Fr. John Vien Nguyen: A Visionary Leader Transforming Indigenous Communities in Culion

Fr. John Vien Nguyen is a spiritual leader, visionary, and champion of the poor and marginalized indigenous communities in Culion. Born in Vietnam and later moving to the United States in 1975, Fr. John's journey of compassion began when he volunteered at the Vietnamese Refugees Center in Puerto Princesa City in 1984-1985 in between his philosophy and theology studies during seminary school. This experience left a lasting impression on him.

In 2012, driven by a desire to give back to the community that had shown such kindness to Vietnamese refugees, Fr. John returned to the Philippines. From 2012-2015, he worked in VietVille in Puerto Princesa City. From 2015-2019, he served in ministry under the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto and the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay, dedicating his efforts to indigenous Tagbanua communities. He also collaborated with the Society of Divine Word in Mindoro and supported indigenous Mangyan communities there.

Since 2019, Fr. John, in mutual agreement with the Bishop, has been providing spiritual care to five remote communities in Culion: Patag, Parang, Cabulihan, Mampoc, and Matalbong. These communities are mostly composed of indigenous people from the Tagbanua, Cuyonon and Calamian groups. In alignment with the Bishop's priorities, Fr. John is also working on the overall development of these communities in agriculture and education.

Seeing firsthand the lack of resources and opportunities in these remote areas, Fr. John launched the Self-Reliant Farm program in 2019 with support from his ministry and donations from family and friends. While raising crops and livestock at the farm, he is providing scholarships to bright young students in fields such as agriculture, automotive technology, veterinary science and medicine. Fr. John believes that investing in the education of future leaders and service providers is key to creating a thriving, self-sufficient community. By mentoring these students and providing them with scholarships and resources, they are empowered to return to the community where they are deeply rooted and offer much-needed services. His vision for a self-reliant community also includes livelihood support, resources for agriculture and fishing, addressing water shortages, and improving facilities and infrastructure.

Fr. John's vision is noble and has the power to transform lives, leaving a lasting impact on the community. His dedication and compassion are admirable and inspire everyone around him. His commitment to creating a sustainable future for the indigenous people of Culion exemplifies the spirit of giving back.

WE Foundation is proud to support Fr. John's projects, providing the resources and backing needed to turn his vision into reality. Together, we are working towards a brighter future for these deserving communities.

Fr. John having a meeting with the scholars at the farm

Fr. John celebrating Mass at the farm with the scholars

Our first meeting with Fr. John at the farm on January 7, 2024