22 SEPT 2004

JVP Rocks CDO
by Shy Calo-Santos, Batch 10/11

It all started when Thea Quintos (Batch11/12) told me that the silver anniversary steering committee wanted to know the plans of CDO local community in celebrating the 25th anniversary of JVP. A series of formal and informal meetings of brainstorming and fellowship followed, and more brainstorming and more fellowship (including spur-of-the-moment drives to the beach), until our grand plan was formed.

One Saturday evening in June, after the scheduled JVP mass, the JVP- CDO local community met at the Xavier University Clinic (thanks to Dr. Jojo Guitarte, husband of JVP Irene Alba-Guitarte who allowed us to use his office). We had our usual exchange of stories and updates while waiting for our dinner of puso (rice wrapped in coconut leaves), barbeque, softdrinks and water. We also had our usual volley of jokes and reminisces, and typical kantiyawan that happens during JVP gatherings. When we had had our fill, we settled into a more serious mode and threw to the whole group the question that Thea asked me days before.

The process of putting things together to come up with a plan was very simple. We divided ourselves into four groups and wrote on manila paper what we thought would accomplish the task at hand. Our guide questions were also simple: (1) How will we advocate volunteerism in Cagayan de Oro? (2) How will we promote the programs of the foundation? (3) How will we deepen the relationship of members in the community in relation to the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the volunteer service program? Everyone selflessly immersed himself/herself into the activity and the results were just splendid! We were able to come up with a very good and workable plan for the rest of the year. The plans were reported to the foundation’s Board last July, and we gathered that the Board liked our ideas because we are already in full swing with the implementation of these plans. The 25th anniversary plans were linked with our year- round activities which we had calendared as early as May.

What are these steps we have taken and are taking in response to the questions that we posed to ourselves? We began with a solemn Ignatian Spirituality Retreat that made us look into ourselves in relation to our involvement in the JVP community. We were able to see what connects us to the foundation, and what binds each member to one another. We were also confronted with the need to genuinely reach out to the different batches, to know them more than the usual handshakes, kiss of peace, and asking of “Where were you assigned?”

Being re-energized by the retreat, we embarked into the more serious work of doing a moving exhibit/caravan. We made six large panels showing information about volunteerism and JVP and exhibited these panels in schools and malls. We worked hard spending even wee hours in the morning coming up with our beautiful exhibit. In between these preparations, we visited schools and arranged for JVP talks to be conducted in their campuses. Then finally, on September 5, 2004, we put up our exhibit at SM City – CDO. The exhibit will then be moved to Lourdes College, then to Capitol University, then to Liceo de Cagayan University, and will finally end in Xavier University. We have started our journey to tell the city our story – the JVP story - to let them know that there are still people who continue to SERVE without counting the cost, for the betterment of the city and the nation.

Looking back at what transpired these past months, I came to realize that a stronger bond was formed among the members of the community. Solidarity was evident because despite everyone's busy schedules, each was able to give their time to make our dreams a reality. Relationships were strengthened, respect for each other deepened, trust in God and in each other’s capabilities was fostered. All this is just a step towards giving a deeper meaning to our involvement in the community. I also came to see that even if our year of service is already long past, the members of the CDO community continue to live out faith-driven service. This is something to be proud of and admired. The members of the CDO local community have once more shown that they continue to give life to the JVP core values and tell the JVP story. The selfless giving of their time, capabilities and resources continues to inspire me to give more and more of myself, not only in the community but more in the bigger world I am in now.

As our caravan continues, the members of the single digit batches in the CDO local community will also have their fellowship on September 25, 2004 where they will plan for their involvement in the grand reunion. I look forward to this occasion when I will be able to feel my connectedness with the members of these batches. I hope that JVP of later batches will also feel such connectedness.