DAMAYAN 2022 reaches out to 321 families

FOR THE SECOND time, the Dominican student-brothers conducted the annual Damayan Christmas outreach on December 23, 2022, at the UST Angelicum College Gym. A total of 321 families coming from the less-privileged sector living in barangays around the vicinity of Santo Domingo Church were each given a gift package in a pail containing noche buena goods as well as rice and other commodities, which came through the generosity of various donors and gracious benefactors who showed their support to this noble endeavour.

One of the noteworthy highlights of the program was the cooperation of the Dominican student-brothers, the lay partners and collaborators coming from KADAUPAN and MUKHA AD, and the Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) leaders of Santo Domingo Parish, who generously gave their time and effort in helping the student-brothers in various capacities: from visiting the barangays and giving of claim stubs, to the preparation of the gift packs and finally, in assisting in their distribution on the day of the event.

The program started with a prayer led by Br. Denver Marx B. Colegado, OP, KADAUPAN

Coordinator and the Overall Head of Damayan 2022. This was followed by a short opening remarks given by the Director of Pastoral Formation and Parochial Vicar, Rev. Fr. Lauro G. De Dios, OP. In his address, he highlighted the true essence of Christmas that, more than the giving of gifts, it is the coming here on Earth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the God with us.

To ensure an orderly distribution of gift packs as well as in observance of protocols, the families from Barangay Santo Domingo were the first to be accommodated from 8:30 AM. This was immediately followed by the families from Barangay Tatalon from 9:00 AM. The shrine personnel, parking attendants and vendors around Santo Domingo Church were given the gift packs in the afternoon of the same day.

The DAMAYAN 2022 is a project of the whole Dominican Studentate, with the members of KADAUPAN and their lay affiliates at the helm. The said program envisions to reach out to those at the margins of society and through the charitable act of gift giving, showing solidarity with them which is indeed the true essence of Christmas. BR. GLENDALE P. ANCHETA, OP

KADAUPAN gathers for face-to-face General Assembly

THE KADAUPAN General Assembly was held last December 3, 2022 at KADAUPAN office at the Dominican Studentate. In attendance were the KADAUPAN student-brothers and lay affiliates.

The gathering had a simple aim of having a get-together with the lay affiliates and informing them of the plans for the second semester, which were the faith sharing, Damayan 2022 and possible medical mission.

The Story of a Scholar Turned Lay Volunteer

ucation, I certainly would not graduate from college if not for the help of that scholarship given by generous benefactors through KADAUPAN.

I have always thought before that being chosen as a scholar of KADAUPAN was just a “lucky” part of my life. But looking back, I now realize that there is no such thing as a coincidence. Apart from the scholarship, I believe God placed me in this group so that I would be spiritually nourished. It was the will of God that my spiritual foundation would be built through the preaching of the sons and daughters of St. Dominic.

The general assembly also elected Ms. Razzel Columbres as the new lay coordinator and Ms. Mercy Colitz as lay secretary.

After the assembly, the KADAUPAN members all joined the Lakbay Buhay Advent Recolletion 2022 at the shrine. They were also in-charge of distributing the food for the simple agape held after the said recollection. BR.

MARCO MIGUEL C. LORENZO, OP

Tradition, Celebration, Gratitude: The Return of KADAUPAN La Naval Celebration

WHO WOULD have thought that on one lazy afternoon, when I was in my third year in high school, one KADAUPAN scholar chose to hang out with us and asked us if we could come and try to take an exam for a scholarship program in Santo Domingo Church?

From then on, my spiritual journey in the walls of the said church has begun. As a poor student, whose parents did not really believe in ed-

I have been provided with a Dominican education as I studied and graduated from Angelicum College (now UST Angelicum College) wherein Theology was part of the curriculum. The talks and spiritual formation given by KADAUPAN were also very helpful. Through KADAUPAN, I learned how to advocate for justice, peace, and care for creation in my own little ways. I have also learned to be content with a simple but spiritually rich life.

Yes, our charitable works may not really overcome all the material and spiritual poverty in the world. But certainly, every seed which we have planted will grow and come to fruition in every soul that KADAUPAN has touched and continues to touch. I also firmly say that I am one of those many souls.

IT IS A GREAT JOY for the whole KADAUPAN family to be able to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary La Naval de Manila together again this year on October 9, 2022 at the KADAUPAN office at the Dominican Studentate. Such tradition was stopped for two years because of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The celebration started with a simple lunch generously contributed by the members themselves. While enjoying lunch, the members introduced themselves to each other because this meeting was the first time they encounter one another in person.

After the celebration, KADAUPAN members attended the solemn high Mass which was followed by the grand procession of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of La Naval de Manila. The return of the KADAUPAN La Naval celebration indeed strengthened the bonds among the members. This activity is also an expression of gratitude and reverence to Our Lady of the Rosary La Naval de Manila, whose patronage we seek as we continue our mission to serve the poor, the forgotten, and the helpless in the community. BR.