Pictures were taken during the celebration of the Solemnity of the Virgen de Peñafrancia on Sept 21, Ina is the Patroness of Bicolthe glamorous fireworks took place during the fiesta eve

The blessing of the candles

People from all walks of life were there to witness the fluvial procession of "Ina"

One of the highlights of the celebration is the most awaited fluvial parade honoring "Ina" Virgen de Penafrancia

Casa Miani : Augusta & Piera" Community started the novena mass in celebration of the Solemnity of Mary Mother of the Orphans and needy children yesterday September 18 it will last until Sept.26. The novena starts @ 5;30 in the afternoon, the celebration of the feast day will be on Saturday Sept. 27.

PRAYER TO MARY, MOTHER OF ALL CHILDREN especially THE NEEDY ORPHAN

Hail Mary, Source of life and joy, Morning Star of hope in our earthly journey, you are our loving Mother, given to us by Jesus on the Cross, Through you we receive new life in Christ, we grow up as children of God, guided with your maternal concern on the way toward peace, love and prosperity. We entrusts to your tender care all our children; help them to grow, as Jesus did, in age grace and wisdom; keep them sound in mind and body.mold in them a pure,joyful,generous and courageous heart

Hail Mary, Mother of mercy, turn your eyes toward the little ones in need of care and love, defend their innocence from every abuse, exploitation, and maltreatment; protect the orphan and street children, may they enjoy a secure shelter, welcoming family, and unselfish concern respectful of their dignity as persons and careful about their human, civic and Christian improvement.

Hail Mary, Mother of graces, and liberation force, your maternal intercession led St. Jerome Emiliani free from the chains of sin, and led him to conversion and holiness, through a loving service to the poor and orphan; help us to experience sincere conversion, and to love Jesus present in the poor. Amen

Everybody was singing Happy birthday to Ate Ling

Fr John are you hungry that you can't give your best smile? see the difference!

we're almost done..have some more?

Fr. Don is giving his best in singing the birthday song to ate ling who is only beside him

Ms. Michelina Carpio or Ate ling to all of us, celebrated again her birthday with us, actually its been 4 consecutive years already that she is doing it and becomes already a tradition to casa miani family. Ate Ling is the Medical Social Welfare Officer of the Dr. Fernando Duran Memorial Hospital formerly known as Sorsogon Provincial Hospital.

Ms. Carpio is wholeheartedly committed in extending medical assistance to our boys (including the staff and the religious brothers & fathers) since the operation of Casa Miani started way back in 1996. She is a person who is not tired in helping our children, many times she sacrificed her own time & money for this purpose.

With what you have shared and done for the best benefit of our children, we owe you so much of gratitude and we continously offers you our prayer .

Ms. Zenaida Gracilla & Ms. Stella Corcuera came to Casa Miani last Sunday September 7, 2008 and treated our boys with a merienda.Accordingly this is one way of sharing their blessings. They just arrived from the United States for a vacation where they are presently working as teachers. Madam Gracilla & Madam Corcuera are both retired public school teachers of Dep-ed.

Casa Miani is extending gratitude to them...

Phase-Out Program

Fr. John Valenzuela is in charge of the Phase-out program.

ADVANCE – PHASE OUT PROGRAM

THE CASA MIANI “Augusta & Piera” – SOMASCAN FATHERS FOUNDATION, INC. offers the advance and phase out program for its youngsters. This program is to be implemented in accord with the Agency Manual of the foundation and will be subjected to the authority of its Director. The assigned residence for the youngsters under this program will be the annex building called House of St. Raphael.

· This program is intended for the positive integration of the youngsters to their original family or the society by providing them with means to carry on an independent and better life.

· The program is meant for youngsters, mostly coming from the foundation, who are 16 years old and above.

· In accord with the Vision-Mission-Objective of the foundation’s Agency Manual the advance-phase out program will not be uniform for all but will vary based on the personal needs, practical situations and individual qualities of each youngster to be assessed by the educative team.

The program is meant to

(a) To prepare them to face life in peace,

(b) To provide them with means/skills for an independent and better life,

(c) To reintegrate them to their original family, the society & the labor field.

· The youngsters in this program will not be provided with everything as given to the children under the care of the foundation.

· Strict and open cooperation of the youngsters with the Director and his educative team is a MUST.

· The project prepared by the Director and his educative team shall be discussed with each youngster, his social worker and his parents or guardian. And, this must be agreed upon and be signed by the above mentioned parties.

THE THREE (3) MAIN GUIDELINES:

A. The Tertiary level of Education

· This will be considered for people who are —

- With regular school background, and

- Properly motivated to carry on the ordeal and responsibilities of this long program.

· The course to be taken should be based on the ability and competence of each youngster, as well as the availability of the course in the locality.

B. Development of Vocational &/or Non-formal Training

· This will be offered to those who are already very late of age for regular educative program.

· The choice of vocational course is subject to the interest, needs, talents and abilities of the youngsters as well as the availability of the program in the local area.

· Usually this program will be followed through by a year of phase out integration in the labor field, unless certain circumstances require the youngsters’ immediate dismissal or reintegration to the society.

C. Integration in the a Labor Field

· This is offered for people who finished their vocational program.

· Each youngster under this particular situation can submit specific requests. This will be discussed by the educative team and be decided upon by Director.

· This is also offered for those who finished only their secondary program but whose age is too advance that makes insertion in tertiary education reasonably impractical.

· For those who are 19 years and above and have finished only secondary education will be inserted in the job training program as part of 1 year phase out program.

· As part of their training for independent living the employed youngsters should contribute, although in small amount, to the expenses of the House.

· It is understood that the money earned by the youngsters from job employment belongs to them alone. However, the handling should be done according to the following rules:

(a) The entire salary shall be handed over to the Director.

(b) 10 – 20 % of the salary will be contributed for the general expenses of the House.

(c) 20 – 50 % of the salary will be for the youngster’s personal allowance.

(d) 50 % shall be deposited to the bank under the joint account set-up; the Director and the youngster will be the two signatories wherein one cannot release the money without the other’s consent and signature. This money must never be touched for any reason whatsoever and will be released only to the youngster for his new start at the end of his program.

GENERAL POLICY

· The program varies with the exigencies of each youngster.

· The parents/guardians (in case of minors) must sign the agreement as a condition for the youngster’s stay in the Foundation.

· The agreement implies that the youngsters will follow the directions, rules and regulations of the Foundation, such as —

(a) They will be cooperative in the required responsibilities necessary for their grown up training for independence and self-sustenance. Thus, they have to do their own cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing, gardening, etc.

(b) They also have to make themselves available on certain occasions to help in the program for the small ones, such as teaching, talent development program and other related activities.

(c) Contact with the external environment is favored and encouraged but the time and occasions for it should always be agreed upon with the person in charge.

(d) Summer time will be used for job employment.

(e) A certain style of living, characterized by simplicity and orderliness, must be maintained. The youngster must avoid consumerism, ‘high class’ manner of living and fashion motivated mentality. Falling into this way of life can be ground for dismissal because if a youngster can afford to provide himself with excessive things then he can go home and provide for his own.

(f) Certain acts and behaviors that will be dealt severely and can be ground for immediate dismissal:

- Drinking alcohol

- Use of prohibited drugs

- Keeping dangerous weapons (ice picks, knives, machete, guns, sharpened irons, etc.)

- Stealing

- Vandalism

- Rioting

- Illegal Fraternity

- Continuous refusal to follow the rules of the House

· Respect of the person of the Director and the educative team is strictly required.

· Regular attendance in the school, diligent effort to do the school assignments and projects and punctuality to work is a MUST. Exemptions (emergency to be at home, sickness, schedule with the doctor, dentists, psychologist, social worker, etc.) must be dealt with the responsible person.

· The Administration will carry on a regular visitation of the school &/or the employment setting.

· The advance – phase out program is a short-term program. It will be evaluated annually or earlier whenever the situation requires.

Party for the children sponsored by a friend

savoring every part of chicken joy ( it rarely happened)

Children were so excited while waiting for the food to be served.