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Category: Peppi News

Our Children and Their Freedom: Raising Future Campers

There is no doubt that we parents want our children to be the best that they can be and to explore all their capabilities, but we are also biologically hard wired to protect our children.

This is especially true and useful when we are first time parents, when our children are very small and need a lot of attention.

But our children often outgrow this need much sooner than we learn to adapt to. At times we don’t even acknowledge their need for more freedom. Unwittingly, we might be hovering over our children, helicopter parenting as it is called, and hampering their growth instead of allowing them to flourish.

Some of the ways we can overcome this tendency are:

  • Allow our children to make small decisions as they grow and help them understand the consequences of their decisions
  • Let our children make mistakes and encourage them to try again
  • Give them appropriate chores at home and allow them to fulfill their responsibilities independently
  • Set goals together as opposed to enforcing goals on them
  • Be mindful of their developmental needs and our corresponding responses

St. Josemaría Escrivá advised parents, “Love your children’s freedom and teach them how to use their freedom.” Indeed, our children are their own persons, gifted by God with their own freedom.

We can rest easy in the knowledge that our children are entrusted to us by God who loves them infinitely more than we ever can.

~ Sab Elane, Woodrose alumna and young mom of two children

Msgr. Fernando Ocáriz in Manila

Manila and Cebu welcomed Msgr. Fernando Ocáriz, the Prelate of Opus Dei, on his 3-week apostolic trip to the Philippines, Indonesia, and Australia in July-August 2023. He was accompanied in several activities by Rev. Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of Opus Dei in the Philippines.

At a get-together on July 29, 2023 hosted by Punlaan School with the PEPPI Board and the directors of other foundations, Msgr. Ocáriz encouraged everyone to take care of the quality of their work and always have a supernatural outlook, reminding the participants that “it is God who will help us if we work well.”

He also said it is important to work in collaboration “with a lot of people, dealing with everyone as children of God within a family, with the spirit of service, and understanding others’ needs.”

He reminded the participants that most of all, “we need to love the Lord and live in fraternity with others as we share our apostolic zeal.”

It was a lovely opportunity for the foundations to present their initiatives and have small chats with the Prelate.

~ Vida Ty
PEPPI President Elenita Sandejas greets Msgr. Ocáriz
PEPPI President Elenita Sandejas greets Msgr. Ocáriz
Msgr. Ocáriz at Punlaan School with the Board of Directors of PEPPI and other foundations
Msgr. Ocáriz at Punlaan School with the Board of Directors of PEPPI and other foundations

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Summer Camp Fun 2023

Summer Camp Fun

The July 2023 summer camps of Pathfinder and Trailblazer were a big success. It was the first time since the pandemic for the girls to get together for fun and adventure within a supervised program that included skill-building and sports in a safe, nurturing environment. What a joy to have140 campers in two camps led by 29 counselors and 12staff! Congratulations, campers! See you all next year!

Pathfinder Club 2023 attended by 50 girls 11-15 years old. 
Held in Mt. Purro Nature Reserve, Tanay 

June 29 to July 2, 2023 
Trailblazer Summer Leadership Camp 2023 attended by 90 girls entering Grades 7-11. Held in El Sitio Filipino Camping and Teambuilding Facility, Batangas.
 
July 4-8, 2023

The Return of Camp Trailblazer 2023

In July 4-8, Camp Trailblazer 2023 proved to be a transformative summer experience for young women from various schools coming together for six days of faith, friendship, and fun. With its mission centered on lasting friendships and dedicated guidance, Trailblazer aimed to empower 90 participants to lead, serve, and forge unbreakable bonds.

Campers enthusiastically blended the glamor of this year’s ‘Hollywood’ theme with their aim of personal growth. The nightly campfires echoed with laughter as voices united in camp songs, fostering a sense of togetherness. Cabin cheers became a creative outlet, cultivating teamwork and collaboration among campers and their junior counselors, all while embracing the essence of the camp’s code.

Talent Night shone a spotlight on the God-given gifts within each camper, as they inspired awe and admiration in song and dance. Costume Night allowed campers to embody their aspirations. At an elegant dinner, campers dressed in their finest attire as they practiced etiquette and camaraderie.

The peak of adventure was concluded with the Amazing Race. Teams raced against time, demonstrating unity and determination. This physical challenge mirrored their personal transformations as they evolved from shy to enthusiastic.

Without cell phones, campers reconnected with nature and themselves as they nurtured real-life connections.

The comeback of Camp Trailblazer exemplified the power of faith and friendship to shape young women into leaders. All these trailblazers now carry cherished memories and the unbreakable bonds of friendship, ready to lead and serve in their communities, schools, and homes. Thank you to their energetic counselors! That’s a wrap for Camp Trailblazer 2023!

~ Gabby Ignacio, Assumption College Class 2023

My Six Years of Summer Camps

I was always known as shy. On my first year at camp, when people would ask for my name, I would respond by pointing to my name tag and a quick nod.

Despite starting out as an introvert, from 2015 to 2019, I came to Camp Trailblazer ready to have fun, deepen my faith, and make long-lasting friendships. It was the highlight of every summer.

I shared a cabin each year with kind, mindful, and funny girls. The ates—counselors and senior campers—welcomed us warmly and formed an environment that allowed us to love camp as they did. I looked up most especially to my counselors who took care of us like we were their younger sisters.

Daily Mass and night prayers were gifts I learned to appreciate through camp. I owe it to Trailblazer for teaching me how to incorporate my faith into the fun of each day even now. The sports and team building activities at camp also instilled perseverance and sportsmanship: “Play to win, Learn to lose.”

Many of the people I met in camp, I am still in contact with—some, I can even call my closest friends to this day.

In 2020, on my sixth year at camp, even with the pandemic, we offered online camp. I became a counselor who listened to the stories of my young campers, seeing that camp was bringing them a refreshing sense of joy through the struggle. I realized that the spirit of camp was still very much alive.

To many, Camp Trailblazer helped us grow, learn, and discover ourselves. In those few days, we gained the confidence to grow into women of strength and compassion with genuine, joyful hearts for service.

Undeniably, attending camp every year since Grade 6 was life-changing. That young Therese who could hardly speak to introduce herself years ago became a leader in the high school student council, in socio-civic and church organizations, and even now, in college.

I am forever grateful for the opportunity at Trailblazer to indeed blaze my own trail and share the flame of joy and service, so that other girls can also find the spark that would lead them to who they are meant to be.

~ Therese Amante, Woodrose Class 2022 / University of the Philippines Diliman

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Growing in Gratitude

Thinking about gratitude reminds me of a French prover that goes, 

Gratitude is the memory of a heart.

- Jean-Baptiste Massieu
The Lumo Project Scene

Everyone is familiar with the gratitude of the Samaritan who was healed by our Lord along with nine other lepers, and how he came back to our Lord as he threw himself at Jesus’ feet to thank Him (Luke 17:11-19). The Samaritan was the only one who showed gratitude to our Lord, the ultimate source of his healing.

Going back to our present lives, and on a lighter note, we appreciate the invaluable help we senior citizens receive in going through our daily digital transactions. 

On the other end, we are thankful for the lessons teamed from the Covid-19  Pandemic, harsh though they may have been, most especially in the areas of  pandemic preparedness and response.

Young people can express gratitude for so many reasons, too: for their parents’ caring attentiveness, for the fun they have with friends, for the constant support of their families.

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MADZly In Love, MADZly Generous

hen embarking on a fund-raising project, I inevitably ask myself. “Who are the generous people I know who can help me raise funds?” That’s what happened when six Opus Dei women’s centers were tapped by PEPPI to help raise funds for its activities and projects in 2023-2024.

We organized two Valentine concerts of the world-famous Philippine Madrigal Singers last February 18. 2023 at 2:30 in the aftemoon and 7:30 in the evening at the Jose Risal Hall of the Philippine Intemational Convention Center (PICC).


The project motivated the ladies. their families, and their friends to assist in raising the target contribution for PEPPI projects and initiatives.


I was assigned to be one of the five ticket leads and we decided to have a friendly competition to be the first to sell as many tickets as we could.

I reached out to family and friends to reconnect, and I made new friends from different centers, including the wonderful people of PEPPI. For instance, I reached out to a good friend whom I had not seen in ages to ask if she was interested in watching the MADZ, and she instantly replied with. “Five tickets, please!”
We were overwhelmed with the number of generous hearts who helped us through sponsorships, ticket sales. and donations, making it possible for PEPPI and its affiliate foundations to raise over Pl.5 million for its projects.

The entire audience was delighted with both shows. They felt it was “like an evening of harana (romantic serenades)” and said, “The MADZ tugged at our heartstrings!”

Thank u for all the support!

Philippine Madrigal Singers v2
The Philippine Madrigal Singers

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Calling all campers! Summer Girls’ Camps are back

For the first time since the pandemic, two summer camps have been organized for girls hoping for fun, adventure, and learning during the school holidays.

Why send your daughter to camp? The supervised program away from home allows your girls to learn new skills in a safe, nurturing environment and helps them gain greater independence and leadership. It could be a life-changing experience!

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Kapwa Kusina: Spreading Love Through Shared Kitchens

Someone once said, “Every challenge, every adversity, contains within it, the seeds of opportunity and growth.” There is possibly no greater challenge we have collectively gone through than the pandemic of the past two years. And yet, true to that saying, the pandemic and its forced lockdown on us all gave rise to the opportunity for our group of friends in Alabang to brainstorm ways to help those who lost employment or faced financial difficulties. Thus, from the desire for us, our families, and friends to reach out and touch the lives of the less privileged, Kapwa Kusina (Shared Kitchens) was born.

Every month, since its conception in March 2021, Kapwa Kusina has gathered volunteer kusineras (cooks) to each prepare meals for six families, or about 30 people. The organizers provide the ingredients and recipes, and the volunteers cook the meals in their homes. The meals are brought to a central drop-off point and are delivered onward to beneficiary communities. One lady in our group is connected with the Philippine Foodbank Foundation as well as with parishes and groups who can identify beneficiary communities in need.

The response to Kapwa Kusina has been very positive, family members of all ages get involved in cooking and packing the meals—from toddlers to teenagers and grandmothers to helpers. Some alumnae and students from Wood Rose School have also joined us. Some volunteers have shared with us affordable recipes. While other friends have opted to donate cash or ingredients, we have also received corporate donations through The Philippine Foodbank. 

Social media has helped spread the word about our project to more friends near and far. allowing others to share in the passion and joy of helping feed the less privileged. Friends living far from Alabang have birthed their own Kapwa Kusina chapters in Quezon City and Makati City. Thus allowing the love from shared kitchens to reach farther and wider than we had originally imagined.

We aim to cook meals monthly, usually on a feast day. We distribute the meals and  include a prayer card of the Saint of the Day. Since so many families are in need, we try to help a different community every month. Our next Kapwa Kusina event is scheduled on the 13th of May 2023.

So far, we have cooked for 15,000 people in thirty communities. It is incredibly heartwarming to see the smiles on the faces of the beneficiaries as they receive their meals and to read their thank-you messages. At the same time. the volunteers are very grateful for the opportunity to serve and to share their labor of love cooked up in their kitchens. 

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