Sunday, March 31, 2019

Lent 2019: The Road to Forever in Jamindan

Some roads we take, like the winding paths through the lush greenery or the unpaved trails leading to hidden gems, may be rough. But our courage and determination will take us to our destination, no matter how challenging. The triumph over these obstacles is a testament to our strength and resilience, empowering us for the journey ahead.

In my hometown of Jamindan, we are leaving behind our painful memories—the struggles we fought and the battles we've won. We've found the newest place to refresh our minds and bodies and uplift our spirit—our soulful desire.

As we embrace development, we have finally closed the loop and become connected by covering the roughness and enjoying a smooth ride on the road to forever—a metaphorical journey that symbolizes our continuous growth and progress. This journey, like no other, is a catalyst for personal growth, prompting us to reflect on our experiences and learn from them. 

This national highway, the latest destination for lovers of scenic drives and nature enthusiasts, connects the town of Jamindan, Capiz, to the town of Altavas in Aklan. It is a popular route for friends, bicycle riders, and families as they journey to their destination and capture pleasant memories in this place they may call paradise.

Located in Barangay Lucero in the town of Jamindan, this road with a higher elevation offers a breathtaking view of the mountains. The beauty of these natural landscapes, whether shrouded in mist during the rainy season or bathed in the warm glow of a summer sunset, is a constant source of inspiration on our journey.
 The road to the summit, a metaphor for our personal growth journey, may now be refined as we go on an adventure. But what makes us feel good is reaching the highest peak, having a short break, taking a deep breath, and healing our broken hearts. This journey is a comforting balm, a respite from life's worries. 

On this Lenten season, the road to forever may be a good place to unwind, feel relaxed, meditate, and be connected to the Divine. It is a peaceful sanctuary where we can relive our sense of purpose and fulfill our dreams and desires.

The road to forever in Jamindan is a destination for everyone who wants to express happiness and those who may be lost, wounded, or broken. 

When we regain our strength, we can collect each piece, our incompleteness, and become whole and renewed again. This journey is a promise of renewal, a beacon of hope. 

© 2019 Del Cusay


Sunday, March 24, 2019

Lent 2019: Memories of Mount Bato-Arobo

I was born in an upland municipality blessed with natural resources and biodiversity away from the city. It is a mountainous town with natural scenery, lush forest, and wildlife. It is considered a peaceful sanctuary where a cool mountain breeze and a morning dew uplift the senses and the soul.

I have lived in this peaceful town since the mid-'80s. During my younger years, I learned to appreciate the natural environment and loved our culture and traditions.


When I was about 6 years old, my parents brought me and my siblings to barangay Pasol-o in the town of Jamindan in Capiz (my mother's birthplace). We hiked for less than 2 hours to reach the place. That was a tiring journey but an excellent adventure for all of us. That was my first hiking experience, so I have always loved nature trekking and hiking.

Then, almost every year after that, on a hot summer day, we used to return when there was a Fiesta or a celebration in our relative's place. When we were approaching our destination, we knew we saw a vast mountain rock about less than or closer to 50 meters high. Hence, the area got its name, Bato-Arobo, a giant rock formation.

During those years, a hike to Bato-Arobo was challenging since some areas had rough roads and were muddy, and some were full of amorseko weeds that stuck to the clothes. The good thing about hiking was the stories or urban legends about the origin of that giant rock, which I was incredibly fascinated with as a kid. We were told that the vast stone houses a big golden horse that might have been kept during the Japanese occupation. However, until now, that story remains an urban legend since nobody can see it.

The last time I visited Bato-Arobo was in high school with my family. We were served a natural and healthy drink, coconut juice with coconut meat, while we had beautiful stories and laughter. My last visit wasn't hiking since the road was passable to a jeepney where we were transported. It was like a roller coaster ride on a rocky road, and we really enjoyed the experience.

Now, 3 decades later, it was great news when I heard from my father that the road to Bato-Arobo is currently undergoing concrete road construction to the neighboring barangays of San Juan and Ganzon, both places I am eagerly looking forward to visiting.

Road construction is part of the Local Government's priority development that will benefit many families living in Barangay Pasol-o, especially those living in an upland Sitio of Bato-Arobo. This project is a testament to our community's unity and shared vision.


I am eager to witness the development of the place I have loved since childhood. Bato-Arobo has been a source of adventure and a teacher of perseverance and endurance in life. It has taught me that no matter the difficult road, we must continue forward, viewing obstacles as challenges. When we reach the peak or the summit, we can look back at our journey with pride and joy, appreciating all our sacrifices. 

Bato-Arobo may not be known to many yet, but it will always be in my heart because it brings beautiful memories worth reminiscing. With the completion of the road development project, residents of Bato-Arobo will be able to enjoy better transportation and celebrate Sunday Thanksgiving: Graceful Service to The People as they express their faith and service to God. This spiritual sanctuary in sitio Lomboy of Barangay Linambasan is like the entry point or gateway to Bato-Arobo, a place steeped in history and cultural significance.

Reflecting on this Lenten season, a time of spiritual reflection and renewal, I am reminded of the importance of gratitude and thanksgiving. Through these virtues, we recognize and honor all the blessings we received from the Divine. Our spiritual nature would bring us peace of mind and a grateful heart so that we can leave a good legacy for the next generations to come so they can also live and experience the natural wonders and sustainable development that our generations have enjoyed. May this reign in our hearts today and forever.

© 2019 Del Cusay


Sunday, March 17, 2019

Lent 2019: Our Quest for Personal Transfiguration

"As our faith is always tested, we accept it until we experience our own transfiguration and renewal starting today and for a lifetime."


This day of the Lent marks the commemoration of the transfiguration of Jesus at Mount Tabor in Galilee, Israel when he mysteriously transformed to an illumined Divine being together with prophets Moses and Elijah before the eyes on his three chosen disciples; Peter, James and John.


Back in 2002 when I was on my first year in college at St. Paul in Iloilo, it was announced by our Religious Education teacher that a new set of mystery was added in the rosary as approved and declared by Pope John Paul II and now St. John Paul II, and that is called the Mystery of light or Luminous mystery. 

During those years as a freshman college student what I care most is on how to pass the quiz by memoring the 5 mysteries under the luminous mystery. Those years, I may not have fully understood deeply its meaning yet. 

Fast forward to today, as I contemplate on the Lenten season, I may not memorize the luminous mysteries and pray the rosary, but I want to understand its significance 
in our lives as Christian and how we can live it at the present time.

I may have learned some Biblical stories, but the transfiguration of Jesus at Mount Tabor is a transformative learning and one of the most significant mysteries worth reflecting.

When Jesus brought Peter, James and John to climb at the peak of Mount Tabor to pray, that was the time when God the Father and the Holy spirit have intervened upon the complete transfiguration of Jesus with light upon his face and a radiant illumination of his entire body with the same appearance as Moses and Elijah in front of him. Suddenly, the three disciples heard a voice from above the bright clouds saying "This is my son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him," and it brought fear in them as they lay and covered on the ground. Then Jesus comforted them saying not to be afraid. By the time they look upward and opened their eyes, they only saw Jesus while Moses and Elijah disappeared. As they get down from the mountain, Jesus told them not to tell anybody of what they saw until the Son of God will be raised from the dead.

The transfiguration is a manifestation of God's glory that Jesus is the living son of God and what that meant for his disciples was to strengthen their faith for the coming of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ.

In relation to that Biblical story, in this living world at the present, our biological Father is always there with us to guide and show us the light when we are misguided by outside influence and in trouble. If only we listen to him, we get to our own path of enlightenment and we bloom to become a radiant human being, and this will also become the light that will shield our love ones and others whom we have touched lives. 

As we carry our own cross, we experience endless human suffering through physical, emotional, mental and spiritual setbacks which is inherent of a human being. This is also our version of strengthening our faith in God whenever we are falsely accused, prosecuted and crucified by others in some ways.


Sometimes, it is when we walk a thousand miles and climb the highest hill until we reach the mountain's peak to feel solitude and have a heaven on earth experience. Like Jesus and his chosen disciples, they climbed at Mount Tabor to experience a Divine transfiguration. Here on earth, we experience our fullness of being and Divinity when we are away from too much noise to contemplate, meditate and pray in the presence of God, not just at the mountain's summit, but in anywhere we go and settle  in the church, community or at home. 

As our faith is always tested, we accept it until we experience our own transfiguration and renewal starting today and for a lifetime.

© 2019 Del Cusay