IP KULAMAN - THE BEGINNING

are just some changes and developments we have in the dormitory. The structure of the dormitory is liquid for now since there are still a lot of things to attend to, things that still needs more time to think, things that still needs to be done.

Yes, we are now creating a new atmosphere where the students can hopefully learn faster and better. What we need just right now is time so that we can fully implement all our plans and vision for the students  today and to the next generation.

We are now starting the School Year 2017-2018 here in Kulaman. The dormitory is now filled with Manobo students coming from different places here in KUlaman and in other areas and Municipalities, from Lebak, Kalamansig, and even Mindanao.

We are still doing some repairs and fixing some things in the dormitory. Some are out of schedule due to lack of workers and especially carpenters.

We have also gathered all parents of the students and discussed to them their responsibilities as parents. I insisted that they still have to assist their kids financially because there are still some things that they have to but, their personal things, school needs and others.

Good thing, the parents were very cooperative and attentive during the meeting. It was held in the dormitory and during that meeting they were able to select their Officers. So formally, we have designed a Parents’ Association in the Dormitory. Still we have to finish the draft of the MOA so that they will have some guidelines and rules to follow.

The students were also grouped. They were individually chosen for their group. The groups were designed for the manual labor purposes as well as their program in the coming days. Each group consists of different Manobo from different tear level so that they will have a fair number and age levels.

I don’t have so much contact with the students now since this is the just the first week of school but im planning to meet them next week to discuss the schedules and their responsibilities in the dormitory.

For now, everything is doing well. Things are just the same just like before. Im still trying to learn the chemistry of the staff, the routines that I have to live, and the reality that there are really a ton of things to do when you are an IP Kulaman in charge. Nonetheless, I never had any regrets being assigned here in Kulaman because for me this is my first love.

God bless us all! Mafion lafus!

Travel to Mission

Going back to our mission in Kulaman with the Manobo community needs a quite long journey. the road still is not so perfect. There are still some roads that are muddy and under repair which makes the transportation going there is tiring and time consuming.
It takes three long hours to go to Kulaman by four wheel vehicle. This afternoon as we headed back, our vehicle experience some problem. One of the wheels at the back moved near the mudguard so we have to have a repair in the middle of our travel. Good thing, we were helped by some friends. After almost two hours, the vehicle was ready and we continued our way to Kulaman. From Masiag where we had the repair of the vehicle, we still have to travel about one and a half hours. The rain just stopped earlier so the road was still difficult.
We arrived in Kulaman around 7 o'clock in the evening. unfortunately, we forgot to inform our cook that we will have our dinner in Kulaman. So when we arrived, there was no food left. So we decided to open 2 cans of sardines and tuna and a little left over cooked rice. It was so funny since this is also the day that two scholastics arrived for the first time in Kulaman. So that served as their welcome party. Still, we had a nice simple dinner together. This is a mission area so we have no right to complain. We're still happy that we arrived home safely.

Manobo Mission

June 5

How can I describe my mission with the Manobo? Well, for two month now being in charge with the IP ministry in KUlaman, I think its very interesting. My time are mostly working and thinking and working. So I have busy time there in Kulaman. I noticed that there are very few dull moments when im there. So, I think im enjoying for the meantime. I know its not easy but I still believe God has destined each one for something. For me, KUlaman assignment is Gods action for me to help people and to muster my self and my skills and talents. I know I will learn so much from thing assignment so I better really give my time and effort and heart to the mission.

Who are they?

June 4

How can I describe the Manobo-Dulangan?

Its quite intriguing that there are some prejudices that I personally have and other Christians have against the Manobo. Because they are so many, and most of them are rooted already in every brain cell of the Christians, tendency is that its so hard to take them away. The Manobo have been judge unrightly by so many people.

For me, their culture is very natural. They live not for themselves but for their community, for their family, for others. They eat, they work, they laugh not as a single person but always with their family. For them, they are one family, all Manobo is their relative and therefore, they have no right to be negative or to be ingrateful to them.

Although, there are still some things that they have to change so that they can cope with the society. Their tradition is now loosing. One by one, they are now changed by the attitudes, mentality, perspective, of the Chritians. That why its sad. Its sad because if we will not do anything about this, one day we will not be able to a a true blooded Manobo in this land.

One way to deal with this problem is education. That’s why the OMI congregation is putting so much resources for their education. Maybe not drastically but eventually, these young Manobos will learn more on how to love protect and preserve their culture.