Year of The Youth 2019: The Pilgrim Youth Cross

The Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Lomboy, Linambasan, Capiz, has been home to a strong Youth Ministry community since Reverend Father John Denosta, the first-ever designated Parish Priest. The community is even more substantial today as the Religious Community grows under the Parish Head, Reverend Father Jeffrey Estrella, and co-parish Priest, Reverend Father Chris Señeres.

Since the early years of the Mission Station, before it was elevated to a Parish status, I have witnessed the Religious presence and dedication of the youth in their Church service. The youth choir's melodious and angelic voices touch the people's souls during the regular Sunday mass and special occasions like Christmas. We see a growing Parish Youth Ministry as the bearer of light and hope not only today but also in the years to come until they fully bloom in their Community and Religious service. The Youth Ministry is an integral part of our community, and their service is deeply valued.

In celebration of the Year of the Youth this 2019, The Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish welcomed the Pilgrim Youth Cross on August 3, 2019, facilitated by the leaders and members of the OPH Parish Youth Ministry. 

The Youth Ministry of San Vicente Ferrer Parish transferred the Youth Cross to be venerated at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish for about a week. The Youth Cross was brought to the neighboring barangay of Lucero and welcomed by the Lucero National High School youth. It was then brought to Macario Bermejo National High School in Jaena Norte, where hundreds of youth have embraced the religious symbol of the Catholic faith.

At the end of a week-long Pilgrim Youth Cross, it was time to pass on to the next Parish in the nearby town of Tapaz. On August 10, the Youth Cross and the Youth Ministry members headed to San Nicolas De Myra Parish and were welcomed by their Youth Ministry.

The National Youth Cross was specially made for the Philippine Catholic Youth Ministry and is being circulated in different Parishes nationwide. It was inspired by the founder St. John Paul ll since it was introduced in 1985 and presented during the celebrations of World Youth Day, where thousands and even Millions of Youth Pilgrims came to celebrate and profess their faith. 

2019 has been a memorable journey for the Pilgrim Youth Cross, which reached the Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. May the Youth Cross bring them closer to Christ by reminding them of the personal cross that they carry within.

When darkness invades the souls of the young ones, the cross symbolizes hope and faith that no matter how challenging life is, they will come to defeat the darkness and unleash the light from within.

© 2019 Del Cusay

Resilience of the Filipino Spirit: The People of Guimaras Island

The Island Province of Guimaras in Western Visayas, Philippines, is a gem of natural beauty and thriving ecotourism. This enchanting island, with its serene atmosphere and breathtaking landscapes, has a magnetic pull that draws many to its shores.

My first visit to the Island of Guimaras in March 2014 was a heartwarming experience. I was warmly embraced by the Religious Community in San Lorenzo, particularly the Iglesia Filipina Independiente or Philippine Independent Church. Their hospitality made me feel like a part of their family, even during my brief two-hour stay.

Apart from meeting with the Religious Community, I could enjoy swimming at the beach with its semi-white sand and clear waters, so I promised to return to explore the other side of the Island. In December 2014, I returned and enjoyed a day on the islet called "Tatlong Pulo" in Jordan. That was my first camping experience in a cove and my second and last visit to the island I call a paradise. 

WellLife Program in San Lorenzo, Guimaras in 2014

On August 3, Saturday, I was saddened by the news about the tragic incident of the 3 passenger boats that capsized in Iloilo Straight, just in the middle of the waters of the province of Iloilo and the Island of Guimaras. This happened despite the absence of a typhoon signal but the presence of strong wind and water currents. There were reported survivors of more than 50 passengers, but the sad part is the number of casualties and the missing passengers whose lives were not saved.

I feel their loss and empathize with the stories of some survivors and those who are mourning the loss of their loved ones. Who could have imagined the sudden death from a tragedy that could have been prevented from happening?

My participation in the AGOS forum on Disaster Resilience in July 2017 was an eye-opening experience. The discussion on the three goals of Prepare, Respond, and Recover highlighted the crucial role of preparation in preventing tragedies like the boat incident. It's a lesson we must all learn and apply to ensure our safety in the face of potential disasters. 

While responding and recovering from a disaster is crucial, we must not overlook the importance of preparation. The tragic incident in Guimaras serves as a stark reminder that such events will continue to occur without proper preparation. 

This would be one of the most tragic maritime incidents in the Iloilo Strait, and we can better prepare so that this will be prevented. Accidents do happen no matter how careful we are, but there are things that we are in total control of. Hence, we can improve our proper judgment, leadership, and sense of responsibility and accountability.

On a personal level, one lesson would be a need for enhanced survival skills like swimming to avoid drowning, and this could be part of our preparation for a possible maritime incident. We can't always play the victim for something that we can do. Nowadays, we can't predict or anticipate an accident to happen, but one thing is that specific survival skills and techniques will go a long way if we value life and become survivors. 

The people of Guimaras and Iloilo and those families affected may not be able to recover quickly and may need our deepest sympathy and prayers. I have known them to be deeply spiritual people, and they will remain strong and rise again from this sad fate.

As Filipinos, we will always rise above tragedies and natural calamities. Our resilience remains amidst sorrows and pain. But one thing is sure: We may be able to recover but not cover the pain. We can live again with the best learnings and wisdom we can gain.

© 2019 Del Cusay

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👉 Island Hopping in Guimaras

Reliving the Memories on The Road to Bato Arobo

It's been more than a decade since I reached the mountaintop of Bato Arobo, a place that brings pleasant memories of my childhood days. Back then, we used to hike for more than an hour just to reach it if we were coming from Sitio Lomboy in Linambasan, province of Capiz. The landmark is the present-day Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish. 

Visiting Mount Bato Arobo with my family is a journey filled with nostalgia. After the midterm election on May 13, 2019, we embarked on an adventure to witness the ongoing road construction from the Parish to the road to Bato Arobo. The sight of the mountain ranges from afar, the fresher air, and the memories of the old days all came rushing back, making it a genuinely sentimental experience

The road to Bato Arobo is like a roller coaster ride: There are ups and downs and fantastic scenery ahead, with tall Coconut palms and greenery. The less than 2-hour hike can now be reached by a vehicle in less than 15 minutes.

Two months later, on July 24, a day before my grandfather's 89th birthday, we decided to bring him to revisit the Road to Bato Arobo when the roadside development was nearing its completion. Due to the hilly slope on both sides of the road, a concrete hillside cover is needed to protect from untoward soil erosion, the same thing we can see on the hilly streets of Baguio City.

Along the Road to Bato Arobo are farmlands planted with rice and coconuts, which make the surroundings calm and pleasant. There are few houses on the way, and they are even a distance apart on the foothills of the mountain. In a few years, perhaps over the next decade, more houses will be built, considering the accessibility of the road to the town center.

The natural landscape of the mountains is a sight to behold, with occasional fog adding a touch of mystery when it rains and the cool, windy climate, making it perfect for unwinding over coffee and tea or a bowl of hot noodles or batchoy. Bato Arobo's beauty is truly awe-inspiring.

                       The video above; click the arrow to view

Nature has a healing wonder for our souls, and the Bato Arobo mountain view dramatically appeals to the senses. This is similar to soul-searching in the Highlands of Tagaytay and Baguio. Though the place is on its way to development, it is still pristine and naturally beautiful.

Bato Arobo holds a special place in my heart, a place I conquered when it was just a trail. Now, as we witness its development, I feel a deep sense of connection and belonging. The barriers to reaching the mountaintop are disappearing, and we can all relive its scenic mountain view. Bato Arobo is a natural wonder of all time and also a natural heritage in our time. We preserve, protect, and recollect memories that will last a lifetime. 

© 2019 Del Cusay