The much awaited book The History of the Teresian Association was launched on September 29, at Saint Pedro Poveda College in Quezon City, Philippines, with over 70 persons –composed of members, friends, family and staff– attending onsite and with many others watching the simultaneous broadcast on YouTube.
The author with TAII and ITEC staff.
As the guests entered the venue, a video, “Go the Povedan Way”, narrating a short history of the TA and describing the different fields and areas of mission that the Association is present, is played continuously on the big screens, setting the ambience for the event. The program began with Saint Pedro Poveda’s prayer, “Lord, that I may think what you want me to think…” set as a music-video.
The emcee, Anabelle de los Reyes, in the introduction, warmly acknowledged those present and gave a brief CV of the author, Nenita Tenefrancia. The incumbent Sector Director and President of TAII, Lucing Subaldo, was then called on stage to give her welcome words.
The book, published by the Teresian Association International, Inc. (TAII), is a compilation of the modules that Nenita Tenefrancia wrote and submitted while studying for the Diploma on the History of the Work from 2016 to 2019. In addition, the book also includes two cross-cutting themes, the video “Go the Povedan Way” and the History of the Beginnings of ACIT Associations in the Philippines.
Nenita gave an informal and lively narration of how the book came about and in broad strokes described its content. She also presented a 7-minute video depicting the TA history during the foundational years from 1911 to 1924 and the figure of Josefa Segovia.
Valuable resource
The modules that comprise the chapters of the book were originally in Spanish and these past couple of years, with the help of Ma. Pilar Frade and Teresita Infante, and some members of the TA Translation Team of Sector XI, an English translation was completed. After a long and tedious editing and proofreading phase, done singlehandedly by the author, the book is finally available to the public, in perfect timing as the TA looks toward the centenary of its Pontifical Approval in the year 2024.
The book, being published in English, is indeed a very valuable and significant resource for the members of the Sector, for the members of ACIT Philippines, and for the non-Spanish speaking members and friends, particularly here in Asia, who are interested to know more about the Teresian Association.
Nenita’s 20-minute presentation was followed by a question-answer session initiated by Bu Villanueva. The program ended with picture-taking, book signing, and the sharing of a simple cocktail animated by lively conversations among the attendees. (You can watch the presentation video in YouTube by clicking on the book picture).
They say, the best legacy we can give to those who come after are roots and wings. This book leads us back to our roots, so we may know, understand, value and love the charism that God has given to Father Poveda. And from that place of gratitude and inspiration, firmly grounded on our (his/her) story, we pray that new dreams may be given wings, as we cross the threshold to a new century for the TA.
Text: Anabelle de los Reyes.
Photos: Bu Villanueva.
