5 Volume 35 No. 1 | Autumn 2025 Society Matters “Over the years it has catered to more than 200 young Mangyans across grade levels starting from Grade 4 and produced more than 50 college graduates,” Br Willy said. “Most of these scholars, graduates and non-graduates are now serving their community as leaders and teachers.” The students are housed in the MEC throughout the duration of their education program and during their stay they are assisted to finish their course work through inhouse tutorials, reading and communication activities. “Also, there are activities and programs for cultural education, psycho-emotional maturity, livelihood and social-community life, and spiritual development,” Br Willy said. “Through these five pillars, it is hoped that the Mangyan students will stand with the dignity of their heritage and integrity to uplift their communities in the future.” Br Willy said parents maintain regular involvement with their children’s education, with fortnightly meetings at the MEC. “This is an opportunity to visit their child, help in the chores in maintaining the centre and receive updates on the activities of the centre and the performance of their child,” he said. “Also, there is an elder who serves as the matron, and student-staff who are fresh graduates and serve in the centre as a form of gratitude for the scholarship opportunity given to them.” Meanwhile, the Philippines Province of the SVD is also branching out to expand an eco-friendly initiative designed to help the Province become more self-reliant in its operations. The SVD Tagaytay Community decided in 2020, during the pandemic, to convert its 5.8 hectare idle land into what is now known as the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm – a religious ecotourism place found in the heart of the Arnoldus Family compound. Fr Samuel Agcaracar SVD said the rationale of the program is three-fold. “First, as a formation institution, the SVD Farm serves as a concrete response to the call of Pope Francis in his document Laudato Si’ to get involved in the protection of the environment as our common home,” he said. “Second, to generate income for the seminary, thereby responding to the Society’s call for self-reliance. Due to the economic impact of the pandemic, several of our local benefactors have stopped helping the seminary. “And third, to raise awareness among partners and guests about the need to initiate ecological and environmental innovations as concrete expressions of our JPIC characteristic dimension (Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation).” From a simple beginning it has evolved into a more comprehensive project through collaboration with local agencies, civic organisations and private benefactors and for the past three-and-a-half years has begun generating meagre revenues to support the SVD mission. Fr Samuel said the Laudato Si’ Farm is now seeking to build greenhouses and improve farm technology to boost the farm’s production. “This plan not only boosts our advocacy for integral and sustainable farming, but also intends to promote awareness to individuals and institutions of the value of organic farming as a response to Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ call,” he said.
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