26/02/2026
Oni-gearing Towards Faith: Osaka Study Tour ‘26
“Begin with the end in mind,” said Sr. MarJo — a call that came alive in Osaka, where discovery, learning, and immersion unfolded at every turn, from dawn till dusk. From February 2 to February 9, 2026, 10 student participants from Batch ‘27 and 2 teacher chaperones embarked on a journey to Japan’s vibrant city of Osaka. The tour became a transformative experience for students and teacher chaperones alike, weaving together cultural encounters, academic learning, and moments of sisterhood that flourished beyond classrooms.
The trip began as soon as the plane landed in Japan. Exploring the city of Osaka–from the bustling streets of Shinsaibashi to the vibrant corners of Namba–the participants found themselves immersed in discovery and curiosity. In Hozen-ji Temple, hidden in the narrow alleys of Dotonbori, the journey’s purpose of faith and reflection— through different cultures— came to life. There, participants offered incense and prayers before the moss-covered statue of Mizukake Fudō, a quiet ritual that set the tone for the following days of the meaningful trip.
The heart of the study tour unfolded at Assumption Kokusai, where the participants joined Japanese peers in classes, experiencing subjects like science and PE in a new cultural context. Differences in school life became lessons in themselves, showing how education can reflect traditions and values. Yet beyond academics, the most tender encounter came with the kindergarten students—playing games, serving food, and sharing meals together. In their laughter and small gestures, the participants discovered that care and joy transcend language, and that sisterhood can begin with something as simple as a smile.
With the K2D class, the participants were able to introduce laro ng lahi like pantintero, while their Japanese counterparts shared games and activities such as daruma-san ga koronda and origami, otherwise known as senbazuru or “one thousand paper cranes.” The activities brought laughter and smiles, proving that despite the language barrier, games and play itself is a universal language of friendship. However, Japanese games were not the only activities they were introduced to. A tea ceremony and tea preparation activity prepared by Assumption Kokusai’s tea club invited the participants into a traditional ritual where every gesture made was deliberate and a type of meditation. A calligraphy class allowed the participants to learn how to write their names in Kanji, Katakana, and Hiragana, learning the meanings behind their names, each stroke of ink a bridge between cultures.
One of the most breathtaking highlights of the trip was the hike to Minoh Falls. The trail wound through forests alive with stories told by the tour guides. The group hiked roughly 7 kilometers to the falls and back. Despite the continuous tiring trail, it was an epiphany with every step, a reminder of God’s existence in nature and the peace found in pausing to simply appreciate the journey.
The most meaningful part of the trip was during the Takidashi soup kitchen at the Nishinari Ward—a place where many homeless Japanese locals reside. The group persevered through 2-degree weather with freezing hands and, in the end, served over 200 locals and more than 400 bowls of warm soup. This was also followed by a reflection sharing with the Nishinari sisters. The girls shared how the experience deepened their understanding that true service goes beyond comfort; it means sacrificing comfort to show compassion to put others first even in the most difficult conditions. Through the sharings, one thing was evident: the Assumption spirit, and the realization that love and service reaches far beyond borders. Sister Maria told the girls: “More than remembering with your head, remember what you felt with your heart.”
On the last day, the participants attended Mass at Umeda Catholic Church, part of the Sacra Famiglia Archdiocese of Osaka. In the middle of the Mass, snow began to fall quietly beyond the window behind the altar, answering the group’s long-repeated prayers for snow on their final day. From there, they made their way to the Osaka Science Museum where they explored interactive exhibits and displays. The STEM students on the trip showed particular interest in the Chemistry section of the museum, especially as their chemistry teacher Ms. Rea Hebron, serving as a chaperone, gave an impromptu lesson using the real elements of the periodic table on display. Afterwards, they continued to the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, where they encountered contemporary works reflecting Japanese culture in interpretive ways–from advocative displays and freedom of expression to artistic reflections of everyday mundane life.
At the end of the trip, Osaka truly became home away from home for the participants. What began as a week of discovery unfolded into a journey of faith, service, and sisterhood–woven through moments that passed them by throughout the week. The service at the soup kitchen revealed to them the heart of amare et service, while the snowfall on their last day felt like a blessing that sealed their trip all together. More than a study tour, their trip to Osaka became a living testament to transformation – etching in their hearts the call to become women of faith and action, carrying forward lessons of compassion, resilience, and service that will never fade.
Article by Maya Dumayas and Sachi Delos Santos
Photos by Thea Olivares, Kirsten David, Lexine Tuazon, and Maya Dumayas
