On 14 January 1960, Srs Baptist Kearns (Superior), Carmel Claxton, Annunciata Hayes and Regina Keyes, with the blessing of their community headed by Sr de Lourdes Murphy, set out from Southampton, southern England on board the ship, Hamburg, which would take them to Manila, Philippines. These 4 sisters from the Presentation Convent in Kilkenny, Ireland were chosen as pioneers for the mission in Negros island in the central part of the Philippines, a mission inspired in them by a Redemptorist priest. After 31 days at sea, they finally arrived in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines and on 19 February 1960, they reached Negros island and were welcomed by Fr Patrick Hurley, superior of the Columbans, whose confrere, Fr. John Doohan, was instrumental in bringing the sisters to the Philippines. They were brought to Himamaylan, a town in the southern part of Negros, where the first community of the Sisters was established. Over the years, several other communities were formed: Binalbagan, Negros Occidental (1972), Nivel Hills, Cebu (1981), Son-oc, Cebu (2000), Scala Retreat House-co-managed with the Redemptorists (2000-2015). On June 1, 2017, the mission in Thailand, a joint endeavour between the Units of India, Pakistan and the Philippines, officially became part of the Philippine Unit. Please see Thailand for more details about this mission.
The Sisters are involved in various ministries: Formal Education (includes School Administration, Guidance and Counselling and Teaching) – Binalbagan Catholic College (BCC) – Nuestra Seňora de las Nieves (NSDN) – Nano Nagle Child Care and Learning Centre – Mainstream and SPED Units (Binalbagan) – Nano Nagle Child Care and Learning Centre (Himamaylan) – Nano Nagle Child Care and Learning Centre (Cebu-Badjao)
Sharing of the Charism
Friends of Nano (Parolitas) – supports them in their regular meetings and activities in the community Nano Nagle Circle Youth – gathers interested youth in the Son-oc area and provides personal and spiritual formation activities every month and support them in facilitating activities for the children in the area
Recollection facilitated by Srs Mildred and Joy
Regular meeting of the Parolitas
Joint formation of Parolitas Negros and Cebu in Siquijor
Feeding program in Son-oc organised by the Parolitas and Nano Nagle Circle-Youth with the sisters
Parolitas and Nano Nagle Circle-Youth with Srs Mildred, Joy and VicVic
Social Services
Presentation Community Centers (Binalbagan and Himamaylan) – scholarships and enrichment classes of scholars, formation of scholars and families, social services like small house repairs, etc. of most depressed families and education on health and hygiene – Badjao Integrated Development Project ‣ Education (Nano Nagle Child Care and Learning Center-Cebu, Scholars in Elementary, High School and College) ‣ Livelihood ‣ Health & Sanitation ‣ Infrastructure ‣ People Development – Mountain Communities (located in Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental) – preschoolers training; services to landless farmers – Nagle House – lodging house for female students from poor rural families; also a transient shelter for girls / women in crisis.
Sisters with the Badjao Community during a Tribal Day Celebration
Badjao Tribal Leaders in a ritual during a Tribal Day Celebration
Badjao Youth during a community clean-up
Computer Training for High School and College Badjao students
Sr Mildred with the teachers during a Badjao Parents’ Meeting
Sr Joy facilitating a formation activity with the Badjao youth leaders
Srs VicVic and July with the teachers preparing goods for distribution to the Badjao families
Badjao youth formation activity on the SDGs
Pre-schoolers at the mountain community with Sr Aquila and our lay collaborators, Mary Rose and Dorina
Preschoolers during their class at the mountain area
Sr July and Sr Aquila with some mothers at the Center in the mountain area
Oath Taking of members in their organisation as landless tillers in the mountain area
Vermiculture project of the mountain community
Nagle House dormitorians praying the rosary with the Binalbagan Community (Srs Aquila, Analee and July)
Nagle House dormitorians in one of their regular monthly meetings
House Visitation with Emilia (PCC staff) and Srs Beth and Fidelis
Reflexology training of Center Parents
Reflexology training of Center Parents
Sr Nalee at the BCC Guidance Office
The Sisters with BCC Co-workers during the 60th Foundation Anniversary last February 2020
Kinder pupils in class
Gardening with Kinder pupils
Kinder pupils after their Thanksgiving Mass with Srs Teresita and July and their teachers
Storytelling with the Badjao pupils
Montessori instruction- Teacher Pau with a Badjao Pupil
Badjao Pre-school pupils outside the school building
NSDN high school students doing Mangrove planting