1st day- February 13, 2014
In the afternoon, the participants began arriving from their respective origins for their registration and accommodation. At exactly 5:00 PM, Fr. Wilfredo Cruz led the opening prayer for the entire event asking for the special grace of success of the entire congress.
Fr. Danny Montana, the main emcee during the congress, gave a general orientation briefing everybody regarding some details and concerns for the better facilitation of the whole event. He then introduced Fr. Gabby Flores, the Superior and Rector of SABV RC Cavite, for the Welcome address. Fr. Gabby shared about the intrinsic relation of the Education system and social transformation. He then mentioned the importance of reflecting the place of Rogationist Education and its role on the whole Philippine Educational reality. In line with this, he mentioned three things to consider: (1) To see, understand, and appreciate our identity (2) To look at our internal and external territories; (3) To take on or engage the challenges of our territories.
Fr. Danny then introduced Fr. Jessie Martirizar, the speaker for the recollection.
TALK: “Fr. Hannibal Mary di Francia’s Pedagogy and New Educational Challenges: Identity, Relevance, Perspectives”
In his talk, Fr. Jessie Martirizar, the General Councillor for Mission, emphasized the challenge of forming disciples and missionaries of the Rogate as the main goal of Rogationist Education. To realize this goal he highlighted some very important considerations:
-
The value of the challenge as something that is a kind of life’s way of making sure that we truly desire the things we achieve, but above all, it brings about newness, richness, and fullness of life.
-
He spoke of the Recollection as a kind of “home-button” that will enable everyone to return to the beginning and go back to the source.
-
He proposed the Gospel Passage of the Rogate (Mt 9-35-38/Lk 10:2) as the inspirational text of the recollection and stating that it is in this passage that we can identify the origin, the source from where the Rogate is born, that is, from the compassion of Christ. He further explained that this going back to the source has 4 dynamisms: Starting again from Christ of the Rogate; Starting again from Fr. Hannibal, which leads back also to Avignone; “Going one, growing global”; and Compassion of the Christ of the Rogate. These 4 dynamisms are expressed into 4 keywords: SEE, FEEL, PRAY, SEND. From these 4 keywords are the challenges that confront the Rogationist Educator: Seeing with Faith: Recognizing the signs of times; Seeing with Love: Identifying a new anthropology; Seeing with Hope: The Rogationist Educator way of looking at man as God’s project. He emphasized also the importance of being disciples as Pray-ers for good laborers themselves and the value of being sent as becoming good missionaries themselves.
The first day concluded with a welcome dinner at the Oasis of Prayer.
2nd Day Morning Session- February 14, 2014
The day began with the morning prayers followed by the Holy Mass presided by His Excellency Most Rev. Reynaldo Evangelista, Bishop of Imus, and was concelebrated by the Rogationists priests. In his homily, Bishop Rey highlighted the three important tasks of a Rogationist Educator: to educate with love and compassion; to educate for the sake of the Gospel; and to educate to promote vocations in the Holy Church.
After the Holy Mass, a formal opening of the congress was held with the opening salvo and cultural presentation and the acknowledgement of all the participants with their head of schools.
Fr. Jessie Martirizar, the General Councillor for Missions of the Congregation of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus, imparted the message of the Superior General to the assembly.
Fr. Herman Abcede, Provincial Superior of the Rogationist Philippine Quasi-Province, welcomed the participants for the morning session. Fr. Dexter Prudenciano, Councilor for Missions and Charity of PQP gave the rationale and overview of the whole Rogationist Educators Congress.
Fr. Carlos Guzman, RCJ, Vice-Superior (SABV Cavite) introduced the keynote Speaker, BRO. ARMIN A. LUISTRO, FSC, Secretary of the Department of Education, who expounded on the given topic: “REVOLUTIONIZING THE PHILIPPINE EDUCATION: TOWARDS ASEAN INTEGRATION – EFA 2015 AND GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS” (Challenging the Private Educational Partners to Grow Global)
Bro. Armin began his speech emphasizing the reality of Education as something that touches on many aspects of life and that Education has to do with 2 things: Giving our students roots (founding story; to keep them anchored in their identity and context) and wings (global demands; to see the realities outside). He further extended the challenge in integrating Rogationist perspective in the education of Filipinos. He presented that the K to 12 curriculum prepared by the Department of Education as the minimum for Philippine education. He concluded the talk with a challenge posed to the Rogationist of confronting the 3 objects of education, in partnership with DeptEd, that are not fully addressed by society: 3 million out of school youth (are you ready to partner with DeptEd in addressing this; Indigenous and Poor Communities; and 200 thousand street children
The morning session ended with presentation of the plaque of appreciation to the keynote speaker.
2nd Day Afternoon Session Session- February 14, 2014
A song number from a student of RC-S was rendered to the assembly before the formal start of the session. Ms. Helen M. Mapa, Principal (RCP)introduced the guest speaker for the first talk of the afternoon session.
The Speaker, Dr. Carmelita Quebengco, AFSC shared her knowledge and expertise in forming School System of Association. The title of her talk was: “Going One: Towards an Association of Schools – Challenges and Commitments.” According to her, the talk will deal much about the challenges, Commitments and Benefits of being an Association of Schools and the Important qualities of an Association: Mission-vision, policies, expectations..
After the talk, Fr. Herman and Fr. Dexter presented the plaque of appreciation to her. Then, immediately after that, MrsDarleen Gener, English Instructor of RC Cavite, introduced the second keynote speaker of the afternoon session. The second keynote speaker of the afternoon was, Dr. Catherine Q. Castaneda, Director for CHED, NCR. She expounded on the given topic: “CASCADING EDUCATION THROUGH COMMUNITY EXTENSION PROGRAMS – CHOICES AND SUSTAINABILITY”
