Bicol CLC: Transforming Lives

The region of Bicol, located in the east central part of the Philippine Islands, is considered to be the second poorest region in the country. Its vast farmlands, rich natural resources, and smiling people, however, would make you believe otherwise. My adventure begins on the eve of March 3, 2005. Together with six graduating seniors from the Ateneo Christian Life Community (ACLC), I boarded a bus going to Naga City and embarked on an exciting journey.

Being a member of ACLC for four years largely defined my college life. It's a place where I matured as a person, developed my relationship with God, and formed deep and lasting friendships. Now that I have graduated, it is time to discern about whether or not I want to continue the way of life that I have tried to live out for the past four years. The trip to Bicol was a chance for my friends and I to be exposed to the larger CLC community and to help us discern about our commitment to CLC.

Mayor with a Cause
We arrived in Naga in the wee hours of the following morning. We were greeted by Mr. Sabas Mabulo, or "Mayor Abang" as he is fondly called. He brought us to the nearby town of San Fernando, where he grew up and which he now presides over. After resting and settling in, he brought us to the municipal office where he told us about the projects he has done for the town, such as building extensive roads and water systems. Being a CLCer, he tries his best to live out the way of life amidst his battles against the NPA, jueteng, and other maladies that come with traditional politics. It has been said that in order to change the world, we must first begin with ourselves and our sphere of influence. Mayor Abang may be a simple man living in a small town, but it is truly impressive how he has made a difference in the lives of his 27,000 constituents, as well as in the lives of the people he meets everyday. (To read more about Mayor Abang and his town, click here.)

Clockwise from left: Mayor Abang, Son-J, Deacon Stan, Ate Salve,

Pearl, Angel, Kekek, Eugo, and Alfie. March 4, 2005.

The Maangas Fisherfolk
Our next stop was to the small, far-flung town of Maangas, a two-hour car ride and a 45-minute boat ride away from Naga City. This time, our guide was Deacon Stan, a veteran CLCer who formed several CLC communities among the fisherfolk, farmers, and indigenous peoples in Bicol. On our first night there, we were amazed because when we looked up, the sky was dotted with a million stars. Without the bright lights of the city, the stars were able to shine in all their splendor and glory. We could actually feel that we were in the Milky Way!

The next morning, we walked around the town and met the members of the CLC community in the area. They talked about their daily problems and concerns - poverty, lack of good education, lack of health services, and others. Amidst all of these, however, they never lacked in hospitality and good cheer. They told us of their experiences with CLC and how it has gradually changed their lives over the last three years. Pay Billy and May Ason, the elders of the community, told us about a time when food was scarce in the village and they gave away their last two bags of rice to the community. Simple and down to earth, their only request was that we remember them once in a while and help them in any way we can.

Of course, the visit would not be complete without a swim in the beach. Later that day, we rode a boat to a nearby island that had smooth white sand and beautiful seashells.

The view from Aguirangan Island. March 4, 2005.

Grass Art: A Testament to Philippine Ingenuity
On the way home from Maangas, we passed by the town of Pili where we met CLCer Mike Dychinco. He and his wife, Dinah, own a business that exports products to countries such as Australia and the U.S. We had the chance to tour their factory and see how their amazing products were made. Employing over a hundred workers and using natural raw materials found only in Bicol, Kuya Mike and Ate Dinah truly make the region proud.

Can you believe that cute little raccoon is made of grass? March 5, 2005.

Naga Pro: A True CLC Community
That night, we had dinner with the Naga Pro community, of which Mayor Abang and his wife, Ate Melyn, are a part. They have been together since their college days in Ateneo de Naga and have dedicated their lives to improving the Bicol region by putting up the Pagbicol Foundation, a non-government organization, and by striving to live out the CLC way of life in their different lines of work. It's amazing how openly we were sharing stories with each other, given that we had only met most of them that night.

Kuya Allan told us the story of how his kidney failed him a few years back. The person who donated his new kidney was Ate Salve, his unitmate. Together, they endured frequent trips to Manila to undergo a battery of tests, which were both physically and emotionally draining. Indeed, it was a lot for Ate Salve to undergo, considering she is not even his blood relative. And yet, being brother and sister in Christ, she gave her kidney wholeheartedly and told us her story with enthusiasm. As Ate Salve quips, "Kung walang community life, it's the end of my life!"

Ate Nancy told us of how her positive actions affect others in her workplace, while Ate Nhorie related how her husband eventually came to join their community after years of struggle. Mayor Abang further explained about how his community encouraged him to run for public office but kept him grounded at the same time. It's admirable how they are able to impart the CLC way of life with others, not by preaching about it (because you can never really explain what it is), but by showing it through their actions.

When we asked them for advice on how we can make our own units as stable and prolific as theirs, they told us the following: 1) Set a permanent time and place to meet; 2) Have a common activity; and most importantly, 3) Wag Bibitiw. Don't let go and don't give up on each other. As Kuya Allan said, "I am an ordinary person living in an extraordinary community." Indeed, they may be simple and ordinary individuals but being a part of the CLC community allows them to lead extraordinary lives.

ACLCers and the Naga Pro Community. March 5, 2005.

Transforming Lives
The following day was another busy day for all of us. After hearing mass in San Fernando Parish, we conducted a recollection for more than twenty kids in Sa Harong ni Lord Retreat House. It was a fun event filled with games, story-telling, and other activities. In the evening, my six companions and I were distributed among the different members of the CLC farmers' community. I stayed in the home of Tatay Lito and Nanay Julie, who told me about how they were able to send their seven kids to school and uplift their lives through hard work and determination. Nanay Julie also told me of her experiences with the CLC community, how she has learned to appreciate and understand the gospel more, and how it has also transformed her own life.

Living in a predominantly Catholic country, Filipinos have always been criticized for using their faith as an excuse to accept their lot and to remain in the throes of poverty. After interacting with the different CLC communities of Bicol, however, it is evident that our faith, when taken to heart, can not only transform lives but can also transform society. Whether it is in a poor fishing village who struggles against economic and natural forces, a wealthy businessman who brings pride to his region, or a group of people who have dedicated their lives to living like Christ, these simple CLCers have transformed their own spheres of influence and many lives have been made better because of it. If all Filipinos did this, then imagine what an even greater country this would be!

Sightseeing Galore
Our final day in Bicol was spent going around the province of Camarines Sur. We visited the Cagsawa Ruins situated at the foot of Mt. Mayon, the volcano with a near-perfect cone. We went to the church that houses the miraculous Lady of Peñafrancia and we also got the chance to visit Ateneo de Naga. Of course, the trip would not be complete without shopping for food and souvenirs to bring home to our family and friends.

Cagsawa Ruins. March 7, 2005.

Our trip to Bicol was certainly an enlightening and grace-filled experience. Seeing how generously the different CLC communities give of themselves certainly makes the decision to commit to CLC a more challenging and thought provoking one. I am thankful to my companions, Kekek, Eugo, Alfie, Jody, Pearl, and Son-J for being with me on this journey; to ACLC for organizing the trip; and to Deacon Stan, Naga Pro, and the fisherfolk and farmer communities for generously hosting us.

Thank you too for sharing the experience with us by reading this entry. Your comments are most welcome! (To view more pictures of our Bicol adventures, click here.)