Oliver Samson

Oliver Samson

Oliver Samson is a freelance writer based in Manila, Philippines. He has written for CBCPNews, Radio Veritas Asia, Business Mirror, and local magazines.

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Residents of Kanlungan ni Maria Home for the Aged in Antipolo City, Philippines, pose for a photo together with the nuns and staff. (GSR photo/Oliver Samson)

Q&A with Sr. Herminia Mamarion, caring for neglected elderly in the Philippines

In Filipino culture, caring for aging parents is the responsibility of the children. But when that does not happen, the Kanlungan ni Maria Home for the Aged steps in.

Sr. Angelina Julom stands at the Nazareth Psycho-Social Wellness Center for Individuals and Families in Cainta, Rizal, Philippines.

Q&A with Sr. Angelina Julom, psychologist and university teacher

Sr. Angelina Julom enjoys seeing patients at the Nazareth Psycho-Social Wellness Center for Individuals and Families in Cainta, Rizal, Philippines. As a nun, she finds people trust her even more as a psychologist.

Children from the adopted community in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines, gather at the makeshift venue for tutorials, catechesis and meals. (Courtesy of Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Holy Mother of God)

Franciscan sisters 'adopt' two Philippine communities to educate needy children

In Cordova and Lapu-Lapu on Mactan Island, the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Holy Mother of God support the education of children and offer livelihood training to their parents in poverty.

A young Filipino couple is married at the altar of Manila's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in the Philippines in 2023. (Dreamstime/Neil Bussey)

Bill to legalize divorce in Philippines faces Catholic opposition

As the Philippines' Absolute Divorce Act moves closer to becoming law, some sisters — as well as the Catholic bishops' conference — oppose the measure, which they say would weaken the sanctity of marriage and family.

The national flag of the Philippines is seen flying in Manila. (Unsplash/iSawRed)

Sisters, priests speak out against constitutional change in Philippines

The majority of Filipinos, including Catholic sisters and priests, as well as the bishops' conference, oppose a proposed change to the Philippines' constitution around economic provisions. 

Pauline Sr. Pinky B. Barrientos (standing on right) with Sr. Parichat Jullamonthon (standing on left) and Sr. Josephine Tablante (seated in front), are in charge of the congregation's media production studio at the provincial house and communication center building. The provincial house and communication center building is located across the street opposite the central house. (GSR photo/Oliver Samson)

Q&A with Sr. Pinky B. Barrientos, inviting Filipinos to push back against fake news

Sr. Pinky B. Barrientos spent most of her apostolic life working in radio, television and the editorial department of her congregation's publishing house. She spoke with GSR about why everyone must fight disinformation.

The Claretian Missionary Sisters at the congregation's house in Quezon City, Philippines (GSR photo/Oliver Samson)

Claretian Missionary Sisters offer skill training and a ready market for trainees' work

After the Claretian Missionary Sisters Philanthropic Development Office trains people in skills such as how to make soap, candles and bags, the sisters become customers and help expand the market for the products.

r. Eloisa Adamos Holdiem is executive director of Salvatorian Pastoral Care for Children. Its national office is in New Manila, Quezon City, Philippines (Oliver Samson)

Sisters of the Divine Savior educate women and children on abuse in the Philippines

The Sisters of the Divine Savior have helped establish groups advocating for women's and children's rights in 39 parishes across the Philippines, teaching them about abuse and what to do if a victim wants to seek justice.

 

Residents of Mary Mother of Mercy Home for the Elderly and Abandoned in San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines, gather in the home's outdoor hut to recite the Divine Mercy prayer and the rosary. They also watch TV there. (Oliver Samson)

4 nuns take care of abandoned older women in Philippines

Four Sisters of St. Francis Xavier — two Filipina sisters and two sisters from Myanmar — look after 18 residents of a home in San Pedro that provides shelter to women ages 60-90 who are experiencing homelessness.

Under the leadership of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, students collect trash at what remains of the small building of the homeowners' association, in the park they are rehabilitating in the city of Bacolod, in Negros Occidental, the Philippines. (Courtesy of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan)

Nuns, students and locals revive neglected park in Philippines

Since 2020, volunteers have collected more than 100 bags of waste cleaning up an abandoned park in Bacolod. Under the leadership of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, locals have been working to rehabilitate the park.

Sr. Eva Fidela Maamo, a member of Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres, in the conference room at the Foundation of Our Lady of Peace Mission in Paranaque City, Philippines (Oliver Samson)

Q & A with Sr. Eva Fidela Maamo, training Indigenous 'barefoot doctors'

St. Paul de Chartres Sr. Eva Fidela Maamo and her Foundation of Our Lady of Peace Mission have worked with Indigenous Aetas — including community health "barefoot doctors" — since a volcanic eruption displaced them in 1991.