 SACS Update Vol. 12 - Issue No. 2 - September to December 2011

EDITORIAL BOARDFray Genesis Labana, OSA

Editor-in-ChiEf

Asp. Phillip Andrew MimayCollEgium AssoCiAtE Editor

Fray Ric Anthony Reyes, OSAFray Rodel Magin, OSA

ProfEssorium AsssoCiAtE Editors

Fray Robert Lee Lingo, OSAFray Aimark Asor, OSAFray Reo Cabahug, OSA

FrayAntonioNombrefia,OSAFray John Ion Miranda, OSA

Fray Julius Tubid, OSAAsp. Yurii C Ramos

Asp. Allan Martin Dosdos, IIAsp. Phillip Andrew C. Mimay

Asp. Mark Louie CañetePost. Arcie BaricPost. Noel Eday

CorrEsPondEnts

Fray Ryan Pasabilla, OSAAsp. Roy Echeveria

CirCulAtion mAnAgErs

Fray Genesis Labana, OSAlAy-out Artist

SACS Mass Media Center StaffPhotogrAPhErs

Fr. Czar Emmanuel Alvarez, OSAEnglish ConsultAnt

Fr. Andrew Batayola, OSAmodErAtor

common prayers, some of the alumni served as choir during the Mass of the second day, November 26, 2011. The pioneering batches of 1996-2000 sang songs that were popular during their generation. In games, basketball, volleyball and the exciting and energizing “Alumni amazing race” were held. Third, there was a talk given by the first Di-rector of the Institute, Rev. Fr. Rommel Par, OSA, followed by a group sharing in order for them to have a chance to share their life experiences with fellow alumni. And lastly, to maintain lasting relationship with the alumni and share Augustinian Spirituality and life with them on the third day, November 27, 2011, the STVI Alumni Association was established and national officers were elected and appointed. Fray Stephen Tan, OSA (Batch 1996) was elected as national President, who in turn appointed Fray Ric Anthony Reyes, OSA (Batch 2003) and Fr. Noel Cogasa, OSA (batch 2000) as national secretary and treasurer,

First Grand Alumni Homecoming for STVI at 15

Hereisthelistofthedivisionofregionsandofficersof(nationalandregional)ofSTVIAlumniAssociation2011-2012:

Region 1 composed of participants coming from or residing (either permanently or temporarily) in Metro Manila and other Luzon areas. The region’s center is Quezon City. Region 2 composed of participants coming from or residing (either permanently or temporarily) in Cebu, Bohol, Dumaguete and Negros Oriental. The region’s center is Cebu. Region 3 composed of participants coming from or residing (either permanently or temporarily) in Iloilo, Antique, Bacolod, and Negros Occidental. The region’s center is Iloilo Region 4 composed of participants coming from or residing (either permanently or temporarily) in Mind-anao. The region’s center is Davao City.

National Officers: President: Fray Stephen Tan, OSA Secretary: Fray Ric Anthony Reyes, OSA Treasurer: Fr. Noel Cogasa, OSA

Region 1 Officers: Chairman: Atty. Romeo Corporal Secretary: Mr. Gil Contreras Treasurer: Mr. Jay Galasinao

Region 2 Officers: Chairman: Mr. Noel Mark Lerio Secretary: Rev. Fr. John Paul Mabanta, OSA Treasurer: Mr. Jose Melbert Galarion

Region 3 Officers: Chairman: Fray Peter John Cardos, OSA Secretary: Bro. Eulysses Mark Baliguas Treasurer:Bro. Wilfredo Generales

Region 4 Officers: Chairman: Lev. Fr. Leonard realize, OSA Secretary: Fray John Ion Miranda, OSA Treasurer: Mr. Leonardo Puerto Jr.

respectively. The Alumni Homecoming cul-minated with an inspirational homily delivered by Fr. Rodulfo Bugna, OSA, the first Master of Students of the Insti-tute, encouraging them to maintain the unity that was built among the alumni. Part of such was the alumni’s willingness to support the needs of the institute, wherever necessary. A remarkable statement from one of the alumni expressed his eager-ness to attend again a homecoming in years to come. The memories and joys experienced the homecoming will surely be treasured by those who attended it. Labana, OSA

Some of the par-ticipants of the 1st STVI grand Alumni Home-coming.

continuation from page 1 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

From :San Agustin Center of Studies Community