The Soul-Nourishing Power of Mano Amiga Academy
By Ana Pestano, Mano Amiga Parent and Teacher
“Mom, I wish you will never leave Mano. We already love it there. We want to stay and to graduate in Mano (Amiga Academy).” This was the line of MJ, my daughter in one of our dinners at home.
I always tell my kids that life’s uncertain and that things may change unexpectedly. There might be events that could lead me not to stay in an institution for long. But it seems my children (MJ, Grade 4 and RJ, Grade 3) have developed love in Mano that when asked if they want to transfer school given the circumstances of things, they always answer “nah”, “never”, “nope”.
Mano Amiga Academy, as a Catholic school, offers a unique blend of academic rigor and spiritual formation. The school’s SPIRIT++, the core values that everyone in the Mano Amiga community should possess, has always been part of the holistic approach to live by the purpose statement which is “to form each person’s heart, mind and soul with dignity in service.”
When I became a teacher in Mano, I saw the school’s edge over other Catholic schools in particular. I love how the four dimensions of formation namely intellectual, human, spiritual, and apostolic are reflected in the curriculum and programs. That’s why my husband and I decided to have our children be enrolled the year after. We knew back then that Mano may be a small school but it is BIG in values and spiritual formation; which is what we want our own children to inculcate.
I myself have experienced being bullied and teased by schoolmates just because they knew I was a “scholar” and came from a poor family – a scenario I wouldn't want my children to experience. After just several days of teaching in Mano Amiga, I saw how students treated each other fairly and equally. I love how every student is a friend to all whatever grade level or status he or she belongs to. Now, my mind’s at peace knowing and seeing how happy MJ and RJ are in going to school. They easily gained many friends and got along well with their teachers. They always look forward to attending their classes not just to learn their lessons but also to be part of the different formation programs Mano has to offer. MJ even mentioned that her favorite subject is CF (Catholic Formation). She really loves to learn more about Mary, the Apostles, the Bible, and Jesus. This school year, both of them always get excited to attend the K4J (Kids for Christ) activities and feel happy to show us the things they do in the said formation club. They also don’t want to miss the First Friday masses and sometimes even volunteer to be readers.
During this year’s Holy Week, we as a family also got the chance to become part of the Family Missions. It was our first time to do such an activity and what made it special was doing it together. MJ and RJ said it was really fun and meaningful. They’ve experienced going to El Dorado Dulo, a community near the school, talking to people there, knowing about their faith, sacrificing time to play and to relax, and feeling how it really is to be a MISSIONARY. I knew back then it was not an enjoyable activity for them considering also it was summer time. They could’ve chosen to stay at home and play but they chose to participate. My kids are not new in doing outreach. We would always bring them to such activities organized by Magis Deo (an apostolic community of encountered families formed in Ignatian Spirituality). But being in the Family Missions was entirely a new thing for them as they got to do it with the families in their school community and of the Regnum Christi community as well.
The spiritual formation of my children is equally important as their academics. As we nurture their bodies, we also need to nourish their souls. We are grateful to have Mano Amiga Academy as our partner in achieving this goal. Christmas is fast approaching and some of the events we prepare in Mano Amiga are the class parties, Pasko sa Mano, outreach activities, and Posadas. It’s essential that my children witness how all of these take part in their lives. Growing up, they always get excited for Christmas because of the presents and the parties. Now, they know the “true reason for the season”; and that is Jesus. They realized that the “Christmas waiting” is more than just the holiday rush but a celebration that lies in remembering and honoring the birth of Jesus Christ; a time for joy, hope, peace, and love. Something that they understand more deeply because they are in Mano Amiga Academy.
Indeed, spiritual formation may not be an easy task for parents like me, but I believe that with the right school partnership, this can be achieved. May our schools continue to be beacons of faith, hope, love, shaping generations of compassionate and morally upright citizens.
