Philippines

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

Recollection facilitated by Srs Mildred and Joy

Regular meeting of the Parolitas

Regular meeting of the Parolitas

Joint formation of Parolitas Negros and Cebu in Siquijor

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

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

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

Sisters with the Badjao Community during a Tribal Day Celebration

Badjao Tribal Leaders in a ritual during a Tribal Day Celebration

Badjao Tribal Leaders in a ritual during a Tribal Day Celebration

Badjao Youth during a community clean-up

Badjao Youth during a community clean-up

Computer Training for High School and College Badjao students

Computer Training for High School and College Badjao students

Sr Mildred with the teachers during a Badjao Parents’ Meeting

Sr Mildred with the teachers during a Badjao Parents’ Meeting

Sr Joy facilitating a formation activity with the Badjao youth leaders

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

Srs VicVic and July with the teachers preparing goods for distribution to the Badjao families

Badjao youth formation activity on the SDGs

Badjao youth formation activity on the SDGs

Pre-schoolers at the mountain community with Sr Aquila and our lay collaborators, Mary Rose and Dorina

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

Preschoolers during their class at the mountain area

Sr July and Sr Aquila with some mothers at the Center in 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

Oath Taking of members in their organisation as landless tillers in the mountain area

Vermiculture project of the mountain community

Vermiculture project of the mountain community

Nagle House dormitorians praying the rosary with the Binalbagan Community (Srs Aquila, Analee and July)

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

Nagle House dormitorians in one of their regular monthly meetings

House Visitation with Emilia (PCC staff) and Srs Beth and Fidelis

House Visitation with Emilia (PCC staff) and Srs Beth and Fidelis

Reflexology training of Center Parents

Reflexology training of Center Parents

Reflexology training of Center Parents

Reflexology training of Center Parents



Sr Nalee at the BCC Guidance Office

Sr Nalee at the BCC Guidance Office

The Sisters with BCC Co-workers during the 60th Foundation Anniversary last February 2020

The Sisters with BCC Co-workers during the 60th Foundation Anniversary last February 2020

Kinder pupils in class

Kinder pupils in class

Gardening with Kinder pupils

Gardening with Kinder pupils

Kinder pupils after their Thanksgiving Mass with Srs Teresita and July and their teachers

Kinder pupils after their Thanksgiving Mass with Srs Teresita and July and their teachers

Storytelling with the Badjao pupils

Storytelling with the Badjao pupils

Montessori instruction- Teacher Pau with a Badjao Pupil

Montessori instruction- Teacher Pau with a Badjao Pupil

Badjao Pre-school pupils outside the school building

Badjao Pre-school pupils outside the school building

NSDN high school students doing Mangrove planting

NSDN high school students doing Mangrove planting