By Isidro Antiquiera
The author is from Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, and has a brother, Jason, studying for the priesthood with the Columbans and currently working in the Misyon office in Manila.
Greetings of peace and happiness to you and to all the staff of Misyon.
I’m Isidro Antiquiera and I’ve been working here in South Korea since June of last year. I missed reading Misyon, which our family had been getting since I was in high school until the last printed issue in May-June 2008. Today, while surfing the internet, I remembered that the magazine is nowonline.
I want to share some of my experiences here and how I was able to get to know some of the Columban priests and lay missionaries here.
Being a stranger in a new country with a different culture and language is really a big challenge for me. This is my first time to go abroad for work after two years of waiting, which involved a series of difficulties such as rushing to the agency only to face a long wait, doing a 12-hour night shift at work while studying the Korean language for four hours each day. I was being pressured by my officemates, some of whom had already worked in Singapore and Dubai. While I tried to keep mum they kept reminding me that I was the first to apply for overseas work but was still there in the Philippines.
Too many extracurricular activities and thinking about my future plans landed me in hospital twice in 2007, first with a urinary tract infection and later with Bell’s Palsy, paralysis of a part of the face. Maybe my father was right, that these indicated it wasn’t my time yet to travel.
When I left the Philippines for Korea I didn’t know what awaited me. All I knew was that I had come here for work. But I was surprised when we arrived at the factory. My work is very different from my last job where I just operated machines run by a computer and wore cleanroom garments. Here it’s the opposite. The job is in a metal factory and is very dangerous. I said to myself that I wasn’t used to this kind of work but there was no turning back.
Stainless steel plates, sharp and heavy metal objects are around the factory and sometimes they are transported manually. On our second day in the factory we were told to lift GI sheets manually and assist the Korean workers. As the day went on I kept on praying that God would guide me every day as I was alone, far from my family. God is always there. I know he will keep us away from any danger and accident.
In my wallet I have a Lord of Pardon booklet and every time I’m in the comfort room I take time to read it and ask for guidance and protection. In my most difficult moments I have received everything: the blessings, opportunity and talent needed.
My first encounter with Columban priests here in Seoul happened when we went caroling at the Columban house. I am a member of the Hyewadong Catholic choir. When we entered the Columban house I thought of Fr Patrick Hurley in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, one of only four Columbans left in Negros. He was our Tatay in the church and everybody loved him. I also remembered the time I made a search-in for Columban before I graduated from high school. After we sang to the priests present, I introduced myself and mentioned Father Hurley. They told me to come and visit the house whenever I was free.
Last Christmas Eve I attended Mass at the Columban house. There I met Son Seon-Young, Catharina, a Korean Columban lay missionary who had worked in the Philippines. Her face was familiar, from the photo album of my brother Jason, a Columban seminarian. At first I hesitated to approach her but I took courage to asked her if she had been to the Philippines with the Columbans and if she had met Jason. She introduced me to Maira San Juan and Viollie Villaraiz, two Columban lay missionaries from the Philippines, who also invited me to come to the Columban house at any time. Catharina gave me her phone number and told me if I ever had a problem to call her.
When I had an accident last February and was advised to rest for six weeks, I grabbed the chance to visit the Columbans. Every Monday I went to the house and talked with the priests, who gave me advice about living in Korea, joining them for dinner. I also attended the St Patrick's Day celebration, 17 March. On Easter Sunday I attended the send-off Mass for Peter, a Columban lay missionary from Korea bound for Chile. I also met Columban priests from Chile, Peru, Fiji, Australia and two Filipino Columbans, Fr Leo Distor and Fr Darwin Bayaca, who came from Chicago, all involved in the formation of Columban seminarians and in Seoul for a meeting during Easter Week. Aside from the Columban priests, there were also Columban Sisters and other lay missionaries and two Korean Columban seminarians.
It is always great for me to visit the Columbans, with whom I feel at home and welcomed. The Columban way of life for me is different. Sometimes I think of being a lay missionary. If ever that happens I want to be a Columban. But only God knows what’s best for me. Now that I’m back to work, I’m not sure when I’ll be able to visit the Columban house again. But one thing is sure: the Columbans are always there with a welcome.
And I'm so happy that I was able to fulfill Father Hurley's message to my father - to visit the Columbans. I also thank Fr Jude Genovia for giving me some advice and hints about life here in Korea when I was still in Manila processing my papers. I thank God for giving me this opportunity and for answering my prayers. Sincere prayer and patience make a dream come true. God bless us all.
In unity and prayer
Isidro Antiquiera
You may email Isidro at i_antiquiera@hotmail.com