HRM-TC TABLE 4

SPU Manila INTER-OFFICE BULLETIN

Vol. IV No. 13 17 January 2011

CENTENARY OF SPC NOVITIATE LAUNCHED

This year, 2011, is the centenary of SPC Formation in the Philippines. The celebration was

formally launched in St. Paul University Manila on 9 January 2011 as this was the site of the

first “official” novitiate in the country. Following is a photo-essay on the launching, contributed

by Maribel Corcolla, Campus Minister.

MASS PRESIDER: FR. RAINNIELLE PINEDA

Introduction:

Sr. Lilia Thérèse L.

Tolentino,SPC

Message and Launching

of the Centenary of SPC Formation

in the Philippines

by Sr. Zeta Caridad R. Rivero, SPC

Symbolic Lamp Offering

(10 lamps for 10 decades)

O

Offering of Bread and Wine:

SR. ZETA CARIDAD R.RIVERO, SPC

SR. EMILY LOUISE DEL CASTILLO, SPC

VOLUNTEERS EXCHANGE PROGRAM

SPU MANILA CAMPUS MINISTRY OFFICE

AND ST. THOMAS MORE PARISH YOUTH MINISTRY 7 January 2011, 1:00 to 3:00 P.M, HRM-TC Coffee Shop

Contributed by Maribel Corcolla

On 30 December 2010, eight volunteers from St. Thomas More Parish Youth Ministry, Colorado

USA arrived in the Philippines for an Immersion Program in one of the parishes of the Prelature

of Infanta in Quezon Province from 2-7 January 2011. They were headed by Ms. Mila Garcia-

Glodava, an alumna of St. Paul University Manila, who arranged with the administration for the

group to be accommodated in the HRM-TC of the university.

Upon returning to Manila from Infanta, Quezon on 7 January, the

visitors were welcomed by the Campus Ministry Student Volunteers, with

whom they interacted in the HRM-TC Coffee Shop. The program started with

an opening prayer and blessing before meal led by Regina Garong, BSFMA III.

After a sumptuous lunch, the volunteers were welcomed by Sr. Vianney

Ramirez, SPC, SPU Manila Vice-President for Christian Formation.

Welcome to the Family

The program continued with an animation song: “Welcome to the Family”

which was led by Melvin Macuha, BSP IV and Mariah Nikki Dimaapi, BSBA IV. The song

conveying the message of welcome, indeed warmed the hearts of the volunteers. In turn,

Neely, Stephanie, and Kristi rendered a joyful song for the CMSV.

Interaction of searchers with the Sisters

At the reception

Singing of Welcome Song

For a more interactive sharing, the volunteers introduced themselves and shared their

personal involvements in their respective ministries. Afterwards, both groups shared their best

practices. The volunteers from STM Colorado, led by Patrick, shared that one of their best

practices was stewardship, especially to their fellow volunteers in the community who number

3,000. Patrick shared that in this way, they are able to be in touch with one another and

strengthen the volunteerism and bonds of their community.

SPU Manila’s CMSVs presented an AVP to show their best practices. Mr. Leonard de

Leon of the CM Staff shared his personal experiences as Student Volunteer then and now as a

full time Minister. The volunteers shared their significant involvements in the ministry and what

deepens their commitment to and love for their service. Ms. Maribel Corcolla, Campus Minister,

also shared how CMSV in SPU Manila has flourished and grown in number (from 24 BEC

facilitators in 2007 to 186 volunteers at present).

“Baon” from the Philippines

The volunteers from Colorado, USA shared their personal experiences during their stay in the

Philippines. They shared that their stay here enabled them to see how deep the faith of the

Filipino people is. Moreover, the volunteers shared that their experiences in Infanta, especially

with the kids with whom they did their immersion, is something worth remembering. One

volunteer shared a significant experience with their driver during the trip. He shared that

through their talks, the driver’s sharing made them realize that every little thing is a blessing.

Sharing of personal experiences as volunteers

Sharing of SPU Manila volunteers

Holding On Together

The program ended with the song “If we hold on together.” The volunteers held hands to signify

that though people are of different races, we are all united in one God and in one faith, bearing

in our hearts hope in building up the Kingdom of God through our loving service as volunteers.

St. Thomas More Parish Youth Volunteers and Campus Ministry Student Volunteers

with Sr. Mary Vianney Ramirez, SPC (right), Ms. Maribel Corcolla (back-right)

and Ms. Mila Glodava (back-left)

Two Looks at Clown Training Workshop…

“The Healing Heart of Clowning” 17-23 January 2011

Contributed by Wynna Marie A. Medina

Project Proponent

On Monday, 17 January 2011, SPU Manila embarks on another innovative and pioneering

activity--the training of a handpicked group of students and teachers in the basics of clowning

by American clowns. Originally dubbed as the “Healing Art of Clowning,” this program--now

named the “Seeds of Hope, Rooted in Laughter Tour” will be launched by a five-day training

workshop in SPU Manila, a one–day live-performance by the new clowns on 22 January,

followed by a Church Mime Performance to be given by the clown trainers for the SPC Vigil

House on the 23rd. Then, the American clowns will perform for some church groups in

Pangasinan and La Union on 24-30 January 2011. They return to the USA on 1 February.

Background and Rationale

In January 2010, a small troupe of professional clowns from the USA came to the Philippines as

part of a Christian ministry outreach for the victims of Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. The

Philippine trip was organized by a married pastor-couple: Joel and Eunice Lewton. Eunice is

Filipino by birth.

The Lewtons had first come to the Philippines in the mid-70s and served as chaplains and

counselors of Philippine Christian University. This is where we first met. I was then the high

school counselor and Joel and Eunice’s work with high school students fell under my

supervision.

They have since returned to the USA but continue to maintain links with the Philippines.

When Eunice told me of the clowns coming over in January 2010, I tried to get them to perform

in Misereor Village in Nueva Ecija. Unfortunately, their schedules were already full. Some time

later, I was informed that the clowns were so inspired by their short exposure to the Philippines

that they wanted to return.

I then explored the possibility of bringing them to SPU Manila or the SMI-IC in 2011 for the

purpose of having our own students train in using clowning for various purposes such as

therapeutic healing and church work using an alternative instructional methodology. I also

believed that maybe SPU Manila could start its own clown troupe and in so doing create or

preserve indigenous characters such as Asyong Aksaya, or Juan Tamad, or even Lola Basyang

in clown form.

In addition to the SPU Manila community, great interest has been shown by the SMI-IC and

SPUS members. However, due to the limited number of trainees that can be accepted to a basic

workshop on clowning, this pioneering workshop will be limited initially to SPU Manila.

Sr. Lilia Thérèse L. Tolentino, President, fully supports this program, not only because of its

uniqueness but more so because of its inter-faith elements.

Objectives

1. To expose SPU Manila to the basics of clowning as an alternative performance medium for

entertainment, cultural preservation, therapeutic healing, and instructional methodology.

2. To provide the following units with additional therapeutic interventions: nursing, medical

services, guidance services.

3. To create an institutional clown troupe that may be used for campus ministry work and

specialized performances that will move forward the school’s advocacies.

Description of the Training Workshop

• Duration: six days (17-22 January 2011)

• Five days of classroom work: 17-21 January (Monday to Friday)

o Morning plenary sessions

o Afternoon application sessions (e.g. make up, costumes,

skits)

• One day of live performances in two sites:

1. a hospital (PGH or Ospital ng Maynila ) – to be confirmed

2. White Cross (confirmed)

3. Tayuman hospice – to be confirmed

• Participants: 46 participants

The following will be the participants:

Unit Participants

College of Nursing and Allied

Health Sciences

two RLE classes of 2nd and 3rd year students

with three faculty members

Guidance Services six guidance counselors

Campus Ministry four participants: three CMSV and the campus

minister

CAS and SAO BS Psych., AB Mass Comm., and three

Tanghalang St Paul members

Laughter IS a medicine.

Contributed by Nigel Lopez

Feeling funny? Then prepare to laugh out loud! Join us this January 17th up to the 21st as St.

Paul University Manila, in partnership with Transformational Agendas Alive! presents “Seeds of

Hope, Rooted in Laughter” a seven-day clown training workshop for select CNHS and CAS

students. The workshop was organized by Ms. Wynna Marie A. Medina and Joel and Eunice

Lewton. It will be given by certified Christian joy bringers, Dionetta Hudzinski a.k.a. “DIDDLIE

SQUAT” and Tammy Danforth a.k.a. “TAMBOW” both of them have served Christ and others as

clowns, bringing much needed joy and comfort to those who are suffering.

Transformational Agendas Alive! is a faith based project partnering with different

institutions in the Philippines and in other parts of the world. The group aims to bring “Hope,

Joy, and Laughter to children and adults through the art of Christian clowning.”

The training workshop will impart in the participants a variety of things needed in

clowning, such as how to come up with a clown costume, how to create and develop one’s very

own clown personality, skit making, humor development, and a variety of clown tricks and tips.

But more importantly, it will renew in them the zeal of life and instigate a more compassionate

heart filled with joy and laughter. Those selected to join the said workshop will then be able to

share their “funny side” as they head out to different institutions while in character with their

clown personas.

I bet you want to be a clown now eh? If you do, then all you need is to develop genuine

love and care for people and be a bacon, excuse me, a beacon of hope and happiness to others

with Christ as your guide and remember to nurture the clown within you. Share the joy. Spread

the laughter.

CONDOLENCES

The Paulinian Family condoles with

Imelda Mendoza-Garbin (BSC 1968)

on the recent passing of her husband, Nol.