Fr. Provincials January Travel Log The first month of 2014 is the scheduled “log in” to the Oblate missions of the south – Sulu and Tawi-Tawi not through a virtual site but, an actual visit to the remote island schools and chapels. A record or travel log of the visit starts with: January 10- arrival in Bongao where a warm welcome was given by the church leaders at the airport followed by a delicious lunch. The cynosure among the dishes served was the tasty “Kamon” and the not to be outdone “lechon” (roasted pig). January 11- departure for Tabawan. The 4 to 5-hour trip was smooth sailing from the Chinese pier of Bongao to Tandubas. A stop was made at the pier for 1-hour cargo transfer from an interisland vessel. Thus, scheduled boat rides within the islands are unpredictable. One has to remain patient for unscheduled stops and weather conditions. In his apostolic exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium” Pope Francis mentioned the fact that “Evangelization consists mostly of patience and disregard for constraints of time.” Sailing from Tandubas to South Ubian was another matter for big waves (4 to 5 feet high) slapped against the vessel; rocking it violently for two hours that the boat seemed to capsize at any moment. By standing up the rising feeling of nausea was controlled even as bigger waves (now 6 feet in height) soon buffeted the vessel. Instead of the usual mooring place, the vessel moved on to Nusa. Samud, the loyal all around school handyman who as a little lad started working with the late Fr. Leopold Gregoire, OMI (arrival in the Philippines – 1950) navigated a borrowed and aging pump boat for the trip to Tabawan. He took the long roundabout route in view of the stormy weather brought about by typhoon Agaton rather than the shortcut to sail against the wind. This brought to mind that amidst stormy conditions one must “obey the law of nature.” Consequently, a banca for Fr. Julito dela Cruz, OMI in Tabawan will be provided in the next budget appropriation. The rough seas prevented fishermen to catch any fish and the fare of canned sardines and packed noodles was pleasantly shared in Tabawan. Mass was celebrated the following day with 19 Catholics, two (2) Oblate priests and one (1) seminarian. Out of 100 enrolled students at Notre Dame of Tabawan, only 80 students enrolled the previous school year were recognized by the Department of Education as Education Service Contracting (ESC) enrollees and the remaining 20 new-to-the-school students had to pay their school fees. An invitation to the “gunting” (scissor) rite (cutting of the hair) was extended which is equal to the Christian baptism; lunch and dinner was thereafter shared with two (2) families. Interreligious dialogue is actively practiced in terms of sharing and the sincere welcome of the religious into the non-Christian homes. January 13- no boat trip from Tabawan to Bongao; got stranded in Tabawan for three (3) days. Not a single vessel put out to sea as the rain fell hard for 12 hours and howling winds battered the galvanized roofing sheets of houses. Providentially, the convent house proved sturdy against the tempest. Hence, the schedule to Sibutu and Sitangkai was disrupted. January 15- one (1) motorboat (launch) out of three (3) managed to get out of the shallow waters of Tabawan and after 8-1/2 hours, Bongao was once more in site. The usual windy weather was felt however, the trip to Tongheat for the fiesta celebration was cancelled because Bishop Angelito Lampon, OMI could not be accommodated in the fully-booked flights. He had to take the boat from Jolo to Zamboanga and finally arrived at 8 o’clock in the evening on the 18th of January, despite the rough sea conditions. January 19- fiesta celebration of Batu-Batu with Bishop Angelito Lampon, OMI, Fr. Larry de Guia, OMI, Fr. Gaudencio Basada, OMI – Batu-Batu Mission in-Charge, and Fr. Elmer Boston, OMI – Sibutu Mission in-Charge in attendance. The highlight of the celebration in honor of Sto. Niño, the child Jesus, was the Sinulog Festival. Images of the child Jesus were raised up mostly by Muslims while some others lifted up the Koran. The parade which started from the Church’s frontage was therefore a sight to behold. After the Eucharistic celebration presided by Bishop Lito, lunch was sumptuously served with four (4) roasted pigs and varied dishes from two (2) butchered cows were arrayed on the table along with other filling food. The whole community contributed to the affair and the atmosphere of harmony was strongly felt in the involvement of the youth, the dance choreography, the songs of the choir and the animated Mass. Participants in the Sinulog showdown drew in various groups namely students, Muslims and municipal employees. The Panel of Judges included the Provincial Treasurer, Patricia Mar, the wife of the Governor, Madame Annabel Sahali, a Marine Lieutenant and two lay Muslims. A raffle was held after the end of the Sinulog performance with cell phones given away as prizes. This was sponsored by the local government unit. The influence of Fr. Gaudencio “Denz” in the community affair is to be noted. One can feel the Christian community coming back more alive by their participation in all activities as inspired by Fr. Denz. On his second year in Batu-Batu, he was able to delegate some tasks among the church leaders so much so that did not undergo the previous year’s total physical exhaustion. At half past four (4) in the afternoon, travel by land was made to Sanga-Sanga and in the evening a dinner was tendered by the Castillo family. Fr. Elmer Boston, OMI and Fr. Howard Tatel, OMI who showed a limping gait due to unavailability of good provisions in the remote islands had a good chat with Bishop Lampon, OMI concerning their missions. Fr. Howard gave a retreat at Notre Dame of Bongao unhampered by the sore feeling in his right foot. January 21- back to Cotabato City with the ease of having shared the experiences of the personnel in the missions and the knowledge that the missions in Jolo and Tawi-Tawi are alive with the vision of commitment to dialoguing with people of different cultures, faiths and religions; a fitting tribute as true sons of St. Eugene de Mazenod who are affirming their 75th year of being daring missionaries. Fr. Larry de Guia, OMI
Posted on: Sun, 23 Feb 2014 11:50:09 +0000
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