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BEYOND STRUGGLES LIGHT IN THE MIDST OF DARKNESS

BY: SEM. SOC LEONARD CARDIÑO BY: SEM. RC LAGAMAYO

Good News, their assurance of
Faith and Hope. As we continued marketing, assisting in the food
to converse and listened to their preparation and packing, and
stories (which at times tears distribution of the food. This simple
started to fall), we began to unravel sacrifice on our part brought about
different stories of life – stories a feeling of joy and fulfilment
that sometimes question God on knowing that at the end of it all we
their own account of miseries. can provide the prisoners’ corporal
needs at that certain moment.
Hope never fades in the
Education preserves the culture As the formation continues, Pre- detainees despite their struggles There is still light amidst
of the society and in turn paves the Internal Seminarians (PIS) of St. in their current situation. In fact, darkness, a spark of light we have
way to cultural transmission from Vincent Seminary carried out their some of them may have a deeper encountered in our apostolate.
one generation to another. But what Apostolate every Sunday. This faith compared to us who are Despite their crimes, they are still
happens if education and culture are year, it consists of visiting certain seminarians. Overwhelmingly, people – REAL PEOPLE. They
being oppressed by the one who is precincts and Jails in Quezon City. in spite of their sufferings, they may have stumbled in their lives
supposed to protect and preserve it?
upon their situation, I couldn’t but more importantly an action. This is a new area of ministry which do manifest a certain kind of but that doesn’t mean they have
Recently, a group of students comprehend the very thought of was undertaken after the catechism optimism which ordinary people lost their faith. Further, they have
and teachers from Mindanao went their hardship accompanied not The Lumad students’ situation and family visits last 2017-2018 don’t have. This was reinforced by this kind of faith that continuously
to Metro Manila to express their only by their eagerness to acquire is not only rooted in education but formation year. These experiences our presence and empathy, letting guides and gives them strength to
grievances on the alleged bombing knowledge thru education but embedded in the social system of the were new and truly inspiring. them feel blessed and continue to live life. They have this immense
country oppression at the margins
and harassment being undertaken the very survival of their tribe. of society: The poor and the weak... At first, we were shocked about see God in their day to day survival hope that someday, with the grace
in their schools. They were Lumad As a Filipino, I often asked if the The powerful subjugate the voiceless in jail. of the Lord, they will be free and
students who were fighting for their Filipino culture still has a distinct and tend to use the latter for their the situation of every prisoner in given a second chance to correct
right: to peace, to culture, to education culture or it’s just trying to copy own benefits. It is as if they were the precincts. Every cell exceeds In response, we continue to their mistakes. Light is really real,
and ultimately to life. Despite their other cultures especially the western just a thing to be used and later the standard number of prisoners partake in this simple gesture of it’s in their hearts, which can’t be
youthfulness, the maturity of their ones. These tribes embody the lost on to be discarded like garbage. detained and in the same manner charity. We, the seminarians, also taken away by darkness.
cause immensely resonated with culture of the Philippines. However, the jail also had a shortage of food sourced out some funds to allocate
the hearts of people who managed with their situation it seems that As we take a further step into our ration. It was a heartbreaking and for the food provisions during our
to talk to them. With the support they are being deprived of that formation, maybe it is important for pitiful scene. In some occasion, visits. More so, we also did the
of their teachers, who sacrificed right for its preservation. As such, us to take on a deeper understanding due to the influx of detainees, they
their own profession, families we are not just killing people but and concern at this oppression. had to stay in only one position
and even their lives, they create a the very existence of our national This Lumad people are fighting like standing or seating because of
strong concrete protest against the identity... our being Filipino. not only for their own tribes but extremely limited space. It is quite
current government administration. for the entirety of Filipino culture. an obscure scenario but it’s the real
As a Catholic and a seminarian They may now consider their right situation of jails we have visited.
Every child has a right to have
access to education and in turn should I often missed my involvement in to education as their cause but in On the other hand, we felt
such issues since I am only focused reality they are fighting for our
be provided to them not only by their on spiritual formation and being culture and the uniqueness of being a something positive... a glimpse
parents but also by the government holy. Pondering on the life of Filipino. They truly manifest the true of hope. With every ministry
itself. Dr. Jose Rizal, our national Jesus and his special affection for meaning of humanity: selfless love. services we gave like Eucharistic
hero, aptly said that the children children, I was bothered. I suddenly Celebration, Bible Sharing, and
(also youth) are the hope of our questioned myself, if I need to Singing, we have recognized that
country. The struggle of these Lumad take a stance on their advocacy they were so attentive to the Word
students somehow contradicted or do I really need to care. These of God. It can be shown in their
that very principle. As I reflected
questions don’t just need an answer eyes the longing and thirst for the

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