To give you an idea, here's what kind of life I have before I entered The Sisters of Mary School. The year was 1989. While my classmates were all talking about their plans where to enroll for high school, I on the other hand was having a problem where to get black pants and white polo for our graduation ceremony. My mother converted my sister's white blouse so that I have something to wear during my graduation. We borrowed my cousin's black pants and black shoes. Problem solved. But now comes another problem - high school education. I was only 9 years old when my father, a carpenter, died. My sister was 12 and my younger brother was only 5. We were left to the care of ou...

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Being a student of Sisters of Mary (SOM) from 1992-1996 was an answered prayer, an opportunity that paved way to uplift my life and that of my family and those of the other thousands poor. Working in Fr. Al’s Commission Office (FACO) for the Cause of Fr. Al from late 2003 to early 2004 was a privilege. I never had the chance to see him in person but the pride of knowing Fr. Al deeper will always be mine. It was during this time that I had a close encounter with him through his works, his words and the testimonies from the people so dear to him. It was then that I dreamt of visiting his charity works – not certain though which one first, when and how. Celebrating the 50th An...

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I grew up in Quezon Province and farming was my family's source of living. We did not starve as food and basic needs provided were just enough to get us by. Education was uncertain though. Everyone in the place was oriented to a culture of just finishing elementary to learn how to read and write then helping the parents on the field (tilling the land we did not own just like any other families did) or going to the city to hope for the best. But I was a bit different because I wanted to pursue high school and then hopefully to get to college to eventually, later on still, get one of my childhood dreams – to have my own TV set.  Elementary graduation was approaching. “H...

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I COME from one of the first places Fr. Al and the Sisters saw of the Philippines – Smokey Mountain, Tondo, Manila. From there I came to study at the Sisters of Mary School in Sta. Mesa, Manila in November 1985. This sudden shift brought many important changes and memorable experiences in my life. In fact it changed my whole life. One most unforgettable experience was being with the President of the Philippines, Corazon C. Aquino, in one of her several visits to our school. Together with Fr. Al, a boy schoolmate and I accompanied her while she toured our facilities. We sat beside her at the place of honor during a presentation of dances. I still remember the euphoric feeling. I admi...

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I grew up in one of the densely populated areas of Cebu, a place called Barrio Luz. My eyes were opened to an environment where, to put it plainly, crime and immorality were quite prevalent, and definitely it was not an ideal place for any growing child. Poverty, naturally, was part of the problem, if not its main reason. My parents, however, made it a point to inculcate in us children the value of education because for them it was the only treasure they could leave us. Thus, we grew up determined to have it, create the opportunity for it as much as we could. I was one of the privileged individuals who gained admission to the Sisters of Mary School. In a few words, I availed myself of a h...

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THE FUTURE was uncertain before I learned about the Sisters of Mary. The biggest question in my mind back then was whether I could go to high school. My parents, both natives of Gainza (a fifth class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur), had to raise seven of us. I have four brothers and two sisters. And you could perhaps imagine how it was in the farm. I sometimes had to skip classes just to help out in the field. The harsh realities were not strange to me at an nearly age. My mother having to go the rounds of relatives or other people to borrow money, or to beg, so we can eat -- one could never forget that.  But though we were poor, we were a bit endowed up to here in the...

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"My child, you are not created like a little duck waddling in the mud, but as an eagle destined to rise above." These famous words of Fr. have kept resounding in my ears ever since I became part of the Sisters of Mary family. Fourteen years ago, I was just an innocent farmer's daughter in a very remote town in Bukidnon province, on the island of Mindanao. By God's grace, I passed the requirements of a Sisters of Mary scholarship. Then, for four years, under the tutelage of the Sisters of Mary and school teachers, I learned to work hard, engage in and enjoy sports, make good in my studies, and win regional and national contests. But most of all, I learned to love God more...

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Believing firmly that poverty is not a reason to become hopeless, as Fr. Al taught me, plus of course prayer and sacrifice, saw me through a life of ups and downs. My parents were widow and widower, each with children of their own, while my sister and I were of this third family. It would have been a good combination of sorts but they separated when I was twelve. Mother brought us to Manila, not knowing what would happen to us. We lived in a squatters’ area in Novaliches, Quezon City. I sold fish balls, dyaryo’t bote, became a kargador at the Novaliches market, all to help us survive. I felt irritated and helpless at my situation, even contemplating suicide. I wanted to contin...

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It was not so long ago when tomorrow didn't seem promising. I was not born with privilege, and my life was once a scary journey to nowhere. But if given a chance, I would not hesitate to travel the same road. The fourth of six siblings, I did not enjoy my childhood as every child is supposed to do. At the early age of six I took on much responsibility, from waking up in the early hours to doing household chores, to taking care of my younger sisters and selling native delicacies to the neighbors to help augment what my parents earned. Plus, preparing for school which was five kilometers away.   School was not any better. I had one peso in my pocket, I was frequently late due...

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MY LIFE is an example of total transformation. My family started with an uncertain future, not sure of how to cope with poverty. My father was a welder, my mother a housekeeper, both elementary graduates. I am the third of seven children. Migrating from San Juan, Batangas to Batangas City, my father mustered the courage to put up a small welding shop on a rented lot. It was made of light materials which also serve as our house. All of his children, regardlessof age or gender, took turns in helping in the shop. My mother, apart from taking care of us, took  odd jobs, from direct selling to being kubrador (collector of bets) in the illegal numbers game of jueteng. Despite their lack of ed...

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When I was younger, I never thought that there was something wrong with our life. I thought that everything was perfectly normal. We used to live in a remote town in North Caloocan where everyone was living in Nipa huts. The usual occupation of the males is carpentry and for females it’s housewifery, sometimes “labandera”, maids or factory worker. But for me, that was perfect. My father works in a factory owned by my uncle in Valenzuela, my mother takes care of us. We used to have a vegetable garden where we get most of our food. We get to raise chickens to sell. I never knew another life, so for me, that was the best life ever. My ultimate dream at that time was t...

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I don’t think I will ever find enough words to thank Fr. Al. I will be forever grateful, not to mention the best education he provided, not only to me but also to the rest of the kids all over the world…most of all he put forth the love of Christ through his examples and sacrifices for us his children. About twenty years ago, I was this little girl wandering aimlessly without a future due to poverty and isolation. I have suffered from severe eczema from the day I was born until I was thirteen. Though the condition was excruciating, for my part there was no resentment, did I never loose hope and had no doubts in my mind that God would make a way to ease my pain. It was a lot h...

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(A Poem for Father AL created by Ronald Rafer, 7th Batch, Silang) Before I was myself you made me, me With love and patience, discipline and tears, Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free, Allowing me to sail upon my sea, Though well within the headlands of my fears. Before I was myself you made me, me With dreams enough of what I was to be And hopes that would be sculpted by the years, Relinquishing your powers gradually To let me shape myself among my peers. Before I was myself you made me, me, And being good and wise, you gracefully As dancers when the last sweet cadence nears For love inspires learning naturally: The mind assents to what the heart reveres. And s...

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Arlene Tan was one of the first batch graduates from Talisay Cebu. She became part of the spiritual family of the Sisters of Mary right after she graduated but eventually realized that there is more help she could give to the real world so decided to conquer life outside the arms of the the loving family of the Sisters of Mary. *** As I carry on with my journey, I am continuing to rediscover myself as a child of the Sisters of Mary. In my admiration for myself and the inspiration I derive from my peak experiences from this Alma Mater (SISTERS OF MARY), a momentous happiness and joy came out. It is my prayer that these experiences I have from the teachings of my alma mater wi...

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Whenever I read articles, books, essays, I always try to know some information about the author. I admire people who are capable of writing interesting articles or any literary pieces; somehow I wish to be like them..I wish to be an author of a certain book or inspirational article to inspire or touch other lives... but indeed, its not easy. Everytime i plan to write, and try to figure out how i was going to squeeze out all the ideas i wanted to express. I realize that this dilemma is similar to my life. My life is a notebook full of blank pages. And these blank pages are to be filled with our daily experiences. Our achievements or frustrations, joys and sorrows are contents of these page...

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The skinny 12 year old tried to recall what he had read the night before. Eyes in the classroom were all fixed on him as he tried to recollect the night’s previous lesson.   He heard somebody from behind snicker and panic started sinking in as the teacher coaxed him to answer. His empty stomach grumbled as he clutched the side of his threadbare short pants. Disappointed, the teacher called on another student who was raising his hand. The skinny boy sat on his chair, controlling his urge to cry. Later that day, while sorting all the pieces of scrap he picked from the Little Smokey Mountain of Pasig, the skinny 12 year old bowed he would finish schooling no matter what happe...

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