The Jesuit Bukidnon Mission District

With seed funding from the Philippine Jesuit Foundation, the Bukidnon Mission Jesuits in 2017 have established Kapawa hu Paglaum (light of hope) Scholarship and Formation program under its legal entity, Fr. Leoni Mission Foundation, Inc. Our ten-year goal is to journey and empower at least 100 indigenous college scholars to become future leaders of their communities by providing them quality education and holistic formation. 

As of December 2021, the program has 44 indigenous scholars – 17 interns staying at the KHP dormitory in JRH Malaybalay; 27 externs enrolled in Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Bukidnon colleges (Xavier-Ateneo de Cagayan, Ateneo de Davao, Bukidnon State Univ., Univ. of Southeastern Phils. – Pamulaan Center, San Isidro College and Cagayan de Oro College.) Six are graduating in 2022 (1 Agriculture, 1 Business Management, 2 in Developmental Anthropology, 1 Education, 1 Nursing). 

Our multi-purpose chapels, 30 in Cabanglasan, 15 in Miarayon and 20 in Zamboanguita, reach out far across communities in the Bukidnon hinterlands. They also function as literacy and catechism centers providing early education to children not served by the provincial elementary schools. Many chapels are temporary structures waiting to be upgraded. The old chapels need to be repaired as they are weather beaten or have simply deteriorated. Some community devotees have attempted to rebuild their chapels on their own but ran short of funds because of the economic downturn. In general, the budget for new chapel construction, renovations or structure expansion run about P50K for materials and labor.

We thank donors who have stepped up to provide funding - parishioners of the Mary the Queen Parish in San Juan, MM as well as friends of the mission from the Ateneo de Naga, Univ. de Sta. Isabel and Ateneo de Manila.

With much gratitude, we acknowledge the donation of fifty (50) Lenovo ThinkPads from Chevron Philippines, Inc. in partnership with the American Chamber Foundation, Inc. (AmCham) last December 2021. Intended to benefit the indigenous students under our IP Ministry, these were received through the Fr. Leoni Mission Foundation, Inc. We also thank Business Process Outsourcing International, Inc. (BPOI) for generously providing the needed operating system and Microsoft Office software for the computers. 

Due to the transportation constraints brought about by the pandemic, the laptops were received in Bukidnon early March 2022.  Of the 50 units, 40 units will be distributed among our high school dormitories and college dormitory.  The remaining 10 units have been allocated to our Tagbanua Ministry under the auspices of the Loyola College of Culion in Palawan.

We are proud to announce the formation of Kapawa Social Enterprise to produce, market and sell coffee, adlay, art and crafts sourced from our mission communities. We have adopted "4S" as our goals - by the fifth year: a) support the studies of at least 10 scholars; b) source, roast and sell Kapawa Co. brand coffee; c) achieve sustainability with each community having its own retail shop and production facility; d) provide stability to our communities through employment and economic activity.    

We aim to empower our IP communities through collaboration and inclusivity; establish self-sufficient and sustainable community retail shops; replicate our initial successes to target communities; educate our communities through actual business experience and practical self-learning; and challenge our performance through the adoption of best practices.

The Kapawa hu Paglaum community of college scholars recently gathered at the JRH in Malaybalay as one family for Kahimunan 2022.  The smiles on their faces represent their resiliency and unity. They radiate hope and optimism as they strive to become future leaders of their diverse tribes. 

Pangantucan Community HS recently held its Junior HS completion and Senior HS graduation ceremonies. The graduates share photos taken during recognition day, graduation day and thanksgiving masses with their proud and dear parents, families, and friends. Full gratitude to PCHS, they look forward to a bright future!

This year Fr. Leoni Memorial School in Cabanglasan honors the memory and legacy of Fr. Feruccio Leoni, SJ, its founding missionary, as it celebrates 40 years of giftedness and of giving!  Let us join the FLMS community as it is time to be grateful and to rejoice, for God has blessed FLMS so abundantly!  

St. Isidore High School of Zamboanguita, Malaybalay, celebrated its 32nd Founding Anniversary. Watch our video and learn why we call SIHS not just our high school but also our home - as presented by our school supervisor, a teacher with 29-year service, a proud alumnus and a bright grade 9 student

The parishioners of St. Therese of Miarayon observed the solemnity of the Holy Week through their own Via Crucis. This unique procession took the ardent attendees through the villages, roads and hills of Miarayon up to the summit of the Shrine of the Peace - an arduous 5 km and 2 hour trek.

Harvests from the upland farms have been poor due to the pandemic and economic downturn. Thus, incomes of mostly indigenous families have been affected and their children are going hungry. We prepare meals for 50 kids, but there are days when we come up short as 100-150 would show up. Other villages also need help.