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A New Light for Our Community
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Mabuhay! Welcome to this edition of our newsletter,
now bearing a new name BANAAG. Meaning ‘glimmer’ or
‘first light of dawn,’ it aims to shine a light on the
life, mission, charism, and stories of our
Assumptionist community. Our objective remains the
same—to connect, to inform, and to inspire by sharing
the work being done in our communities and beyond,
reflecting our shared journey of faith and service.
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HEADLINES FROM HOME
Welcome to BANAAG: Your Glimmer of Hope and Connection!
We are thrilled to introduce the vibrant new face and improved
format of your official Assumptionist newsletter! Say mabuhay to
BANAAG! This fresh new look is more than just a redesign; it’s a
commitment to bringing our communities closer, sharing our
stories more effectively, and illuminating our shared spiritual
journey.
Church-Led Protest Against Corruption
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On November 30, 2025, a broad coalition of citizens
joined the “Trillion Peso March”— a peaceful rally at
the historic EDSA People Power Monument, with the
Catholic Church playing a pivotal role in the
mobilization...
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A Homily of Fatherly Love: Celebrating New Priests for the
Assumptionists
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It was indeed a day of great joy, both for the
universal Church and for our small congregation, the
Augustinians of the Assumption, that on October 15,
2025 at 9:00 in the morning, our Vietnamese deacons—
Rev. John Baptist The and Rev. Francis Xavier Toan,
were ordained to the priesthood within the sacred
walls of the...
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Collaboration in the Augustinian Family in Asia
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The Senior Augustinian Friars of the Province gathered
from November 17–21, 2025 for their annual retreat at
the Santo Niño Spirituality Center in Consolacion,
Cebu,...
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Safeguarding Congress: A Prophetic and Timely Gathering
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October 20–23, 2025- The first national Congress for
safeguarding was held in Clark, Angeles, Pampanga.
Representatives from the various archdioceses,
dioceses, religious congregations,
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Session of Young Priests and Deacons
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For two (2) days in October, young priests and deacons
based in South Korea and the Philippines gathered for
their ongoing formation in Betania Retreat House, New
Manila in Quezon City.
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COMMUNITY CORNER
“By the grace of God, I am what I am.” (1 Cor 15:10)
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October 15, 2025, stands as a profound spiritual
milestone in my life — the day I was ordained to
the priesthood by the Most Reverend Honesto Flores
Ongtioco, D.D., at the Cathedral of the Immaculate
Conception, Diocese of...
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Sending Off with Thanks and Joy
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On November 12, 2025, the Adveniat Community of
the Augustinians of the Assumption gathered for a
warm and joyful dinner-despedida to honor the ...
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An Advent Recollection in the Spirit of “Dilexi Te”
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The Adveniat Community in Quezon City gathered for
a morning of reflection on November 29, 2025....
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Divine Mercy Parish Celebrates Its 12th Patronal Feast
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Last October 5, the Assumptionist-managed Divine
Mercy Parish in Digos Diocese celebrated its 12th
patronal feast. St. Faustina Kowalska is the
patroness of the parish.
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Celebrating 145th “D’Alzon Day” in Manila
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The birth into heaven of Father Emmanuel
d'Alzon, of venerable memory, founder of the
Augustinians of the Assumption, is celebrated
every year by his sons and daughters of the...
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SERVICE IN THE HEART OF THE CHURCH: Lectorate and Acolyte
Ministries
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During the Eucharistic celebration on the occasion
of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and
the entrance into God’s Kingdom of...
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A Meaningful Tradition to Honor our Elders
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Every year, on November 6, the day of
commemoration for the deceased brothers of our
Congregation, the AA brothers in Manila and their
lay collaborators visit the grave of
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MISSION IN MOTION
ALC’s Educational Tour
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A bright sunshine and clear skies welcomed
everyone at the quiet ALC grounds, which was soon
interrupted by the reviving sounds of engines
coming from the...
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ALC's Language Festival
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Festivals are truly a vibrant and joyful sight!
Would you agree? They are always a celebration of
culture, creativity, and
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Transfer of Leadership at Assumption Language College (ALC)
in Manila
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On October 2, 2025, Father Bernard Holzer, AA, one
of the founders of the Assumption Language College
(ALC) and the Philanthropic Development Office
(ALC-PDO) in Manila, handed
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HEALING THROUGH GENEROSITY AND LOVE: Medical Assistance
Program
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In his book Life, the Truth, and Being Free, Dr.
Steven Maraboli wrote, “A kind gesture can reach a
wound that only compassion can heal.” These words
are exemplified by our medical assistance activity
held on November 22, 2025, at Sitio Matang Tubig,
Barangay Horseshoe, Quezon City. The activity was
sponsored by the Phanxico, a Vietnamese
philanthropic group based in
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Assumptionists Promote Vocations in Parishes in Manila
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The Assumptionist Vocation Team in Manila led by
Rev. Ariel Vidanes, Br. Andrew Cuong and Br.
Andreas Tolok recently visited 2 parishes to
campaign for vocation for the...
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Sowing Seeds of Vocation in Schools
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During vocation month, the Assumptionists in Digos
City work together with different schools around
the area to share who we are as a religious and to
campaign for vocation as well.
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Sharing Food, Spreading Love: The Kaloob Feeding Program
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Sharing food is sharing love. This simple,
profound truth came alive once again during our
monthly Kaloob Feeding Program, held last November
8, 2025, at the Marytown Chapel in Barangay Loyola
Heights, Quezon City. The...
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THE WIDER VIEW
Mission in Bulgaria: Being and Becoming
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Within our academic formation, we are also called
to a more pastoral formation. That is why after
studying two years in Loyola School of Theology,
in Manila, Philippines, I was asked to go to
Bulgaria for a two-year pastoral exposure. I can
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Paris Rally Stands with Philippines’ “Trillion Peso March”
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Filipinos in Paris heeded the call of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to
demand justice and denounce corruption. The
gathering began with
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INSIGHTS AND INSPIRATIONS
Life Is “Form and Emptiness”
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Every November, the Church invites us to visit
cemeteries and pray for the faithful departed.
With this in mind, we – the Assumptionists in the
Philippines – gathered at Loyola Memorial Park
in...
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“All are grace, and yet all is grace.” “For to me, to live is
Christ” (Phil 1:21)
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Together with the joy of my Congregation and my
family, Fr. FX Minh Toan and I have been called by
God to the sacred order of the priesthood. The
ordination Mass took place on ...
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Our Vocation Prayer Initiative
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Prayer is a strong foundation to discern and nurture
vocations in the religious life. With this spirit,
we encourage all Assumptionist brothers to enter
into sincere and...
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THE TEAM
Letters to the Editor
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Reactions to the first issue of the Newsletter.
Thank you for your encouragement. Please share your
comments and suggestions with us.
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