By Eira Cezanne Buhisan
Second Place Winner
The author is in Fourth Year-OLFA at Christ the King College, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.
In the past years in this living world, existed a perfect harmony in nature. Living was so fascinating as evident in the blooming of the flowers, in the breathing of the animals, in the rushing sound of river-flow and in the gliding of birds in the sky. There was equilibrium in our air, water and land resources.
By Giovanni A. Solibio
The author, a teacher by profession, is a volunteer staff member of the Commission on Youth of the Diocese of Bacolod.
While staring at the Cross as it was being carried by some young people of Panay, a feeling of excitement and joy invaded my whole being. The noise of the crowd and the vehicles moving to and fro reminded me of the awesome presence of the Cross. I was so preoccupied then with how the Commission on Youth staff together with the council and the young people of Bacolod could provide accommodation for all. In spite of this, I was able to focus on the Cross as we commenced the caravan around the city passing the different schools with the welcoming students lining the streets. As the Cross visited every corner of each young person’s heart and soul, the power of the icon of God’s love for humanity was so vividly evident. I felt a desire of wanting Christ present to these young people and for the unfolding revelation of God`s love to all people. That very significant moment was strangely distinctive in the sense that it brought about a transfiguration, even for a short period of time, in the lives of the welcoming crowd.
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.
By Fr Donal O’Dea
The parish of San Roque, San Felipe, Zambales, in the Diocese of Iba, sponsored a memorial Mass, dinner and program for the late Fr John Curry on 16 January. This was a gift of the pastor, Fr Jaime F. Escurzon, the parish pastoral council, the principal, faculty and students of St Columban's Montessori School, the alumni association and other friends.
By Arlenne Villahermosa
Arlenne, from Talisay City, Cebu, has worked as a Columban lay missionary in Korea after which she served a term as coordinator of our lay missionaries in the Philippines. She is now in Myanmar (Burma), a country with which the Columbans have had ties since 1936.
‘Arlenne’, with a prolonged hold on the second syllable, was the way people at home called me when I was a child in order for me to do something. And then it was followed by ‘Marika’ (Come here) if it was my mother who called or ‘Dali diri’ (Come here) if somebody else. I would answer immediately saying, ‘O,’ which meant ‘Yes’, and then went to the person who called me.
Being an obedient child, I always followed what I was asked to do, sometimes willingly, and other times not so willingly.
This was one of my earliest memories of being called as I am, by my name.
By Cecille Muhal
The author is a nurse working in Cebu.
By Father Brian Gore
Columban Fathers Brian Gore, and Niall O’Brien, along with six lay church-workers were released from jail on 3 July 1984. Fr Vicente Dangan, a priest of the Diocese of Bacolod, had been released some time before that. These men had become known as ‘The Negros Nine’.
In 1983 three priests and six lay workers in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental, were charged with multiple murder. Over the next 14 months of trial and imprisonment they become known worldwide as ‘The Negros Nine’.
By Joy Rile
