May-June 2010 - Your Turn

By Marchad B. Coilan

I am Marchad B. Coilan, an education student in one of the universities in Baguio City. Before 30 March this year, Misyon was almost foreign for me. The name of the magazine sounded familiar, but I had no vivid memory of reading it. I really had no idea what it was about.

Misyon was introduced to me by Richelle Verdeprado, or as we fondly call her, 'How-minnie'. You might be wondering how someone from Baguio met someone from Bacolod. Well, Richelle and I met at the 12th Ayala Young Leaders Congress (AYLC) where both of us were delegates representing our respective schools. On 30 March Richelle gave me an opportunity to familiarize myself with the magazine, and I am glad that I responded to the call.

I came across her article A child redeemed is a generation saved. The title alone caught my attention, and it surely heightened my interest. Going through the article, I had a clearer picture of who she was. In a way, I was able to know her better.

Reading her article affirmed thoughts that have been taught to me. One of these is the fact that we are not alone. As the saying goes over and over again, no man is an island. There is always someone there for us.

She also mentioned about being a light for others. This line spoke to me because being a light is what I am supposed to be, now and in my future profession.

I was also inspired when Richelle mentioned that ordinary people possess extraordinary and inspiring stories. It convinced me to share my story, even if it seems ordinary.

Richelle's story speaks volumes. She is living and breathing proof that even if we feel like we are engulfed in our darkest moments, through the help of others sent to us by God, we can make it through those moments. We can overcome our darkest moments. It's never impossible if we involve God in our life. Her story also strengthened my conviction that God is truly with us.

To Richelle: pass on the light that will serve as a guide for others who are lost. Share your extraordinary and inspiring story with those who feel that all hope is slowly slipping away. You are truly a child redeemed. Let others experience the joy of being saved, and, in the process, save generation upon generation. You have inspired me; there are still more to inspire.

Thank you for a wonderful opportunity. Just like when your road met the road of the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family, I thank the Lord for that moment when our paths crossed and we made the most out of it.

Marchad's email address is arc_0322@yahoo.com. His mailing address is: Purok 5, Irisan Satellite Market, Irisan, 2600 Baguio City.

'No man is an island'

This well-known expression is from Meditation XVII by John Donne (1572 - 1631), an English poet and Anglican priest. It has come down to us in the form of a poem. Ernest Hemingway (1899 - 1961) took the title for his novel set in the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) For Whom the Bell Tolls. Trappist monk Thomas Merton (1915-1968) used No Man is an Island as the tile of one of his books.

Here is the poem:

No man is an island
entire of itself;
every man is a piece of the continent,
a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less,
as well as if a promontory were,
as well as any manner of thy friends
or of thine own were;
any man's death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know
for whom the bell tolls;
it tolls for thee.

Here is the extract from Meditation XVII in the format and with the spelling John Donne used:

No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; every man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; if a Clod bee washed away by the Sea, Europe is the lesse, as well as if a Promontorie were, as well as if a Mannor of thy friends or of thine own were; any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.