St. Hannibal Empowerment Centre

St. Hannibal Empowerment Center (SHEC) is a religious organization of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus. It is a community of Spirit-led persons which aims to follow Jesus Christ in his union with his Father and in his proclamation of the kingdom of God. It is an inserted community among the squatters. The goal of SHEC is to empower the poor people of Metro Manila, Philippines, through housing, livelihood, education, health, waste management, youth and values formation.

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Location: Pasay City, Metro Manila

Mission: Its mission is to empower the poorest of the poor and catalyze an integral Christian transformation of urban poor communities in collaboration with the local Church by a holistic process that addresses concerns on housing, livelihood, education, health, environment and sanitation, justice and peace, youth formation and values formation. The goals of SHEC consist of assisting in alleviating poverty among urban poor communities in Pasay and other cities in Metro Manila; and building the foundation of community transformation through intensive values formation. Its objectives are, specifically, to facilitate the organization and formation of people’s organization that are self-sufficient and empowered, facilitate the values and spiritual formation and capability building of urban poor leaders, to assist the urban poor / informal settlers of Pasay and other cities in Metro Manila in realizing their dreams of achieving security of tenure through in-city relocation, to facilitate the implementation of economic programs and basic social services in urban poor communities, and to facilitate access to formal education in favor of the poor and deserving students.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

MARCH 2013 HIGHLIGHTS


Rogate: Living Social Justice, the Spirit of Authentic Sacrifice. Holy week 2013 falls on the month of March. Among other things, the season promotes the practice of fasting and abstinence. In connection, we are especially reminded to live according to the counsel of the prophet Isaiah that the essence of true fasting and abstinence is the practice of social justice which, in biblical language, is otherwise called as Good News to the Poor. This, needless to say, is a core blessing of the Kingdom of God which is very central in the Rogate, the spirituality or way of life of St. Hannibal and his followers. It is a way of witnessing to, or professing the True Faith, especially in the Year of Faith. It is a core value that propels SHEC as it continues to promote the Kingdom mission of Jesus.

 
Rogate Youth hone theater skills. Symbols, as expressed in the music and the arts, are powerful means of awakening the consciousness, prompting people to be empowered and to act accordingly. The parables of Jesus were a sort of such means. They were like stories told in the “theater” of the lakeshores, farm sides and deserts of Palestine. Recognizing its value, around 40 members and leaders of the Rogate Youth Ministry, SHEC Chapter (RYSMC) conducted a Theater Workshop last March 9-10, 2013, at the St. Hannibal Training Center, Malibay, Pasay City. They did not only enhance their know-how in theater arts for the sake of the promotion of the Kingdom. They had the opportunity to strengthen their bond with each other as well. Needless to say, in a world where the youth are prone to waste time on vanities, participation in the workshop has been a sort of fasting and abstinence from said vanities, all for the sake of the Kingdom and its justice.

Happy Birthday, Fr. Orville. In practicing fasting and abstinence, some sacrifice a portion of their wealth. Others offer a part of their time. Or both. But there are especial ones who give their whole lives for the sake of the Kingdom—a sort of ultimate fasting and abstinence so to say. This is the life embraced by Fr. Orville Cajigal, RCJ who has devoted his being in serving the poor and oppressed. It is in this context that his birthday celebration last March 22, 2013 has become more meaningful as ever.  

Balik Tanaw sa Biyaya ng Diyos Project Launched. The practice of social justice, indeed, constitutes an essential dimension of Christian spirituality. Accordingly, SHEC, SHaCC, PABANAL, friends, collaborators and the beneficiaries launched the Balik Tanaw sa Biyaya ng Diyos Project last March 22, 2003 at the St. Hannibal Training Center, Malibay, Pasay City. The project is in line with the thrust of SHEC to empower the poor in view of a more just and humane society.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

February 2013 Highlights


Rogate: Hearts Beating according to God’s Heart. February is the month of hearts. And what is the heart of God? God’s heart has a special preference and love for the poor and oppressed (see Lk 4:16-21). The Rogate is a way of life, a way of having a heart like that of God’s. It’s the way of being a Christian which St. Hannibal emphasized in his ministry and spirituality. Accordingly, it is a legacy kept alive by Kingdom workers at SHEC. 

Informal Settlers’ Meeting. One of the key values of the Kingdom of God is empowerment, or the freedom to be actively, genuinely and humanely human. Taking to heart this value, SHEC representatives led by Fr. Orville R. Cajigal, RCJ attended the convergence meeting for informal settlers along and on top of the waterways in the National Capital Region. Specifically, the meeting was held to assess the community’s condition and to create a system for the housing program’s implementation according to the consensus of all stakeholders. This was held at the Marikina Convention Center, Marikina City last February 5, 2013.

Site Visitation Conducted. Kingdom work is quite taxing, especially when it comes to minute details that need much scrutiny and prudence. But genuine concern for the welfare of the poor makes taxing activities as sweet moments of sacrifice for the sake of genuine love. Such indeed has been the experience of Fr. Orville R. Cajigal, RCJ, Orestes Idanan, MerlyLucabo, Gemma Ortega, NemiaSerneo, Florita, Jayson Besa, Jeffrey Angelo Evangelio, Chris MelvicFloralde, John Paul Gorantes and Paul Tran DucChinh when they visited possible relocation sites at Gamban St. and Bautista St. in Pasay City last February 6, 2013.

Happy Foundation Day! The sowing of every good seed out of which the Kingdom grows is always an occasion worth celebrating. The beginnings may be difficult, but the results are always heartwarming. Indeed, “those who sow in tears shall reap in joy” (Ps 126:5). In gratitude to God for SHEC’s foundation day, SHaCC and PABaNAL joined together and celebrated the memory of their humble roots last February 9, 2013. Trials lie along the way, but the hand of God is quite manifested in SHEC’s significant steps toward a more just and humane society. Such tastes of “reaping in joy” are indeed glimpses of the new heaven and new earth which God has promised (see 2 Pt 3:13). 

Health: a Kingdom Blessing. Jesus’ explicit mission includes health to the sick (see Lk 4: 16-21), or simply health as a condition of fullness of life in the Kingdom of God (see Jn 10:10). Accordingly, leaders and members of SHaCC Phase 2 together with Tanglaw Maralita Foundation conducted a medical mission last February 10 and 25, 2013 at St. Hannibal Subdivision, Phase 2, Rodriguez St., Pasay City. 

Love is timeless. It knows no time bounds. Last February 24, late it may have been, leaders and members of the RYMSC and some members of the RYM PABaNAL core group socialized and strengthened their bond through a Valentine’s Party at the St. Hannibal Training Center, Malibay, Pasay City.