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A Cebu-Longgo
youth leader’s journey with Balay Mindanaw
By Leonardo “Lee” M.
Rendon, Youth Coordinator
Mission Station Youth Council
San Lorenzo Ruiz Mission Station
Aleosan, North Cotabato
I am just among those
thousands of youth living in a small and quiet town of Aleosan,
North Cotabato. Aleosan is an acronym for: A- Alimodian, LEO- Leo,
SAN- San Miguel all coming from Iloilo, thereby Ilongo as to
majority of people’s ethnicity.
Our place seems familiar to
every Mindanawan, for it is an AVATAR (or Area Violently Affected by
War). Aleosan is known as a war zone, a
very scary place, and a place of belligerents or lawless armed
groups. Actually it is not. Admittedly, Aleosan for a time had been
in violent conflicts, causing massive disenfranchisement among
residents. But that was years ago. I couldn’t blame others
thinking it this way because the media have also exaggerated the
news on the actual incidents.
I started my journeying with
my community as a youth leader, almost 10 years ago. I started as an
active member of our organization called Catholic Youth Formation
(CYF). I had been elected as Youth President for two years in our
chapel. I couldn’t imagine how hard it is to be a leader. I didn’t
know where and how to start the ball rolling.
I needed to adjust and adapt
to the new challenge posed before me: from being a simple and
ordinary youth to a working youth leader, who at the same time was a
student. I realized it wasn’t that hard for me because my parents
were with me. They inspired me in every way, guided me, and provided
me pieces of advice. I am very thankful to have them as my parents;
for me, they are beyond compare.
One of the biggest trials I
encountered was the time I stopped schooling because of heart
failure. My entire body seemed paralyzed that I couldn’t hold
anything around me. I just kept on praying for my early recovery,
and considered the experience as just a spice of life. I strongly
believe that God has a plan, and that nothing happens by accident. I
believe what was happening to me then had a purpose. I really
thought that would be the end my life and my life’s adventures.
Fortunately, it didn’t happen. I was given another chance that I
promised to really make myself useful to the community.
When I was elected as the
Secretary of the Midsayap Youth Vicariate composing of seven
parishes – Midsayap, Pikit, Libungan, Pigcawayan, Alamada,
Banisilan and the Aleosan Mission Station – I again had the
feeling of being not apt for the position. It was just that my
co-youths trusted me that much. At first I really didn’t know what
to do. The task of handling a big crowd is not that easy for me
then. Another adventure!!!
July 8, 2007 was a memorable
day for me as a youth. We would have our regular meeting in
Banisilan, North Cotabato that day. I was very happy then – very
eager to attend that meeting because it was my first time to go to
Banisilan. While we were on our way, our service car was ambushed by
alleged lost command rebels, resulting to three deaths on the spot.
A hand grenade was thrown at us. Everyone of us hadn’t moved –
everyone shocked and scared! Maintaining presence of mind, I ran to
find a place where I can have a phone call. I called up my father,
who happened to be on his way to Marbel with Vicente Sorupia Jr.,
now a municipal board member. A rescue team came and ferried us
straight to Banisilan. I learned only later, after all the
commotion, that I had a hearing impairment due to the impact of the
grenade blast.
Life must go on, no matter
what happens – I will still remain active, even get more active
and inspired in my involvement for societal change. I continued my
studies, finishing a three-year Agricultural Technology course, and
at the same time played my role as youth leader. I even got a
Leadership Award! My parents were very proud of me; I finally have
given them a Diploma, something they could not have during their
younger days mired in poverty.
With the passion within me, I
was able to work as a volunteer with the PALMA Alliance Development
for three months. PALMA refers to the municipalities of Pigcawayan,
Alamada, Libungan, Midsayap and Aleosan grouping together. This
experience has helped sharpen my skills, especially on community
organizing. For a year, I worked with the Affiliate School; was
assigned as the Library-in Charge, timekeeper, and the property
custodian. I was also assigned as the Supreme Student Council
Adviser.
Just a year ago, my father
died of cardiac arrest during my brother’s wedding reception. I
was so sad that, while he was still alive, I hadn’t told my father
how much I love him, and how much I care for him; I hadn’t thanked
him for being with us in this world. Within the same year, I was
diagnosed as having rheumatic heart disease, with severe mitral
regurgitation. I was advised by my doctor to undergo surgical
operation.
With my strong belief in Him,
I feel like everything is fine and continue believing that
everything’s gonna be alright. I have offered myself for service
to His Glory, that is why I am not really afraid of the challenges
thrown my way. Life is like a wheel; sometimes we are at the top,
sometimes we are in the middle. And while at the top, life is like
running water; we don’t really know where it will go. Just like
the song entitled “At the Beginning” by Donna Lewis, it says
that “Life is a road and I want to keep going. Love is a river,
I wanna keep flowing. Life is a road. Now and forever, Wonderful
journey”. Life is a journey. This is it!
Until I came to meet Balay
Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. (BMFI), which at first I thought was a
group providing people with houses, “balay” being the vernacular
for house. I later came to discover that it doesn’t provide
houses, but makes its office in Cagayan de Oro City, its
peace center, truly a home for everyone.
I was one of the luckiest
youths from Aleosan to have immersed in Balay’s partner
communities in the province of Misamis Oriental for a week. It was
such a very wonderful experience. I felt secured with the company of
its staff, eventually got more inspired to pursue peacebuilding work
in my strife-torn community of Aleosan. What I realized from the
experience was that peace in my own community, and even in Mindanao,
can be achieved through understanding and promoting respect to each
and everyone. Respecting each one’s rights, cultures and
identities, and opinions on things – this is what we have to do as
Mindanawons.
BMFI has helped me a lot. It
opened a new door for me as a youth of Aleosan, and as a child born
in a conflict area. With Balay Mindanaw with me, I become more
confident in really putting a stake – myself, our youth
organization – in helping prevent or address violence. My active
involvement in Balay’s conduct of Local Peace Consultations (LPCs)
is a stepping stone for me to reach out to other youths in the
entire municipality whatever their religious beliefs and tribal
affiliations are. I personally would have wanted to create an
inter-faith dialogue among youths in the municipality, especially
now that I was elected as the Youth Coordinator of San Lorenzo Ruiz
Mission Station.
I personally would like to
thank the opportunity to be with an NGO doing on-the-ground
peacebuilding interventions. From the consultations, to packaging of
Barangay Peace and Development Plans, and strengthening of
locally-based organizations, including the San Lorenzo Ruiz Mission
Station Parish Pastoral Council, I was given the chance to
participate and even acted as one of the facilitators.
Being an active youth leader
for many years, I’m hoping that some day, I would have more time
and more resources in doing peacebuilding work. With my experience
with Balay Mindanaw, I would be more prepared in helping address
violence in my own community.
Finally, working with Balay
Mindanaw is a vehicle for us youths to have our voices, calling for
peace, be heard by the government, the state and non-state actors.
May this engagement with BMFI continue come rain or shine!
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