My Facebook Memories flashed photos almost two weeks ago that reminded me of a significant event in my academic profession.
The event was the International Service-Learning Civic Engagement and Conference held in Negros and Panay from June 29 to July 11 in 2014 – a decade ago. It was held as a Post-Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) Disaster Response by the Hong Kong-based United Board for a Christian Higher Education in Asia, then led by Dr. Glenn Shive.
Held in three provinces – Iloilo, Capiz and Negros Occidental – it was supervised by Service-Learning leaders of five institutions of higher learning in the region: Central Philippines University, the lead school, University of St. La Salle, Silliman University and the Road City-based Filamer Christian University and College of St. John.
More than 100 students from eight Asian countries – China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Myanmar, the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan – had immersion work in at least eight communities ravaged on Nov. 8, 2013 by Haiyan, which claimed more than 6,000 lives in the country.
Another 100 students and faculty from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao – later joined the international Service-Learners in a conference at CPU which capped the international event.
ISL engaged participants in rebuilding, environment conservation advocacies, adult education and livelihood trainings, youth education, post-trauma intervention, community development and interaction with local government leaders.
Through a Facebook group page created for the 10th anniversary celebration, participants exchanged anniversary greetings, recalled experiences and shared photos of their experiences 10 years ago. “Unforgettable,” the greetings said in common.
Dr. Lenny Mucho, who coordinated the CPU-based functions and activities, wrote: “ISL brought together wonderful people across the Asian Continent, ushered newly-forged friendship and loads of pleasant memories: Thanks to International Service Learning!! Happy 10th anniversary!”
Another host, Min Min Pointers of USLS, penned:
“It is good to reminisce about our beautiful ISL experience to remind us of the lessons we learned.”
Apparently, what Achan Achan wrote from his home country, India, sums up the sentiments of the ISL alumni and the spirit of the occasion:
“The photos brought back the joy, the moments of community service, and the bonds of friendship we shared! It’s hard to believe that a decade has passed. Ten years can seem like a lifetime. Many of our friends are now married and raising families, others have embarked on fulfilling careers, and some are still passionately chasing their dreams.”
“Yet, the memories from ISL remain forever young, sweet, and joyous in my heart. Oh, how I wish I could see you all again, if only for a moment.”
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My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:12-13)
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Ways to celebrate ISL
A number of ISL 2014 ‘alumni’ have expressed wishes to get together sometime as a way to celebrate the civic engagement experience a decade later.
While a get-together celebration is impossible, I thought of other ways by which we can meaningfully mark this month’s occasion.
Here are at least 12 of the things we, ISL 2014 alumni, can do to celebrate.
1. If possible, meet up with former schoolmates who are still around for coffee, a meal or a cold treat.
2. Refresh your mind with that significant event in your life by going over your album of ISL photos and share these memories online. If you posted pictures of that experience, you are assured they will appear now and then in your Facebook Memories.
3. Through the social media or any other means, renew ties and strengthen that bond with your ISL 2014 friends.
4. As a “citizen of the world”, reconnect with your ISL host community, local leaders and family and, hopefully, spark fresh and more lasting ties.
5. Write through your blog, school or local publications or just your diary about your ISL memories.
6. Send a card to or email/call an ISL friend to greet him/her on the occasion of the 10th anniversary.
7. Greet your Service-Learning mentors – through any of the various physical and digital ways – and tell them how your S-L experiences have impacted you as a person and professionally.
8. Write a thank-you note to the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia (the ISL organizer) for giving you a once-in-a-lifetime and, perhaps a life-changing opportunity to have participated in ISL 2014. The UBCHEA email address is info@unitedboard.org.
9. Volunteer to talk at your university to encourage young people to actively participate in S-L activities.
10. Support S-L programs in your university or a nearby educational institution through whatever resources you have. You can volunteer your time to serve as consultant or mentor.
11. Through the social media and other platforms, share with fellow ISL alumni and present colleagues whatever you did to celebrate the anniversary month. Share, too, your ISL photos and stories with these colleagues to make them aware how S-L has shaped you to become a better person, professional and member of the society.
12. Spread the seeds of Service-Learning to friends, kin and professionals engaged in educational, civic and social development pursuits.
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With the mention of reconnecting ties with ISL families, I am deeply saddened with the passing away on July 8 – which is part of the ISL anniversary dates – of the lady of my host family, Lydia Edem.
Word about her death was shared to me through FB by Melanie Mermida, her neighbor and head of the Suyac tourism association, and confirmed by Helen Cutillar, the city tourism officer, who played a vital role in our 2014 preparation in the island.
She is survived by husband, Artemio, and children, Lesly and Archie. Interment is scheduled at Vasquez Cemetery in Old Sagay on Wednesday, July 17, at 2 p.m.
My deepest sympathy to Lydia’s family. | NWI
