Special Newsletter: Whispers of the Mountain, Threads of Connection

LORMANIANS Rediscovering Purpose, Empathy, and Oneness in Nature

Beneath the quiet embrace of towering trees and the gentle hush of mountain winds, the LORMA Colleges community gathered for a day that would become more than a retreat—it became a return. Last April 30, 2026, at Mt. Camisong Forest Park and Events, LORMANIANS stepped into a space where nature spoke softly, yet profoundly—reminding everyone that growth, like the forest, is both rooted and reaching.

“In the language of the forest, we remembered that to grow is to connect, to listen, and to belong.”

THE JOURNEY

The day began with anticipation carried in every step as the LORMA Colleges family arrived, welcomed by the cool mountain air and a landscape alive with greenery. At the Dagitab Amphitheater, the Opening Program set the tone—grounded in faith and purpose through a prayer led by Pastor Jetro Novero, followed by heartfelt messages from Ms. Andrea Collado, Mrs. Roxanne Silvestre-Tan, and Dr. Carol Lynn R. Macagba.

A moment was captured in stillness and smiles—a collective memory through a group photo, holding together the faces of a community ready to grow as one. From there, the journey gently unfolded.

Divided into vibrant groups—Yellow, Orange, Green, Red, Blue, White, and Purple—each team carried not just a color, but a shared purpose. Through the breakout sessions, learning became an experience, and experience became meaning.

In Everything is Interconnected, participants discovered how ideas—like roots beneath the soil—intertwine to create something whole, echoing the truth that no individual stands alone and that every contribution matters in shaping a thriving community.

As conversations deepened, so did the sense of connection—shared laughter, stories exchanged, and moments of pause over meals that nourished not just the body, but the bonds between colleagues. Beneath canopies of green, even the simplest breaks became gentle reminders: that togetherness, like nature, is best when it is felt.

In All About Empathy, the stillness of a seated circle opened spaces for understanding—where listening became an act of care and perspectives widened into compassion. It was a quiet yet powerful realization: that a thriving workplace is built not only on excellence, but on the willingness to see and feel with others.

Then came the Yanninaw Reflection Trail, where each step along the path invited introspection. Surrounded by the living forest, participants paused, wrote, and reflected—carrying questions into the silence and returning with clarity. The climb was not only of elevation, but of insight, where the rhythm of footsteps met the rhythm of thought.

Between these moments, shared meals and light conversations flowed like gentle streams—simple, grounding, and quietly meaningful. In the presence of nature, even pauses became part of the journey.

MEANING & REFLECTION

The retreat became a meaningful experience of connection and growth, where learning extended beyond structured activities and into shared moments in nature. Surrounded by the stillness of the mountains, LORMANIANS were reminded of the value of presence, collaboration, and genuine human connection. More than memories, the day left a renewed sense of clarity and togetherness—showing that growth often happens quietly, in understanding, empathy, and the simple act of walking and reflecting together.

WHAT WE CARRY FORWARD

As the day drew to a close at the serene Samyo Garden, the community gathered once more—through closing remarks, the heartfelt singing of the LORMA Hymn, and another captured moment in time.

But something had shifted.

What began as a retreat became a rediscovery—of self, of others, and of the quiet strength found in togetherness. In the stillness of the mountain, LORMANIANS were reminded that growth does not always come in grand gestures, but often in shared steps, open hearts, and rooted connections.

From every path walked to every story shared, the LORMA Colleges community continues to grow—grounded in purpose, guided by compassion, and reaching toward a future built together.

THIS IS HOME. 🌿