FORMATION OF PALAWAN LEARNERS
God calls us to a mission. The Holy Spirit guides us. Our Holy Mother protects us.  When we are called to serve, we go.  Sometimes it takes a while to understand what God wants and plans but most often than not, the path is paved for us and the obstacles are overcome.

For three (3) days from November 24-27, 2017, the LVF volunteers, Ms Carol Thor and Ms Sofia DeGuzman, had the opportunity to serve the LVF Palawan Learners at Barangay Macarascas, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. With the guidance of our Salesian Sisters, they were able to share their knowledge, experiences, learning and formation to 57 young people whose ages range from 13 to 18 years old. It was a fulfilling intense 3 days of formation and forum on Children’s Rights, Self-Awareness and Self-Esteem. These young people had the openness of hearts and minds to listen, absorb and hopefully apply in their lives what the volunteers have imparted. Looking at them, being with them, one can feel an overwhelming desire to protect them.  The hardship of their lives made some timid, others defensive, and even bitter but what is glaring in them is their desire to be better.  They have DREAMS and the LVF volunteers hope to assist them in the best way they can.

The LVF Volunteers thank Sr. SocRetardo, Sr. Zeny, Sr. AilynCayanan, Sr. Aleth Evangelista (who invited them), Angela Mahoney, our VIDES-U.S.A. Volunteer, Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana (for always believing in them), and Fr. FlorManlongat of the San Exequiel Moreno Parish.

The Feast of Christ the King was a great day to remind ourselves and these young people that there is only one King and that is Christ. It is so easy for these young people to be drawn to the pop idols that they see, to be attracted to the glitters that media unabashedly promote as true and beautiful.  The LVF volunteers encouraged them to look into their hearts and believe they don’t need their earthly idols and  that they are more beautiful. I Am A Child of God, I Am Beautiful.-This is their 'battle cry' as they bravely and sensitively engage each young person to share who they are now and who they dream to be.  The volunteers also gave practical tips & lessons to help them with their studies and life. Their  last hours with the Palawan learners were made meaningful by their songs, dances and good wishes but most especially by their heartfelt prayers and dedications they offered for  them.  

2017 Past Pupils Homecoming @LVC on the First World Day of the Poor
On November 19th, Laura Vicuna Foundation, welcomed about a hundred Past Pupils who have come  home from the different  centers of LVF:  CPC & LVTC,  Sta. Mesa;  LVWDTC, Malihao and  LVC, Cubao.  It was a great day of sharing among the different batches  with the oldest batch attendees of 1997 and the youngest past pupils of 2017.  After the words of welcome of Sr. Marivic P. Sta. Ana, they happily reminisced the past and acknowledged as God’s miracles their journeys. How happy they were to be back in the company of the Sisters, former classmates and friends.  How grateful they were to the Sisters and staff in not giving up on them and believing in their possibilities. As today the Pope has declared as the First World Day of the Poor,  Sr. Marivic also conscienticized the participants with a  power point presentation on the Holy Father’s declaration and what can be done as the world is faced with the different faces and forms of poverty. They have to empower themselves to speak up when confronted with social injustice, moral degradation and generalized indifference. Even if they are struggling in their lives economically, no one is too poor to share their blessings.Their faith in God should overflow in their service of the poor, growth in fraternity and solidarity with the poor. Organizers of the 2017 Past Pupils Homecoming are: Ms. Ivy Gay Gantuan, Ms Anna Liza Corro and MsCharinaTolibas. They solicited  prizes from among Past Pupils to the delight of the participants. Sr. Ana Guerrero also spoke on the plans of the Past Pupils Federation and invited them for the upcoming  General Homecoming on March 19, 2018.  Sr. Marivic solicited suggestions for the 30^th year Anniversary of LVF in 2020.  Agape while raffles of grand prizes followed.  Batch 2012 has accepted the challenge to be the organizers  the 2018 Homecoming.

CHILDREN’S WORKSHOP
The Laura Vicuna Foundation (LVF) was invited by the Council for the Welfare of Children for the first Southeast Asia (SEA) Prix Jeunesse Children’s Workshop at the Manila Peninsula on November 27-29th. Tricia Nadine Velasquez was LVF’s child representative.  She learned visual storytelling from Sir Alex Asuncion and tips on video making from Ms. Livi Zheng.  Her work was one of the entries in the photo gallery with a caption of “Every morning is a blessing so we can thank Him everyday.”

VISIT OF MO. ANNA MARIA MATTIUSSI TO LVF
Mo. Anna Maria Mattiussi, FMA, the first Provincial Superior of the FMA Philippine Province visited the Laura Vicuna Foundation (LVF) on November 6, 2017.  Being the Founder of the LVF,  Mo. Anna Maria was amazed with the remarkable growth of LVF from its humble beginnings. She marveled at the 6-storey LVF building as it constantly strives to GIVE HOPE A HOME to many children and young people. Ms. Josefina Tan hosted a dinner for Mo Anna Maria at Chef Jessie, Rockwell Club with 12 other Trustees and Members of LVF last November16th . Other Sisters who visited the new LVF Building this November are:  Sr. Maria Nieves Reboso, FMA, (General Councillor for Formation) Sr.Sarah Garcia and  Sr. Elizabeth Marquez.

PES SEMINAR IN LVF PALAWAN
Sixty parents of the LVF Palawan learners participated the Parents Effectiveness Seminar (PES) conducted by Sr. Aleth Evangelista, FMA, last November 4th.  Substantial, deep and spontaneous sharing of their lives surfaced as well as their realization of their beautiful call and mission to take care of their families especially their children. The parents were teary eyed when they looked back at their own both painful and memorable childhood experiences and the values within their own families which they carry up to now and are trying to inculcate to their children. The session ended with a prayer to the Holy Family for guidance, strength and inspiration as they continue to uphold and love their own families.

10,060 REACHED BY LVF ACTS IN NOVEMBER
A total of ten thousand sixty students (10,060) were reached by the Laura Vicuna Foundation’s Advocacy Against Child Trafficking in Schools (LVF ACTS) in different areas during its Child Protection Clinic (CPC) road trips in Visayas (9,860) and Luzon (200) for the month of November. 
LVF ACTS IN ESCALANTE
A total of two thousand one hundred thirty-one (2,131) were given advocacy sessions against child trafficking in 12 schools in Escalante namely for November 9 Danao Port Elementary School (135); Escalante Elementary School (384); Alimango Elementary School (147); Escalante National High School (124); for November 10 Escalante Central Elementary School (639); JonobJonob Elementary School (25); Udtungan Elementary School (43); Rizal Elementary School (77); and for November 28 Escalante National High School Cervantes Ext. (135); Cervantes Elementary School (205); Escalante National High School FloroBonco Ext. (125) and Don Esteban dela Rama Elementary School (92).
LVF ACTS IN E.B.MAGALONA
Two thousand one hundred nine (2,109) were given advocacy sessions against child trafficking in 2 schools in E.B.Magalona namely E.B.Magalona National High School (1,885) on November 22 and St. Joseph’s Academy (224) on November 27.
LVF ACTS IN VICTORIAS CITY
One thousand seven hundred one (1,701) were given advocacy sessions against child trafficking in 3 schools in Victorias City namely Victorias Elementary School (713) on November 13; Victorias North Elementary School (185) on November 17 and Victorias National High School (803) on November 24.
LVF ACTS IN CADIZ CITY
In Cadiz City,  one thousand two hundred twenty-four (1,224) students were given advocacy sessions against child trafficking in 5 schools in Cadiz City namely Vicente Gustilo National High School (327) on November 13 and 14; Cadiz East II Elementary School (169) on November 13; Cadiz West II Elementary School (309) on November 14; Cadiz East I Elementary School (190) on November 15 and 16; and CNHS Luna Ext. (229) on November 21.
LVF ACTS IN MANAPLA
Eight hundred fifty-one (851) were given advocacy sessions against child trafficking in 3 schools in Manapla namely Begonia Elementary School (114) on November 8; Manapla National High School Purisima Ext. (337) on November 15 and Manapla national High School (400) on November 20 and 21.
LVF ACTS IN TOBOSO
Seven hundred twenty-five (725) were given advocacy sessions against child trafficking in Toboso National high School on November 7, 2017.
LVF ACTS IN ILOILO PROVINCE
For the Province of Iloilo, a total of seven hundred seventeen (717) were given advocacy sessions on November 24 in the following schools namely St. James Catholic High School (358), Maasin national High School (121) and Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School (238). 
LVF ACTS IN TALISAY CITY
Two hundred seventy-seven (2770 were given advocacy sessions in Dr. Antonio Lizares Memorial National High School on November 17, 2017.
LVF ACTS IN SILAY CITY
One hundred twenty-five (125) students were given advocacy sessions against child trafficking in St. Theresita’s Academy, Silay City on November 17, 2017.
LVF ACTS IN PAMPANGA
Two hundred (200) were given advocacy sessions against child trafficking in Mary Our help Technical Institute for Women, Mabalacat, Pampanga on November 12, 2017.

One student from E.B. Magalona said, “Child trafficking should not be taken as a small matter because its effect to the community cannot be disregarded.” Another sharer, a student from Cabatuan Comprehensive National High School said, “The movie made me realize many things.  Although I am just given the basic necessities in life by my parents and live simply, I am still truly blessed.  The session was really an eye opener for me.  I should study harder because I am given this opportunity.