Hongkong Family Trip 09

GK Robosnai Groundbreaking

07 April 2009
Groundbreaking
Gawad Kalinga Robosnai
East Fairview, Quezon City
Philippines

Dangerously Beautiful

GLIMPSES (2009-04-03)
Jose Ma. Montelibano

It is a drama that has captured a nation's attention. Three International Red Cross workers, two foreigners and one local, were kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf bandits and are now trapped, together with their tormentors, in a mountain range in Sulu. A threat to behead one of them if government troops would not leave the area and contain themselves only in the Jolo area was not carried out. Having bought time, the kidnapped victims and government forces still do not know how the Abu Sayyaf will play out the drama. Neither does the public which follows the drama.

As I write this article, a deadly cat-and-mouse game intensifies. It does not threaten three lives but hundreds, both innocent and guilty alike. Around the mountain and the large band of bandits with their prisoners are the Marines and civilian militia coming from all the local government units. The Abu Sayyaf threatened to behead one of the kidnapped Red Cross workers because I believe they saw how they could all be massacred by the superior numbers and position of government forces. A simple threat put the Arroyo administration on hold. Once in a while in the Philippines, a life counts, especially if it is white and if it belongs to an international agency.

When Dick Gordon makes a plea for the lives of the three Red Cross workers, I cannot help but shed a tear with him. And what Dick may not be able to show in public but may be very much alive in his heart is a rage I cannot help but also feel. Sympathizing with victims is natural. What is not so clear is the cause of my rage, not just at the inhumanity of banditry for profit but the many lives that will be lost in the future if a settlement is reached and the kidnapped victims are returned alive and safe. What is not clear, even to me, is why a drama can whip up so much public sympathy for the Red Cross workers but almost nothing for the slain soldiers from the Marine Corps.

Are lives of ordinary Filipinos so devoid of value that the death of hundreds under the strangest circumstances that upset international human rights agencies create no public furor? Does it have to be like the case of Mary Jean Lacaba whose threatened life draws so much attention because she is part of the Red Cross? Even when we appreciate, or do not, one human life because it belongs to an ordinary Filipino, it is almost automatic that foreign lives, especially Caucasians, will elicit more importance from us.

I was in Sulu last week, part of a contingent from Gawad Kalinga visiting our first GK village in Patikul and preparing for our second in Panglima Estino. While media plays up the drama of an unresolved kidnapping and a most fluid situation which, in the end, can only end up with more lives lost, a miracle quietly unfolds where landless and homeless Tausug families in a barangay in Patikul discover that life is not all that hopeless. A generous landowner and just as generous a corporation produced land and homes for the poor.

From a very successful first initiative where the provincial government, Marines, civil society personalities, a municipal bureaucracy, and poor residents of a barangay converged in a Gawad Kalinga program, a template for replication is emerging and exciting those who have been traditionally frustrated at how things simply do not work in a conflict torn area. Panglima Estino is somewhere in the middle of Sulu, a place which most Filipinos may never have heard of. Yet, its mayor and the governor of Sulu asked Gawad Kalinga to establish a village in Panglima Estino after seeing how the residents in the first GK village in Patikul are so enthusiastic about their new homes and community.

Several more GK villages are planned for the next twelve months. Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan has been such a persistent advocate for GK in his province and is moving heaven and earth to produce funds for the houses and communities he wants to build with Gawad Kalinga. And the Marines led by Gen. Sabban and Gen. Ecarma believe that development the Gawad Kalinga way may trigger not just development but even friendship. It is unfortunate but somewhat anticipated that intermittent violence is still part of a pattern which is not so easy to break.

Sulu is dangerous not because of its terrain, which, by the way, is so beautiful with shores covered by white sands. Neither is it dangerous because it is home to the fierce and proud Tausug people. It is dangerous because we have allowed historical prejudice and religious competition to overtake the brotherhood that had been our birthright before being colonized and driven to fight against each other. And it will become even more dangerous if we do not struggle to dismantle four hundred years of Christian-Muslim conflict.

In the heat of the moment when bandits who terrorize for profit try to have their cake and eat it, too, what is beautiful in Sulu and its proud people remains hidden from view except from very up close. Sulu teaches us many lessons, many of them sad ones. Sulu reminds us how a divided people are not only weak but destructive to one another. How, then, can a Philippines ever be a strong nation with a fractious, quarreling population, jealous of their religions, resentful of their past and despairing of their future?

The road to peace in Sulu had long started. The path to friendship has begun between Christians and Muslims who are building homes and communities together. The passageway for the rediscovery of our fraternal bonds lies in our hearts if we choose courage over fear, generosity over greed, nobility over compromise.

When a friend from the military coined the phrase “dangerously beautiful” in reference to peace, he did not mean the usual meaning of danger. He was speaking about a personal experience, about how a beautiful land and people would captivate someone not from the place and make him giddy with infatuation. He was sharing, in two words, a love story that began from conflict and now wants to blossom in harmony.

Dangerously beautiful. Sulu.

My Bohol

Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. It is the 10th largest island in the country, located in the heart of the Visayas. To the west of Bohol is Cebu, to the northeast is the island of Leyte and to the south, across the Bohol Sea is Mindanao.

Bohol is a popular tourist destination with its beaches and resorts. The Chocolate Hills, numerous mounds of limestone formation, is the most popular attraction. The island of Panglao, located just southwest of Tagbilaran City, is home to some of the finest beaches in the country. The Philippine tarsier, considered the second-smallest primate in the world, is indigenous to the island.

Boholanos refer to their island homeland as the 'Republic of Bohol' with both conviction and pride. A narrow strait separates the island of Cebu and Bohol and both share a common language, but the Boholanos retain a conscious distinction from the Cebuanos.

Hills dominate the island of Bohol. Two ranges run roughly parallel on the northwest and the southeast. An interior plateau is dominated by limestone hills. In Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan, these hills form near perfect cones in great numbers and are collectively referred to as the Chocolate Hills.

Bohol's climate is generally dry, with maximum rainfall between the months of June and October. The interior is cooler than the coast. Bohol is the home province of Carlos P. Garcia, the fourth president of the Republic of the Philippines (1957-1961) who was born in Talibon, Bohol.

GEOGRAPHY

Bohol is the perfect arena for scuba diving, kayaking, trekking and cave exploration. For the less adventurous, it offers leisurely pursuits like cruising, swimming, snorkeling or, simply, collecting seashells by the seashore.

The Island of Bohol is oval-shaped mainland surrounded with 73 smaller islands, having a gently rolling terrain, ideal for commercial and industrial site development. Bohol's mountainous interior is home to rare and endangered flora and fauna. At certain points, hills drop steeply to the coast from a maximum elevation of 870 meters above sea level. The interior uplands are fit for agro-forestry and high value agricultural production. The central and northern lowlands have also fertile grounds and abundant water supply. Over a hundred caves have been identified, the biggest of which is found in the eastern part which makes Bohol ideal for spelunking adventures. The Chocolate Hills in Carmen, Bohol are considered one of Philippine's natural wonders and Bohol is often referred to as the Jewel of the Philippines.

Most beaches are of white sand. The sand is often of such high quality that it is exported to other beaches in the world. The most well known of these beaches are in Panglao Island, and there, numerous islets have similar, yet untouched and pristine beaches.

The Loboc River is the most famous, running from the southeastern coast to the center of the island. It is famous for its River Cruise going up to its water source. The largest, Inabanga River, runs in the northern part of the province.

Numerous waterfalls and caves are scattered across the island, including the beautiful Mag-Aso falls in Antequera. Mag-Aso means smoke in the native tongue. The water is cool and often creates a mist in humid mornings which can hide the falls.

P 1 billion hydropower plant set to rise in Agusan del Norte

By Mike U. Crismundo (Manila Bulletin, March 16, 2009)

Butuan City – Three lake towns in Agusan del Norte in Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region) are set for an economic boom as a P 1 billion hydro power plant is set to rise there.

The three towns around Laka Mainit are Jabonga, Santiago and Kitcharao.

A private investor is now currently closely coordinating with the provincial government for the final implementation of the said hydropower plant. Income and employment generation are foreseen once the plant is operational.

Governor Erlpe Amante has directed his technical development staff and engineering department head for proper and final evaluation of the said project.

According to flood experts, the setting up of a hydropower plant in Lake Mainit will also finally address the perennial flooding woes of the three lake towns.

Agriculture experts also observed that hydropower plant will also add income to farmers in terms of good water through irrigation project. “Our farmers can now regularly harvest their palay twice a year,” said an agricultural technician.

2008-12-05

mga pagbasa kuman, biyernes 2008-12-05

May mga regalo nan pagtoo na daan an mga buta sa ato ebanghelyo kuman adeser sila mangadjo nan kalooy gikan kan Jesus.

An pagtoo amoy nakadadjaw dila kay tangadjo man nila an kalooy ni Jesus.

Parehas nan iban pa na mga tawo sa mga ebenghelyo, nagpasibadja lamang an mga buta sa pagsunod kan Jesus hangtud na nadawat nila an tubag Nidja.

Sa mga panahon na mohangjo an ato mga amigo sanan mga lumon nan ato pangaliya sila para sa espesyal na intensiyon nila sanan magsibadja sab sila, kompiyansa kita na dunggon an ato pangaliya segun sa ato tag-asahan.

An importante dinhi, nahibayo kita na an ato pangaliya amoy makahatag dato na dayan patunong kan Jesus.

Taghatagan kita Nidja na pag-tan-aw na hikit-an nato an Idja huna-huna sanan kasing-kasing, puwersa sanan dan-ag para sa ato dayan.

Jesus, hatagi kami nan grasya na madawat namo an Imo maradjaw na regalo para himayaon 'Kaw namo, Amen.

readings for today, friday 2008-12-05

The blind men in our gospel today had already the gift of faith when before they asked Jesus to have pity on them.

Their faith deserved Jesus' healing when they were asked if they believed that He can heal them.

Like the many people in the gospels, the blind men have to persevere in following Jesus until they received his reply.

When our friends and relatives ask us for prayers for special intentions and we persevere, we are confident that our prayers are heard in the way that we hoped.

We know that our prayers give us access to Jesus and that is the most important thing.

He gives us interior sight into his mind and heart, strength and light for our way.

Jesus, give me the grace to be ready to receive Your many good gifts in a way that gives glory to You, Amen.

2008-12-04

mga pabasa kuman, huwebes 2008-12-04

Pagkatapos Nimo isulti an mahitungod sa mga tawo na motawag nan 'Lord' Dimo, nobati ako nan kasipog samtang nagadje ako, Lord.

Pero nahibayo ako na may oras pa ako na moaksiyon.

Inpasidan-an Mo pa ako na kon jaon ako sa mahuyang na lupa, an ako mga panultihon mahuyog lamang sa ilayom iban nan ako pag-komiter Dimo.

Medyo naembaraso ako nan inhibay-an nako kon uno ka hamabaw ra nan ako mga tagsulti, mga tagtudlo na mga pamayhon, bisan sa pangadje nako.

Bisan an mga konkreto na bayay dili mahangtod nan dugay ugsa na kon gusto nako nan butang na mahangtod, 'mogasto' gadjod ako nan ubay-ubay.

Mangaliya rakan ako na makab-ot nako an ako gusto.

Ama, hinaot unta na mohangtod ako bisan 'makagasto' ako nan ubay-ubay, Lord, Amen.

readings for today, thursday 2008-12-04

After what You said about people who call you ‘Lord,' I feel ashamed about being here praying, Lord.

But there is still the rest of the day for me to act.

You are telling me about my being on a shaky ground if my Christian commitment only goes as deep as my words.

I feel a little embarrassed when I realized just how cheap it is to talk, to espouse values, even to pray.

Even concrete edifices do not last very long hence if I want something more enduring, it will cost me so dearly.

I just pray I can bear the cost. Father, may we be able endure even if it will cost us so dearly, Lord, Amen.

2008-12-03

mga pagbasa para miyerkules 2008-12-03

Nagpakita si Jesus nan Idja kalooy sa mga masakiton sanan mga bakol na dinaya nan mga tawo sa paanan Nidja.

Tagtambay Nidja sila sanan tagtudloan Nidja an mga tawo nan tuyo ka adlaw na nagsunod Didja na mga gutom na.

Gusto nan mga apostoles, mga praktikal na tawo, na bugawon an mga nagsunod dila na mga tawo.

May siyete ka pan sanan mga gamay na mga isda sila.

Didto na si Jesus naghimo nan dako na milagro nan pagpahamok nan pan sanan isda, pagpakaon pagkaon para sa upat ka libo na tawo, babadje sanan bata.

Taghuna-huna nan ato Ginoo an ato mga tawhanon na kinahanglan.

Gusto Nidja na manginlabot sab kita sa iban.

Inhatag Nidja an Idja kaugalingon sa Balaanon na Misa para kita maaghit na maghatag sab nan gahin sa ibantawo.

Ginoong Jesus, himoa kami na mga maloloy-on parehas Dimo, Amen.

readings for wednesday 2008-12-03

Jesus manifested His compassion for the sick and the disabled who people brought and laid at his feet.

He cured them and spoke to the people who had been following him for three days and would have been hungry.

The apostles who were very practical men, wanted him to send them away.

They had only seven loaves and a few small fish.

And Jesus worked the great miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, feeding four thousand men, women and children.

Our Lord cares very much about human need.

He wants us to care too.

He gives us himself in the Holy Mass to encourage us to share with others.

Lord Jesus, let us be compassionate like You, Amen.

2008-12-02

mga pagbasa sa martes 2008-11-02

Puno si Jesus nan kalipay nan Epiritu Santo.

Uno man kahay hinungdan nan pagkalipay ni Jesus?

Puwede kaha na makaambit kita sa Idja kalipay?

Hikit-an nato na bagan nalipay si Jesus sa isa ka gutlo nan kadaugan.

Nolampos Sidja sa Idja pagpa-abot nan Ideya Ninja.

Kontento Sidja na tagdawat an Idja mga pulong na maypagmahal nan Idja mga mapahi-obsanon na mga disipulo.

Nakita Nidja na tagdawat nila an mga bahandi na waya ihatag sa mga hari sanan mga bantugan.

Ini an pakighi-usa nan Diyos nan paghigugma nan Idja Ama na inhatag sa katawhan.

Ila na ini tagpanag-idja.

Tagpanag-idja sab ini nato kuman.

Jesus, tabangi kami na mapanag-idja inin bahandi nan paghigugma Dimo na inhatag Nimo damo, Amen.

readings for tuesday 2008-11-02

Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

What was it that was making Jesus so happy?

Can we share in it?

It looks as though Jesus was enjoying a moment of success.

He had succeeded in communicating.

He was content with the acceptance of His loving message by His humble disciples.

He could see that they were being given a treasure that kings and other great people had missed out on.

Here is the oneness with God which the love of His Father was offering to humanity.

They already possessed it.

We possess it.

Jesus, help us own this treasure to love You which You are giving us, Amen.

2008-12-01

mga pagbasa nan lunes 2008-12-01

Dili unta kon angadjan na mangadjo nan pabor an sentoryon kan Jesus kay Romano man sidja, kontra nan mga Judeo.

Pero desidido gadjod karadjaw an sentoryon na mosood kan Jesus kay hugot man idja pagtoo na si Krito ra gadjod an makadadjaw sa masakiton na ulipon nidja.

Sa primero, gusto unta nidja na mokadto si Jesus sa ila bayay para tambadjon an solugoon pero nagduha-duha man sidja kay nasipog man seguro, nohangjo rakan sidja na bisan dili na si Kristo mokadto sa ila, ipamulong lamang Nidja, madadjaw na an maysakit.

Ini an tagkinahanglan nan ato Ginoo gikan dato, an arang gadjod ka hugot na pagtoo sa Diyos na mahimo Nidja bisan an mga butang na sa tan-aw nato imposible mahitabo, Idja mahimo.

Tagdadjeg ni Jesus an Romano kay arang man gadjod kahugot an pagtoo nidja Didja ugsa na nahikomparar Nidja an pagtoo nan sentoryon sa mga Israelita.

Kita na mga tag-aksiptar nan Diyos na Idja mga anak, may hugot ba isab kita na pagtoo sa ato Ginoo?

Ginoo ko, abrehi an amo mga huna-huna para mahimo kami na andam modawat nan Imo mga grasya kada adlaw, Amen.

readings for monday 2008-12-01

The centurion did not supposedly deserve to ask a favor from Jesus because he was a Roman, adversaries to the Jews.

However, he was very determined to get near to Jesus and ask Him heal his ailing servant because he firmly believed it was only Jesus who could straighten the paralyzed man who was home.

At first, the invitation was for Jesus to go his place to heal the servant but the centurion hesitated probably because he felt ashamed for he did not deserve Jesus' visit thus he just requested Him that He just say the words and his servant will be healed.

This is the faith that our Lord wants us to have, a faith in Him that even an apparent impossible thing could happen because of our belief in Him.

Jesus commended the Roman because he possessed true and deep faith in the Lord - a reason to compare the centurion with the Jews.

Do we, accepted children of God, also have true and deep faith in our Lord?

Lord, open our minds so that we can readily receive the graces that you constantly bestow on us everyday, Amen.