Carrying and letting go at the Grades 10 and 12 Retreat

Marilyn Quinhayan and Mercy Pakiwag

For the Grades 10 and 12 APC students, the two-day retreat in February 2026 was a special time to rest not only their bodies, but also their minds and hearts. Away from their daily responsibilities, they experienced a quiet time to reflect, share, and pray.

The retreat was regarded a safe space where they could express what they were going through in life as the students shared some of their happy and sad feelings with moments of laughter and tears.

The Backpack of Life was a meaningful activity as the students thought about what they carry in their lives such as their problems, fears, hopes, and happy memories and imagined these as things inside a bag. They were then asked to let go of the things that felt too heavy or that stopped them from moving forward. Many students became emotional during this activity. Some cried as they shared their struggles, especially about their families indicating the heavy burdens some of the students carry at a young age.

For the teachers, it was not easy to see and hear these struggles but helped greatly in gaining a deeper understanding of their students not just as learners but as young people living with and carrying life challenges.

The retreat also helped the students feel closer to God. Through prayer and reflection, they were asked for forgiveness, gave thanks, and opened their hearts. Many shared that they felt peace and calm as they were able to relax and find comfort in God’s presence.

At the end of the retreat, the students and teachers went home with lighter hearts. They came back to Bendum smiling, feeling more at peace, and carrying a stronger sense of God in their lives.

The retreat was simple, but it was meaningful and a reminder that learning is not only about what is learned inside the classroom but also about caring for oneself, listening to one’s heart, and growing in faith.

Marilyn Quinhayan and Mercy Pakiwag (also APC Coordinator for Teachers and Students Formation) are teachers at the APC school in Bendum, Bukidnon, and along with Joey Murillo, accompanied the Grades 10 and 12 APC students during their retreat from 23 to 25 February 2026 at the Jesuit Retreat House in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.