A Visitor's photo journal of Sa Kabukiran

Sept. 10, 2017

Yesterday, Agnes, our visitor who posted that magnificent sunrise picture at Sa Kabukiran sent me two other attachments. She made a collage of some of the pictures she took and put into words some of her feelings about the place. I thank her for taking time putting together these beautiful pictures of Sa Kabukiran and expressing how she felt about the place. Thanks Agnes. I was simply overwhelmed how Sa Kabukiran made such an impact on you.

She documented her stay with these photos and word collage she put together. I am happy that people feel this way when they visit this peaceful farm.

 

 

Wow, she even made something like a brochure for Sa Kabukiran!

Sunrise at Sa Kabukiran

It was Sept. 1, 2017 when Sa Kabukiran had a lone guest from Manila. She was Agnes Marcelo, a masteral student in theology at Don Bosco Center of Studies ( DBCS)  in Paranaque, Metro Manila. She came to see Sa Kabukiran to experience first hand the peace and quiet that only nature can give.  Actually, Agnes was a student of Sir Lapid  who once taught at DBCS at its Master in Religious Studies program. As soon as she arrived, she went around taking pictures of Sa Kabukiran's environment.  She stayed for the night and woke up early to be able to catch a glimpse of the break of day. As soon as the sun rose, she took a photograph of it and described the experience in poetic language. We post her sunrise picture here together with poetic description of that wonderful sunrise in Sa Kabukiran.

A picture Agnes took early morning. With it is her poetic description of her unique experience.

Mary the Queen College ( MQC) Season of Retreats for its Graduating Students

July 2017


Beginning the month of July, MQC ( Mary the Queen College) organizes a series of retreats for its graduating students. All graduating students make an over night retreat before they graduate. This is done beginning the month of July up to the month of August. The retreats are done this early because the end of the school year sometimes sees these graduating students busy with their theses and other requirements for graduation. Making these retreats also at the start of the school year allows them to have a better perspective of their student life as they begin the school year.  For this year, there are about 10 batches of students making their retreats. Each batch consists of two sections at a time. They spend an over night here at Sa Kabukiran.

It is only once in their four years in college that these students get the chance to have a retreat. For some, it is their first time to experience what a retreat is. For those who came from private schools, retreats are common especially for graduating students.

The retreats at MQC are organized and conducted by the school's theology department and campus ministry.  As far as I am concerned, they are not your usual kind of retreats where students hear one talk after another. They are more interactive and reflective such that at the end, students come to a beautiful realization of their life and the value that family plays in their growth as young adults.

A batch of graduating students at MQC during a retreat at Sa Kabukiran.

MQC student retreat done at the Lolita Lapid Hall, Sa Kabukiran

MQC students are exposed to 8 semesters of theology instead of the usual 3 or 4 semesters of theology that many catholic schools have for their college students. The theology subjects are really geared more on the formation of faith and life. This is perhaps the reason why theology at MQC remains to be one of the most appreciated subjects among the students. The methodology of their theology classes are just tailor fitted to young people who feel the need to be guided and directed especially by the knowledge of their faith.  We continue to pray for the success of these retreats at Sa Kabukiran. God bless!

Team Delta Visits Sa Kabukiran

 July 28, 2017

They came as a group of engineers and architects from a company known as Team Delta. Team Delta is the Construction and Development Company of Dennis Pineda who is also known as Delta.  These are the very same people involved in the construction and development of Pradera in Lubao, Royce Casino and Hotel in Clark among others. And they came not for an updating seminar on engineering or construction matters, but for a recollection.

Engineer Ronald who is the head of Team Delta has asked Sa Kabukiran to prepare a recollection for this group. He said that his team has been through a lot of stress and hard work. He said that his team needed to have some break and needed to rest so they could get back to the ground again, renewed, rejuvenated and working hard as before.

Engr. Ronald was one of the first visitors of Sa Kabukiran about 6 years ago. At that time, he saw Sa Kabukiran practically all bare with only seedlings planted on the ground. Now after 6 years, those seedlings have grown into big trees. When he came back to see his team, he saw how much transformation Sa Kabukiran has undergone, with the trees now so tall.

Here on the photo are 21 participants of the Team Delta recollections. Posing at the Lolita Lapid Hall where they had their recollection.











Taking time out to relax and reflect gives people a better perspectives of why they do things. These 21 good men and women took that time to get a sense of why they are doing things and for what purpose. Sa Kabukiran gives them that chance to relax and reflect, given the natural and serene ambience.

A the day came to an end, Engr. Ronald and his team informed Sa Kabukiran that they would love to do another recollection sometime in December. I guess, the thought of simply taking some time out and relaxing and reflecting was a welcome break to all. See you soon Team Delta. Sa Kabukiran wishes you all the best in your work, in your family and loved ones and in your dedicated time at Team Delta Construction Company. God bless.

Graduate Students of Religious Education at Holy Angel University visit Sa Kabukiran

          This summer, I had the chance to teach at the graduate school of religious education at the Holy Angel University, Angeles City. My subject: The Old Testament. It was my first time to teach at Holy Angel. I had thirteen graduate students. Unfortunately, four of them dropped out after the first meeting due to some other commitments.  So in the end, I was left with nine students. Of these, six were ex-seminarians mostly from the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary. One came from San Carlos Seminary in Manila. I assumed that these ex seminarians have mastered the Old testament. Surprisingly, much of what we studied was really new to them.This presented to me an opportunity for these students to learn more about the Old Testament and for them to learn to love the Old Testament.On the last day of classes, in May 27, 2017, we held our class at Sa Kabukiran.

            The class was a dynamite. The energy, the enthusiasm, the receptivity was simply startling. But more than that, they had a great sense of humor. Somehow the humor covered all the deep soul searching these group had. Many of these students were young – some straight from college. For them to be dreaming of a career in religious education is more of a call rather than a competitive career. I am not surprised why the topic on prophets resonated well with the group. These are the future prophets who will speak of God and guide hundreds of students into the way of peace. While the experience of teaching was both exciting and fulfilling, it was the aspect of soul searching that these students had that touched me most. These young people have their ideals. But more than the ideals, I think they have been genuinely touched by God to respond to a call to be his witnesses to guide people towards the path to life. At a certain point, a number of them struggle with their own humanity, their faults, their own weaknesses. Some grapple with the reality of their humanity while at the same time dealing with the lofty reality of speaking in God’s name. I too at one point in my life struggled like these students. There is indeed an uneasiness that overshadows one who speaks about God. Even the prophets had the same struggle. I shared with my students my own struggles similar to what they were going through. But in the end, I said, the God who calls is also the God who enables.

I think, the end of our study of the Old Testament gave us a sense of assurance and relief that despite of everything, God will always be there, always present, always faithful, always greater than the sum of all our fears.

A Month of Visitors at Sa Kabukiran


April seems to be a busy month for Sa Kabukiran. For the first few days of this month alone, we already had three groups of visitors. These were: Zonta International, SSA Alumnae Council, and the RCBC Pampanga Sales Group. All three women group found themselves at Sa Kabukiran as host to their team building or recollection seminars

Zonta Club of Pampanga

The Zonta Club of Pampanga is a non-government organization advocating for women, especially those who are victims of violence. Here on the photo from left to right are: Eileen, Atty Kay, Chuckie, Stephanie, Noy, Beth and Tita Digna. They had their team building seminar at Sa Kabukiran so that they can know each other better.

St. Scholastica's Academy Alumnae Council

They were past students of St. Scholastica's Academy, Pampanga who were elected to be officers of the Alumnae Association. Six beautiful and strong -willed women came to Sa Kabukiran to do their team building session. Here, in a very relaxed mood, right after the seminar with Mt. Arayat as their back drop. From left are: Dhudu, Elvie, Jo, Myrha, Jenny and Tita Titing.

RCBC Pampanga Sales Team

 They came as strong women with so much drive. They were RCBC's Sales team in Pampanga. But they came not only for the team building but also for a recollection. Here, taking a break from the stress and fatigue of work. From Back row, left to right are: Bing, Mye, Shiela, Thea, Jinggai, Lizette. Font row left to right, Bevs, Kae, Virgie and Yna. Before they left Sa Kabukiran, these beautiful ladies did some tree hugging to let the trees absorb all their stress  (see Sa Kabukiran facebook).

Why do these people take time and pause at Sa Kabukiran?
Sa Kabukiran is the perfect place to de-stress, have some quiet time, and be one with nature and the environment. That alone, is a big reason for people to flock to this serene and beautiful place so that they can be in touch with themselves and with one another.
Thank you all of you for visiting us at Sa Kabukiran!