OUR MISSION JOURNEY

We are journeying towards confirmation this year.

 

And while we are journeying thus, we are preparing for a mission trip to the Bicol Region (Philippines) in December, shortly after our confirmation. Our Mission is a response to Mt 28: 18-20 – the Great Commission, Lk 4: 16-19, Jn 20: 19-23, 1 Chron 16:23-34, and Ps 96: 1-3.

 

We will make time and sacrifice the comforts of home during our school holidays to pursue this call to Mission. It is also a measure of how we had grown as young Catholics ever since we started taking Catechism classes.

 

This Mission Trip is part of our Catechism programme – sort of unpacking whatever faith baggage we had accumulated during our catechism years. And we may just come home from the Mission volunteering to wash the dishes, laundry our own clothes, sweep the floor, or even teach catechism. Who knows, indeed.

 

We will be there from Dec 9-19, 2009.

What Can We Do in Bicol?

• Serve one or two parishes
• Serve children in schools, neighbourhoods and camps
• Conduct catechism classes with focus on the Risen Christ
• Organising games for refugee children
• Outreach to teenagers from ravaged villages and hamlets
• Schools medical outreach
• Housing project outreach
• Relief goods distribution outreach
• Wash our own clothes
• Wash our dishes
• Clean up after our mess
• Forsake teh comforts of home even for just a few days
• Be a beacon of hope to the children there

If you are a parent reading this, please encourage your child to go for this mission. Or if you wont let your child go, at least allow him or her to participate in our fund-raising and mission awareness activities. 

 

If you are a confirmation-level teen, tell your parents you want to be a part of this mission trip.  

 

Read on. be inspired. Go Out and tell.

1 ABOUT BICOL

Location

                                                                                      
                                                                                            



Bicol Peninsula is located in the Southeast portion of Luzon island. It has the potential to become a major tourist destination, with major attractions such as Mayon Volcano, watersports, unspoilt white beaches along the Pacific coastline, a whaleshark spotting area, diving spots, ecotourism attractions, as well as numerous caves and waterfalls. But due to poor tourism infrastructure, natural disasters and limited access to the region, this potential has never been realised to the fullest.

Ethnicity
People from Bicol are called Bicolanos. They are of Austro-Polynesian origin, with Spanish, Chinese and Malayo-Indonesian influences.

Population and Geography
The total population of the Bicol region is 7 million, distributed into 6 provinces. Our mission area is Albay province.

Language
There are several Bicol languages and many different dialects. They are the languages used most commonly in homes and general life. Most Bicolanos also speak Filipino. Three other languages, Cebuano and Masbateño, are spoken by many in the region. English is well spoken and understood; in fact Bicolanos are among the best speakers of the English language in the Philippines. At least seven of the 23 members of the Senate are from Bicol, for example.

Livelihood
Most older Bicolanos have completed elementary school only. They tend to have agricultural jobs. They farm, fish, or sell food products. Some are involved in mining, handicrafts, or one of a variety of industries. Because the region is far from the country’s commercial centres, it cannot compete in many areas of business, and thus has a higher poverty rate than the national average. Natural disasters also hinder the area’s economic growth. Two active volcanoes erupt on occasion, and many typhoons blow in off the Pacific Ocean between 8 to 16 times every year.
The younger generation is pursuing higher education. There are many colleges in the area, including a very good medical and engineering school. But due to the slow rate of development in this area, underemployment is high (40 percent). Many professionals move elsewhere to find work.

Religion
Spain targeted the Bicol region early on in its colonisation efforts, resulting in the country’s oldest Roman Catholic diocese. Today, the vast majority of Bicolanos are Catholic (91%). In five of the region’s six provinces only about one percent of residents are Protestants.

How Do We Get There?
a) Direct flight from Singapore to Manila (3 hours 15 mins); Direct flight from Manila to Legaspi (1 hour but after 4-7 hours layover); Public Transport from Legaspi to Mission area (45 minutes); or

b) Direct flight from Singapore to Manila (3 hours 15mins); Public bus from Manila to Mission area (12 hours).

Where Do We Stay?

We will be billeted at the University dormitory at the Bicol University College of Agriculture.

2 MISSION AREA - GUINOBATAN

Guinobatan East Central School, Guinobatan West Central School: Located at both ends of the town, these are the two urban primary schools, each with a school population of 1,200 pupils. Both schools serve as evacuation centres during the onset of typhoons and volcanic eruptions, and as temporary refugee centres for those unable to return to their homes.
Mission activities: story telling, catechism classes, serving recess, setting up Christmas decorations, musical/cultural performance, Christmas party

Masarawag Elementary School:
About 10 km from the main town, this is a school nestled along along the slopes of Mayon Volcano. Its 800 pupils are witnesses to the many disasters wrought by the volcano on their community and their respective families.
Mission activities: story telling, catechism classes, serving recess, setting up Christmas decorations, musical/cultural performance, Christmas party

Batbat:
Located about 30 km from the town, Batbat is accessible by footpaths and secondary roads, this is a remote upland barrio with a modest population of about 300 families scattered around the mountainous and forested terrain. There is a primary school with 300 pupils and a secondary school with 50 pupils. The barrio has a small chapel and a health station as well. Largely a coconut farming community, most of its inhabitants lost their chief means of livelihood after typhoon Durian. They are now making do with secondary crops.
Mission activities: games, story telling, catechism classes, serving recess, setting up Christmas decorations, musical/cultural performance, maintenance work on the chapel.

Mauraro Resettlement Area:
Now with a population of about 300 families, this location, about 10km from town, permanently houses the relocated families affected by disasters. Families, including the disoriented children, are starting life from scratch in this resettlement area.
Mission activities: games, story telling, catechism classes, setting up Christmas decorations, musical/cultural performance

Dona Mercedes:
Located just a kilometre from Mauraro Resettlement Area, this upland community which overlooks the valley below has about 271 families. It has an elementary school and a day care centre for children. The Mission team will focus on this barrio in the second phase of the project.
Mission Activities: Elementary School Outreach project (Similar to school programs above), Day Care Centre Outreach Project (feeding, bathing children, playing, games), Home and Farm Outreach Project (helping out in the farms and homes) and setting up Christmas Decorations. PC donation, painting works.

Assumption Parish:
The parish serves the 11,000 inhabitants of the town proper.
Mission Activities: Serving the parish office, PC donation, painting works, youth fellowship, sharing and praise and worship, catechism classes. Contact: Fr Dave Thomas Ramoso (Parish Priest), Fr Ric Divinagracia (Youth Director).


View of Guinobatan Town from Goggle Earth

3 MISSION AREA - CAMALIG

Tagaytay Resettlement Area Similar to the Mauraro site, but larger in scope.
Mission activities: games, story telling, catechism classes, setting up Christmas decorations, musical/cultural performance.

Caguiba Community
This is a poor mountain farming community of about 160 families, with a secondary school and a primary school.
Mission activities: games, distribution of relief supplies, story telling, catechism classes, art work, setting up Christmas decorations, musical/cultural performance.

St John the Baptist Parish
The parish serves 4,000 parishioners.
Mission Activities: Serving the parish office, PC donation, painting works, youth fellowship, sharing and praise and worship, catechism classes. Contact: Fr Ed Bragais, Parish Priest

4 MISSION MANAGEMENT

 OVERAL MISSION  LEADER:

• Jesus

SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR:

• To be named later)

MISSION LEADER:

• Al R Dizon

MISSION OPS:

• Anthony Tann (Asst Mission Leader)

FINANCE:

• Amy Lim (Finance, also part of last year’s Mission)
• L9 Catechists (to be named later)

MISSION SECRETARIAT:

• Amanda Faith - Youth Mission Leader (Also Information officer)
• Selina Prasetyo - Asst Youth Mission Leader (Also Information and Admin officer)
• Dominic Chai - Asst Youth Mission Leader (Also Plannng Coordinator)
• Augustine Mak - Asst Youth Mission Leader (Also Planning Coordinator)

MEDICAL AND FIRST AID:

• Ms Sisinia Jimines 0915-380-1498 (Head Nurse, MORMS) – Round the Clock
• Ms Joy Banaga 0918-933-0979 (Head Nurse, University Clinic) – Day only
• Ms Evonie Ramirez 0928-709-4890 (Volunteer Nurse) – Round the Clock
• Ms Krizel Castro (Volunteer Aide) – Round the Clock
• Mr Al R Dizon (Paramedic) – Round the Clock
• Mr Abraham Ramirez (Emergency Transport and Logistics) – Round The Clock

 MISSION SECRETARIAT: (Singapore)

• Philomena Tann
• L9 Catechists, to be named later
• L9 Confirmants, to be named later

 BICOL LIAISON

• Ms Bing Herrera, Office of the Mayor, Camalig Town, Albay Tel: 63-905-2781968 Email: bhing_Herrera@yahoo.com
• Sr Ana Lisa, St Benedict Academy, Guinobatan Town, Email: ddim@myway.com
• Prof Lani Pavilando, FITS Centre, Bicol University College of Agriculture 

 MANILA CONTACT:

Embassy of Singapore in Manila, Philippines (Consulate Office)
35th Floor, The Enterprise Center
6766 Ayala Avenue corner Paseo de Roxas
Makati City, Philippines
Phone: 632-7512345
Fax: 632-7512346

Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
No. 505, Rizal Drive,
Bonifacio Global City, 1634 Taguig City,  Metro Manila,
Philippines
Telephone : 001-63 (2) 856 9922 (General Lines)
001-63 (2) 856 9922 Ext 110 (Consular Services)
001-63 (2) 856 9922 Ext 113 (Visa Services)
Fax: 001-63-(2) 856-9932
E-Mail: singemb_mnl@sgmfa.gov.sg