The Gift Book

There’s nothing more sacred than human kindness.
Not AI, not gleaming machines, not even the most advanced
technology that hums within our hospital and school.

It lives in every pulse quietly taken,
every wound gently dressed,
every student hunched woven in digital learning.

This is the quiet labor of presence—
the everyday sacrifice made without applause:
to be there, fully.
to listen with undivided heart.

To provide clarity when you’re anxious,
to stay guiding when you need us.
Love forms here.
Love teaches here.
Love in fact does it all here.

"Holding this Gift Book is more than holding a commemorative piece. We have collected images etched into the fabric of memory across generations. Painted on the canvas of time, these moments are offered as a gift of devotion to wounded humanity, a testament to resilience and hope." -

Excerpt from the Gift Book Introduction

Message from the Foundation's President

“Take good care of the service of the poor. Above all, live together in great union and cordiality, loving one another in imitation of the union and life of Our Lord. Pray earnestly to the Blessed Virgin, that she may be your only Mother.” (SWLM: 835 [Spiritual Testament])

With these words, St. Louise de Marillac left the Daughters of Charity a profound spiritual testament. She reminded the Sisters of the very heart of their vocation: to serve Christ in the person of the poor, and to live in unity and love, as Jesus did with His disciples. Mary, the first and most faithful disciple, remains our model and guide, leading each one closer to Christ and to the suffering members of His body.

Since 1660, this spirit continues to animate the Daughters of Charity and their lay mission partners, urging all to renew daily their commitment to serving the poor with humility, love, and excellence. This very mission has inspired San Juan de Dios Hospital and College to continuously expand its programs, upgrade its curriculum, and improve its facilities ensuring that the quality of service remains faithful to its Vincentian roots and relevant to the needs of the times.

For 447 years, the institution has formed and inspired countless mission-driven individuals, lay partners who, moved by compassion and conviction, serve well beyond the call of duty. Like Saints Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac, who gave themselves fully to God by serving those on the margins, we too are called to keep their charism alive

bearing witness to God's love through concrete acts of service.

The Miracle Building will stand as a testament to this enduring legacy, a gift from today’s leaders and benefactors to future generations. May it inspire all who will walk its halls to embrace the mission of serving the poor, and in doing so, discover for themselves the transforming and empowering love of God.

Every endeavor born from a sincere desire to uplift the poor is favored by God. May our friends, benefactors, and

partners of San Juan de Dios Hospital and College find joy in sharing their blessings and in doing so, be counted among the generous givers whose reward lies not only in this world, but in eternity.

Sr. Maria Luisa B. Javier, DC
SJDEFI President

Excerpts from the Introduction

"How do we narrate the many untold stories and unspoken meanings woven into the depths of history? 

How do we do justice to the immense wealth of institutional memory handed down to us by Fray Juan Clemente—his heroic passion, his unconditional drive for inclusion, his love for the neglected in the 16th century Manila?

Memory fades one generation after another. And yet, the legacy of our institution—now San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation, Inc. (SJDEFI)—has endured in 447 years. It has outlived generations of leaders, sponsors, and silent actors, leaving behind scars and whispers, marks and fragments, from the drama that happened in the ward, corridor, and chapel.

From those who died one after another to those still living, we have shared this legacy: A grace of history shaped by spiritual mission, fortified by sacrifice.

Whether you are a builder of dreams, a curious student, an art enthusiast, a medical practitioner, a mission partner, or simply someone drawn to help, this book carries voices preserved in the echoes of generative duty. What have remained are documents, photographs, statues, accounts, memorabilia, and countless items of the past. It is a legacy inscribed in history’s stone markers.

While no single book can contain all the pieces of a history-given legacy, this Gift Book, we hope, can provide a glimpse of the enduring love passed on to us up to the present Digital Generation.

Every page you turn draws you closer to a tapestry—the Word of God at work in the history and vocation of a missionary institution. It is rare. It is faithful. It is hopeful. Above all, it is LOVE.

For us, the only way to move forward from today’s confusion and vulnerability is to look deeply into this legacy, for here, we have an evidence of God’s enduring love to His people."

Challenges of the Present

Vision for the Future

Administration