High School Students Take Inaugural Trip to the Philippines

President Ann Marie Krejcarek and a group of 17 high school students, as well as five additional chaperones, traveled to the Philippines over Winter Break to experience the country’s rich history and visit Sophie’s Farm, where a small group of Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) use organic farming practices to provide a vital source of food and work for the surrounding rural community.

The 10-day trip was split between Manila, the capital, Sophie’s Farm, situated in the northern region of Samar Island, and Cebu City, located in the country’s Central Visayas region.

In 2017, while on a trip to Australia to deliver the keynote address at a Conference of Australian and New Zealand Sacred Heart schools, President Krejcarek learned about the long-standing relationship between religious sisters in Australia and Sophie’s Farm. That realization inspired Dr. Krejcarek to enjoin Accounts Payable Specialist Rena Franco to establish a connection with Sophie’s Farm.

Over the past three years, Rena has cultivated a relationship with the farm and its director, Lydia Collado, RSCJ, who heads the Sacred Heart Institute for Transformative Education (SHIFT), a foundation that manages the farm, operates a nursery and does pastoral ministry work in the region. Through various fundraising efforts on behalf of Sophie’s Farm, which serves the people of one of the poorest provinces in the country, Rena has continued to honor her Filipino heritage.

In preparation for the trip, student club leaders of UNICEF and Students In Action, as well as the Filipino, Foodie and Baking clubs, hosted a bake sale and organized a "Walk for Sophie," drawing 40 students to walk from our Broadway campus to the Presidio. This former military facility played a key role in the preparations for the Philippine-American War, which began in 1899. All told, their efforts raised over $2000.

During their stay at Sophie’s Farm, students learned about the local farming community, got to know the RSCJ and local SHIFT volunteers, and helped with daily chores and projects. Other highlights of their visit included a tour of Intramuros in Old Manila to trace the city's colonial history, the period of American occupation and the transition towards independence in 1946. In Cebu City, students witnessed diverse religious traditions that reflect a blend of indigenous and Spanish Catholic practices. They also explored the island’s natural beauty at the tail end of the trip. 

Photos and links to daily blog posts from throughout the trip are posted below.

Full Photo Album

Hover on the cover photo and use the arrows to scroll through photos or view the full album.