Volume 2, Issue No. 42 November 8, 2020

UPDATES Long way home…

After months of waiting to return home, I have finally and safely arrived in City last November 5. I went directly to the Sacred Heart Formation House where I would do the mandatory 14-day quarantine.

It was a long way home not only because it was literally a long trip from Cuba but also I was originally set to return to the Province last March just when lockdowns were imposed, airports were closed, and flights were cancelled consequently. There were few times that we have tried to book flights but because of the closure of airports of Cuba, it was quite impossible. The difficulty of flying was not only because of the requirements being asked in many countries or airports but Montagne Community - Holguín, Cuba with Mons. also Cuba practically had not yet opened its Emilio (Bishop of Holguín) airports for regular commercial flights. I was just so lucky that we were able to book one of the last available tickets with Copa Airlines humanitarian flight to Panama. And so, my journey began.

Three days before my flight from Havana, I had to undergo a swab test (RT-PCR) as demanded by the government of Panama. The test was free in Cuba! The result came negative two days later. Since our community is in Holguin, I had to travel to Havana the night before the flight. It was a 12-hour bus ride. Our flight was the only flight that day from Havana but it was a full flight to Panama. I only had less than an hour of transit in Panama for my onward Br. Jong accompanied by Br. Jorge, Ricardo and Sylvia flight to Sao Paulo, Brazil. I decided to go upon leaving Holguín. to Sao Paulo as there are many flight options to Manila unlike in Panama where the operation is still limited to the Americas.

I had a lot of apprehensions before the flight especially of the new measures that had been implemented because of the pandemic. Indeed, there are new protocols especially having a proof of a negative COVID 19 test result. Moreover, I was to fly and enter Brazil, one of the countries with the most number of confirmed cases. To my surprise, Brazil did not ask of such proof both upon arrival and departure.

I had a one day to spend in Brazil. I originally did not plan to leave the airport because of the situation. However, Br. Jorge asked the community in Guarulhos to fetch me from the airport. I was very glad that I was able to visit their community and got to know their mission in the margins of Sao Paulo. It was also a chance to rest and take a good shower after almost two days of travelling. I also had the chance to share my experience in Cuba during their on-going Bros. Rafael and Aderlan of the Brothers lay formation online about mission and listen to their Community in Sao Paulo, Brazil. own experiences.

In the early morning of October 30, my flight from Sao Paulo left for Istanbul then to Manila. However, because of the typhoon that was passing through the that day, our flight to Manila was delayed for 17 hours. Good thing there were sleeping zones in the airport and our meals were provided during the delay.

Finally, at midday of November 2, I arrived at NAIA and I was thinking of all the protocols being implemented and the time it would take to finish them. We were segregated based on our status as either Returning OFWs or Returning Overseas Filipinos. I was classified as an ROF. Our queue was way shorter than that of the OFWs which is the reason why it did not take a long time to complete the whole process before leaving the airport. I was quarantined in a hotel while waiting for the result of the RT-PCR test (swab test). After one day, my negative result came out. This means that I can travel to General Santos already.

Our flight to Gensan was almost empty. Upon arrival, we were assisted by authorities to follow all the protocols in place at the airport. We were segregated again according to destination. The quarantine authorities of LGU-Gensan allowed me to undergo my 14-day mandatory quarantine at the Sacred Heart Formation house in Lagao. I would like to thank Bros. Ador and Romy for all the arrangements made from the time I have Almost empty flight 5J989 from Manila to arrived in Manila. General Santos. During my travel back home, I have witnessed the new measures implemented by countries, airports, and airlines in order to protect everyone and prevent the further spread of the virus. On the other hand, I am surprised by certain places where everything seems normal like Brazil. These are just proofs of the human capacity to adapt in order to continue living our lives.

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Finally, I would like to thank everyone who had been part of my journey for more than two years from the time I joined the project. Special thanks to the La Valla 200> family especially to Bros. Jeff, Angel, and Fachi. The same goes to the Province of America Central and Arco Norte Region for the support during my time in Cuba especially to Bros. Hipolito Perez (Provincial). I am also grateful to those whom I have known and worked with in Cuba especially to the Montagne Community (Bro. Jorge, Sylvia, and Ricardo), the in Cienfuegos and Havana, Bp. Emilio (Diocese of Holguin), and all the missionaries, young people and children in Holguin. I would be glad to share more about my experiences especially traveling during the pandemic maybe after my quarantine.

Un fuerte abrazo para todos y hasta pronto! (A big hug for everyone and see you soon!)

#Br. Jong Acosta, fms

Personnel of Marist School Online Retreat Held

153Marists of Champagnat retreatants ended their 2-day annual retreat last October 27. Brother President Allan J. de Castro, FMS invited the Marist Brothers in Marikina Community, Marist affiliates and CMMF members to join the Marist School personnel online retreat.

The goal was to nurture Marist lay life including accompaniment and belonging; deepen the experience of God who dwells within daily life to become God’s passionate witnesses by full and happy lives; and to have a meaningful experience of encounter with God in this turbulent world.

Fr. Nolan A Que who facilitated the retreat is the School Director for RCAM ES, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila Educational System specifically for Clusters 5 and 6 in Sta Cruz and Tondo Areas. He is also the Regional Trustee of CEAP NCR (Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, National Capital Region) and has been engaged in education programs through schools, parishes and ministry to priests and the continuing ministry of educating the future leaders of our country.

Due to COVID-19 and face to face restrictions the retreat was held online for the first time. Nevertheless, it was prayerful and meaningful for the retreatants.

By: Mrs. Marjorie Rañeses

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MALUTOK PALAWAN ACTIVITIES (Philippines)

Para Teachers Malutok Warriors! Adilan Kuyaw Para Teachers: Puntas, and Adilan Bea, Toyang, Puntas ont their Matess, and Bebe way to conduct getting ready for classes in Binikyat. their casses

Bayanihan (Gulpimano)Planting Bananas in Rabok-rabok, Malutok, Palawan

Lunch together after the Bayanihan. Sardines, young Cassava leaves with coconut milk and rice.

THE ARCHIVIst’s CORNER Br. Romulo Porras, FMS (#4)

Phases of Marist Brothers in the Philippines:

1941-60 as a MISSION, starting from the appeal to the Province of the United States in

1941 and Marist acceptance and the founding in 1948 of the school in Cotabato with the first pioneering four Marist Brothers ; 1960-1968 as a PHILIPPINE DISTRICT

1969-1982 as a Vice Province

1982-2007 as a PHILIPPINE PROVINCE

2007 – to the present: as EAST ASIA PROVINCE having incorporated with China Province and the District of Korea.

It was in 1955 that the legal recognition of the Marist Brothers in the Philippines was settled with the organization of the Board of Governors on February 27, 1955. The members were the following:

1. Br. Louis Omer Duprez, FMS 2. Br. James Joseph Doherty, FMS 3. Br. Herbet O. Dumont, FMS 4. Br. Francis J. Teston , FMS 5. Br. Warren A. Richardson, FMS

The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the Certification of Registration of the Articles of Incorporation as having been filed on March 28, 1955 and granted its approval on August 24, 1955. Thus, the MARIST BROTHERS OF THE SCHOOLS IN THE PHILIPPINES, INC. was born.

Source: The Marist Brothers of the Schools in the Philippines, The Mission Period: 1941-1960 (A Compilation of Essays) by Br. Paul J. Meuten, FMS (2014), Folder 1, pages 14 & 18.

(Per Security and Exchange Commission approval of the Amended By-Laws on March 4, 1993 the name was already changed to MARIST BROTHERS CONGREGATION PHILIPPINES, INC.)

• Marist School Board Meeting: November 7 • Provincial Council Meeting: November 7 • Notre Dame of Kidapawan Board Meeting: November 9 • Board Meeting: November 10 • Notre Dame of Dadiangas University Board Meeting: November 11 • Notre Dame of Marbel University Board Meeting: November 12 • Marist Education Council Meeting: November 13

Birthday Greetings to:

November 19 November 19 November 21 Br. Armand B. Mana-ay Br. Romar Dave S. Rano Br. Dufresse Chang She Dien

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Death Anniversaries:

November 10, 1960 – Br. Joseph Norbert died in France November 10, 1996 – Br. Jowang Cleophas died in Malacca, Malaysia

November 11, 1926 – Br. Joseph Nizier died in Sri Lanka November 11, 1957 – Br. Joseph Stanislas died in Hong Kong November 12, 1925 – Br. Joseph Alboin died in Shanghai November 12, 1942 – Br. Jean Philomene died in Le Rosey, France November 13, 1914 – Xavier Suen, a junior died in Beijing November 13, 1978 – Br. Marie Alexis died at St. Genis Laval

November 15, 1845 – Francoise Perroton, Foundress of the Marist Missionary for Oceania November 15, 1875 – Fr. Jean-Claude Colin died at La Neyliere November 15, 2015 – Br. Peter Bosco Wei died in Hong Kong

Prayer please…

For healthy mind and body. For the spiritual growth and unity of the families. For government leaders and their families. For our Brothers working in other countries. For all the missionaries around the world. For all the birthday celebrants. For the intentions of our family members, friends, benefactors, and affiliates. For the good health and protection of all the members of the Marist Family. For the end of the pandemic For the prayer intentions of the Brothers, Lay Marists, Benefactors, Families, and friends.