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Be the Balm: Peace Begins Here

Annual Middle School Recollection

6-7 February 2026

The Annual Middle School Recollection 2026 gathered a group of middle school students, along with a few Grade 5 students, for a meaningful two-day spiritual journey held on February 6–7 in Suao, Yilan County. Guided by the theme “The Call to be Peacemaker and Charitable Dominicans” and the subtheme “Be the Balm: Healing Souls, Bringing Peace, Sharing Light,” the recollection invited participants to step away from daily routines and enter into a sacred space of prayer, reflection, community, and service.


Day 1: The Call to Charity and Peace

The journey began on the afternoon of February 6 with departure from DIS at 3:00 PM. During the travel to Suao, students were oriented on important reminders such as punctuality, spiritual preparation, safety and conduct, personal responsibility, environmental stewardship, orderly debarkation, and organization. These guidelines helped set a respectful and reflective tone for the entire experience.


Upon arrival at 4:30 PM, students checked in, assisted in preparing the venue, and practiced songs that would accompany their prayer moments throughout the recollection. At 5:30 PM, the Opening Communal Activity was held at the riverbank through the Circle of Grace facilitated by Mr. John Erick Moje and Dr. Agosh Libea. This moment invited students into awareness, gratitude, and openness to God’s presence in their lives and in others.


Dinner followed at 6:30 PM and was shared in a spirit of simplicity and presence, allowing students to connect with one another beyond the classroom setting. At 7:30 PM, students participated in an interactive workshop titled “The Peace Within” led by Fr. Francisco “Paco” Carin, CMF. The session guided students in identifying their personal “storms” in life and encouraged them to find healing through silence, prayer, and Scripture. The day concluded with personal time for rest and preparation for sleep, with lights off at 10:30 PM.


Day 2: The Work of Healing and Hope

The second day began at 6:30 AM with wake-up and personal preparation. One of the highlights of the morning was the Mass on the Mount, reached through a reflective hike that allowed students to experience prayer in nature. After breakfast, students engaged in card-making for fishermen as a simple act of kindness and outreach, followed by a DIY activity that encouraged creativity, teamwork, and reflection.


After lunch, students participated in the restoration and clean-up of the venue before heading to the fishermen’s area for community immersion. A session on Community Service 101 was facilitated by Mr. Erick Gonzales, helping students understand service as a lived expression of faith, compassion, and responsibility.


The recollection concluded with a reflective walk in the park at 3:00 PM before the group returned to DIS at 3:30 PM.


Guided by Vice Principal Sr. Rosa Dabhi, CCV, Activity Coordinator Dr. Agosh Librea, HS Religious Studies Teacher, Fr. Francisco “Paco” Carin, CMF, Religious Studies Department Head, Mr. John Erick Moje, Mr. Arcel Joseph Amoguis, Ms. Blanca Delariarte, Mr. Jayno Jabonillo, Dr. Patrick Bugarin, OP, Mr. Erick Gonzales, and Grade 10 student volunteer facilitator Gian Crisostomo, the recollection became a meaningful encounter of faith, service, and community.


In the end, the experience reminded students that being peacemakers is not only a theme but a calling lived daily—one that heals wounds, builds bridges, and shares light wherever they go.