Tertianship: The School of the Heart Villa

St. Ignatius stressed the importance of rest and recreation for members of the Society. Villa is also a time for community building and sharing of a common mission in a relaxed atmosphere. During tertianship we participate in two villa periods: one on San Fernando on the South China Sea and the other in the spectacular mountain region of Baguio. Both villa sites are on the island of Luzon, north of our home base: Quezon City (part of Metro Manila).

Villa Locations
(click on map for view of entire Philippines)


Below are some photographs taken of villa by Ray Bucko, S.J. Ray has kept a virtual photo album of his travels which you are most welcome to visit

First Tertian Villa San Fernando La Union The first villa taken by the Tertians is on Porro Point at the city of San Fernando la Union. This year's vills was marked by the tragedy of Typhoon Zeb which struck on the third day of villa. We arrived at the villa to dine upon a local delicacy "Lechon Manok" (roasted chicken done in the local style). The next day was dedicated to swimming, exploring the city and listening for storm reports, the third day of villa was devoted to to watching the wind and waves (and playing a lot of card games), and the final day we took part in a wet and sometimes precarious bus trip home. The typhoon passed to the north of us but we witnessed the devistations of the heavy rains and flooding on our sometimes percarious bus ride on the way back to Quezon City.
Two of the Indonesian Tertians: Mardy (left) and Pram. This was during a break to cool the overheated bus with a garden hose!	Tertians Rich (Micronesia) and Hans (Southern Germany) begin the novena to get us to San Fernando!
From left to right Ivan (Japan), Nermal (India), Tom O'Gorman (the tertian director- Philippines), and Luis (Malta) contemplate alternative means of escape as the bus is cooled!	Sunset over the South China Sea--- an image of tranqility!! For now....
Villagers fish by torchlight as the sun sets! A fantastic site that the image hardly captures.	Sunset with the fishing boats working the banks.
Tom, Rich and the kids from the local fishing village having a great time!!	Beached boat... all the boats in this village have the same prow design.
The devistation of Typhoon Zeb	Extensive damage to homes and fields as well as loss of life were the consequences of this Tyhpoon.

Secnod Tertian VIlla Baguio City Our second villa was high in the mountains overlooking the South China Sea in the city of Baguio. Here we discovered that there is more than one way to play dominos and who was and was not in top shape climbing the very impressive set of stairs up to the retreat/villa house. Fortunately there were no typhoons during this villa!! The weather was spectacular most days with sun in the morning and cool fog by afternoon. Some of us went mountain climbing, some took to the hills and we all scoured the local market, fameous in the Philippines. Our most moving movent was a renewal of vows ceremony in a chapel overlooking the spectacular mountain scenery. In German, Japanes, Czech, Indonesian, Maltise and English (used also due to an absence of the vow foumula in Swahili and Tamil) we renewed our commitment to God, the Church and the Society. Below are some pictures from our trip.
Our tertian director getting his ducks in a row as we perpare to explore the city.	Inside the city market ready for adventure!
Everyone in Baguio was convinced that Opondo was in fact Michael Jordan-- until he handled a basketball!!	Rich and Hans make ready to explore more of the city after climbing up the the Cathedral.
A display of dried fish in the market.	Rice is not just rice as we from bread countries quickly learned here in the Philippines.
The surrounding mountains in the morning from the roof of our house.	The same mountains as the fog rolls in about noon.
Stopping at a restaurant recommended to us by the Jesuit Novices after the long retreat.	A view into the heart of the City of Baguio... note the houses built along the hills.