Over Spring Break, a group of 15 students and four teachers embarked on a 10-day trip across the Pacific Ocean, journeying to the Philippines. It was the first immersion trip that Riordan participated in.
Theology teacher Dr. Oliver Meneses first proposed the idea of an immersion trip.
He expressed how “inspiration was drawn from SERVIAM, our school’s service program, which provides students with opportunities to serve various organizations, even beyond our country.”
The trip began in Pampanga, a province north of Manila, landing at Clark International Airport. There, students began their first immersion experience, meeting with Mary Help of Christians School in Mabalacat.
Together, they explored the many different celebrations and traditions practiced around Pampanga.
During Holy Week, immersion students saw firsthand the celebrations that Filipinos practice on Good Friday.
Full of immense dedication to their faith, these Filipinos practiced flagellation, carrying of crosses, and even re-enactments of the Crucifixion.
While shocking, these drastic displays of faith were a testament to the intense devotion that the people in Pampanga have.
This lesson taught students the importance of their faith and how their dedication can be shown in stronger ways.
“It was truly an amazing experience,” said Sienna Lee ’26. “I got to experience firsthand the extreme faith this community had; it taught me a lot.”
Students, along with their buddies from the Mary Help of Christians school, also saw the Aeta Community in the more rural mountain area of Pampanga. This indigenous group welcomed Archbishop Riordan with kindness and hospitality, providing both food and dance to the Crusaders.
In return, Riordan students shared performances of their own and helped serve meals.
“Preparing the dance was so fun to do, and I’m glad we got to offer something in return for the Aeta community after how generous they were towards us,” said Khloe Wu ’26.
The trip included outreach work with underserved communities, time spent with host families in Manila, and visits to organizations like Tuloy sa Don Bosco, which supports street children in Manila.
Throughout the trip, daily reflections helped students process what they learned. From witnessing deep faith traditions to building relationships across cultures.
One of the faculty leaders, Melanie Aguas, expressed that”the immersion trip was eye opening and life changing for students and chaperones alike. Being immersed into the community helped us to experience cultivated attitudes and inspired us to live intentionally in service to others.”
By the end of the immersion trip, students returned with a deeper understanding and perspective of the world and their values.
Meneses shared, “I believe that this experience was truly life-changing for most of the participants, if not all, especially in practicing their faith and having a life of service.”
The trip emphasized that faith is not something we believe in but something that can be lived out through service.
