Published article in Maryknoll Global Concerns: Newsnotes

http://maryknollogc.org/article/philippines-building-resilient-communities

Published article in Maryknoll Newsnotes

http://maryknollogc.org/article/philippines-climate-crisis

Ang Aral Mula Sa Mga Alitaptap

Ito na ang huling gabi ko sa piling ng pamilyang dela Cruz.  Sa halos apat na araw ko sa kanila, ibang closeness din ang nadama ko. Marahil, sa kanila ko naranasan ang kakaibang pag-aasikaso kumpara sa lahat ng natirhan ko.  Ibang-iba ang pagiging magalang ni Ka Jun at pagiging maalalahanin ni Ka Letty

Katatapos lang naming maghapunan ng dalag na sinabawan at hinaluan ng paasim na 'alas-dose'.  May terno ring 'papaitan at saluyot', binanlian ng tubig, ni walang asin.  Binili ko ang 'dalag' nang may maglako.  Bakit nga ba hindi--- ito ang aking huling gabi, isang pasasalamat.  Isang malaki at maliit na dalag.  Ang malaki ay niluto ni Ka Letty, at ang maliit ay ipinahatid sa Bapang Arce, ang matandang mag-asawa na nag-anyaya sa akin matulog sa kanila ng tatlong gabi.  Pantawid-ulam, wala kasi silang makain araw-araw.  Malimit nagtitiis na lang sa gutom.

Pagkakain, naisipan kong umupo sa giray na upuang yari sa kawayan doon sa labas, sa gawing kanan ng bintana.  Madilim, maingay ang lamok na parang nang-iinis sa tabi ng aking tenga.  Napatingala ako at nakita ang pagkaganda-gandang langit -- tila ba binudburan ng iba't-ibang laki ng mga bituin.  Kung puwede lang tumingala magdamag.  Maya-maya, nagdatingan ang mga alitaptap sa mga puno.  Langkay-langkay sila at nagmistulang 'christmas tree' na nangniningas ang mga puno.

Tahimik lang ako, maliban sa nangingiti tuwing tatawagin ni Ka Letty paminsan-minsan, para bang ina na hinahanap kung nasaan ang mahal na anak.  Ang iba pang sinasabi niya ay hindi ko maintindihan, Sambal kasi.  Lumipas ang mga oras nang hindi ko namalayan dahil sa buong layang pangtunganga ko sa langit at mga alitaptap.  Nasabi ko tuloy sa sarili, "may mabuting aral ang mga alitaptap.  Sa gitna ng pusikit na dilim, may dala-dala silang mumunting liwanag.  Kapag nagsama-sama sila, nagiging maliwanag at kasiya-siya sa paningin.  Kung ang mga tao sana'y ganito, magdadala ng liwanag ang bawat isa kabila ng kadiliman, ng paghihirap, sana'y magiging maliwanag din, magkakaroon ng pag-asa.  Maliliit na kutitap sa dilim subalit pag natipon ito'y naghahatid ng liwanag.  Tao...pamarisan sana natin ang mga alitaptap."

From A Mission Journal, 16 June 1995 with the Aetas (Indigenous Filipinos in Northern Philippines)
Bahay ni Ka June at Ka Letty dela Cruz in Itanglew, Botolan, Zambales.

Brief Encounters in Panama

Visiting Panama for the first time fascinated me so much.  The more than two hours traffic jam from the downtown bus station to Las Mananitas gave me a slow introduction of Panama City.  From passing the poorer sections where tenements and many older buildings provided a kaleidoscope of different beauty, to the towering high-rises and landscaped private villas gave such a power and status contrast in a small nation.  My thoughts were interrupted with the warm hugs of Sisters Jane Zawadzki and Laura Guladew  to welcome me.  

Srs. Laura and Jane, Panama Canal

The Sisters place in Las Mananitas is a very comfortable bungalow with a wide garden space that rolls down to the green slopes of grass. Different fruit trees showed promise of fruits in the next few months.  Moreover, Bam-bam, the dog, adds to the lively atmosphere of the sisters’ home.  The neighborhood is mostly Afro-Panamanian.  For the first time, I met people of African descent with Latin American rhythm ---and it is so wonderful to have such experience.  The loud music, laughter,  and casual greetings reflected freedom and informality.  I learned that Las Mananitas was once a poor community.  Now, the community is beginning to experience certain amenities of recent economic developments.

Sr. Marvie and new friends in Tamarindo

The two weeks at Centro Pastoral went by so quick.  I interviewed the two Sisters who are working in the 'granja' (farm).  The pastoral center produces its own electricity from solar and it has rain catchments that supply the water all year round, even during drought season.  Although not totally 100% carbon neutral, the center is an example of off-grid lifestyle.  The Silvo-pastoral approach to organic farming is very much practiced.  The farm supplies its own feeds to the farm animals.  The farm also provides produce and dairy for consumption at the center.  Our day at Centro Pastoral begins with a quiet prayer and meditation at 5 o'clock in the morning.  The staffs gather for a short prayer with the Sisters before all the work start.  All gather for lunch like one big family. 

Sr. Melinda Roper leading the Celebration of the Word

Since I was visiting the week before Christmas, I had chance to go with Sister Melinda Roper to visit the mission stations in the villages for the celebration of the “Posadas.”  Posada is a prayer tradition in Church, telling the story about the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus.  This is very popular in the Latin American Catholic Church.  The prayers and singing witnessed to the beautiful and great faith of the people gathered for the celebration of the Word. 

Map location of Sta. Fe, Darien, Panama