The SATMI students and staff had there Mission-Immersion last January 25 to February 2, 2020. The 1st year and some foreign students were assigned in two different exposure areas, at Guinoyuran, Valencia, Bukidnon and at Panadtalan, Maramag, Bukidnon while the 2nd, 4th, 5th years and some SATMI Staff were assigned at Bag-ong Valencia, Dumingag Zamboanga del Sur.
A Journey towards Mission: Looking at the different faces of the mission, it reminds me of the difficulties and dedication of Jesus working during his public ministry. In this regard, the experience of mission at Ginuyoran, Valencia City, Bukidnon, specifically at the place of Sitio Talapusan, marks the experience of being in the journey of mission. Personally, being in the people sharing their successes and failures produced a colorful meaning in my life. This memorable journey builds a remark of shame and contentment. The presence of this simple but good people creates in me that in life, in general, is a mixture of color that need to accept not because of any circumstances but it is the part of the whole life story. It might produce a multitude of connotations, but I believe they are contented but, at the same time, hopeful for the problem that they encountered through the help of God. For me, it is not sound realistic, putting all adversaries to God, but here they are as a sign of this realistic view that they are not holding all possibilities in the journey of life. – Bro. Gino Sanchez, CsCh
The God of the Mountains: The days of surprises, listening, learning, and being challenged these had filled my eight days immersion in Panadtala, Maramag, Bukidnon. My immersion with the IP community in Panadtala was an unforgettable experience in my life. The People in that community, there were farmers, fishermen, and even small businessmen. Living in the mountains is harsh, demanding, and essential. But it was quite a shock to discover that God has been in the mountain before us. During my stay there, I was able to see the grace of God in the hospitality and generosity of those people who shared the little they had with us. They always shared what they had with others. For them, God was in the river, in the banana, Kasava, kamote plantations. They considered the river, the mountain, and the rocks as sacred. They believed that all of them were designed by the same hands that created us too.
The greatest lesson that I have learned about being with them during my immersion is that the joy of giving, the joy of connecting to love within ourselves and sharing, it with others. And in whatever situation, in health or sickness, the wealth of the heart is how we find something within ourselves that we want to give. Furthermore, one could be a politician, and one could be healthy yet die, but our real wealth and our real happiness in life are how we care and want to give with compassion. And the more we could all learn this, the more we could be happy and make others happy. The Panadtala IP community, whom we had gone to, became our teachers and preachers. They smiled though they have a thousand reasons to cry; we had learned that in our culture, even in religious life, productivity, and results are priorities. But here, we realized that being’ is perhaps more important than; doing’. We laughed with them, danced with them, listened to their stories, played with them in genuine solidarity. We experienced their lives and learned new values. We returned to our communities with a load of happy memories and life-enriching experiences. – Bro. Pelix Fernando, CSsR
During our immersion in Panadtalan, Maramag, Bukidnon was very memorable because I had met new people whom I consider my new friends who accompanied me in my journey. I was assigned to a very welcoming family with many children, granddaughters, and grandsons. I really admire the way they show their hospitality, and they treated me very well. This kind of attitude and values is not new to me because there are Filipinos who are still practicing hospitality. The most significant events in my immersion are not only the way they welcomed me and treated me well, but they share their culture, tradition, life, and personal experiences with me. In other words, they became open to me and shared some significant events in their life. In this way, I was able to listen to them, and I established excellent relationships with them. Aside from that, we developed trust with each other.
I also consider my experience during our immersion as meaningful because it allows me to reflect on some important realizations in life. I realized that sharing is essential in the presence of a person. In this sharing, I can express what is in my heart and mind. It allows me to know the person, especially their culture, traditions, and beliefs. It gives them significant marks that embedded in their lives as Manobo and Talaadig tribes. In other words, all those things are telling more about their identity as indigenous people and their undying history that creates a significant impact on their lives. I was so impressed by the way they preserve and protect their cultures, traditions, practices, and beliefs. They maintain and protect it by establishing school who teaches their indigenous language and everything that are related to them. – Bro. Jaymar Escoltor, OFM
God’s Presence in Creation: Life is indeed beautiful and amazing when people may appreciate the presence of God in all creatures. I am grateful to have the moment to see many things upon going to unknown places, which help me appreciate the mystery and wonder of God in the world. It refreshes me, and I come to realize that I am about to fail to recognize God’s presence and mystery with the things which are usually around me. That’s why I should not stay in one place because I may limit the presence of God and may lead me to neglect its existence because of familiarity. Moreover, I will give you one place, which helps me regain my strength and enthusiasm to continue living with faith.
Mabanag cold spring resort is a fantastic place for refreshment and relaxation. It is a beautiful creation of God that provides a foretaste and idea of the greatness of the Creator. It makes me realize that I am wrong on saying that ‘God is like this and like that’ because God is beyond every description that human beings can utter. Therefore, I am thankful that I have given a chance to see this new wonder, which helps me recognize the greatness of God. God is continuously communicating with us through creation. – Bro. Jusen Muana, CsCh
Last January, the students of Saint Alphonsus Theological and Mission Institute had their annual immersion program. The first year students went to Bukidnon together with our Indonesian brothers, and the remaining batches went to the town of Dumingag in Zamboanga del Sur. It was a very memorable experience, not only the immersion in the area, but also on the way to the area. We used a private bus going to Dumingag, along the national road in Bukidnon. Our bus refused to continue the journey. We waited for several hours and finally decided to do public transport. After the many stops and transfers, we finally reach our destination and warmly welcomed by the people. We were distributed to different households in Barangay Valencia and Barangay Kauswagan.
Our stay in the area, which barely covers an entire week, left us with many memorable experiences and lessons that could help us as we continue our journey as seminarians. During our stay, we were blessed to witness the launching of the new mission station in Valencia as well as the Fiesta of the Sto. Nino. With all these events, let me offer you my simple realizations. – Bro. Marthy Silubrico, C.Ss.R
