AJOS TRUST

Ajos Trust, founded by JJ Formento, is a registered charity with Charity Commission UK since 2015.

PASYON is a cross-arts collaboration presented at the Arts at the Old Fire Station in Oxford, 2018

BEAT STREET dancers free-styling at the Dancin' Oxford Launch Event at Bonn Square on 28 February 2015

Ben Tracey, Carl Monzon and Serega Kundik

Each year since 2006, AJOS TRUST has been providing SCHOLARSHIPS to students at
AJOS NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, MULANAY, QUEZON PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES.

We raise funds here in the UK to help young students to enroll in school and achieve excellence,
invigorating their appetite for education as a means of elevating themselves from abject poverty.

In 2025, AJOS CARE is set up as a registered Non-Profit at Security Exchange Commission in the Philippines. 

A Ripple of Hope in Ajos, written by Jay Lim, Tanggol Kalikasan, Programme Director (May 2025)

The air in Ajos, Mulanay, Quezon, hung thick and sweet, carrying the scent of salt and the promise of something new. It was the launch of Ajos CARE, a ripple of hope set to expand across this quiet coastal community. Sunlight, fractured by the fronds of towering coconut palms, painted shifting patterns on the faces of the gathered locals, their eyes reflecting a blend of anticipation and gentle curiosity. I stood there, a newcomer drawn into their fold, eager to witness the unfolding of this homegrown endeavor.

The soft cadence of Tagalog mingled with the occasional triumphant crow of a rooster, creating a natural symphony. My attention was soon captured by a small cluster of people near a table laden with the inviting aromas of locally sourced saba bananas and sinukmani – a sweet rice cake that tasted of pure honey infused with the notes of brewed coffee. Amidst them a man whose quiet warmth drew me in. He was listening intently to another unassuming individual, JJ Formento, his gaze unwavering and genuinely engaged.

There was no trace of self-importance in his bearing, only a sincere connection with the person speaking. It was JJ himself who later introduced him, and the name resonated with a quiet impact: Rusty Palacio Guarin, the internationally acclaimed film director and writer.

A jolt of surprised admiration coursed through me. Here was a man whose film, "As The Call, So The Echo," had touched hearts across continents, yet he stood here, in this tranquil corner of Quezon, conversing with the community as if he were simply one of them. No retinue, no grand pronouncements, just a peaceful presence.

Later, I found an opportunity to speak with Rusty. He didn't dwell on his directorial triumphs or the intricacies of cinematic storytelling. Instead, his eyes sparkled with genuine enthusiasm as he spoke of Ajos CARE's potential, the artistry of the locals and the wealth of untold narratives woven into the very fabric of this place. He expressed a heartfelt desire to lend his voice, his vision, to amplify their stories, perhaps even one day capturing the raw beauty of Mulanay on film.

His humility was disarming. He wore his accolades lightly, his focus firmly rooted in the present moment and the people surrounding him. He was a keen listener, his questions thoughtful and imbued with genuine curiosity. He offered no sweeping pronouncements, no attempt to command attention. Instead, he blended seamlessly into the community's rhythm, his presence a quiet affirmation.

As the day unfolded, I encountered other remarkable souls. There was JJ Formento, the passionate founder and driving force behind Ajos CARE Philippines. A contemporary dancer from Oxford, his journey had led him back to his roots, establishing not only this social enterprise but also the UK-based Ajos Trust, dedicated to nurturing arts and alleviating poverty in this very village. His quiet determination was palpable.

I also had the privilege of meeting Dr. Margie Alcaide, a brilliant mind from José Rizal University. Despite her PhD and impactful research on sustainability and collaborative projects – work recognized with a Best Paper Award and a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship – she exuded a similar down-to-earth simplicity. Her dedication to empowering communities through sustainable practices resonated deeply.

Each person I met that day, from the skilled fishermen who spoke intimately of the ocean's moods to the diligent artisans, possessed a quiet dignity, a profound connection to their heritage and their community's well-being. Their satisfaction seemed intrinsically linked to the act of creation, of contribution, rather than the pursuit of accolades.

Sharing a boodle fight lunch – a communal feast of traditional sour stewed fish and fresh catch grilled in coconut husks, the smoky aroma mingling with the salty air – further cemented the feeling of shared humanity. Meeting Rusty Palacio Guarin, JJ Formento, and Dr. Margie Alcaide amidst the unassuming yet inspiring people of Ajos was a potent reminder that true greatness often resides in quiet humility. It was a lesson learned not through grand pronouncements, but in the gentle attentiveness of a celebrated director, the quiet resolve of a returning son, the grounded wisdom of a scholar, and the shared hope for a vibrant future blossoming in this tranquil corner of Quezon.

The May 2, 2025, launch of Ajos CARE Inc., a social enterprise advocacy for sustainability, agriculture, and resilient ecosystems in the Philippines, with its dedicated Board of Directors Mafe Navarro and Lole Formento was more than just an inauguration. We celebrated with an insightful ocular inspection, followed by a focus group discussion facilitated by Jay Lim of Tanggol Kalikasan. This engaging session brought together award-winning Sustainability PhD speaker Margie Alcaide, award-winning filmmaker Rusty Palacio Guarin, dedicated LGU members, passionate teachers from DepEd Tayo Ajos NHS-Quezon Province, and the heart of the community – its farmers and fisherfolk. The palpable success of this community engagement underscored that the launch of Ajos CARE was, indeed, a celebration of the quiet strength and profound grace found in the most unassuming of places and the most grounded of hearts, a true testament to what can be achieved when a community unites for a shared vision.