Against the tranquil backdrop of Dumaguete City, a quiet but powerful movement has been unfolding—one rooted in unity, love, and truth. From May 21 to 24, 2025, Religion and Values Education (RVE) teachers from Augustinian schools across the Visayas gathered for the ASAS Visayas RVE Educators’ Seminar-Workshop 2025, carrying with them the heartbeat of Augustinian formation.
The theme, “Journeying Together in Unitas, Caritas, and Veritas,” came alive in unexpected yet deeply meaningful ways. Participants, many of whom were new to the Augustinian educational mission, found themselves immersed in an experience that transcended training.
“The participants fully embraced the objectives of the event,” shared Sr. Joan Infante, OSA, one of the key organizers. “They realized the importance of the seminar in preparing them for the mission, and worked as one—unity. They developed initial friendships with other teachers—caritas—and they came to value the importance of continuous learning and the search for veritas.”
But behind the seamless flow of workshops and collaborative sessions lies a story of providence. Sr. Joan originally envisioned the seminar to begin in Luzon. However, as schedules shifted, the stars aligned—quite literally—during her home vacation in the Visayas.
“I have always believed that nothing happens by chance,” she reflected. “With the support of God-sent Sr. Zaida Villareal, OSA—my batchmate—we were able to hold the training in Dumaguete. ASAS is blessed to have people like Ms. Amy and Sir Roland who willingly accepted my invitation… a.k.a. plea for assistance.”
Far from a typical sit-and-listen workshop, the event adopted a dynamic ADIDSE-based learning approach (Activity-Discussion-Input-Deepening-Synthesis-Evaluation), staying true to the principles of active learning.
“We decided that all approaches in the input will be using ADIDSE. There will be less talk and more activities and processing,” Sr. Joan explained. “We want to let the participants learn actively. The seminar-workshop was learner-centered, and I believe we succeeded in doing this. The three of us were really just facilitators of learning.”
That intention was echoed in the quality of engagement throughout the three-day event. From studying Sacred Scriptures to exploring St. Augustine’s Confessions, the participants poured their hearts into every task.
“I am sooooo happy with the turnout,” Sr. Joan admitted with genuine joy. “I know it’s not easy to interpret the Scriptures and study the Confessions, yet they gave their heart to the tasks.”
Perhaps what sets this seminar apart is its commitment to post-event impact. For Sr. Joan, this was never just about the experience—it was about transformation.
“We’ve had so many seminars in the past, and my question has always been—what happened after the event?” she posed. “That’s why we made sure there would be outputs they can use in the classroom and learning they can apply.”
Indeed, the ASAS Visayas RVE Seminar-Workshop in Dumaguete isn’t just another event to remember. It’s a renewed commitment to mission, a rekindling of passion, and a shared journey of educators walking together in faith—unitas, caritas, and veritas.