By Fr Elie Sangco MSP

The Missionary Society of the Philippines (MSP) was founded by the Philippine Bishops in response to the Pope’s appeal to send more missionaries abroad. Fr Elie Sangco is one of those who answered the Pope’s call and right after his ordination in 1999, he was sent to the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea, whose economy is reliant on mineral, forestry and agricultural exports, is at the moment facing some political unrest and missionaries like Fr Elie are just what the people need to keep their faith and courage going.

Nipike is a mountaintop village, composed of ten families, under the Diocese of Vanimo. I crossed rivers and hiked mountains to get there. It was a tough journey but when I reached the place and saw the lovely smiles on the faces of the people, my tiredness faded away.

Grand welcome

Fresh flowers lined both sides of the road going up to the village. They welcomed me with dances and songs while I was approaching the chapel. It was like the scene of Jesus’ triumphant entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

Costumes and culture

All the men wore a silkamabang. They wore it like the bahag of our Igorots. However the silkamabang is made of birds’ bills and dried empty fruits, not of handwoven cloth. The women wore grassy skirts. I was uneasy at first, but with their warm welcome, I felt at home with them. They offered me their traditional gifts and they gave me bananas and coconut water to welcome me.

Joyful people

Before the Mass, all of them went to confession. Some of them spoke in their local language which I didn’t understand but I relied on the power of God to forgive them with my absolution.

Our celebration of the Holy Eucharist was joyful. Everybody participated and sang lively songs accompanied by traditional instruments and the clapping of their hands. They were very good-natured people and I was impressed with their simplicity and the unique expression of their faith in God. Indeed, it is a source of joy for me to spend my life here.