Edmund Rice Philippine Mission Diary - 8
5th November 2007
This newsletter includes contributions from the Kabankalan community. My writings started out by being just a sharing of parts of my daily diary with friends and family, exactly 8 weeks ago. Now it has developed into a general newsletter so I hope this is more appropriate to our needs and more importantly of greater interest to you our family and friends. As a matter of interest, Br Peter Hardiman sends out his hi five newsletters to his family and friends periodically and it is always an enjoyable read, giving one a glimpse of the day to day activities of the brother in Kabankalan. I am sure if anyone was interested in receiving it an email to him would do the trick.
We here in Davao are very conscious of the fact that we are still students of the Cebuano language going to school each day and therefore would not have the variety of experiences that our brothers in Kabankalan are having. I guess it will be different for us when we complete our studies in March 2008 and make our way to our new home in Leyte to start our mission. All here in Davao are well. I myself have just recovered from a tummy bug which caused me to lose a couple of days school and a few kilograms, but I am OK now, though I did call in Bong, who is an expert in the art of massage, to do a little work on the old neck. I miss Peter Hardiman’s healing skills. It’s a pity Kabankalan is so far from us. We can reach them using two planes. ( Davao to Cebu, then Cebu to Bacolod) followed by an 80 km road trip. In the future we would hope the two communities would get together at least once a year, maybe we could meet half way, in Cebu.
Photos: taken by Fr Noel and he wishes you to understand that this school is doing its bit to teach people to live in harmony. 15 School Computers. Four legged sac race. The School a little run down.
Fr Roger Del Rosario and Noel Octaviano (MJs) brought their School Staff to Davao for a week. They showed us some good photos of their work and we enjoyed spending the day with them. The name of the School is Our Lady of Peace and there are 536 students the majority (83%) Muslin, the rest are Christian. The School is situated in the Autonomous Region of Malabang Lando Del Sur to promote peace and harmony and they do a wonderful job down there. I would love to visit the School but am advised this would not be wise. I will have to just let the photos tell their own story.
Traditional dress. The Ramadhan Forum. Loyalty to the Philippines
Carl and I discovered the Arch-Bishops swimming pool in the City last Sunday and we enjoyed a refreshing swim. It is available to Priests and Religious Brothers so I am told. He celebrated his 73rd birthday on the first of November so the Diocese organising a little party for him. They got dress up as their Patron Saint. St Michaels Parish won the day. We did not get invited but that’s OK, as long we can continue to use his pool. Ha! All Saints and All Souls day were public holidays here so I took off to Kabankalan to visit our brothers there. The people get together to remember their dear departed on all souls day. A full day and in some cases two days are spent in the cemetery by the whole family and food is brought along with the necessary equipment to repair the grave sites. It’s a big day with a festive spirit to it and the priests are very busy blessing each grave individually with masses, Rosaries and Novena the order of the day. It’s called Kalagkalag.
We have completed two months of our course now so are in the middle of our first test. Not sure how we will go but it is important to the staff to gauge our progress and plan the next phase of our studies. Our numbers swelled a little with the arrival of five more people, so our international status is well and truly maintained. Our Jeepney drivers are still putting the fear of the Lord into us but it is a relief to know that they put their faith on display side by side with all the cash they earn.
Kabankalan News Items from Rod and the team:
Peter has just spent a few days in hospital in Bacolod. Concerns of a 
‘deep-seated’ nature led to a colonoscopy today. He has been declared ‘all clear’ and will happily return to us tomorrow. Much has been said about the Pre-chapter meeting in Brisbane, and the focus has now rightly shifted to the coming Congregation Chapter. Suffice it to say Rod found it a very positive experience. It was good that the Philippines were represented. Barry Lynch, former Province Leader of Canada and now member of the Congregation Renewal Team is with us for a God in the Now retreat which started on Sunday October 28. Ten lay people joined the Brothers community for the first session. Three open sessions will be conducted for others wishing to spend time with Barry on the mornings of Saturday 3, 10 and 17 November. Retreat activities will conclude on 21st November, a little earlier than planned to enable Barry to attend a meeting in Rome of the Chapter Steering Committee. John has been preparing a small, seldom used church, as a class room for children who have dropped out of Elementary school for bridging classes. It is planned to begin on November 6, the day Semester 2 begins around the schools. It is hoped they will return to regular schooling in June, 2008. They may need some practical assistance to make that possible. Peter’s first class of Theology students completed their unit in Moral Theology and celebrated amid much fun with ‘snacks’ at the Brothers’ House. Neil and John attended a meeting of Brothers from a range of Congregations in Ilo-ilo on neighbouring Panay Island 25-27 October. There are some interesting groups – one has three members only! This is a chance to say we appreciate the many helpers through prayer, moral and financial support for our projects.
While I was in Kabankalan we had a great afternoon with Brian Gore and among other things he shared the story of the Negros Nine with us and more specifically his imprisonment under the Marcos Government. It was very interesting. The only photo I got of him was the one of him concelebrating mass at the cemetery with the Bishop.
Bye for now till next time Peter T
