The IPeace Initiative

'I want to pursue my dreams no matter how hard it is. I will persevere for my family and for myself. Education is something we can keep for the rest of our lives. No one can steal it from you,” Ressa says.

She may be 26 or older when she graduates from college, but education is worth fighting for, Ressa iterated.

..for Ressa, and countless other young Lumads across the Philippines, the path may not be easy and certain, but they will traverse it head on.'

Read more about two of Zamboanguita's lumad high school students here: http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/137810-dreamers-zamboanguita

The dreamers of Zamboanguita

"'What should we do?' ask the crowds in today’s Gospel, in order to prepare for the Lord. The Baptist’s response can be summarized in very quick phrases – share with those who do not have, be kind, be fair, be honest. Let the love of God, which is expressed so extravagantly this season, spill over into the lives of the people around us." - Fr. Jose Magadia, SJ

https://www.facebook.com/groups/102978719825284?view=permalink&id=807921025997713

Rejoice, The Lord is Near! (Third Sunday of Advent) | Philippine Jesuits The presepio displays in the churches of Rome during the advent and Christmas seasons is a tradition that many have grown to love. The presepio is simply what we would call the belen, the nativity scene whose basic characters are Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus lying in a manger. In the most expa…

Here's one way to share the Christmas spirit! Support the IPeace Initiative. Buy a card, spread the word.

Daghang salamat, PhJesuits!

The IPeace Initiative: A Christmas Fundraising Project for Lumad Youth in Bukidnon | Philippine... 17-year old Ronald, who had stopped schooling for over a year to help his parents in the fields, had walked all the way from Sitio Lagaslasan, Barangay Kulaman, last summer to knock on the doors of parish priest Fr. Francisco Parilla, SJ in Zamboanguita, Bukidnon, in the hopes of being able to conti…

We are at Xavier Festival Days this week! You can get cards at the Jesuit Volunteers Philippines, XU Church, and STREAMS booths 💙

https://www.facebook.com/estancabigas/posts/10153177964600965

Daghang salamat ❤️

A Christmas appeal for our Lumad brothers and sisters - langyaw This, I think is something worthwhile, helping our indigenous brothers and sister, Lumads who are under the Jesuit Indigenous Peoples Ministry in Bukidnon by supporting this fundraising event. It’s just simple. Each Christmas card is worth P200 and buying one or more will come a long way. What’s mor…

Where can you find us?

During a mañanita (birthday salubong) for a fellow scholar, Joseph shares his birthday wish for Gemelie on her 17th birthday: “Bisag layo ta sa atong mga ginikanan, ug daghan ang kalisod na muabot sa atong kinabuhi, hinaut unta mupadayon ra ka sa pagpaningkamot ug pageskwela…” 

(Translation: Though we live far away from our parents, and despite the challenges that you encounter, I hope that you continue to strive and be able to continue on with your schooling…)

Buy a card, spread the word!

Our lumad scholars diligently working on their assignments during tutorial time.

Thiting, the scholar farthest left, is writing his autobiography. In it he says, 'Noong bata pa ako para akong bulag. Nasabi ko ito dahil dati wala akong pinag-aralan. Ngayon unti-unti na akong nakakakita.'

(Translation: In the past, I can liken myself to a blind man. I say this because I used to be uneducated. Now, I am slowly able to see.)

For our interested buyers,

The cards are available at the following locations:

- JVPFI National Office (220 MVP CSL in the Ateneo de Manila. M-F 8am-5pm.)
- Mendoza & Pangan Law Office (Unit 11-I, V. Madrigal Bldg., 6793 Ayala Avenue, Makati. MWF 11am-5:30pm.)
- Office of Mission and Ministry (Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro. M-F 8am-5pm.)
- Hinlu Nail Lounge (CM Recto Street, Malaybalay Bukidnon. M-F 10am-8pm.)

Kindly message us at 09178849494 (globe) / 09989595791 (smart) / [email protected] to coordinate for payment and pick-up.

Peace and Blessings to one and all!

The Right to Play.

Lumad children in the IP villages we engage with are normally asked by their parents to work, despite their young age, to add to the family income. The kind of work they do is heavy manual labor - harvesting crops and transporting these on foot to the nearest market (normally 4 hours away). This comes at the expense of their Right to Play and their Right to Education.

Their parents cannot be blamed as their decisions were forced on them by poverty. When you're hardly getting by each day, you really don't have the luxury of dreaming big for your children.

This is where we can all come in to help. In our work, we seek to partner with lumad parents to help them provide for their children. Funds raised from this endeavor will seek to facilitate just that.

Together, we can give marginalized children the childhoods they deserve. Buy a card, spread the word.