Forging Faith and Family in Cebu

When we began homeschooling in 2013, my husband and I drafted this philosophy to guide us on our journey:

“We will homeschool our children to become the people God has called them to be. We will help them discover their strengths and nurture them to their full potential, while also helping them acknowledge their weaknesses and providing tools to improve upon them.”

We are a family of six with four boys, living in tropical Cebu, Philippines. Daddy Mark brings home the bacon while Mommy Therese takes care of everything else. Our oldest, Akio, is nineteen and a graduate of Seton. He is now pursuing Business Management at the University of the Philippines Cebu and is a member of the university’s varsity swimming team.

Miro, our second, is fourteen and in Grade 9. He is a triathlete, loves Science, and plans to join the military. Raio, our third, is thirteen and in Grade 8. He is also a triathlete, a jiu-jitsu enthusiast, and a speedcuber. He loves History and dreams of being an MMA fighter.

Our youngest, Brio, is in kindergarten and has the highest energy levels among his brothers.

Faith and Family – Our Inspiration to Homeschool

Attending the Catholic Conference in Colorado in 2012 was a transformative experience for us, largely due to the inspiring words of Danielle Bean. She has written several books on motherhood, faith, and Catholic family life. As the editor of Faith & Family Magazine, she has influenced many through her writing and discussions about raising children in the Catholic faith.

Her beautiful musings on motherhood and homeschooling deeply resonated with us, igniting a passion that has guided our journey ever since. Danielle’s insights and personal anecdotes about nurturing a family through faith and education provided practical advice and a profound sense of purpose and reassurance.

Her eloquence and sincerity made us realize the profound impact that intentional parenting and homeschooling can have on our children’s lives, and we have been committed to this path ever since, inspired by her wisdom and grace.

Why Seton?

We chose Seton Home Study School for our children because it provides an authentic Catholic curriculum. We love how homeschool-friendly it is, allowing our kids to learn independently while giving parent-teachers clear guidance and support through detailed lesson plans and an extensive online resource portal.

Homeschooling has given our family many beautiful gifts over the years. One of the most cherished aspects is the opportunity to grow in faith together as a family. We are witnessing our boys’ milestones firsthand, from their first words to their academic and extra-curricular activities.

Our precious time together has strengthened our familial bonds, creating lasting memories and fostering a supportive environment.

Additionally, homeschooling has allowed our boys to pursue and focus on their interests, such as triathlon, enabling them to develop their passions and skills in ways that might not have been possible in a traditional school setting.

A Day in the Life

Our typical homeschooling day has evolved over the years. When the boys were younger, we started our mornings with a circle time that included morning prayers, daily scriptures, catechism, and discussing each other’s resolutions for the week.

These days, we do this weekly since the older boys have different schedules. The boys spend their mornings studying and completing the school tasks they’ve scheduled for themselves.

Meanwhile, Mommy Therese spends time with little Brio for his lessons while also managing our café. The boys train with their team in the afternoons—swimming, running, or biking. On some weekends, we get together with fellow Catholic homeschooling families or travel within the country or abroad for the boys’ races and tournaments.

The flexible schedule ensures they have enough time to rest between their training sessions and races while staying on top of their coursework.

Homeschooling Graces

Homeschooling is a gift that continues to bless our family, one day at a time, with grace. It’s a journey we cannot walk alone, so we rely on the support of fellow homeschooling families in our community.

In difficult moments, when you question whether homeschooling is meant for your family, remember this: “God does not call the equipped; He equips the called.”