LUMAD SCHOLARS

DOMINATE HONOR ROLL

Twenty-one out of thirty three Lumad
scholars
showed
exemplary
performance in the field of academics
as they dominated the honor roll of their
respective class for the second quarter
of the present school year in Fr. Leoni
Memorial School.
Eight of this twenty-one Lumad
scholars composed the top spots of the
honor list in Grade 8 namely: Jessa
Bayansao 1st honor, Judy Ann Lastino
2nd honor, Jenifer Limosanon 3rd honor,
Ronel Balanban 5th honor and Deither
Dum-ogan, Shanray Dum-ogan, Iresh
Mansa and Arah Acita shares the 6th
honor spot. For Grade 9, Regina
Gabute 4th honor, Prencis Balanban
and Gael Ally got the 5th honor, John
Mark Dum-ogan and Maloy Listahan

tied as 6th honor and the rest belongs

to top 20 like Angie Lastino, Tomie
Lagti-an, and Jemar Listahan. For
Grade 10, Jelyn Ogade, Jeralyn
Abanador and Madelyn Ayawon
belongs to top 20. In grade 11 only
Milba Yawan make it in honor list
among Lumads scholar. Finally Rey
Jared Pupowan from grade 7 grabbed
the 4th honor.
According to Jessa Bayansao, the 1st
honor from grade 8, their great desire to
learn, focus towards their studies and
the immense support of the kind
volunteers around them contributed to
what they consider as remarkable
accomplishment. Their dream of
helping their family and Lumad
community someday is the motivating
factors for these young scholars to
continue do well in school.

The said scholars currently belong to

the 33 Lumad beneficiaries of Fr. Leoni
Mission foundation Inc.
FLMFI is supporting the studies of
Lumad
scholars
by
providing
scholarships, board and lodging (their
villages are 4-8 hours away from the
schools on foot & transportation is
inaccessible so they stay in FLMFI
dormitory throughout the duration of
their schooling). The scholars are also
given social & spiritual formation
through exposure trips, enrichment
seminars & recollections. Our mission
is to equip the students with the
knowledge, attitude, and skills that
enable them to become active agents of
change in their respective communities.
We also strive to share with them firm
Catholic values that will allow them to
live out their Christian faith in all aspects
of their lives.

ISSUE 1 | VOLUME 1 | DECEMBER 2016

FLMFI HAS OPENDED TWO

NEW LITERACY CENTERS
THIS YEAR
Education is one of the primary
advocacies of the mission. The far flung
areas that are accessible only by foot or
carabao or horse and sometimes habalhabal do not have access to basic
education. Many of the children and
adult IPs (Indigenous People) in these
communities are unable to read and
write hence making them vulnerable to
the deceptions of lowland traders.
Last school year (2015-2016) the
Tagbacan and Maraguing literacy
center has helped 32 children finish
pre-school preparing them for public
school. This year the Fr. Leoni Mission
Foundation Inc., together with the
Philippine Jesuit Foundation has
opened two new literacy centers
namely Patulangan and Miaray.
These
community-based
literacy
centers facilitate the early learning
process of those children. They are
taught using their mother tongue and
using a culture-based curriculum.
These centers are ran by volunteer
para- teachers who reside in the area.
Educational materials and food during
school days are provided to help the
learners in their studies and to free
themselves from household chores that
may take them away from learning. The
Barangay Scholars of Cabanglasan is

Blessing of New Patulangan Literacy Center last October 2, 2016

CENTERS
1. Tagbacan
2. Miaray
3. Patulangan
4. Maraguing
TOTAL

MALE FEMALE
10
3
13
11
8
6
12
8

Enrolment in literacy centers

TOTAL
13
24
14
20
71

It is the hope of the FLMFI to continue

to provide education to far flung
communities so that illiteracy maybe
lessen among IPs.

helping the FLMFI monitor the weights

and health development of the children
under the feeding program provided by
the literacy center.

On-going construction of Miaray Literacy Center

Perspective of Miaray Literacy Center

As part of Laudato Si and advocating

the care for environment our new
literacy center in Miaray will be using
plastic bottles for its walls.
FEEDING PROGRAM IN THE LITERACY CENTERS:
Top left Miaray, Top right Tagbacan, Bottom left Patulangan, Bottom right Maraguing

Fr. Leoni Mission Foundation Inc., is

striving to extend the literacy services to
Makilo, Mindao, Catablaran, Saluringan
and Tapayanon in the following years.

ISSUE 1 | VOLUME 1 | DECEMBER 2016

SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD
PROGRAM FOR UMAJAMNN
COMMUNITIES

The Umajamnns are among the

poorest of the IPs of Bukidnon. They
consist of some 15 villages located in
the border of Agusan and Bukidnon in
the municipality of Cabanglasan,
Bukidnon. Except for a few who have
already learned to adapt to the ways of
Christian low landers, the great majority
still practice subsistence farming
through the kaingin system. They plant
small amount of upland rice and corn
which are consumed within a couple of
months and they live on camote as
staple food for the rest of the year.
These communities are facing the hard
consequences of natural disasters and
climate change. The El Nio early this
year have spoiled agricultural products
like vegetables and livestock. These
unfortunate incident increase the
poverty, fracturing their sources of
income
and
undermining
their
sustainability practices. Further to this,
this community, time and again, adopt
unsustainable
income-generation
activities which are characterized by
inadequate planning, inaccessible
markets, lack of organizational skills
and poor coping strategies. Hence, a
holistic intervention is required, in which
El Nio and La Nia preparedness is
combined with a mechanism that
sustains and increases livelihood
opportunities for these communities.
Next year the Fr. Leoni Mission
Foundation together with the help of
Philippine Jesuit Foundation and
Metrobank
Foundation
will
be
implementing Sustainable Livelihood
Program for Umajamnn communities.
Through this project the Umajamnn
IPs will be able to work together as one
Community
towards
sustainable

Miaray Community

Saluringan Community

development. This project will provide

a more comprehensive and sustainable
way to support the daily consumption
needs of the IP communities. The
setting-up of a communal gardens &
communal poultry farms will hopefully
alleviate hunger among poor families
and lessen the strain on their incomes.
The members of the community will be
able to improve their living condition.
They will be ensured of food security by
living sustainably off their land.
The project sustainability is based on
the premise that a part of the sales from
the vegetables will be save to buy
seeds for the next planting season. The
livestock such as pigs, goats, chickens
and ducks will only be sold until it has
reproduced or part of the sales will be
used to buy new piglets, ducklings,
chicks and kids. This way the project
will be sustainable and profitable in the
long run.
Community-Based
Organizations
(CBOs) such as cooperatives ensure
long-term sustainability of interventions,
in addition to promoting concepts of
equity,
self-reliance
and
good
governance. The project will promote
community-based cooperatives to
undertake
La
Nia/El
Nio
preparedness,
production
and
marketing practices in a more
organized manner to reduce risks and
increase incomes. Through a set of
planned interventions, the project will
create awareness and education on
cooperatives and help the communities
to build them so as to enable them to

organize easy, flexible and costeffective financial services, leverage

technical resources, gain input supply,
undertake production planning and
carry out marketing services.
This project will be tied up with REMCO
(Religious Educators Multi-Purpose
Cooperative, a cooperative that
manages and trains its members. The
project believes in strengthening the
skills of the community in managing
resources in a sustainable manner and
this will be achieved by intensive
capacity-building programs organized
during the term of the project. REMCO
provides training on Christian Life
Formation, Coop Values and Principles,
Financial
Literacy
and
Social
Entrepreneurship. On the technical side
of farming the FLMFI has also asked
the help of Department of Agriculture of
Cabanglasan.
Hopefully, through this project the
Umajamnns will become more
empowered and will be able to support
and fund their own projects or programs
for the development of their community.

Patulangan Community

ooking back 2016

ISSUE 1 | VOLUME 1 | DECEMBER 2016

MARCH 11, 2016

SCHOLARS LEADERSHIP
TRAINING

Leadership Training with Guido Sarreal

A leadership training themed Ang

hinde lumingon sa pinanggalingan di
makakarating sa paroroonan. This
workshop encourage our scholars to
fully embrace their heritage and be
proud of being Lumad. Furthermore,
they were challenged to use their
identity as a unique advantage to
achieve success.

MARCH 18, 2016 LITERACY

CENTERS GRADUATION

Tagbacan & Maraguing Literacy Center

Graduation

The community-based literacy center of

Tagbacan and Maraguing has helped
32 children to graduate from preschool. This children were taught in
culture based curriculum preparing
them for public school studies.

MARCH 30- APRIL 1, 2016

MEDICAL MISSION

JULY 31, 2016 LUMAD

ENCOUNTER

During the 2- day medical mission

Scholars of Cabanglasan and Zamboaguita

together with Fr. Jom and Fr. Ernald, JVP
Volunteers and brothers of Vianey

Fr. Leoni Mission Foundation Inc., has

conducted two days Medical and Dental
Mission to IP communities last March
30, 2016 -April 1 2016. The medical
mission has served close to 400
patients and has given free medicines
and free hygiene giveaways (soaps,
toothbrushes, toothpastes).

MARCH 27, 016

DISCOVERING LUMAD
CULTURE

Exposure trip to Talandig Ancestral Domain

During the educational tour, the

scholars experienced a flute making
workshop, (where they learned how to
make and play their own flutes) and a
soil painting workshop (where they
learned to use soil as a medium of
painting) from master artists in
Talaandig tribe. They were also able to
learn more about fellow Bukidnon
tribes culture.

Cabanglasan and Zamboaguita Lumad

scholars has enjoyed a day of
recollection, games and food during the
Lumad encounter. The activity the
foster friendship and solidarity between
scholars from the two places.

AUGUST 13, 2016

REFRESHER COURSE FOR
LITERACY TEACHERS

Refresher Training given by Ms. Thelma

Gayao of Bendum

A refresher training course for the

teachers was done last August 13,
2016 by Mrs. Thelma Gayao. She is a
former Literacy Center Teacher in
Cabanglasan and currently teaching K1
and K2 in APC-APU Palamguwan
Cultural Education Center, Bendum.
APC-APU is a school accredited by
DedEd with IP curriculum.

ooking back 2016

ISSUE 1 | VOLUME 1 | DECEMBER 2016

AUGUST 18, 2016 FINANCIAL LITERACY &

SOCIAL
ENTREPRENUERSHIP
TRAINING FOR LUMADS

financial skills in a single workshop, the

training provides a key take-away
message money management and
entrepreneurship.

AUGUST 19, 2016 - LAUDATO

SI LETS GO FOR ORGANIC!

Organic Farming and

Production Seminar

Financial
Literacy
Entrepreneurship Training

&

Social

One the challenges faced by Lumad

communities is the lack of financial
management
skills
and
social
entrepreneurship knowledge. They
come from backgrounds where there is
no tradition of managing money,
savings, investing and achieving other
financial security. Because of this, they
are not able to effectively manage their
financial affairs and are vulnerable to
poor financial decision making. More
often than not, they are taken
advantage by middleman in terms of
selling their agricultural products. In the
light of this challenge the Fr. Leoni
Mission Foundation together with
REMCO (Religious Educators MultiPurpose Cooperative) has conducted a
Financial
Literacy
and
Social
Entrepreneurship Training for our
Lumad brethren last August 19, 2016.
This seminar was dedicated to teach
our Lumad brethren Financial Literacy
and Social Entrepreneurship and
finding the best practice in savings and
developing
financial
management
skills.
Although it is not possible to change
the mindset and develop a good

Dr.Anita
S.
Macabugto
Municipal
Agriculturist of Cabanglasan talks about
importance and benefits of Organic Faming

On the anniversary of the release of

Laudato Si (On Care for our Common
Home) the Encyclical written by Pope
Francis, the Fr. Leoni Mission
Foundation have conducted a seminar
about LAUDATO SI LETS GO FOR
ORGANIC. This is to raise awareness
amongst our Lumad brethren to on the
proper way of farming using natural and
organic method at the same time
address the problem of hunger in the
community.

Mr.
Deofel
Omagap,
Agricultural
Technologist on Vegetable Production

and

Vegetable

To address the hunger in far flung sitios,

fruit seedlings and vegetable seedlings
was distributed. These fruits seedlings
are vegetable seeds are from the
Department of Agriculture Cabanglasan
and
Department
of
Agriculture
Malaybalay. The participants of the
seminar will then do the re-echo of the
seminar to their community and
dispense the seeds and seedlings.
The expected impact of this seminar is
the heighted awareness of the Lumad
communities on the proper ways take
care of the mother earth through
organic farming and also lessen the
case of hunger in the each communities
by creating backyard vegetable
gardens. The vegetable garden is also
expected to support the feeding
program of the Literacy Center in the
respective communities.

ooking back 2016

ISSUE 1 | VOLUME 1 | DECEMBER 2016

OCTOBER 2, 2016
INDEGENOUS PEOPLES
SUNDAY

OCTOBER 28, 2016 IP

EDUCATION ORIENTATION
FOR LITERACY TEACHERS

Community leaders from different

Umajamnn area

IP Education Orientation with Joan Talazan

IPA Coordinator of the Diocese of
Malaybalay

IP Sunday this year was celebrated in

Patulangan
with
the
themed.
Indigenous Peoples, part of a merciful
Filipino family: It was attended by the
different community leaders from
different IP area, from the government
section, education section, NGOs and
Lumads in Cabanglasan. It started with
a ritual folloed by a day full of music and
dance, embracing and celebrating the
Lumad culture.

OCTOBER 24, 2016 JUST

RELAX

FLMFI R&R at Maramag

After grueling two semesters and as a

treat for a job well done for the two
semester the scholars got to enjoy a
day in the pool and park in Maramag.
FLMF believes that scholars should
also be given time to relax and have
some recreation.

An orientation on the IP Education was

given by Joan Talazan and Zeny
Atulanan of the Diocese of Malaybalay.
This orientation focuses on education
through and with culture preservation.

OCTOBER 30, 2016

KAHUNGYAMAN SCHOLARS
CHAMPS THE CULTURAL
DANCE CONTEST DURING IP
SUNDAY IN ZAMBOAGUITA

Kahungyaman
presentation

Scholars

during

Training with Cartwheel Volunteers Brix

Zabala and Charissa Mae T.Lopez

Cartwheel is a foundation that seeks to

nurture Filipino Indigenous People
through relevant education.

NOVEMBER 24-27, 2016

SCHOLARS ATTENDED
TRIBU CAMP

their

Diocesan IP Sunday was celebrated in

Zamboaguita
together
with
IP
communities
from
Cabanglasan,
Zamboaguita,
Aglayan,
Linabo,
Lumawang, and Bendum. The Scholars
from Kahungyaman won the Cultural
Dance Contest.

NOVEMBER 21, 2016

LITERACTY TEACHERS
TRAINING WITH CARTWHEEL
VOLUNTEERS

Five scholars attended the TRIBU camp in

Songco Lantapan

The Ridge to Reef Leaders sponsored

TRIBU Camp igniting the fires of
leadership through music and arts. 20
young people from different tribes
gather together learning the culture of
each other.

Scholars Journal

ISSUE 1 | VOLUME 1 | DECEMBER 2016

and Sunday are usually schedule for

laundry and running some errands. We
also have formation session on
Saturday afternoon just like leadership
training, spiritual and cultural trainings
and other skills enhancement.
I was only 12 years old when I leave
home to continue my studies. It was
very unfortunate that my parents can
only send me to school until grade 6 so
when Fr. Leoni Mission Foundation Inc.
opened an opportunity for me to
continue my studies, it was an
answered prayer.

Saturday Formation session for scholars

BUHAY SCHOLAR
By Jeralyn Abanador

Have you ever lived in a dormitory with

thirty other teenagers? Seems difficult
and chaotic, right? It is. But being a
scholar has also its perks, its not
always easy but it doesnt matter how
hard life can be, being a scholar makes
you resilient and appreciate all the
blessings big and small. And one more
thing, when youll living with a bunch of
teenagers, there is no dull moment
The bell rings at 4:30 in the morning,
giving the cue to wake up. After
washing my face and brushing my teeth
I proceeded to the Seora De
Guadalupe Church to do the
preparations for Mass. Some of my
fellow scholars are making the
breakfast, some are assigned to clean
the dorm, and some has the
responsibility to feed the animals. At
6:00 in the morning we start our
..

morning praise followed by the Mass.

After the Mass well have breakfast and
prepare for school.
After school, each scholars have their
own household chores to do then we
have some free time to play. At 6:00pm
we all gather to pray the rosary or have
some Bible sharing. This is followed by
dinner then study period.

Study period in the dormitory.

During Fridays we have movie night or

singing contest or art night. Saturday
..

Scholars during gardening.

The first months in the dormitory was

the toughest days of my life. I was home
sick and I dont mingle much with other
scholars. I felt so alone that there were
times when all I could do was cry. But I
promised myself that no matter how
hard a scholars life can be, I wont give
up. My dreams are bigger and much
stronger than any challenges I have to
face.
After sometime, I began to make friends
and adjusted to the ways of being
scholar. Yes, I still miss my family but
everytime I see my fellow scholar who
is going through same struggles with
me it gives me strength and sense of
inspiration. Yes it is not easy to be a
Lumad scholar but if given the chance
to change my life, I wont change a
thing.

000000

Scholars Journal

ISSUE 1 | VOLUME 1 | DECEMBER 2016

Scholars in their Tribal attire during their dance performance at Xavier University.

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE
UMAJAMNN
By Prencis Balanban

A people without knowledge of their

culture is like a tree without roots.
Marcus Garvey
I am a Lumad, from Umajamnn tribe to
be specific and I am proud to be one.
For many years Lumads from
Mindanao
suffer
first-hand,
the
collateral damages of war such as
displacement, loss of basic necessities,
livelihood and housing, many also
suffer neglect and exploitation brought
about by loss of opportunities and
inability of government to provide the
basic necessities that would constitute
what we call LIFE. Most Lumads
doesnt have access to health care or
education and because of these we are
often discriminated.
As a young Lumad I have experienced
these hardships and discrimination. But

I will never be ashamed of my Lumad

heritage.
We Lumads have our own identify and
culture. We have our own language,
dances, arts, and literature. We have
traditions and rituals. We have our own
tribal attires and festivals. We have our
own organizational structures and
values.

Lumads playing indigenous musical

instrument

These past years the government have

implemented development programs
for IP. But the issue of cultural
preservation is rarely absent when
doing development work with IPs. The
matter of daily survival often leaves no
space for preserving our culture.
However, we, the Lumad's identity is
strongly grounded on our heritage.

During IP Sunday

Ritual during for Patulangan Literacy

Center

So for me, being Umajamnn is being

proud of my heritage, of who I am, of my
culture and at the same time strive to
develop ourselves to be able to help my
community.

Volunteers Note

ISSUE 1 | VOLUME 1 | DECEMBER 2016

10 THINGS I LEARNED AS A
JESUIT VOLUNTEER
By Alyanna Hipe

When I decided to be a Jesuit Volunteer

it seems that it was an illogical decision.
I had to give up a rewarding and fulfilling
job in Singapore, I have to leave the
comforts of having my family and
friends around. Most people I love didnt
understand my decision, and to be
honest, I have doubts myself. It was a
leap of faith, it was like jumping off a cliff
in reckless abandon trusting God to
catch me for He is the one who called
me to it. And what seems like an
irrational decision changed my life and
taught me lifes great lessons.
1. MEANING OF STRENGTH
I always take pride of strong and
independent woman. I have good grip
of my emotions that other people find
me stoic. When I joined JVP I was
whole, but my experiences of poverty
and injustice broke me and made me
realize that strength doesnt come from
being whole but from being broken yet
still have the heart to fight.
2. APPRECIATE THE SMALL
THINGS
A reliable 3G connection, heater, toilet
are luxuries. This list are endless.
Leaving the comforts of your home
youll learn to appreciate every little
things just like the sunrise, the wild
flower, a smile, the rain. Youll realize
that everything is a gift.
3. WHAT
IT
MEANS
BY
SERVICE
Service is not just doing what youre
suppose to do, but giving your heart to
everything you do. It is the
manifestation of love.
4. HUMILITY
Doing fund-raising works taught me a
lot about humility. Youll be rejected
over and over again. You will be stripe
you off your pride. It takes a lot of
humility to accept rejection. It takes a lot
of humility to acknowledge that there
are things you cant change and that
you can only do so much.

Unforgettable moments as a Jesuit Volunteer

5. SAYING IM SORRY
Saying sorry is one of the hardest thing
to do. Its just hard to admit that we are
wrong or we made mistake. But one of
the noticeable ethos in my mission area
is saying sorry. Everyone is humble
enough to acknowledge their mistake
and say sorry. And Ive learned that
being ready to say sorry every time
makes relationship stronger.
6. PUSHING LIMITS
Being a volunteer, I was challenged and
pushed at the brink of my limits. But I
learned that the space outside my
comfort zone is where magic happens.
I realized that I can do things I never
imagine I could even in my wildest
dreams.
7. TRUST IS BIG WORD
During the course of my volunteer year
there were times when I wanted to quit.
Sometimes everything doesnt make
sense, but it is also when God taught
me to trust Him. I learned faith just like
a flashlight in a dungeon, it doesnt
illuminate the whole place but just gives
you enough light for the next step.

8. THE BEAUTY OF SILENCE

Only in silence will you hear the voice of
God. Away from the frantic world of
digital age, I had the chance to relish
the wonders of staying still and
embracing the joys of silence.
9. WHAT IT MEANS TO FALL IN
LOVE
Love is willing the good of other as
other according to St. Thomas. Being
a volunteer. As a volunteer it allowed
me to go out of my own ego and love
and serve those people knowing that I
wont be reciprocated. Love is give
giving of ones self without reservation.
10. FINDING
GOD
IN
EVERYTHING
When youre in a place where you dont
have anyone or anything youll learn to
pay more attention to God and His
promptings.
Being a Jesuit volunteer is not easy.
There are lessons that you will only
learn when you make yourself
vulnerable. Youll get hurt and be
disappointed but one thing is for sure,
its all worth it.

About FLMFI

ISSUE 1 | VOLUME 1 | DECEMBER 2016

The Fr. Leoni Mission Foundation, Inc.

is a non-stock, non-profit organization
duly registered under SEC (registration
number H199700455). It was founded
in 1998 by Fr. Mateo Sanchez of the
Society of Jesus in honor of the late
Italian Jesuit, Fr. Ferrucio Leoni, SJ.
The foundation was created as a
response to the growing concerns of
the Lumads (Indigenous Peoples) in
Bukidnon. FLMFI is mainly involved in
providing literacy, livelihood and
formation programs for the Lumads,
specifically the Umajamnn tribe in
Cabanglasan (one of the seven tribes of
Bukidnon).

OUR PROGRAMS

1. Community Based Literacy

Center
Providing opportunities for education
and empowering indigenous people in
their self-determination. Currently we
are running four literacy centers.
2. Formal Basic Education
Scholarship
IP youth who have the capacity to go
through the rigors of formal education
are given a high-school scholarship.
Scholars who live in far-flung villages
are also given board & lodging through
the Binhi Te Peglaom Lumad Scholars
Dormitory. The scholars are also given
social & spiritual formation through
exposure trips, enrichment seminars &
recollections. Currently we have 33
scholars in Cabanglasan.
3. Volunteers for IP Community
Enhancement
(VOICE)
Program
Aims to support the personal
development,
leadership
and
communication skills of our scholars by
giving them opportunities for exposure
trips, cultural performances & social
outreach.
4. IP leadership Enhancement
and Development (IP-LED)
Aims to empower IP leaders who will be
responsible in realizing sustainable
development and lasting peace in their
communities.

5. Advocacy
Through
Community Education (ACE)
Aims to educate students, donors &
partner institutions through community
immersion in IP villages
6. College Aid and Vocational
Support (CAVS)
Aims to help our high school graduates
get scholarship grants or sponsorships
either for college or tech-voc courses.

10

7. Sustainable
Livelihood
Program
Aims to sustain all our programs by
generating income through organicagriculture and social enterprise.
Develops
a
deeper
sense
of
cooperation and solidarity amongst the
Indigenous
Peoples
for
more
sustainable development.