Fr. Leoni Memorial Foundation, Inc.
About FLMFI
The Fr. Leoni Mission Foundation Inc. (FLMFI) is the legal entity of Jesuit Bukidnon IP Ministry. We have journeyed with our Bukidnon IP brothers and sisters since we came to Sumilao 144 years ago, since we started our Cabanglasan mission 40 years ago, and since we established our foundation 24 years ago.
Deeply moved by the faces of hope from our IP Leaders and companions, we continue the mission started by our Lord, “Padayon nga nagsalig ang mga paring Heswita ug mga nagahigugmang Dumagat sa katakus sa mga lumad ug moabot ang panahon nga mobarog sila sa ilang kaugalingon ug katungod ug ipasigarbo ang tribu ug kinaiyahan.”
Our founder, Fr. Ferrucio Leoni, SJ, an Italian Jesuit missionary, established the parishes of Jasaan in Misamis Oriental, San Agustin Parish in Valencia City, San Andres Parish in Maramag, Nuestra Señora del Pilar in Quezon and Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Poblacion, Cabanglasan. He was born in April 11, 1917, entered the Society of Jesus in September 7, 1933, ordained in July 16, 1947, and died in February 19, 1997.
What we do
Community Organizing & Cultural Regeneration
Socio-Political Involvement, Collaboration, Networking
Socio-Political Involvement, Collaboration, Networking
The mission of our Indigenous Peoples Ministry is to work with the indigenous communities and empower them to achieve self-governance, preserve their cultural Integrity and promote human dignity. The community organization work will require the appointment of coordinators from each of our parish communities and followed up with Pakighinabi with each indigenous people (or Lumad) group. Cultural regeneration will be achieved in part through partnership with Apu Palamguwan Cultural Education Center (APC) for a summer Youth Program. We are also plan to develop a Senior High School Program for Indigenous Arts in Miarayon.
Socio-Political Involvement, Collaboration, Networking
Socio-Political Involvement, Collaboration, Networking
Socio-Political Involvement, Collaboration, Networking
We continue our active involvement with IP associations in Malaybalay, in CaBuSTaM (Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Surigao, Tandag, & Malaybalay), and the Diocesan Social Apostolate. In addition, we are exploring a possible partnership with Kitanlad Indigenous Communities. In partnership with Xavier University, Political Education of IP Leaders in Cabanglasan will be provided. We have established a Help Desk for IP to extend assistance in legal and community matters. Lumad students who are interested to study law can also work in the IP Office as apprentices. We also assist Xavier Science Foundation in its IP projects in Mt. Kintanlad and Mt. Kalatungan.
Social Enterprise and Sustainable Livelihood Development
Social Enterprise and Sustainable Livelihood Development
Social Enterprise and Sustainable Livelihood Development
We seek to develop the agricultural lands within our schools and parishes into demonstration farms, starting with the land of Pangantucan Community High School. A successful social enterprise and demonstration farm can provide scholarship for the poor students. Exposing students to the feasibility and practicality of agriculture can animate them to consider agriculture as a possible discipline for college. The established farm can also be a means to assist local, small-time farmers in updating their farming skills using modern agricultural methodologies and technologies especially that the regional and provincial offices and training centers are quite far from the municipality.
FLMFI Leadership Enhancement and Development Training
Social Enterprise and Sustainable Livelihood Development
Social Enterprise and Sustainable Livelihood Development
The Fr. Leoni Mission Foundation Inc. (FLMFI) team convened the community leaders of the four mission communities of Cabanglasan, Miarayon, Pangantucan and Zamboanguita for a 4-day leadership training last May 3-6, 2021. The participants included IP Elders, Women (Bae), IP Youth, and Kapawa hu Paglaum college scholars. The activity was intended to reassess our mission and capacitate our leaders for continuous striving for self-determination. Despite the pandemic, the event was a success through God’s affirmation by the heart, brain, and hands from all those who came together to offer their selfless love and service to their respective tribes and personal whys.
Kapawa hu Paglaum College Scholarship
Our Ten Year Program
Scholarship Levels and Goals
Scholarship Levels and Goals
THE NEED
In the past, every Jesuit high school director or parish priest serving in the Bukidnon Mission would have to figure out by himself how to send a deserving Indigenous high school graduate to college. On their own, they would seek help from friends and families to raise funding for scholarship. This strategy unfortunately required a lot of time and energy and took them away from the other pressing needs of the mission.
CHALLENGES TO OUR SCHOLARS
The indigenous youth (Lumad) are often left on their own in cities like Malaybalay, Cagayan de Oro, or Davao to find their way through the complexities of college life in urban centers. This situation poses many challenges to the young Lumad plucked out of their far flung, rural community and thrusted into the “big city.” Depending on their psycho-emotional strength, this can either make or break then. As a result, a number of former Lumad college scholars dropped out of college and ended up marrying early or working as day laborers. Those who have graduated from college, on the other hand, either stayed in the city or settled elsewhere, leaving the tribe or community behind.
OUR TEN YEAR PROGRAM
An organized, collaborative, and holistic college scholarship and formation program becomes very compelling. It does not just help pool in individual resources; it also provides focus on preparing the indigenous youth for future leadership roles in their respective tribes. With the seed money coming from the Philippine Jesuit Foundation, in 2017 the Jesuits in Bukidnon have decided to consolidate their efforts to set up this scholarship program under the Fr. Leoni Memorial Foundation, Inc. It bears the name Kapawa hu Paglaum (meaning Light of Hope) which was coined by the scholars themselves during their initial gathering. They acknowledge their own common experience and dream: Hope lighted. Magnanimity ignited. IP Communities Empowered.
Scholarship Levels and Goals
Scholarship Levels and Goals
Scholarship Levels and Goals
ALLOWANCE BASED - 62 scholars (31 for each 5-year period): Each shall be provided with a fixed monthly living allowance. They are expected to render at least one-year service after graduation.
Allowance Based Cost - $400 per scholar/school year
Total for 31 scholars – $12,400 per year
SUBSIDIZED - 28 scholars (14 for each 5-year period): Each shall be provided with living allowance and subsidy for dormitory and miscellaneous school fees. Passing the university’s college entrance examination is required. Tuition is paid for by the university. They are expected to render at least two years of service.
Subsidized Cost - $1,000 per scholar/school year
Total for 14 scholars - $14,000 per year.
FULLY FUNDED - 10 scholars (5 for each 5-year period): This is offered when a benefactor pledges full support for a specific scholar, including tuition. The scholar is expected to render at least three years of service to their community.
Fully Funded Cost - $2,250 per scholar/school year
Total for 5 scholars - $11,250 per year.
OUR 10-YEAR GOAL - 100 scholars over 10 years
Total Cost per school year – $37,650
Grand Total for 10 years - $376,500
CURRENT SCHOLARS - As of 12/2021, the program has 44 Lumad 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).