By Mary Joy Rile

There can be no peace without equitable development; and there can be no development without sustainable management of the environment in a democratic and peaceful space. This shift is an idea whose time has come. ~ Wangari Maathai ~

Mindanao, Ang Yutang Gisaad, ‘The Land of Promise’ to its people. The many stories I grew up with – of the diverse natural beauty, the multi-cultural nature, the many stories of struggles, frustrations, hopes and successes – in that part of the country fed my curious mind and a longtime dream of landing on Mindanao soil. That dream was granted when Anne Gubuan, our assistant editor, and I reached Ozamiz City on 24 June, our first stop. We were to visit different areas where Columbans are present. And on 27 June I went to Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur.

An Interview with Lasarusa ‘Martin’ Koroiciri, Columban Seminarian

By Mary Joy Rile

I guess what most interviewers are excited about is the uniqueness of the encounter in every interview, much more if the interviewee is of a different culture. Thus every interview is for me a privilege and a joy. This time, let me tell you about Lasarusa Koroiciri, known as Martin, a Fijian Columban seminarian. Martin is a jolly person and easy to get along with. In conversation with him, I was amazed at his sense of history. Don’t expect me to share historical facts but rather an inspiring vocation story.

Martin started by sharing about Columban Fr Martin Dobey who was his parish priest when he was in high school. He observed how Father Dobey dealt with people with his ever ready welcome and how he adapted to Fijian culture. He was speaking with pride as he said that Father Dobey was more Fijian than Irish. The visits of the priest to his home added to his admiration of him as a witness who brought inspiration to the mission where he was living.

By Mary Joy Rile

‘Habang may buhay, mayroon akong ibibigay.’
By Mary Joy Rile

A story about Mrs Mery Elgen ‘Chaty’ Harris from Bacong, Negros Oriental, near Dumaguete City, who is married with two children and lives in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, where she works as a registered nurse in the Ballarat Health Service.

Four years ago Chaty started a charity work by doing fund raising for an orphanage in Dumaguete. She collected some money from her friends back in Australia and bought goods such as rice, milk, sugar and biscuits as Christmas presents. Before returning to Australia she happened to pass by a second-hand store, popularly known here in the Philippines as ‘ukay-ukay’, where she saw a Salvation Army tag on some clothes. These were supposed to be given out free, not to be sold. This gave Chaty the idea for another charity work.