Teleperformance Philippines commits to strengthen gender and disability inclusivity in the workplace

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Teleperformance (TP) Philippines, a leading global group in digitally integrated business services, raised awareness among their employees on the struggles that persons with disabilities (PWDs) encounter in the workplace and how to create an inclusive workplace for all.

In an internal forum titled “Interweaving Inclusion in our TP DNA,” which was organized by TP Women, Teleperformance’s gender inclusivity arm that aims to promote gender and disability inclusivity, TP featured key resource persons and Teleperformance Philippines employees as speakers on PWD inclusivity in the workplace, especially women with disabilities.

“No DE&I journey ever stops. It’s a constant process of having conversations, of learning, of growing, and of building a culture in the organization,” said Jeffrey Johnson, Senior Vice President of Human Capital Resource Management, in his opening remarks. “We do this not because we’re supposed to, but because it’s the right thing to do.”

During the forum, TP Philippines employees with disabilities recounted their experiences, observations, and recommendations in a roundtable discussion on being a person with disabilities in daily life and in the workplace.

Participating in the discussion was Marilyn Ventenilla, TP Women Chair and Senior Director of Communication and Marketing, who identifies herself as a PWD. “What we’re doing now is a significant first step,” said Ventenilla. “Learning, experiencing, and observing what persons with disabilities are going through are essential for us to empathize with them and understand their expectations.”

Meanwhile, among the guest speakers were Ryan Gersava, Founder and CEO of Virtualahan, Inc., and Jennifer Anne Mendoza, Membership and Client Care Specialist of the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE).

Jennifer Anne Mendoza of the PBCWE did a talk on disability inclusive leadership, addressing the need for inclusivity in the workplace and the added challenges of women employees with disabilities. “A workplace diversity and inclusion initiative that overlooks the issue of disability fails to address the needs of a large segment of the population,” said Mendoza.

Meanwhile, Ryan Gersava of Virtualahan, Inc., an online vocational school providing inclusive training and empowering companies to become inclusive employers, spoke about the importance of disclosure and the challenges of non-apparent disabilities and promoting disability-inclusive employment. “Disclosure is the key to solving the systemic and intergenerational problem,” said Gersava. “It is very personal and it is very difficult, and it requires a very strong support system: a strong support system that you and I can build together.”

The forum event closed with attending leaders making a digital pledge to actively promote and foster gender and disability inclusivity in the workplace. Leaders came up with personal ways on how they plan on doing so and shared them on the call. Among them was Teleperformance Philippines Chief Executive Officer Francisco Lara Padilla.

“It’s not enough to just talk about it. We’ve got to do something, we’ve got to prioritize it – especially if we want to achieve real changes,” said Lara in his closing remarks. “We may not have the answers 100% – but we will get there. We all have to start somewhere.”

Teleperformance Philippines also recently received their 5th consecutive Great Place to Work® Certification. The Great Place to Work® certification is awarded to companies based on its level of credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie as surveyed by employees. TP Philippines was the first company to be certified in any industry and is the largest employer in the county to be certified this year.

To learn more about Teleperformance, visit their website at www.teleperformance.com.

ePLDT, Microsoft continue empowering PWDs through inclusive workplaces

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(Manila, Philippines ) ePLDT recently marked its first year as a Microsoft employer-partner for the Microsoft Enabler Program. This seeks to empower persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the workplace by fostering inclusivity and helping them increase their employability through training and mentorship.

PLDT Enterprise AVP & Head of Strategic Partnerships and Alliances Fay Ocampo and ePLDT Group Head for Workplace Management Fe Arlene Villanueva-Bassig

As a Microsoft employer-partner, ePLDT accommodated two students from its accessibility partner Virtualahan to take their internship under the group and acquire the necessary digital skills to help them secure gainful employment.

Rowell Navarro and Alfrey Redd Umali are aspiring graphic artists who have hard-of-hearing conditions. They were trained under ePLDT’s People Experience & Communications Team to hone and contribute their skills in developing creative visuals for the company’s awareness campaign on social sustainability.

“My internship has given me the opportunity to learn more about the company and essentials in Graphic Designing. The team [PWM – People Experience & Communication] gave me advice that was indeed helpful for me to accomplish my tasks more creatively and efficiently,” Navarro shared.

Likewise, Umali expressed his gratitude to ePLDT for the invaluable learning experience he attained as a graphic artist intern, and for the opportunity to support the group in producing short videos and other publicity materials.

“Working with the People Experience & Communication team has been a pleasure as I have gained much practical knowledge about graphic designing and video editing… Thank you again for making my internship a rewarding experience,” Umali said.

ePLDT reflects Microsoft’s commitment to giving utmost importance to building accessibility and a culture of inclusion at work.

The team that assisted Navarro and Umali was encouraged to use a meeting platform with closed-caption capabilities, to convey instructional procedures in text form, and to also attend a sensitivity training organized by Virtualahan to fully equip them towards inclusivity.

“The ePLDT Group is steadfast in its commitment to foster an inclusive working environment that provides opportunities for growth to persons with disabilities. We look forward to assisting more talented individuals through this engagement program with Microsoft,” said Fe Arlene Villanueva-Bassig, ePLDT Group Head for Workplace Management.

Meanwhile, during the launch of the APAC Microsoft Enabler Virtual Hackathon, PLDT Enterprise AVP & Head of Strategic Partnerships and Alliances Fay Ocampo said that as a Microsoft partner, ePLDT’s main goal is to expand their initiatives that foster disability-inclusive workplace within the group.

“Our hearts are full when we on-boarded two Virtualahan interns, Alfrey and Rowell who provided digital creative inputs in ePLDT’s company announcement under the wing and the guidance of People Experience & Communications Team,” Ocampo said.

“Now that we move to the next chapter, we carry on our purpose for having an ever-evolving culture of inclusion which starts by expanding our talent pipeline and connecting job-seeking PWDs in having ICT roles within ePLDT,” she added. 

For more information, visit epldt.com.

Teriyaki Boy and Sizzlin’ Steak Champions More Employment Opportunities for the Deaf

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Beyond delivering a variety of delicious and value-friendly dishes, Teriyaki Boy and Sizzlin’ Steak have strengthened their advocacy of inclusion, diversity, and respect in the workplace through their partnership with communities and organizations such as CSB-SDEAS (College of Saint Benilde-School of Deaf Education and Advanced Studies) and LCDPFI (Leonard Cheshire Disability Philippines Foundation, Inc.), empowering deaf Filipinos with employment opportunities in their stores across the country. 

Teriyaki Boy and Sizzlin’ Steak, both well-loved casual dining brands under Max’s Group, Inc., began extending relevant work openings to deaf individuals in 2018, starting with 10 employees who’ve been working as back of house staff handling the bar and sushi stations across several branches in the country. They look to provide even more members of the community the same opportunity with their renowned local partners aiding in the screening and training of qualified, capable members of the deaf community. 

“We believe in the positive impact our advocacy carries not just for the deaf community, but also for our employees and customers. “Our pilot program of 10 employees last year proved to be successful based on very encouraging feedback from our staff and diners, and most importantly from the very uplifting experiences of our deaf employees. We look to expand this with the assistance of our gracious partners, the CSB-SDEAS and the LCDPFI,” shared Teriyaki Boy and Sizzlin’ Steak Chief Operating Officer John S. Amante. 

The College of Saint Benilde-School of Deaf Education and Advanced Studies is at the forefront of building the Filipino Deaf identity and culture through its academic programs, formation programs, and role in brokering meaningful partnerships between the Hearing and the Deaf communities. Students are offered a holistic academic experience which revolves around personal development, faith formation, volunteerism, and self-expression. There is also continued support post-graduation for advocacy, employment, and social entrepreneurship through personal and professional development programs. 

The Leonard Cheshire Disability Philippines Foundation, Inc. aims to protect and promote the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities (PWD) and access to equal opportunities to education, employment, and inclusion in society. LCDPFI is a part of a global alliance of more than 250 partners from 54 countries providing services and programs for PWDs. 

The increase in employment opportunities is complemented by simple sign language guides to be implemented in select Teriyaki Boy and Sizzlin’ Steak stores for customers and staff to use in communicating with the deaf staff working there. 

“Moving forward, it is our goal to continue bannering inclusivity and diversity in our workforce in our stores and ensure that Teriyaki Boy and Sizzlin’ Steak stores are safe spaces for the deaf and other persons with disabilities,” said Amante. 

BAVI opens doors of opportunities to PWDs

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Most companies would think twice about employing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) when they can hire people who are perfectly able. But for Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. (BAVI), providing work to PWDs also benefits companies and their employees.

BAVI is one of the local companies that have partnered with Unilab Foundation for Project Inclusion, a program that helps PWDs obtain and sustain jobs in an actual work environment, giving them renewed hope and confidence in their talents and abilities.

Aljune Atok suffers from visual impairment, having completely lost sight in his left eye. Despite his condition, the 26-year-old has found work at BAVI and has been a junior programmer in the information systems department for nearly a year.

Aljune grew up in Leyte. After earning his college degree and finishing with Latin honors, he went to Manila to find a good paying job. He recounts that at first, he had to face the fear of discrimination.

“Hindi naman nila sinasabi directly, pero alam mo na ‘yon ang ibig nilang sabihin. Bakit nga naman kasi sila mag-i-invest sa ganito, kung pwede naman sila mag-hire ng abled,” said Aljune.

However, Aljune did not allow this fear to hamper his goal of landing a permanent job with regular pay. Through his perseverance and determination, he was endorsed by a former superior to Project Inclusion, which later on brought him to BAVI.

“What we admire most about Aljune is his attitude towards work. He goes to work every day, eager to learn more and develop new skills,” shared Senior Supervisor Alistair Javillonar. He added that the team is inspired by Aljune’s behaviour and they believe in his ability to perform beyond his disability.

Recently, Aljune participated in Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of the Visually-Impaired’s (ATRIEV) very first hackathon for the blind with the blind where his team won second place when they redesigned the website of the Philippine Military Academy to make it accessible to the blind.

Another physically challenged individual that BAVI took under its wings is Donna Tolentino. Overcoming hearing impairment, she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Graphics from De La Salle College of St. Benilde and now works as one of BAVI’s finance assistants.

“I felt excited and a bit nervous when I was invited for interview at BAVI. There were many fears. However, I’ve easily overcome those fears with the help of my colleagues and superior,” Donna recounts. “It delights me that there are organizations like BAVI which are open to accepting someone like me to be one of their employees.”

“She is very detailed and careful when making reports and that is something we appreciate,” says Finance Assistant Manager Mae Jane Adem. She also praises Donna’s optimism towards work that motivates the whole team.

Adem added that Donna introduced deaf awareness to the whole team. Now, almost all the team members know basic sign language, which enables them to communicate with Donna.

“We believe that each person has something unique to offer for the progress of the company. What others see as disabilities, we see as something extraordinary that can someday help us reach our goals,” said Ronald Mascariñas, BAVI president and general manager. “At BAVI, we are always open to giving chances to individuals who have chosen to rise over their disabilities to become company assets.”

Going beyond just providing fresh oven-roasted chickens to households, BAVI wants to make Filipinos become part of something meaningful. As a step in that direction, they hope that their partnership with Unilab Foundation will enable them to give more PWDs a chance at a better future by providing them full-time, sustainable jobs.

SM toy bears bring joy to PWD kids

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There is something magical that every stuffed toy bear brings to its owner; but to a disadvantaged person, child or adult, the effect is passionately special. This is the inspiration that the Bears of Joy of SM Supermalls, through its SM Cares CSR arm, bring to every recipient.

For several years now, SM has been giving its special edition stuffed toy bear aptly called Bears of Joy to chosen depressed communities and partner organizations where an SM mall operates. This year, there are a total of 66 communities nationwide that will be receiving Bears of Joy for the yuletide. Some of the recipients will be 176 students with special needs of Lagro Elementary School, through the Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP) Lagro Chapter.

Marieta F. Tan, head of the ASP Lagro Chapter, said that this is the second time that the school will be receiving the special bears from SM. Judging from last year’s response from the recipients and their parents, Tan expects to see more happy smiles from the children with autism.

“It’s truly special because the toy bears are given in person by people from SM themselves. The kids really treasure the toys they are given, especially when they see that they are from SM. Once they see the brand, they already feel they belong,” Tan affirms. “They are familiar with SM since we are always invited to mall events where the kids get free entertainment and fun activities.”

ASP is only one of several PWD organizations that are being supported by SM Cares. The annual Angels Walk is especially held for ASP members.

Tan explains that something as simple as a toy bear can help a lot in taking care of a child with autism. “The bear serves as their companion – a close friend and confidante. The toy bears somehow calm them down whenever they have emotional breakdowns,” Tan said.

According to Tan, this particular project of SM Cares “has heart because they really think of ways to support PWDs and their families. Naiintindihan nila ang pangangailangan ng mga bata. Napakalaking bagay nito sa kanila.”

The SM Bears of Joy are being sold as pairs in participating SM malls nationwide. For every pair sold, one goes to the customer while the other goes to a recipient from an adopted community or organization.

SM Cares presents annual benefit show that gives cheer to more PWDs

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More independent and non-government organizations advocating the welfare of persons with disabilities (PWD) joined this year’s benefit concert dubbed “Pamaskong Handog for PWDs” organized by the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (PFRD). This annual event is a project coordinated with SM Cares, which is SM Supermalls’ corporate social responsibility arm.

Held for the 3rd year in a row at the Samsung Hall of SM Aura, this year’s concert saw participation from more organizations that include Alyansa ng May Kapansanang Pinoy (Akap-Pinoy), Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP), Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines (DSAPI), ADHD Society of the Philippines, Physicians for Peace, Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, among others. The concert is held every year to coincide not only with the celebration of Christmas, but of the International Day of Persons With Disabilities recognized by the United Nations.

The 2016 Pamaskong Handog for PWDs gave holiday cheer through live performances by Jose Mari Chan, Jun Polistico, Jun “Mr. Shooli” Urbano, and the Rockin’ 60s Band. 

“Most of the PWDs who saw the show come from the under-privileged sector of society. They do not regularly experience concerts like this, and this is an opportunity for them to feel the true meaning of sharing this Christmas – and on the International Day of PWDs at that,” said Manuel Agcaoili, president of PFRD.

Mr. Agcaoili also shared that there was a bigger audience this year because of the participation of more NGOs. PWD members came to enjoy the concert all the way from Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Pangasinan and Bicol.

SM has been known to give full support to various PWD groups in the Philippines. Aside from its annual Christmas presentation for PWDs, the mall company has been hosting events such as the Freedom Walk with Akap-Pinoy, Angels Walk with ASP, and Happy Walk with DSAPI.

SM Cares, UNICEF, Tanghalang Pilipino and Camera Club celebrate the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week, with guest of honor VP Leni Robredo

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Vice President Leni Robredo as the guest of honor at the  National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week opening at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia, July 18, 2016 

Every child is uniquely gifted. Let"s talk about posibilities as we celebrate the abilities of children with disabilities through photo exhibit and stage play in selected SM malls.

The  National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week was launched at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia last Monday, July 18, 2016 with Vice President Leni Robredo as the guest of honor.

SM Cares programs on PWD and Children, in partnership with UNICEF, Tanghalang Pilipino, and the Camera Club of the Philippines, celebrates the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week starting July 18, 2016.

NDPR Week celebration's objective is to raise awareness and help create an inclusive environment for Children with Disabilities (CWDs) by highlighting their abilities instead of their disabilities.

This will be dramatized via informative and educational activities for mall-goers through Tanghalang Pilipino’s stage play entitled “Sandosenang Sapatos,”, and the Camera Club of the Philippines’ photo exhibit entitled “See What I Can Do” that depict the everyday lives of Children with Disabilities.

Here's the SCHEDULE OF National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week

This initiative is just one of the collaborative efforts of SM Cares and UNICEF since being partners in 2008 to further the advocacy of SM to uphold the rights and welfare of children and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

SM Cares, a division of SM Foundation Inc., is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. As a responsible mall developer, SM ensures that its CSR programs serve as a catalyst for positive change for the community.

SM Cares has six advocacies, mainly are programs for:

• Persons with Disabilities
• Senior Citizens
• Children and Youth
• Women and Breastfeeding
• Overseas Filipino Workers (The SM Global Pinoy)
• Environment

​SM and UNICEF have worked together in various projects such as the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene or the WASH Project wherein a portion of the sale of SM’s bottled water goes to the organization’s efforts to provide clean drinking water to various provinces in the country. To date, it has already helped more than 113,000 school children across the country.

To know more about SM Cares’ programs for Children, and PWDs, you may visit:www.smcares.com.ph or www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares

Thousands join Freedom Walk for PWDs in SM Megamall - “For Each Right-Full Step, Barriers We Break”

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Some one thousand Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and their families converged at the SM Megamall last June 18 to join this year’s Freedom Walk to push for greater inclusivity of PWDs in society, especially in the work force.

Dubbed “For Each Right-Full Step, Barriers We Break,” this year’s Freedom Walk led by AKAP Pinoy also marked the turnover of the event from Pasay City to Mandaluyong City with Mayor Benhur Abalos personally accepting this year’s task of being the host city of the PWDs event.

The participants, many in wheelchairs, traversed Julia Vargas and San Miguel Avenue in Mandaluyong carrying banners and streamers.

Also present were Annie Garcia, President of SM Supermalls, Steven Tan, Senior Vice President of SM Supermalls, a representative of Pasay City Mayor Calixto, and representatives from the different Metro Manila city governments and non-governmental organizations.

Retired Navy Captain Oscar Taleon, AKAP Pinoy President, said they are extremely delighted with the turnout as it reflects on the growing awareness of the public on their condition. 

The Freedom Walk, which is on its 6th year, started in 2010 in Quezon City. Taleon said this is their way of pushing for full integration for them be productive members of society. “This is the participation of our group to the Philippine Independence Day celebration and it also an expression of our desire to have our freedom from our barriers. We would like to eliminate the barriers that hinder us from full participation in society that is on equal basis with others,” he said.

While the National Statistics Office places the number of PWDs in the Philippines at 1.5 million, Taleon said the number has now reached 9 million citing the World Health Organization. “That number of 1.5 million is too low because the WHO has given an estimate of 9 million PWDs in the Philippines,” he said.

Taleon also noted that while their group is happy with the legislations that have given them rights and privileges, implementation is still very much a concern.

Taleon lamented that not all PWDs are aware of the law giving rights and discounts to them which is the reason why many still have to avail of the full benefits of the law. “We have that discount legislation but not everybody is enjoying it mainly because of lack of awareness and the limitations to getting it because we have to get disability card first before we can have the discount so it is quite difficult for many of us,” he pointed out. 

He added that while the last mandates the establishment of People with Disabilities Affairs Offices (PDAOs) in all local government units all over the country, many have to comply with the law.

“The problem really is the implementation and until we implement the law fully, a lot of things need to be done,” he said.

He then thanked SM and its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, for hosting the event saying SM has always been their partner in upholding the rights of PWDs. “SM have shown the way for other establishments on how to treat people like us and we are very glad that it has always been there for us,” he said.

Taleon said they will continue to hold the Freedom Walk until their full inclusion is realized. “We will continue to do this until we would have achieved inclusion. And for as long as we have partners in government and in the private sector like SM, then I am confident that slowly we would get there,” Taleon concluded.

SM shares PWD social inclusion efforts in US Embassy Forum

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Photo shows (L-R) SM Supermalls President Annie Garcia,  US Ambassador Philip Goldberg, SM VP Bien Mateo and United Architects of the Philippines’ Committee on Accessibility Chair, Arch. Jaime Silva during the event.

Just days after the culmination of the Philippine National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, the U.S. Embassy held a forum to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) act. The forum, entitled “PWD Rights: Diversity and Social Inclusion”, served as an avenue for inclusive dialogue between PWD advocacy groups and various stakholders like the academe, the government, and private companies.

Distinguished members of the panel included Senator Sonny Angara, Honorable US Ambassador Philip Goldberg, National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) Executive Director Carmen Zubiaga, Executive Vice President and CEO of Tahanang Walang Hagdanan (TWH) Joy Cevallos-Garcia, Be-medaled Paralympian Powerlifter Adeline Dumapong, and SM Vice President for Operations and Program Director of Disability Affairs Bien Mateo.

US Ambassador Goldberg expressed his gratitude to all the stakeholders present during the forum, with special mention to SM, which according to him has done so much in the area of disability affairs.

SM VP Mateo affirmed during his talk that SM is strongly advocating for PWD inclusion and that several programs under SM Cares underscore this advocacy. Some of the projects he mentioned were the Angels Walk for Autism, the Happy Walk for Down Syndrome, the earthquake resilience briefing for Senior Citizens and PWDs, and the SM Supermalls’ special screening of audio descriptive movies for the blind and the deaf.

The forum concluded with the agreement that providing equal opportunities and helping PWDs to become active and contributing members of the community are necessary in creating a caring, nurturing, and more sustainable society.

Pink Jeepneys Unveiled On Valentines Day, for women, seniors, PWDs

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Pretty in pink!

(Photo @mistersteroy) 

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Saturday (February 14) unveiled "pink jeepneys" that will provide transport for women, children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the Guadalupe-Pateros area.

Fourteen jeepneys units were painted in pink, while the drivers have pink uniforms. The pink jeepneys, initiated by the Guadalupe-Pateros Jeepney and Operators' Association, will provide public transport service for women, children, senior citizens and PWDs during rush hours -- from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

According to the LTFRB, this is apparently to give priority to the sector that needs more “care and respect”.

“This Guacempajoda project will be a big help in providing convenient transportation to women, young people, and persons with disabilities, especially during rush hours, going to and coming from their workplaces and schools,” LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said.

“Pink Jeepney is a noble program that we hope will serve as a model for other PUJ operators to replicate in their respective routes to better serve those sector that are having difficulty commuting,” Ginez said.

Pope Francis' Meeting with Families at MOA

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Pope Francis met with Filipino families, including those representing OFWs and PWDs, at the “Meeting with Families” at the Mall of Asia Arena, his day 2 , January 16, 2015.

During his homily, he reminded the Catholic faithful to “protect the family”, and noted that economic challenges are tearing families apart as more people migrate in search of better employment. 

Pope Francis with the theme of his visit to the Philippines, "The Holy Family's Journey, The Pilgrimage of Every Family", as he calls for respect for life. Pope Francis quotes Saint John Paul II and says the future of humanity passes through the family. He calls for respect for life and reminds the audience of the sacredness of every human life from conception to natural death.

Pope Francis reminds listeners to make time to pray. He says we must make time to pray and that rest is essential for our spiritual health, so that we can better hear God's voice and understand His message.

Pope Francis reminds the crowd not to lose the capacity to dream. "When you lose the capacity to dream, you lose the capacity to love."

Below is the full text of the prepared speech of Pope Francis, which he delivered during the Meeting with Families at the Mall of Asia Arena

Below is the full text of the prepared speech of Pope Francis, which he delivered during the Meeting with Families at the Mall of Asia Arena, Friday, January 16.

Dear Families,

Dear Friends in Christ,

I am grateful for your presence here this evening and for the witness of your love for Jesus and his Church. I thank Bishop Reyes, Chairman of the Bishops’ Commission on Family and Life, for his words of welcome on your behalf. And, in a special way, I thank those who have presented testimonies and have shared their life of faith with us.

The Scriptures seldom speak of Saint Joseph, but when they do, we often find him resting, as an angel reveals God’s will to him in his dreams. In the Gospel passage we have just heard, we find Joseph resting not once, but twice. This evening I would like to rest in the Lord with all of you, and to reflect with you on the gift of the family.

Joseph’s rest revealed God’s will to him. In this moment of rest in the Lord, as we pause from our many daily obligations and activities, God is also speaking to us. He speaks to us in the reading we have just heard, in our prayer and witness, and in the quiet of our hearts. Let us reflect on what the Lord is saying to us, especially in this evening’s Gospel. There are three aspects of this passage which I would ask you to consider: resting in the Lord, rising with Jesus and Mary, and being a prophetic voice.

Resting in the Lord. Rest is so necessary for the health of our minds and bodies, and often so difficult to achieve due to the many demands placed on us. But rest is also essential for our spiritual health, so that we can hear God’s voice and understand what he asks of us. Joseph was chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus and the husband of Mary. As Christians, you too are called, like Joseph, to make a home for Jesus. You make a home for him in your hearts, your families, your parishes and your communities.

To hear and accept God’s call, to make a home for Jesus, you must be able to rest in the Lord. You must make time each day for prayer. But you may say to me: Holy Father, I want to pray, but there is so much work to do! I must care for my children; I have chores in the home; I am too tired even to sleep well. This may be true, but if we do not pray, we will not know the most important thing of all: God’s will for us. And for all our activity, our busy-ness, without prayer we will accomplish very little.

Resting in prayer is especially important for families. It is in the family that we first learn how to pray. There we come to know God, to grow into men and women of faith, to see ourselves as members of God’s greater family, the Church. In the family we learn how to love, to forgive, to be generous and open, not closed and selfish. We learn to move beyond our own needs, to encounter others and share our lives with them. That is why it is so important to pray as a family! That is why families are so important in God’s plan for the Church!

Next, rising with Jesus and Mary. Those precious moments of repose, of resting with the Lord in prayer, are moments we might wish to prolong. But like Saint Joseph, once we have heard God’s voice, we must rise from our slumber; we must get up and act (cf. Rom 13:11). Faith does not remove us from the world, but draws us more deeply into it. Each of us, in fact, has a special role in preparing for the coming of God’s kingdom in our world.

Just as the gift of the Holy Family was entrusted to Saint Joseph, so the gift of the family and its place in God’s plan is entrusted to us. The angel of the Lord revealed to Joseph the dangers which threatened Jesus and Mary, forcing them to flee to Egypt and then to settle in Nazareth. So too, in our time, God calls upon us to recognize the dangers threatening our own families and to protect them from harm.

The pressures on family life today are many. Here in the Philippines, countless families are still suffering from the effects of natural disasters. The economic situation has caused families to be separated by migration and the search for employment, and financial problems strain many households. While all too many people live in dire poverty, others are caught up in materialism and lifestyles which are destructive of family life and the most basic demands of Christian morality. The family is also threatened by growing efforts on the part of some to redefine the very institution of marriage, by relativism, by the culture of the ephemeral, by a lack of openness to life.

Our world needs good and strong families to overcome these threats! The Philippines needs holy and loving families to protect the beauty and truth of the family in God’s plan and to be a support and example for other families. Every threat to the family is a threat to society itself. The future of humanity, as Saint John Paul II often said, passes through the family (cf. Familiaris Consortio, 85). So protect your families! See in them your country’s greatest treasure and nourish them always by prayer and the grace of the sacraments. Families will always have their trials, but may you never add to them! Instead, be living examples of love, forgiveness and care. Be sanctuaries of respect for life, proclaiming the sacredness of every human life from conception to natural death. What a gift this would be to society, if every Christian family lived fully its noble vocation! So rise with Jesus and Mary, and set out on the path the Lord traces for each of you.

Finally, the Gospel we have heard reminds us of our Christian duty to be prophetic voices in the midst of our communities. Joseph listened to the angel of the Lord and responded to God’s call to care for Jesus and Mary. In this way he played his part in God’s plan, and became a blessing not only for the Holy Family, but a blessing for all of humanity. With Mary, Joseph served as a model for the boy Jesus as he grew in wisdom, age and grace (cf. Lk 2:52). When families bring children into the world, train them in faith and sound values, and teach them to contribute to society, they become a blessing in our world. God’s love becomes present and active by the way we love and by the good works that we do. We extend Christ’s kingdom in this world. And in doing this, we prove faithful to the prophetic mission which we have received in baptism.

During this year which your bishops have set aside as the Year of the Poor, I would ask you, as families, to be especially mindful of our call to be missionary disciples of Jesus. This means being ready to go beyond your homes and to care for our brothers and sisters who are most in need. I ask you especially to show concern for those who do not have a family of their own, in particular those who are elderly and children without parents. Never let them feel isolated, alone and abandoned, but help them to know that God has not forgotten them. You may be poor yourselves in material ways, but you have an abundance of gifts to offer when you offer Christ and the community of his Church. Do not hide your faith, do not hide Jesus, but carry him into the world and offer the witness of your family life!

Dear friends in Christ, know that I pray for you always! I pray that the Lord may continue to deepen your love for him, and that this love may manifest itself in your love for one another and for the Church. Pray often and take the fruits of your prayer into the world, that all may know Jesus Christ and his merciful love. Please pray also for me, for I truly need your prayers and will depend on them always! 

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Singer Jamie Rivera ends the program at the Mall of Asia by singing We Are All God's Children. Pope Francis leaves the Mall of Asia Arena and heads to the Apostolic Nunciature to rest.