Assumptionists Experience Immersion in Baguio

*By Jennifer Love L. Reyes

28 senior students from the Marketing, Communi­cations, and Management Information Science De­partments participated in the Integrated Summer Study Program (ISSP) of the Center for Social Concern (CSC) in Baguio City last April 25 to May 6.

Conceived in February 1989 by the College Dean, ISSP is an integration of faith and life, academics life and co-curricular activities that reflects Mother Marie Eugenie's philosophy of "Education allowing the good in every person to break through the rock that imprisons it and bring it to light where it can blossom and shed its radiance." It aims to give Assumptionists a holistic formation by an experience of exposure - through inculturation or immersion, for a period of time, in a particular area.

Prior to the selec­tion, the applicants were asked to submit documents such as copies of their grades, medical certificates, parents' consent forms, and recommendation letters from their respective Chairpersons. Screening tests and interviews were handled by Associate Dean for Com­merce Ms Vicky Orjalo and College Dean Elizabeth Melchor. After the delibera­tions, the results of the qualified participants were announced.

On April 5, the girls attended a two-week lecture session at Assump­tion College headed by CSC Director Ms Frances Salenga. A pre-immersion training followed from April 23 to 25 which prepared the students for the program. In the morn­ing of April 26, the group left for Baguio. Ms Salenga and Pro­gram Staff Ms Bernadette Tan together with Mr. Ernie Apodaca, Mr. Ben de la Cruz, Mr. Nilo Yacat, Mr. Mike Lopez, Mr. George Garcia, Sr. Annunciata Malvar, r.a. and Associate Missionaries of Assumption (AMA) volunteer Mr. Greg Quimpo, joined the participants.

The CSC staff, profes­sors, and students stayed at Villa Consolacion, Baguio City. During the inculturation, an Igorot play was presented. It was followed by a series of talks on the Development in the Perspective of the Indigenous People, spear­headed by UP Baguio Professor Ms Brigitte Pawid.

In the following days, the participants toured the Balatok Mines, Bureau of Internal Rev­enue, and La Trinidad Valley market.

The students were divided into groups and were assigned to three Benguet service areas namely: Dontogan, Dalupirip I and II for the three-day immersion. The first day was spent getting to know their respective foster families and familiar­izing themselves with their new environment. For the next two days, the girls focused on understanding the social realities which prevailed within the area. As a culminating activity, they presented a short skit, which according to Ms Salenga, "...was the total embodiment of the girls' learning experiences and transformation."

Charmaine Carino (4Comm), Katz Diaz De Rivera (4Comm), and Cristina Serrano (4Comm) said that their immersion experience made them realize that it was the simple lifestyle of these people which made them appreciate the blessings they received. They were struck by the relationship of love, openness, respect for nature, and respect for each other's rights.

Asked about the rel­evance of the program in the coming years, Ms Tan envisioned, "ISSP will still be very relevant in the next five years. It will always be CSC's commitment to action. AC has so much venues for social involve­ment. Through ISSP people get to go out of the walls of the institution and eventually see the outside world. Moreover, the program will continue to give AC graduates the opportunity to go places...to experience people...—MME's vision of a holistic formation for the Assumptionists."

*Assumption College - AC Times
Jennifer Love L. Reyes