Student formators from 19
Catholic schools all over western Mindanao converged at the Catholic
Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) IX’s 1st WesMin JEEPGY Workshop for Student Formators last month
at Harmony Village in Pitogo, Zamboanga City.
While many of CEAP’s
activities have been centered on student leaders and their formation such as BIDA
(hero) youth camps, the said workshop focused on the Formators, specifically
the social action or student activity coordinators, in recognition of their indispensable role
in the holistic growth and development of students.
“While there is the need to develop
in students a social conscience, it is equally important to take care of those
who develop them – the Formators, who journey with them,“ said AdZU president Fr
Karel San Juan SJ who is regional trustee of CEAP IX and president of
ZAMBASULTAPS, educational organizations of which AdZU is a member.
CEAP
JEEPGY Workshop: #Talk #Share #Pray
During the workshop, student
formators were oriented to the social agenda outlined in the advocacy framework
of CEAP’s pillar programs JEEPGY
or Justice and peace, Ecological integrity, Engaged citizenship, Poverty
reduction, Gender equality, Youth empowerment. These are also the elements that
form part of the conscientization process of the students under their
care.
The three-day event was
organized by CEAP-IX, Zamboanga Basilan Sulu Tawi-tawi Association of Private
Schools (ZAMBASULTAPS) and Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU), in
partnership with Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB). Leading the CEAP team from
Region IX and ZAMBASULTAPS is coordinator Annie Ebreo.
The SLB team, composed of Cecille
Turrecha and Karlo Abadines facilitated the session on perspectives of social
agenda, while Ateneo Peace institute (API)’s Peace Advocacy Officer Ruth Guerrero lectured on Self-Awareness and Transformative
Education in Catholic Schools.
AdZU
president Fr Karel San Juan SJ, also CEAP-IX regional trustee and ZAMBASULTAPS
president, celebrates Mass with workshop delegates and organizers
Reflection/communal prayers
formed the unique part in the workshop. Guerrero, who served as Program
Coordinator for JEEPGY CEAP-IX explains, “The organizers believe that social
engagements can be a challenging experience, coupled with some frustrations,
hence, moments for personal reflection or prayer become an indispensable component
of the endeavor.”
AdZU
president Fr Karel San Juan, SJ with WesMin JEEPGY Workshop organizers and
delegates
The following schools
participated in the workshop: from Basilan-Sulu: Claret School of Lamitan,
Claret School of Isabela, and Notre Dame of Jolo – Kasulutan; from the
Zamboanga Peninsula: Marian College, Marcelo Spinola School, and Saint Paul of
Buug, Inc. from Zamboanga Sibugay; sole delegate from from Zamboanga del Sur:
St Columban College; and the largest delegation from Zamboanga del Norte: St
Vincent’s College, St Joseph College of Sindangan, St Estanislao Kostka College,
Southern Peninsula College, Riverside Community College, St Mary’s College of
Labason, and St Mary’s Academy; and from Zamboanga City: Claret School, Pilar
College, Immaculate Conception Elementary School, Immaculate Conception
Archdiocesan School – Tetuan, and AdZU.
