The Local Executive Officers (LEO) of each Local Chapter (LC) gathered last July 24 and 25, 2010 at the AIRIE,

Cervini Cafeteria, Ateneo de Manila University, for the Annual LEOs Meeting.  This year’s LEOs are Phil Panamin

Magtrayo (JVP 27) from the Cagayan de Oro LC, Alfred Medina M.D. (JVP 5/6) from the Davao LC,

Ruth Guerrero (JVP 12/13) from the Zamboanga LC, Michelle Evangelista (JVP 28) from the Naga LC

represented by Jonafel Garol (JVP 24/25), and Rey Niño Baguio (JVP 26/27) from the Manila LC.

Each LEO gave one’s report and plans for this year. The National Office represented by Edlyn Kalman (JVP18),

Marvin Glenn Fernandez (JVP24/25), and Rene Emmanuel “Nikko”  Viquiera (JVP25) clarified issues and concerns

that the LEOs asked. Nikko discussed the task and responsibilities of each Local Chapter during the Recruitment and

Screening Period of the Volunteers under the Volunteer Service Program. Glenn reviewed and gave the final product

of the Research Documentation of the Grand Reunion and Assembly of last November 2009. The documentation was

given to the LEOs for dissemination to all the members.    Concerns like the readiness of the Foundation to accept

muslim applicants were discussed. An overview for the 17^th General Assembly was also given.  General information

on the Board Election and Nominations was clarified. The agreement between the Society of Jesus and JVPFI was also

presented to the LEOs for info dissemination. Concerns on having a Spiritual Director for every Local Chapter may be

more possible given this agreement.

Visitors to the the two-day LEOs meeting were: Rev. Fr. William Kreutz, S.J.; Gary Lauriano (JVP , JVPFI President;

Max Ventura (JVP 14), Board Treasurer;  and Martin Perfecto (JVP 9), Incoming Executive Director.

Special thanks to Timothy Gabuna (JVP 3) for the continued support  to the Foundation. Sir Tim sponsored the use of

the AIRIE at the Cervini Cafeteria as the venue of the meeting and Cervini and Eliazo Dormitories for housing the LEOs.

St. Ignatius Mass

July 25, 2010, 3:00p.m., the Ateneo de Manila University celebrated the feast day of St. Ignatius with a mass at the

Ateneo de Manila Univeristy (ADMU) High School covered courts. The gathering also celebrated the 400th death

anniversary of Fr. Matteo Ricci, S.J., with Fr. Jose Cecilio “Jojo” Magadia, SJ, provincial of the Philippine Jesuit

Province, as the presider for this Eucharistic Celebration. The Jesuit Volunteers Philippines Foundation, Inc., was one

among exhibitors.  Missions of the Jesuits were also featured during the said event.  Various Jesuit institutions and

ministries also participated at the exhibit. A number of JVPs attended the mass wearing their JVP shirts to promote

the Foundation.

Rev. Fr. William “Bill” Kreutz’s birthday

Last August 16, 2010, Rev. Fr. William “Bill” Kreutz, S.J., celebrated its 74^th birthday.

The National Office staff, namely Edlyn, Martin, Glenn, Rez, and Mae visited Fr. Bill at the Jesuit Residence.

Also joining us in partaking of the cake we brought was

Veronica “Veroche” S. Basilia-Tarabi (JVP 11) together with her daughter and son.

Rev. Fr. Jett Villarin, S.J. The New ADMU President

Next school year will be the end of an era at the Ateneo de Manila.  On April 1, 2011,

Fr. Jose Ramon “Jett” Villarin, S.J. (JVP 1) will succeed Fr. Nebres, S.J. as University President.

According to Assistant to the President, Maria Rosario Banzon, the Search Committee took note of Villarin’s “academic

stature, leadership experience, and understanding of the demands of the position.” Fr.  Jett is a laser physicist and

climate scientist. He is an active member of the United Nations’ Consultative Group of Experts for Developing

Countries, and the Inter-Agency Committee on Climate Change, among others (The Guidon, July 2010).

Mass with the New JVPFI Executive Director

Last August 18, 2010, the National Office formally welcomed the new JVPFI Executive Director,

Martin Perfecto (JVP 9).A mass was presided by Rev. Fr. Patrick Falguera, S.J. (JVP 11) and concelebrated by

Rev. Frs. Bill Kreutz and Jett Villarin. JVPFI Treasurer, Max Ventura (JVP 14), introduced Martin Perfecto, while

JVPFI President, Gary Lauriano (JVP thanked Edlyn Kalman (JVP 18) for all the support and efforts she had

rendered for 4 years as Executive Director. A number of JVPs joined the mass. The mass was held at the AIRIE, Cervini

Cafeteria. Thank you very much to Tim Gabuna (JVP 3) for sponsoring the venue. To all who attended thank you very

much for your continued support.

PCNC Accreditation

We are very happy to inform you that JVP has been accredited by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) last April 2010. This means that JVP has been given the stamp of good housekeeping in terms of our to transparency, accountability and professionalism by PCNC, an organization that screens NGOs. In addition, as a certified donee institution, donations to JVP is now  exempt form donor’s tax and fully deductable from your taxable income. This means that JVP can now issue a Certificate of Donation stamped by BIR, which can be submitted as deductions from your taxable business income. It is now easier than ever to support JVP!  And when you give to JVP,  you can be sure your gift will go directly to the mission of volunteerism for nation building, which looks towards a just society that celebrates the fullness of life! So let’s start giving – it is for the fullness of living!

Welcome, JVP Batch 31!

A new batch of Jesuit Volunteers are now gearing up to be reach their mission areas! May 15-16, 2010  saw the local chapters meeting their volunteers in the Pre-Orientation Seminar held concurrently in CDO, Naga, and Manila.

Naga Local Chapter Pre-Orsem

Cagayan de Oro Local Chapter Pre-Orsem

Manila Local Chapter Pre-Orsem

On May 19, 2010, the Orientation Seminar with Skills Training Program (Orsem) begins at the Sacred Heart Novitiate in Navotas, Quezon City.  This will last until May 30, when the Mission Mass will be held at 3:00 pm at the Church of the Gesu, Ateneo de Manila University, presided by Fr. Provincial Jojo Magadia, SJ, as the main celebrant.  Let us all rekindle the fire in our hearts and share in the blessing of the JVP Mission Mass – it is a celebration of our community!

Get to know the new Jesuit Volunteers! Come to the Solidarity Night on Friday, May 21, 2010, 8:30 pm. Mass that day will start at 7:30 pm.  All alumni and friends are invited! Bring foods and drinks to share! J You might also want to celebrate the Eucharist with the volunteers by joining the daily Masses at 6:00 pm in the Sacred Heart Novitiate.

Our beloved Chaplains and the SJ-JVP Agreement

The despedida party for Fr. Jonjee Sumpaico, S.J. and Fr. Rudy Fernandez, S.J. was held last May 11, 2010 in the JVP Office. Food and fun overflowed as visitors brought cakes and pizzas and ice cream for all! We will surely miss Fr. Jonjee Sumpaico S.J. (National Chaplain) and Rev. Fr. Rudy Fernandez S.J.(Assistant Chaplain) who will be flying out to Cagayan de Oro for their new assignments this May. But we do not say goodbye as we are still part of the same family; and we know that the CDO local chapter welcomes our beloved chaplains with open arms!

Thank you to TQ Quijano (JVP 22) for the pizza, Bombin Cadiz (JVP 6) and Rienz Mosqueda (JVP 27/28) for the chicken and Rev. Fr. Bill Kreutz S.J. for the ice cream. Thanks too to for Tim Gabuna (JVP 3), Gwen Borcena (JVP 14), Adette Guillermo (JVP 19), Nikki Hipolito (JVP 22/23),  Pj Mariano (JVP 25),  Dindin Belgica (JVP 25), Amor Macalalad (JVP 30), Roel Quenamot (JVP30), Jiza Jimenez (JVP 30) for all the help!

We welcome Fr. Patrick Falguera, S.J. (JVP 11) and Fr. Bill McGary, S.J. and thank them for accepting the posts of Chaplains of JVP! Fr. Pat now sits as the new National Chaplain of the JVP Foundation and Fr. Bill McGary as the Assisting Chaplain.

This was announced by Fr. Provincial Jojo Magadia, S.J. last May 11, 2010 as the Fr. Provincial and our President, Gary Lauriano (JVP 7) signed the SJ-JVP Agreement which articulates the ties of love between the Society of Jesus and JVP. We deeply thank Fr. Jojo and the Society of Jesus for all the help and support they have poured into nurturing the Jesuit Volunteers as an organization that now stands proudly independent, connected, and working together for the mission of spreading the love of Christ to all!

Year-end

It’s that time of the year again – when the Volunteer Service Program closes its year of service. JVP Batch 30 will having their Year End and Evaluation seminar from April 5 to 11, 2010 at the Casa Ofelia Resort in Carolina in Naga City. To all alumni, and especially the members of the Naga Local Chapter, please do drop by, and join us in the daily masses and especially the batch’s welcome party on April 6, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. and their despedida party on April 11, 2010 8:30 pm. Please do pray for the safe journey of everyone for a good Year End and Evaluation Seminar for Batch 30.

Batch 31

Batch 31 is already being assembled! Applications for the JVP Batch 31 Volunteer Service Program has ended with the following results:  Cagayan de Oro Local Chapter and the Manila Local Chapter both had eight applicants; Naga Local Chapter had four applicants, Zamboanga Local Chapter had two applicants; and Davao Local Chapter had one applicant. All in all we have 23 application forms were submitted and screened.

We would like to thank all local chapters for

spearheading the recruitment and for their

participation in the screening of applicants

for the JVP Volunteer Service Program.

Thank you most especially to Rev. Fr. Rudy Fernandez S.J.

who patiently sat in all the interviews of all the applicants

in the different local chapters as part of the screening committee.

Let us all pray for the next batch of Jesuit Volunteers!

JVP Book

JVP is coming up with a BOOK! Yes, this is a new project and we’re very excited to tell you about it! The book will contain a compilation of personal stories, anecdotes and essays revolving around the JVP volunteer experience. This will be the first book about and published by JVP!

JVP 30 Stories would recount the experiences and insights of Jesuit volunteers, covering various stages and aspects of their volunteer year (from making the decision to volunteer to how their volunteer year continues to make a difference in their lives). This book intends to capture the spirit of JVP’s commitment to serve people and country, founded on the dictum of being “Men and Women for Others” and on the five core values of Spirituality, Simplicity, Service, Solidarity and Social Justice; and to illustrate the concrete ways in which Jesuit Volunteers have made a difference in the communities they serve, and how the JVP year in turn affects its volunteers. JVP 30 Stories also celebrates JVP’S 30 years of existence, not only within the community but with all who share the JVP mission and values.  Material for the book will be culled from contributions by JVP alumni, interviews and selected stories/essays from JVP’s in-house publications.

The project is being headed by Gina Fernandez

and we invite everyone to share their stories

for this once in a lifetime project!

Contact Gina at gina.fernandez@gmail.com.

Office Planning

The JVP National Office will hold its annual evaluation & planning session from March 17-19, 2010. The Office will be closed for those dates. Regular office will resume on Monday, March 22, 2010. To the community, please do help us pray for a good planning and evaluation session!

Happy Birthday Fr. Ben!

As a last note, we would like to greet Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ a very happy birthday! Fr. Ben held an open house and treated the Ateneo community to a sumptuous merienda last March 15, 2010. Thank you Fr. Ben!

JVP News

It’s that time of the year again – when the Volunteer Service Program closes its year of service. JVP Batch 30 will having their Year End and Evaluation seminar from April 5 to 11, 2010 at the Casa Ofelia Resort in Carolina in Naga City. To all alumni, and especially the members of the Naga Local Chapter, please do drop by, and join us in the daily masses and especially the batch’s welcome party on April 6, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. and their despedida party on April 11, 2010 8:30 pm. Please do pray for the safe journey of everyone for a good Year End and  Evaluation Seminar for Batch 30.

Batch 31 is already being assembled! Applications for the JVP Batch 31 Volunteer Service Program has ended with the following results:  Cagayan de Oro Local Chapter and the Manila Local Chapter both had eight applicants; Naga Local Chapter had four applicants, Zamboanga Local Chapter had two applicants; and Davao Local Chapter had one applicant. All in all we have 23 application forms were submitted and screened. We would like to thank all local chapters for spearheading the recruitment and for their participation in the screening of applicants for the JVP Volunteer Service Program. Thank you most especially to Rev. Fr. Rudy Fernandez S.J. who patiently sat in all the interviews of all the applicants in the different local chapters as part of the screening committee. Let us all pray for the next batch of Jesuit Volunteers!

JVP is coming up with a BOOK! Yes, this is a new project and we’re very excited to tell you about it! The book will contain a compilation of personal stories, anecdotes and essays revolving around the JVP volunteer experience. This will be the first book about and published by JVP!

JVP 30 Stories would recount the experiences and insights of Jesuit volunteers, covering various stages and aspects of their volunteer year (from making the decision to volunteer to how their volunteer year continues to make a difference in their lives). This book intends to capture the spirit of JVP’s commitment to serve people and country, founded on the dictum of being “Men and Women for Others” and on the five core values of Spirituality, Simplicity, Service, Solidarity and Social Justice; and to illustrate the concrete ways in which Jesuit Volunteers have made a difference in the communities they serve, and how the JVP year in turn affects its volunteers. JVP 30 Stories also celebrates JVP’S 30 years of existence, not only within the community but with all who share the JVP mission and values.  Material for the book will be culled from contributions by JVP alumni, interviews and selected stories/essays from JVP’s in-house publications. The project is being headed by Gina Fernandez and we invite everyone to share their stories for this once in a lifetime project! Contact Gina at gina.fernandez@gmail.com.

Jesuit Volunteers Philippines held its 30^th Anniversary Grand Reunion and Assembly (GRA) last Nov 28-30, 2009 in  SEARSOLIN, MANRESA, Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City. The event was well represented from JVP Batch 1 to 30. Rev. Fr. William Kruetz and Jemy See, founders of JVP, attended the Grand Reunion. Everybody enjoyed the motorcade and had fun during the Welcome Party at the Covered Courts of Xavier University, Ateneo de Cagayan. The sumptuous food delighted the JVPs. Jemy See shared the colorful story of his personal experiences on how the JVP started. Rev. Fr. Jett Villarin (JVP 1) XU President, serenaded us with his golden voice. Local Chapters presented dances and ice breakers. It was a fun filled program, adeptly hosted by Tatine Faylona (JVP 14). The night ended with a community singing, and the JVP IDs were presented to the participants.

On the second day Rev. Karel San Juan gave a thought provoking talk on IGNATIAN LEADERSHIP. The clustering enabled the JVPs to share their insights and experiences with each other and each cluster (Education, Civil Society, Corporate, Engineering/Science/Medical,  Government/Legal/Finance), gave a rich presentation afterwards. Truly the foundations of JVP’s  Network of Leaders were built up that day.

During the dinner program hosted by Tim Gabuna (JVP 3) and Jo Villanueva (JVP 2/3), Rene San Andres (JVP 2/3) entertained us with his music. The hosts led us down memory lane, with Tim and Jo sharing the secrets that they knew on particular batches! Batches were called up the stage to be acknowledged and were given tokens: the JVP commemorative lapel pins for Batches 1 – 10 and baller bands for everyone.

On the third day, everyone were excited for the eco-adventures. The  early Mass awakened the participants, with people appreciating the traditional JVP setup, complete with malong and tubaws as decoration and everyone seated in a huge three-ring circle  around the floor. After the Mass everyone rushed to their eco-adventures: the Dahilayan Zip Line organized by Crystalle Henares (JVP 25), White Water Rafting led by En-En Billena (JVP 22), Camiguin Day Tour through Kris Buntag (JVP 25), Malaybalay Bukidnon Tour with Janet Arnado (JVP 12) and some even went as far as the Iligan City Day Tour! Others opted this day to visit their JVP areas in Bukidnon or other outlying areas. All in all it was a most fun end to the Grand Reunion and Assembly.

Some JVPs commented that the GRA was like reliving their Orientation Seminar, Mid-Year and Year-End Seminars. The Welcome Party was like the Solidarity night, the Ignatian Leadership as the Skills Training Module, Open Space as the Deepening Groups, General Assembly as the JVPFI protocols, Dinner Program as the Despedida Night, the giving of lapel pins and baller IDs similar as wearing the JVP cross, messages from different batches like the Huling Habilin and the Eco Adventure as the fun and adventure aspect of going to mission areas.

The GRA was a great success thanks to all those who participated in our 30^th Anniversary. This is only the opening of the celebration of our 30 years of service. We hope that you will continue to support and be part of all the events.  Of course the event would have been impossible without the help of so many people who were involved in planning, executing, and helping out on those three days.  The National Office is super grateful and would like to thank the following for all their assistance:

Shy Calo-Santos (JVP 10)

Myrna Siose (JVP 4)

Rev. Fr. William Kreutz

Mr. Jemy See

Rev. Fr. Jett Villarin S.J. (JVP 1)

Rev. Fr. Nilo Labra

Rev Fr. Joaquin Jose Marie Sumpaico S.J. (JVP 15)

Rev. Fr. Rodulfo Fernandez S.J.

Rev. Fr. Mars Tan S.J. (JVP 5)

Rev. Fr. Patrick Falguera S.J. (JVP 11)

Fredric Brian Lipio ( JVP 28)

Tim Gabuna (JVP 3)

Jo Villanueva  (JVP 2/3)

Tatine Faylona  (JVP 14)

Simeon Miguel Abrere (JVP 28)

Patria Gwen Borcena (JVP 9)

Ruth Guerrero (JVP 12/13)

Noelli Billena (JVP 22)

Mitch Suazo (JVP 16)

Denise Subido (JVP 28)

Mel Arda (JVP 27)

Mike Corpuz (JVP 10)

Archie Alamban (JVP 14)

Anna Riaa Casugbu (JVP 28)

Teresita Gante (JVP 2)

Noelle Ria Marie Roa (JVP 27)

Ma. Lourdes Mendoza (JVP 14)

Rez Oaffalas (JVP 19)

Michael Tito Ubanan (JVP 28)

Friends of Michael Tito Ubanan who acted as Marshalls

Patricia Jo Agarrado (JVP 28)

Phil Panamin Magtrayo (JVP 27)

Mae Valbuena

Ma. Kharmita Lising (JVP 28)

Irene Guitarte (JVP 9)

Kris Buntag (JVP 25/26)

Gloria May Abrogar (JVP 14)

Mitzi Corvero (JVP 18)

Bernadette Reyes (JVP 25)

Nathaniel George Hipolito (JVP 22/23)

Reina Mosqueda (JVP 27/28)

Andrea Antonia Silva (JVP 27)

Victa Garde (JVP 28)

Mary Janet Arnado (JVP 12)

Cristina Alexandra Henares (JVP 25)

SEARSOLIN STAFF

YOS Volunteers

Thank you so much to everyone from the bottom of our hearts!

(PHOTOS of the Event to follow)

To crown the year, the JVP Foundation was honored by Quezon City with the Gawad Parangal as one of the Most Outstanding Organizations of 2009 last December 10, 2009.  Mayor Sonny Belmonte, Joy Belmonte (JVP 13)and Vice-Mayor Herbert Bautista gave the Parangal plaque to Rev. Fr. William Kreutz and Edlyn Kalman (JVP 18) at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila in a celebration as well of the 70^th Anniversary of Quezon City.

Joy Belmonte (JVP 13) inaugurated the e-tricycles at ADMU campus last December 7, 2009. This ecological tricycle runs on electricity, and is smoke-free and noise-free. Because of their savings on gas, the e-tricycle drivers stand to earn more as well! Certainly a winning proposition for Mother Earth and everyone involved!

Lluc Marti and Meghann Aurea Villanueva (daughter of Jo and Cesar Villanueva JVP 2/3) of the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) based in Catalona Spain visited the JVP National office. Lluc and Meghann were interested on how the JVP runs the Volunteer Service Program. They also shared their some of their best practices on volunteer management. The IAVE extended their invitation for the Youth Volunteer Conference in Singapore on January 21-23, 2011 with the theme “Volunteering to Change the World”.

Dr. Alfred Medina (JVP 5) Board Representative of Davao visited the JVP National office December 9, 2009 and Randle Joseph Amoranto (JVP 20) Visited the JVP National office December 10, 2009. They visited JVP to have some kumustahan and to get some JVP mementos (we sell JVP wallets, umbrellas, jackets, shirts, bags, mugs and other stuff). J

Everyone is invited on December 16, 2009 for the JVP National Office Christmas Party. Please drop by in Bellarmine from around 11:30 am  to 5:00 pm. We welcome foods from the visitors!

Merry Christmas! May your yuletide be filled with light and joy!