AMA PHILIPPINES NEWSLETTER 18 October 2019

Assumption San Lo and ASEC old girls celebrate AMA at the recent AMA GA

HOW AMA BEGAN

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WHAT IS AMA ?

The AMA as many AC girls remember it was a club in high school. This beloved club has recently made a comeback and is one of the most sought after clubs in the high school today. It aims to broaden the student’s minds and expand their hearts through service oriented activities in campus as well as exposure trips to places like elderly homes and orphanages. The AMA Volunteer program however is a one year mission service program that began in 1986.

AMA as a Volunteer Program

AMA- Associate Missionaries of Assumption is an organization that sends young college graduates for one year to urban and rural communities in need as teachers and as parish and NGO workers. They live a life of simplicity, community and prayer during their service year and are closely monitored in a formation program that is centered on deepening their faith, and in self discovery.

AC IN MISSION ASSUMPTION GIRLS: A HISTORY OF SERVICE THROUGH THE AMA

In 1960, Mother Marie Denyse Blachere, then Superior General of the Religious of the Assumption, founded the Auxiliary Missionaries of the Assumption (AMA) in France in response to the call of the Church for lay missionaries. The AMA was launched in the Philippine Province in 1962 with the sending of five young lay missionaries, graduates of Assumption College in Manila and Iloilo, to Japan. For the next ten years, thirty one alumnae from Assumption schools and alumnae from other colleges in Manila would be sent to foreign missions in Japan, Africa, and Latin America. Two would be sent to Antique.

ASSOCIATE MISSIONARIES OF THE ASSUMPTION

AMA PHILIPPINES NEWSLETTER 18 October 2019

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Sr. Gertude Borres and the new generation of AMA volunteers

In May 1989, the AMA Service Program was launched with then Center for Social Concern College head Mardi Mapa (Suplido) under Sr. Mary Gertrude M. Borres, r.a.the college dean at that time.  A group of seven (six graduating college students and one professor) was formed as one of the College’s "gifts" to the 150th Jubilee Year of the Religious of the Assumption. Enlivened with Sr. G’s electric spirit and energy, they gave their all in service to their mission areas which

included Bahay Maria in Makati, St. Martin School, Baguio, ASEC in Bo. Obrero Iloilo, Assumpta Technical High School, San Simon, Pampanga. This group joined forces with like minded volunteer graduates from ASEC Barrio Obrero to form the AMA Volunteer Program that continues today to send young volunteers to mission areas, transforming lives through volunteer service.

In 1970, the declaration of Martial Law and the worsening socio-political situation of the country compelled Assumption Sisters to focus their efforts in integrating programs of socio-conscientization and mobilization in their schools. The AMA was re-established as students from Assumption and other colleges began serving urban poor communities in Manila area through weekly catechesis, leadership training and socio-pastoral projects responding to the demands of their faith and the needs of their country, even at the risk of being labeled as “subversive”. Upon graduation from college, several of these students offered a year or two of voluntary service under the guidance of the R.A Sisters.

AMA PHILIPPINES NEWSLETTER 18 October 2019

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1st Generation

1962-1963 1. Geraldine Valdes 2. Ma. Paz Fernandez 3. Ma. Cristina Corpuz 4. Thelma Villanueva-Lee 5. Ofelia Bermejo 6. Aleli Quirino 1963-1964 1. Ma. Marta Feria-Carcenery 2. Rita Maria Zamora-Tagle 3. Ma. Carmen LaO’;Manese 4. Corazon Marie Lacson-

Jakosalem 5. Corazon Sanchez-Atayde 1964-1965 1. Ma. Magdalena Syquia-

Alejandrino 2. Sylvia Suntay-Trinidad 3. Ma. Luisa Bautista-Hipolito 4. Ma. Roberta infant-Lopez 1968-1969 1. Ma. Amelia Perfecto-Tirona 2. Aleli Quirino 1968-1970 1. Mary Ann Ansalado-Chan/

Jose Mari Chan 2. Ma. Regina Zamora-Cowell 3. Ma. Irene Henson-Bruno 1970-1971 1. Ma. Teresa Tabuñas 1971-1972 1. Ma. Jovita Guariña 2. Milagros Cabañero

2nd Generation

1. Gina Bautista-Martin 2. Jan B. Banzon 3. Baby Goyena-Herrera 4. Cari Leviste 5. Marie Lim 6. Chatt Manalad

Assumption Alumnae AMA Volunteers Through The Years

7. Gwen Manalad 8. Marissa Topacio 9. Sr. Giselle Valderrama 10. Lida Verayo 11. Loudette Zaragoza 12. Marijo Zarvoulakos 13. Marilou Abad 14. Sr. Mary Ann Azanza 15. Butchie Ballesteros 16. Rica Batacan 17. Tina Casas 18. Marjie Chua 19. Berna Manalo 20. Connie Padila 21. Jiji Sanares 22. Susan Sanares 23. Anette Charvet 24. Cristine Carlos 25. Bernadette Hortaleza 26. Maur Hortaleza 27. Mary Ann Hortaleza 28. Marissa Periquet 29. Marga Cordero 30. Katrina Aquino 31. Nanette Logarta 32. Yvette Lenon 33. China Reyes 34. Lorna Santiago 35. Odett Espinosa 36. Lyra Rufino

3rd Generation

1. Maria Margarita Muñoz 2. Regina Bautista-Martin 3. Karen Tolentino 4. Ma. Regina Sanchez-Baluyot 5. Ma. Teresa Magalong 6. Ma. Victoria Batacan-Hinkle 7. Myla Sabina Hermano-Grafilo 8. Rina Jose-Galido 9. Ma. Alexandra Prieto-

Romualdez 10. Ma. Cristina Gaudinez

11. Marla Locsin-Jalandoni 12. Rosalia Pison -Dela Druz 13. Sr. Ma. Estela Roceles, R.A. 14. Marnie Roman-Torres 15. Ana Cecilia Rualo 16. Amalia Celeste Santillan 17. Anna Isaac-Mitra 18. Myda Roceles 19. Ma. Carmela Cruz-Dy 20. Ma. Gertrudes Yabut 21. Ma. Joanna Santos-Pedrosa 22. Ma Lourdes Zalamea-Acero 23. Myla Munoz-Maru 24. Therese Maria Castro 25. Isabel Bautista-Saplala 26. Ma. Pia Paz Gan-Uygongco 27. Ida Sandico-Whitaker 28. Anna Katrina Zulueta-Valencia 29. Rosalyn Marie Gison-Sorongon 30. Adelaine Gonzales-Dormiendo 31. Anna Karina Jorolan 32. Ma. Cristina Villegas-King 33. Ma. Del Carmen Bello-Martija 34. Patricia Ann Henson-Bonin 35. Mercedes Benares-Abaya 36. Bernadette Tan-Edwards 37. Myra Lao’-Isip 38. Bernadette Tan-Edwards 39. Ma. Theresa Tulao 40. Azenith Elaine Ong 41. Maria Nouelle Ibit 42. Cristina Dimaguila 43. Trina Dolora Paguinto 44. Ma. Kara Angela Atienza-Decloidt 45. Cherry Rodeo 46. Karen Grace Baldemoro 47. Ria Anne Lastra 48. Jennifer Joyce L. Endaya 49. Myla Gail Z. Tamondong 50. Cecille Remo 51. Candice Bismonte 52. Ninna Mendoza 53. Shaira Nacino

AMA PHILIPPINES NEWSLETTER 18 October 2019

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AMA THANKS THE ASSUMPTION ALUMNAE

ASSOCIATION for its continued support

AMA BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Sr. Lerma Victoria Pangantihon, r.a. Provincial Superior, Asia Pacific Province

Sr. Estela Marie Roceles, r.a. Provincial Councilor, Asia Pacific Province AC HS San Lo ’85

Aina Zulueta-Valencia, President AC HS San Lo ’88 College ‘93

Pia Gan-Uygongco, Vice President AC HS Iloilo ’88 College ‘92

Vicky Borres, Treasurer AC HS Iloilo ‘77

Ninna Mendoza, Auditor AC HS Antipolo 2000

Maita Magalong, Secretary AC HS San Lo Batch ‘85  College ‘89 

Gina Bautista-Martin AC HS San Lo ‘78

Cecile Lopez-Alcantara AC HS San Lo ’78

Adelaine Gonzales-Dormiendo AC College ’92

Donations can be made to: Associate Missionaries of the Assumption Philippines Foundation Inc. METROBANK 0897089503791 BPI 006793137824. UNIONBANK 001720001150

Contact Information: Gamay Solis, Program Director Provincial Community Formation Center, Assumption College, 26 San Lorenzo Dr, San Lorenzo Village, Makati City, 1223 Metro Manila Tel: (02) 892-5808 Mobile: (0917) 834-4157 Email: gamaysolis@gmail.com. Web: www.amavolunteers.com

A heart for service inspired by Assumption- Here are some AC girls who served as AMA’s and carry the spirit of sharing and service to this day. L-R 1st row: Joanne Santos-Pedrosa, Ting Villegas-King, Pia Gan-Uygongco, Anna Isaac-Mitra, Adelaine Gonzales-Dormiendo 2nd row: Vicky Borres, Sr. Maitel Roceles, Jen Endaya, Kara Atienza-Decloedt, Sandy Prieto-Romualdez 3rd row: Aina Zulueta- Valencia, Myra La’O-Isip, Paz Ablan-Maniba, Maita Magalong, Candace Bismonte, 4th row: Isabella Velasco-Quisumbing, Gina Bautista-Martin, Bambi Ibit, Ninna Mendoza, Pat Henson-Bonin, 5th row: Lia Pison-Dela Cruz, My Gison-Sorongon, Lala Cruz-Dy, Sandy Suplido, Mardi Mapa-Suplido