Philippine Lasallian Family Convocation (May 2008)

The 2008 Philippine Lasallian Family Convocation [2] serves as a period of reflection in preparation for the centennial celebration (100 years) of Lasallian presence in the Philippines. The 2008 Convocation was a strategic planning exercise to determine the accomplishments of the 2003 PLFC resolutions and to formulate new and follow-up actions using the Lasallian Ministry Action Plan (LSMAP) as a framework, with a view of integrating Vision 2011 and the Guiding Principles of the Philippine Lasallian Family. The delegates were advised that the output of the Convocation must have very clear objectives and rationale, well-defined accountabilities, timetables and budgets. [This description of the 2008 Convocation was taken from the announcement by the Brother Visitor Edmundo Fernandez on the Council of Convenors on Oct. 1, 2006.]

From its announcement to the completion of the Convocation in May 2008, it will take some twenty (20) months of discussions and meetings at the school-level, regional and eventually national level by hundreds of delegates representing all sectors of the Lasallian family. After three (3) Regional Reflection Councils and two (2) Circles of Influence meetings, some 120 delegates were selected by DLSP schools to attend the Philippine Lasallian Family Convocation held in May 29 to 31, 2008.

The 2008 Philippine Lasallian Family Convocation identified six (6) Strategic Intents (SIs or goals) for the District [3] . These goals would guide the Lasallian Mission in the Philippines for the next seven (7) years up to 2015. PLFC08 Strategic Intents (and Capability Building Measures) were:

Lasallian Identity, Vocation and Association. Live out our Lasallian identity and vocation together and by association.
Lasallian Formation. Deepen the understanding and internalization of the Lasallian core values of faith, zeal in service and communion in mission across all sectors of the Lasallian Family.
Quality of Lasallian Education. Raise further the quality and relevance of Lasallian education to make it even more responsive to the needs of the learners and society.
Accessibility of Lasallian Education. Achieve greater accessibility of Lasallian education by encouraging a culture of generosity in sharing our resources and gifts.
One La Salle. Promote our sense of identity, belonging and solidarity in mission as One La Salle.
Social Involvement in Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation. Build a culture of justice, peace and integrity of creation by intensifying education in JPIC and increasing involvement in JPIC issues all anchored on the Gospel, Catholic social teachings and Lasallian spirituality.

During the PLFC held in May 2008, there are 10 elected members of the LPC to serve for the next seven (7) years or up to the next Convocation in 2015. They represent the five (5) geographic regions of the Philippine Lasallian Family (Luzon Central, Luzon North, Luzon South, Visayas and Mindanao). The LPC would meet quarterly every school year with the Brother Visitor.

The following were members of the Lasallian Partners Council of 2008:

Ms. Evangeline De Peralta (ex-officio), Executive Director of the Lasallian Partners Office (LPO), also attends the LPC meetings. On July 17, 2008, Mr. Holmes was nominated and elected LPC Chairman.

Inspired by the founder, St. John Baptist De La Salle, the Lasallian Partners Council were given the shared responsibility of monitoring and implementing the PLFC resolutions, as well as continuing to promote Association for the Lasallian Mission. The LPC members strive to encourage other Lasallian partners to deepen the appreciation of their Lasallian Identity and express the Lasallian core values in their daily lives.

To bring life to the directions set by the LPC and with the approval of the Brother Visitor, the Lasallian Partners Office (LPO) acts as the operational arm and works under the La Salle Provincialate. It has five (5) programs or ministries:

Sometime in 2011, after Mr. Holmes and Ms. Reyes resigned, they were replaced by Ms. Mela Lazatin (Luzon Central ) and Ms. Loi Buendia (Mindanao); thus preserving the balanced regional representation

One of the main accomplishment of the LPC08 was the organization and management of Mid-PLFC Regional Congress held in SY2009-10. The objectives of the Mid-PLFC Congress were:

Bringing the Lasallian Guiding Principles to Life in Association.
Broaden multi-sectoral participation in Lasallian congresses, workshops and gatherings which promote the spirit of communion and association (i.e. collaboration united by a common vision, values and spirit)
Continue the conversation and building community after the Convocation to bring together those already involved with new members to be involved.
Follow-up iLasalle Roam where the Strategic Intents were communicated since the SIs concretize (put into life) the LGPs.
Hear from academic, formation, social concerns initiatives to gather support from various sectors.
Facilitate continuing personal and institutional transformation guided by the Lasallian Guiding Principles.

Another important accomplishment of the LPC08 was organizing, implementing and managing the LS CARES program of community appreciation and reflective study on the Lasallianess of DLSP schools nationwide. Each school invited representatives from all sectors – students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, parents and external partners – in a series of gatherings and focus group discussions, some through surveys, to prepare an Institutional Self-Reflection Report (ISRP). Then visiting teams composed of LPC members, a Brother and a non-LPC lay partner attended the multi-sectoral meeting to discuss each school’s ISRP. The LS CARES visiting teams were reminded that their role was not to make an assessment, but simply to help facilitate in the self-reflection process, ask questions and help clarify. The final report was submitted to the Brother Visitor of the Philippine Sector.

Sometime in May 2011, the Philippines became a member of Lasallian East Asia District (LEAD)[4] and transformed into a Sector. Br. Edmundo Fernandez FSC became the first LEAD Brother Visitor, replaced briefly by Br. Ricardo Laguda FSC, and finally by Br. Jose Mari Jimenez FSC as Sector Leader for the Philippines.

In September 2011, the LPC members felt the need to re-examine and re-define their role and responsibilities. A Visioning Workshop was held, which resulted in the LPC Vision-Mission Statement, which was revised in Oct. 2011.