rct@Today, Xavier de Kibangay has a total population of

637 students, 4oo are of the Talaandig tribe withmixtures of indigenous peoples from Bukidnon(Higaonon, Manobos, etc.), t1 are from the Cordillera,127 are lowlanders from Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and theVisayan region . Of this total 637 students, 427 aregovernment scholars (ESC), 4z Assumption schools.The t8 are either academic or scholars of others. Thusthere are only t5o paying students. However, even thescholars have difficulty paying for their miscellaneousfees or their school projects. Students live in the farflung areas and barangays, cross rivers and hills,travelling great distances to come to school each day.Many of our students work on weekends to earnrnoney for their transportation, allowance and add tothe family income for their daily sustenance. The bidincrease of the number of students and the K-tzprogram pose great challenges for the school's needfor facilities as well as a stable water source andsystem.

There are 17 teachers and l are alumnae andalumni who are Talaandig. This year, the school onceagain passed the recertification required to avail of thegovernment scholarships. The school commits itself tothe Christian education of the poor and indigenousyouth who can be good news to the world throughintegral education, BEC formation and Peace Education.Its core values are: P-preferential option for the poor,E- empowerment of the youth, A- appreciation of one'sculture, C- care for creation, E- (quality) Education (faithformation and service to the community). PEACE.

The new highway being built is a symbol of whatcould bring about rapid changes in this area alreadybeset by ecological devastation, marginalization of thelumads and forms of violence. However, the peoplecarry the ancient wisdom and the richness of a culturethat can provide a worldview of interrelationshipsbetween God, humans and all of creation that cancontribute to the balance and healing of the planetearth. Thus, the school community considers thedialogue between faith and culture as an importantcomponent in the educational content and process tobecome truly a COMMUNITY ROOTED lN FAITH IN

COMMUNION WITH THE HOLYTRINITY.

38

l'4a,lihary

ln1967 a fire pillaged many homes inPasay. Assumption College studentssought to respond to the needs offire victims. The families wereassisted by meals cooked byAssumption votunteers for twomonths. Before Christmas, studentsinvited their own parents to visit thefire victims. A deep conviction grewin their hearts. Somethingmustbedone to help the poor raise their

families with dignity andhonor andprotectthefuture of the yaung.

Assumption San Lorenzo Communityopened an adult schoolwherewomen of Pasay slums were invited.About a hundred, mostly fromMalibay, came to Assumption San

Lorenzo. Vocational and academicsubiects were taught by CollegeStudents and Sisters. With gratitudeand spirit of friendship, these womeninvited the College Students andSisters to a Christmas Party held atthe annex building of a public school.These San Lorenzo residents wereintroduced to the Malibay way of life,to the "scavengers"tor whomgarbage meant life and livelihood.Shanties were made of any availablematerial ranging from metalscrapsto cardboards. The stench of garbageclinging through alleys and corners,ragged clothes, emaciated faces, andthe very process of scavengingmoved everyone to change thesituation.