SABAW SA BALBAKWA

I used to be assigned in two places of Northern Luzon for my 2-year regency assignments. I was in the Province of Kalinga, particularly in Pinukpuk for one year and another year in Urdaneta, Pangasinan. I was also in Banaue, Ifugao for a couple of weeks for my exposure during Holy Week.

In Pinukpuk, aside from working in the parish, I was also given some tasks in the school as treasurer, book keeper, and teacher. At times as a cook and security guard, hehehe. Did you hear it right, Manang Esthrel? hehehe, just kidding!Manang Esthrel or Manang ES as we fondly called her is my concept of “unsung hero.” She has been working in STS-Pinukpuk for a quite number of years. Hmmm. . . how old is she Oyan? Anyway, practically she has done “many things” in school, albeit silently. Ask those who graduated from STS. That is why she has become “an institution within an institution” in STS-Pinukpuk. Kudos Manang ES! I bet she would offer me free snacks when she reads this. hehehe.

On the other hand, in Urdaneta I worked as an Assistant Prefect of Discipline (although some coined this as ‘prefect to-be-disciplined’) to the college seminarian. I also taught some subjects in the college department, while at the same time helping Fr. Jopar in the Campus Minister’s office. Thanks to my confrerers (read as elder brothers or better still as mentors) in Urdaneta. Ours was not an ideal nor perfect community but we managed to co-exist with love and respect to one another. Thanks Fr. Bernz, Fr. Randy, Fr. Jopar, Fr. Servas, Bro. Fred and Fr. Jess for the company. Our meal time has always been a grace-filled experience. Thanks for your wit and wisdom. Kudos to Fr. Bernz for your leadership! I am indebted to the seminarians also for sharpening my patience and honing my skills in leadership and in teaching.

This is where I get acquainted with the different Filipino cultures up north, especially Kalinga and eventually fell in love with the people. Oops, did I mention any particular person? Kalinga has awakened, enlivened, and strengthened my missionary aspiration. For me, it is an ideal missionary situation where one can manifest his/her Christian belief. Honestly, I learned a lot from them as to how they lived out their faith. In fact, a good number of them have lived out the expectation of the Church to all Christians “to witness our faith through our words and actions” (The Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activity: Ad Gentes Divinitus # 11). The people are so warm, hospitable, and deeply religious and mind you. . . . lovable. Huh!

Modesty aside, being able to speak a little bit the “Ilokano” language (and a little bit of Kalinga dialect) made my regency a more meaningful one, or so I thought. Eso nga haanak nga mailako! Practically, I visited almost all places that belong to the Cordillera Region and the neighboring provinces because of my affiliation to the SVD (Divine Word Missionary). The SVD Missionaries are working in the different places of Northern Luzon like: Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, Cagayan, Laoag, Vigan, Baguio, Banaue, Pangasinan, La Union, etc.

Soon I’ll be leaving to my new mission assignment in Missiones (or Buenos Aires) Argentina, hopefully after my ordination. Huh, I forgot already my little knowledge in Spanish. (Simplicity is beauty: Simplicia es beuda). Poor! This maybe another challenging experience for me as a neophyte missionary but I am confident because I know a lot of people who are praying for me. Besides, I know that God is already there, I just have to rely totally in His grace. I may not know what the future holds me there in Argentina but one thing for sure, I know Who holds my future and that makes the difference. I will be bringing my beautiful memories I have experienced in Kalinga and Urdaneta to my mission assignment in Argentina. To the people whom I have shared my life during my regency years, AGYAMANAK UNAY KADAKAYO APO! Ta sapay koma ken ni Apo ti kanayun nga mangtultulong iti inal-aldaw nga panagbiyag yu. Indeed, I am very grateful!

Let me share you a story I’ve read from an XVD blog.

Anecdote of Generosity & ‘GI’nerosity

FOR ALL ILOCANOS!

An Arab Sheik was admitted to the Philippine Heart Center in Manila for heart surgery, but prior to the surgery, the doctors needed to store his blood in case the need arises. As the gentleman had a rare type of blood, it couldn’t be found locally, so, the call went out to a number of provinces.

Finally an Ilocano was located who had a similar blood type.

The Ilocano willingly donated his blood for the Arab. After the surgery, the Arab sent the Ilocano as appreciation for giving his blood, a new Toyota, diamonds & a million US dollars.

A couple of days later, once again, the Arab had to go through a
corrective surgery. His doctor telephoned the Ilocano who was more than happy to donate his blood again.

After the second surgery, the Arab sent the Ilocano a thank-you card & a jar of candies.

The Ilocano was shocked that the Arab this time did not reciprocate his kind gesture as he had anticipated. He phoned the Arab & asked him: ‘I thought you would be generous again, that you would give me a Toyota, diamonds & money… but you only gave me a thank-you card & a jar of candies’.

To this the Arab replied: ‘Manong, I now have Ilocano blood in my
veins’.

Honestly, I am not a good writer but I love telling (re-telling) and listening good stories, albeit funny one ever since I was a young lad. Perhaps, I acquired this “gift” from my Lolo Celso (we used to call him “papa celso” or “Uncle Celso” to my cousins) who was and still good at telling funny stories and jokes. I remember when we were kids, after our dinner my sister and I together with some of my cousins, would always sit arround him and started listening his stories untill we fell asleep. That was our source of entertainment then since we could hardly buy TV set or radio. Anyway, life then was so simple and uncomplicated. Let me tell you a story I’ve read some months ago.

Priest dies and is waiting in line at the Pearly Gates.

Ahead of him is a guy who’s dressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket and jeans.

Saint Peter addresses him, “Who are you, so that I may know whether or not to admit you into the Kingdom of Heaven ?”

The guy replies, “I’m Joe Cohen, taxi driver, from New York .”

Saint Peter consults his list. He smiles and says to the taxi driver,

“Take this silken robe and golden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven .”

Now it’s the priest’s turn. He stands erect and booms out, “I am the Right Reverend Joseph Snow, pastor of Saint Mary’s for the last forty-three years.”

Saint Peter consults his list. He says to the priest,

“Take this cotton robe and wooden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven .”

“Just a minute,” says the priest. “That man was a taxi driver. Why does he get a silken robe and golden staff?”

“Results,” shrugged Saint Peter… …

“While you preached, people slept. When he drove, people prayed.”

***********

The Moral:

It’s Performance, Not Position that Counts.