Our World, Our Future: (Solidarity in the Philippines)

The Australian Passionist Community offers a school pilgrimage to the communities and ministries in the Philippines and Vietnam. The following reflection comes from Justin Wenham who is a student at the Christian Brothers College (CBC) in Adelaide, Australia. As the reflecting student explains:

“The purpose of the Pilgrimage is to explore and share how local people experience injustice in the developing world. Before we ventured off on our pilgrimage, the pilgrims put their heads together to make a “pilgrimage theme”. We decided on the theme “Our World, Our Future” or, in the local language, “Aton Kalibutan, Aton Das Bwanlag“”.

An immersion pilgrimage like this is a perfect opportunity for youth to have a rich and rewarding experience of the global human community and a taste of the principle of solidarity which our Church calls us to embrace. Below are Justin’s reflections with regard to the immersion pilgrimage.

THE PHILIPPINES

Accompanied by seven students and a fellow staff member, Peter Donnelly, we spent two weeks in Manila and Kabankalan, Negros Occidental. We had the English version printed on wrist bands, which we gave away at every opportunity.

The first place we visit is Malate, where the Columban Fathers have made us welcome these last two years. During WW2, more people died here, in its “liberation”, than Hiroshima or Nagasaki. Many of the Filipino’s were buried in an open pit, dumped by tractors and heavy machinery. The area has now been bitumised and makes a delightful, if somewhat inappropriate, roundabout. In contrast to this, the American War Cemetery is a vast tract of land, where each American who died has a marked resting place, as well as a place on an enormous circular monument.

We also make contact with our Passionists brothers at Bagong Sila. Fr Vic, CP made us most welcome as we experienced some of the local culture and people. Later in that day, we were made welcome at Payatas, one of the rubbish tips of Manila. Security here is pretty tight, so we have to be somewhat circumspect. Fr Bong, the parish priest, managed to take a snap on his mobile phone, before we were moved on. The boys find this a very powerful experience. The house this photo was taken at the back of, there was a young man who had an assortment of rubbish, like clocks, torches etc. He would break them with a hammer, and separate the remains into separate piles: metal, glass plastic etc. It is a pretty tough way to make a living.

That afternoon, we played a game of basketball against the Passionist Seminarians. Last year, they absolutely caned us, or, as the guys say, “owned us”. This year, the CBC boys completely overran the locals, and were cruising until one of our students dislocated his thumb. Medical care was a little lacking out at Bagong Sila on a Sunday, with it being the doctor’s day off. We were offered help by a local faith healer, who bought a bottle of magic oil and an enthusiastic attitude, but not much more. We finally got Damian to a hospital, but it had the effect of delaying our program down south by a day.

In Kabankalan, we have twinned with two local schools, at Su-ey and Payeo. There are some Australian Christian Brothers there, who work with the local schools to help raise their standards. I stayed at Su-ey last year, and this year Payeo. During the year, the Social Action Group at school runs casual days, barbeques, and Socials to raise money to make donations. This year we inaugurated a Battle of the Bands at school, to raise further money. In 2008, the SAG raised approximately $5000. In 2009, they raised $18,000. To say the boys worked hard is an understatement. The boys decided they would raise some money to send a student from each of the local schools to college.

It is amazing the flow on effect of all this is in the wider school. For the Battle of the Bands, some of the students who participated would not normally be involved in any of this sort of stuff. One Year 12 student I would like to mention was a guy who suffered from some mental health issues, including depression. He was a drummer in the one of the bands. I hadn’t really spoken to him at all prior to this night. I explained where the money was going, and it was obvious he was quite proud of what he was doing. Prior to that night, he would be lucky if he made it to school one day a week. Afterwards, he barely missed a day. At the graduation, his mother spoke to me about how that night made such a difference to him.

At the schools, we immerse ourselves in the local community. Each of our students has a “buddy” for the time we are there. We stay, as a group, at the presbytery or some suitable accommodation. During the day we attend classes and join in whatever activities have been arranged. We also prepare some lessons and activities for them, to help their computer skills, English conversation and so on. It’s quite a big deal for these students and schools. A lavish opening ceremony is held, with local foods and entertainment. The Filipino girls are more than happy to see the Aussie students: our guys do not lack for attention. As well, we learn some of the work skills of the locals: planting and harvesting rice and sugar. We visit the local communities and the buddies’ families. With the money raised, as well as the scholarships, we provide equipment for the schools: data projectors, laptops etc. I must thank the Glen Osmond parishioners. They were very generous in supporting both this pilgrimage and the Vietnam pilgrimage, with both dollars and equipment.

Our last visit on Negros was to Anawim, a school for deaf kids. This place is dirt poor, and they do a marvelous job. The kids go to school through the day, and are boarded here each night. Last year, when we visited, the place was completely run down. Ourselves, along with Nudgee College, Brisbane, and Aquinas College, Perth, offered to do some maintenance. CBC refurbished the girl’s dormitory and wash room. The work was stifling. I have to congratulate the Adelaide students. It was hard work, and they didn’t know who they were doing this for. They worked hard and long. That night, we joined the kids for dinner. Our lads were fantastic; they were in the zone with these beautiful young people. The empathy and care they had for these kids was outstanding. We put on dances and so on for each other. The next day, when we returned to finish the work, our boys worked twice as hard. They were a total credit to themselves and CBC.

While we were on Negros, a devastating typhoon hit Manila. Over 700 people lost their lives. Our last visit was to be Marikina with an Australian nun, Sr. Kate O’Neill, a friend of Ray Sanchez. Marikina was one of the worst places hit. I rang Kate to see if she still wanted us to come out and see her, I thought she may have been too busy to entertain us. She said for us to still come. Our boys went to the supermarket in the morning, and bought supplies of bottled water, tinned fish, noodles, anything that could be of use.

As we arrived at Santolan Station, we could see the devastation. What had been houses and shanties along the river had all been washed away. Kate directed us to under the bridges, where perhaps there were maybe a hundred people. There were maybe five families, and the rest were street kids. What remained of their homes was maybe a chair or two and some blue tarpaulin. These people had nowhere to stay: no family, no homes. We gave out our meager rations. As I videotaped this, I was thinking, this is a like a war zone. It was incredibly intense. Some of the street kids shared their stories: some had seen one of their friends swept away by the waters, to be killed when thrown against one of the bridge pylons. These kids have nothing, and many would prostitute themselves to get some money. They sniff glue, Rugby, from dawn to dusk to ease the pain of life. The CBC boys were just sensational with these kids. The empathy and love they showed them was just outstanding. I was proud to be associated with them.

One Response to “Our World, Our Future: (Solidarity in the Philippines)”

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   January 28, 2010 at 11:19 am

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