The missionary in one strange island, its name is Mindoro

There was a young man who was really lucky to be elected to join the group missionary in Mindoro. His name is Joseph. Actually, he might not be able to go to this place, but because he knows only few words in Tagalog, therefore he was chosen to be in Mindoro. To go to Mindoro, there must be an original Filipino, because the people in Mindoro know nothing about English. Only Tagalog is the language which they can communicate every daily life. The distance from his community to Mindoro about five hours by bus and boat. This travelling was really a big event for him. It was truly lucky for him for he knows some Tagalog vocabularies, that was the reason why father Hubert decided to choose him to company with him and the Filipino brothers. Otherwise, he had no chance to go to this island with several remembrances. The journey had prolonged for four days.

To see some pictures go to them Photo Section

The 1^st day April 07, 2010

It’s about 4:30 AM in the morning, fathers, and his brothers were having breakfast in a rush for the sake of being on time to be at Batangas to take to boat. Go along with his community is the Immaculate Sisters who are inviting Joseph’s congregation to join them to this island. Eventually, both his community and Immaculate Sister are present at Batagas. The essence of the boat is to bring passengers go in peace and be back in peace as well. Therefore the very large boat begins starting to bring them to where they need to reach, that was an island of Mindoro. In the very early of the morning, the sunrise was so beautiful. Oh, from afar there were some fishes jumping up and down just like they welcome the apostolic mission very hospitable. Sometimes they jump up very high and curving themselves and fall down into the sea very professional. There were some huge waves appearing to say hello the boat of theirs, it made the boat had to resist an attack of the wave harder to protect the people in its. These waves look so gentle from afar, but when approach nearer it becomes very dangerous for the man. It seems that these waves have not yet studied how to be polite, on the other hand, these waves are lacking of education.

Even though, there were some good sailors who were very skillful to control the wheel of the boat how to manage with these lacking of wisdom waves. These sailors were very confident and proud in front these violent waves, they protected the boat and especially for those who are willingly to go for missionary on this island, these sailors were so peaceful and relaxed.

At this moment around 9:00 am the boat reached to the coastland where it belongs to Oriental of Mindoro. All of them, fathers, brothers and sisters and some nurses and doctors who were getting out of the boat and brought all their things to nearby one small house, and this house will be the central house for them. They brought all the foods, clothes, medicines and some gifts for the people on this island. From this very moment, Joseph had to speak Tagalog language instead of speaking English language, in other words, he must forget English and of course his own language. He tries his best to use all Tagalog vocabularies which he had learned and remembered for the sake of practicing with these people here. He began to make a new friend to an old man with the assistance of brothers Marlon Ogsila and Francis Ivor, his age perhaps around 60. After introducing himself to the old man, and he asked the old man about the information of this island. It is an accidental for him that when the old man telling that he has one son who is studying in La Salette, his name is Jerum. Joseph was surprised that the old man’s son is his classmate as well.

After having breakfast together with Immaculate Sister and others. They divided themselves into six groups, each group is four people. They got in one small boat and go looking for the tribe (mangyan) here, asking their names. One thing they need to memorize that the Immaculate Sister told everyone that when asking for the tribe’s information, never asking about the time. For they have no concept of time. For instance, do not ask them what time is it, what is the date today; will you come here tomorrow at 7:00 AM, and etc..? After making an appointment with the tribe, Joseph’s group and others groups got into the boat to be back to the central house.

The 2^nd day April 08, 2010

Gather together at the central house at 6:00 AM and all his fathers, brothers and sisters brought the clothes, medicines, and foods for the tribe who is living on this island. Joseph helped some sisters to separate the clothes, toys, and some slippers. Other brothers helping checking the weight of the people and deliver medicines. There were two nurses who worked so hard to check the tribe’s health. The others were teaching catechism, cutting the hair and nail of the children. Everything worked very well. There were so many people who reached to this place, it was a big crowd. They were very happy to be checked the health freely and receiving the gifts by his community and Immaculate Sister’s community. In this place, Joseph found out that the people here were really poor, on the other hand, poorest of the poor. He felt how lucky he was, he has everything which the people here they do not have. There were some very young girls, around 15 or 16 years old who were very expert at nursing the child. They live together in one small house, from grandpa, grandma, parents and children, all live in one very small house. Joseph moved with pity on those children. They will have the same blood with their father. How can they call their father, is a father or a grandpa? And how does the young girl call her spouse, is a father or husband? Joseph went around and encountered with one young girl, her age perhaps was 14-15. Her hair was messy, her dress was not complete. Maybe she used to go on her feet, without slipper or shoes. Joseph can prove that her feet were very dirty, and big. The nails contained full of dusts, her hands were very firm, just like a stone. She has a job which only for men, that is breaking the stone on the mountain.

Joseph approached to her and asked, Magandang umaga, saan ang bahay mo? (Good morning, where is your house?)

She answered: Yeah.. My house is over there where my grandpa, grandma, my parents and my brothers and sisters who are living together within it. While answering Joseph, he looked follow direction of her hands where she pointed. The house was so-called tent, or rotten house.

Joseph kept going on to ask her, what about this child, is she your sister? She is beautiful, isn’t she? When Joseph asked this question to her, she was sad and sorrowful. And then, she answered Joseph’s question. No, she is not my sister, but she is my daughter.

Joseph asked: oh really?

She answered: Yes, sir

Joseph was shocked and surprised.

And then he asked. So, where is the father of this child? Why do you come here to receive the foods, medicines, and clothes without the presence of your husband who is the father of this child?

At this time, she was a little shy and then replied Joseph’s question.

She answered: you know, the father of this child at the same time is my father and also the same time is the father of this baby who I am carrying in my hands.

The response of the young girl had made Joseph very difficult to breathe. The savage scene of the field. The clouds in the sky over there were flying and brought some sorrowful winds for an innocent young girl. The field was very bare, for the hot climate of the sun was so strong, the grass cannot manage enough to survive with this season, even if the big trees around were going to die. Surrounded Joseph by an arousing compassion. A carpet of yellow field with the shining of the sun at noon, it made the trees around here saying farewell to their friends in last few breaths.

Joseph looked the young girl with sympathy; he kept a deep thought and helped her to take medicines, foods and clothes.

Joseph had found about 6 to 8 situations such as the case of the little girl above whom he had interviewed on this area. Most of them have to be a mother too early just because of the situation. He saw father Hubert who was cutting the hair for some of kids, companied with him there was also brother Jeno who as well was very excellent at having hair cut. Brothers Tony, Robert and Marlon were helping to take a shower for these children.

Joseph’s mission and all his companions had come to an end. It’s time to say goodbye with these people. The sunset had come down behind those mountains. He gave some prayers to God for these people here. Oh Lord, today we have done a good job for You, that we saw You were hungry, ill, and had no clothes, we had come and visited You. We beseech You to strengthen us, so that we have more enough energy to do the greater things. Amen.

The 3^rd day April 09, 2010

When the sunrise was not present yet, at 5:00 AM. Joseph took a chance to prepare all his own things into one small back bag for the journey to the two mountains. Fathers, brothers, and sisters, all together went up to the mountains. They asked some helps from the people who are living on these mountains to carry the foods, and clothes to the mountains. The itinerary on the way still was so long, dangerous, and full of risks. Because the road was too small, and beside the road was a deepest valley. On the way up to the mountains, Joseph’s missionaries had one photographer who came from Italy. He took all sorts of pictures which he encountered on the way. Suddenly, there was a poisonous snake passing by the road which was captured by father Hubert. Immediately, the photographer came up and took the picture on the poisonous snake. After taking picture, father Hubert released it to the forest.

While walking Joseph always kept going on practice Tagalog with brothers and sisters who were walking up to the mountains. He practiced all the times just for the sake of conversation with the tribe (mangyan) who never know how to use English in their lives. Consequently, he had no reason to use English on this area. He tried to use their mother language. Even so, that also was the reason to motivate him to improve more new vocabulary. The end of the road up to the mountain was still very far. Remember that there were two mountains, not only just one. Surrounding Joseph was a sound of silent of the forest, sometimes there was the roaring of beasts. There were some bird’s wings in the sky rushing up to greeting to the sunrise, their voice were very peaceful and relaxing. Perhaps they were saying greeting in peace with Joseph’s missionaries. Today Mr. Sun was very handsome; he shined some sun flowers through the branch and leaves of the trees on the road for Joseph and others some vitamins from Sun’s shining. Ahead Joseph there was a sister already old, she had an ambition that she wanted to handle with these two mountains just for the sake of seeing these tribe (mangyan) who were living behind of these two mountains. They perhaps were waiting for her and her companions. On the other hand, the tribe was waiting for the generous hearts of this old sister and those who had forgotten themselves to come here to serve. To bring love to them, to share and experience together with the life of theirs.

The way up to the mountain, again, still was very long. In his missionaries there were two people who are a little fat. It seemed that they could not manage, but finally, they both overcame themselves to follow up Joseph’s missionaries. After almost four hours, his missionaries had passed through the two mountains and came to the village of the tribe (mangyan). Everyone was really tired and suffering because of the long way. But in the suffering there was also joyfulness. The sweating of everyone kept falling down constantly. The noontime was really hot, such as Sahara desert. He wished…wishing there was a cool juice. Or etc…just making the throat cool, he thought. While thinking somewhere in heaven, there was a strong man who was approaching near to him. On the man’s hands there was a very sharp knife, the shining came from the knife for the shining of Mister Sun. In other hand of the man, which was carrying a bunch of coconut. He invited the missionaries and Joseph. Each had one coconut. It was really interesting, heaven must be here, he thought.

After that he made new friends with the kids around him. They were afraid of him. When he approached near to them, and then the kids were running away from him, they hid themselves in some rotten tents. Later on they revealed themselves, they got out of their tents and gather a small crowd and looked at him with curious eyes. He spoke to them by Tagalog, but there was not response to him. Maybe they did not understand or yet understand what he was talking about. He asked for help from one of Immaculate Sister’s member to translate some words which perhaps he has spoken wrong. The reason made the kids did not answer his question just because he spoke too fast. Sister advised him to speak slower. This time he controlled his speed by speaking slower than before. He used one nail cutter to cut children’s nails. By doing this, the kids got closer to him and they were no longer afraid of him. At the beginning, they would be afraid of him, or they would be shy. There were some hands with the very long nail, under the nail there was full of dusts. Some of kids used their hands put in their mouth and bit the nail. Their hands still remained some soil in itself; this might cause them getting stomachache when they placed this hand into their mouth. What a pity on them. The same time that hands which works outside the garden, and now at the same time, that hands which placed in the mouth. Brother Jeno helped them for hair cut, other brothers helped them to take a bath, and some were cooking for lunch.

The day had come to noonday, some of his brothers and sisters already prepared the food for them (mangyan). He also wanted to contribute some help to them by wrapping the food in a small plastic and later on these foods would be delivered to the tribe (mangyan).

They ate very well, and were very enjoy with the food. After eating they received the clothes and other things. He helped his fathers, brothers, and sisters to give the clothes to the tribe.

This time of the day was very very hot, after having lunch. He had the Mass in the house nearby the place where he and his missionaries were there before. While having the Mass in the house. All of them, the tribe who had curious eyes, they just sat there and kept an eye on him and all the people in the house. It seemed that they had never seen this kind of Mass before. That was the reason why, the entire house was surrounded by the tribe. The young and old, men and women, all of them paid attention in the Mass without comprehension, and reaction.

After having the Mass (pagkatapos ng Missa), he and all missionaries arranged the things to go down the mountains. He said goodbye (paalam) to them.

The 4^th day April 10, 2010

This day he, fathers, brothers and sisters spent time for relaxing, swimming. Of course, he had time for swimming before this day, but not fully enjoy. Because he and his missionaries were very busy. At 1:00 PM the boat was already waiting for his all companions to get into and going home.

Ah finally, I see you again, my friend. He spoke to the boat.

At last, he, fathers and brothers reached home in peace around at 5:00 PM

This missionary has given Joseph many experiences; he hoped that if possible, there is a chance for him again to go there next year, to see again the pitiable people on that island.

Only Tagalog is the language which they can communicate every daily life. The distance from his community to Mindoro about five hours by bus and boat. This travelling was really a big event for him. It was truly lucky for him for he knows some Tagalog vocabularies, that was the reason why father Hubert decided to choose him to company with him and the Filipino brothers. Otherwise, he had no chance to go to this island with several remembrances. The journey had prolonged for four days.

The 1^st day April 07, 2010

It’s about 4:30 AM in the morning, fathers, and his brothers were having breakfast in a rush for the sake of being on time to be at Batangas to take to boat. Go along with his community is the Immaculate Sisters who are inviting Joseph’s congregation to join them to this island. Eventually, both his community and Immaculate Sister are present at Batagas. The essence of the boat is to bring passengers go in peace and be back in peace as well. Therefore the very large boat begins starting to bring them to where they need to reach, that was an island of Mindoro. In the very early of the morning, the sunrise was so beautiful. Oh, from afar there were some fishes jumping up and down just like they welcome the apostolic mission very hospitable. Sometimes they jump up very high and curving themselves and fall down into the sea very professional. There were some huge waves appearing to say hello the boat of theirs, it made the boat had to resist an attack of the wave harder to protect the people in its. These waves look so gentle from afar, but when approach nearer it becomes very dangerous for the man. It seems that these waves have not yet studied how to be polite, on the other hand, these waves are lacking of education.

Even though, there were some good sailors who were very skillful to control the wheel of the boat how to manage with these lacking of wisdom waves. These sailors were very confident and proud in front these violent waves, they protected the boat and especially for those who are willingly to go for missionary on this island, these sailors were so peaceful and relaxed.

At this moment around 9:00 am the boat reached to the coastland where it belongs to Oriental of Mindoro. All of them, fathers, brothers and sisters and some nurses and doctors who were getting out of the boat and brought all their things to nearby one small house, and this house will be the central house for them. They brought all the foods, clothes, medicines and some gifts for the people on this island. From this very moment, Joseph had to speak Tagalog language instead of speaking English language, in other words, he must forget English and of course his own language. He tries his best to use all Tagalog vocabularies which he had learned and remembered for the sake of practicing with these people here. He began to make a new friend to an old man with the assistance of brothers Marlon Ogsila and Francis Ivor, his age perhaps around 60. After introducing himself to the old man, and he asked the old man about the information of this island. It is an accidental for him that when the old man telling that he has one son who is studying in La Salette, his name is Jerum. Joseph was surprised that the old man’s son is his classmate as well.

After having breakfast together with Immaculate Sister and others. They divided themselves into six groups, each group is four people. They got in one small boat and go looking for the tribe (mangyan) here, asking their names. One thing they need to memorize that the Immaculate Sister told everyone that when asking for the tribe’s information, never asking about the time. For they have no concept of time. For instance, do not ask them what time is it, what is the date today; will you come here tomorrow at 7:00 AM, and etc..? After making an appointment with the tribe, Joseph’s group and others groups got into the boat to be back to the central house.

The 2^nd day April 08, 2010

Gather together at the central house at 6:00 AM and all his fathers, brothers and sisters brought the clothes, medicines, and foods for the tribe who is living on this island. Joseph helped some sisters to separate the clothes, toys, and some slippers. Other brothers helping checking the weight of the people and deliver medicines. There were two nurses who worked so hard to check the tribe’s health. The others were teaching catechism, cutting the hair and nail of the children. Everything worked very well. There were so many people who reached to this place, it was a big crowd. They were very happy to be checked the health freely and receiving the gifts by his community and Immaculate Sister’s community. In this place, Joseph found out that the people here were really poor, on the other hand, poorest of the poor. He felt how lucky he was, he has everything which the people here they do not have. There were some very young girls, around 15 or 16 years old who were very expert at nursing the child. They live together in one small house, from grandpa, grandma, parents and children, all live in one very small house. Joseph moved with pity on those children. They will have the same blood with their father. How can they call their father, is a father or a grandpa? And how does the young girl call her spouse, is a father or husband? Joseph went around and encountered with one young girl, her age perhaps was 14-15. Her hair was messy, her dress was not complete. Maybe she used to go on her feet, without slipper or shoes. Joseph can prove that her feet were very dirty, and big. The nails contained full of dusts, her hands were very firm, just like a stone. She has a job which only for men, that is breaking the stone on the mountain.

Joseph approached to her and asked, Magandang umaga, saan ang bahay mo? (Good morning, where is your house?)

She answered: Yeah.. My house is over there where my grandpa, grandma, my parents and my brothers and sisters who are living together within it. While answering Joseph, he looked follow direction of her hands where she pointed. The house was so-called tent, or rotten house.

Joseph kept going on to ask her, what about this child, is she your sister? She is beautiful, isn’t she? When Joseph asked this question to her, she was sad and sorrowful. And then, she answered Joseph’s question. No, she is not my sister, but she is my daughter.

Joseph asked: oh really?

She answered: Yes, sir

Joseph was shocked and surprised.

And then he asked. So, where is the father of this child? Why do you come here to receive the foods, medicines, and clothes without the presence of your husband who is the father of this child?

At this time, she was a little shy and then replied Joseph’s question.

She answered: you know, the father of this child at the same time is my father and also the same time is the father of this baby who I am carrying in my hands.

The response of the young girl had made Joseph very difficult to breathe. The savage scene of the field. The clouds in the sky over there were flying and brought some sorrowful winds for an innocent young girl. The field was very bare, for the hot climate of the sun was so strong, the grass cannot manage enough to survive with this season, even if the big trees around were going to die. Surrounded Joseph by an arousing compassion. A carpet of yellow field with the shining of the sun at noon, it made the trees around here saying farewell to their friends in last few breaths.

Joseph looked the young girl with sympathy; he kept a deep thought and helped her to take medicines, foods and clothes.

Joseph had found about 6 to 8 situations such as the case of the little girl above whom he had interviewed on this area. Most of them have to be a mother too early just because of the situation. He saw father Hubert who was cutting the hair for some of kids, companied with him there was also brother Jeno who as well was very excellent at having hair cut. Brothers Tony, Robert and Marlon were helping to take a shower for these children.

Joseph’s mission and all his companions had come to an end. It’s time to say goodbye with these people. The sunset had come down behind those mountains. He gave some prayers to God for these people here. Oh Lord, today we have done a good job for You, that we saw You were hungry, ill, and had no clothes, we had come and visited You. We beseech You to strengthen us, so that we have more enough energy to do the greater things. Amen.

The 3^rd day April 09, 2010

When the sunrise was not present yet, at 5:00 AM. Joseph took a chance to prepare all his own things into one small back bag for the journey to the two mountains. Fathers, brothers, and sisters, all together went up to the mountains. They asked some helps from the people who are living on these mountains to carry the foods, and clothes to the mountains. The itinerary on the way still was so long, dangerous, and full of risks. Because the road was too small, and beside the road was a deepest valley. On the way up to the mountains, Joseph’s missionaries had one photographer who came from Italy. He took all sorts of pictures which he encountered on the way. Suddenly, there was a poisonous snake passing by the road which was captured by father Hubert. Immediately, the photographer came up and took the picture on the poisonous snake. After taking picture, father Hubert released it to the forest.

While walking Joseph always kept going on practice Tagalog with brothers and sisters who were walking up to the mountains. He practiced all the times just for the sake of conversation with the tribe (mangyan) who never know how to use English in their lives. Consequently, he had no reason to use English on this area. He tried to use their mother language. Even so, that also was the reason to motivate him to improve more new vocabulary. The end of the road up to the mountain was still very far. Remember that there were two mountains, not only just one. Surrounding Joseph was a sound of silent of the forest, sometimes there was the roaring of beasts. There were some bird’s wings in the sky rushing up to greeting to the sunrise, their voice were very peaceful and relaxing. Perhaps they were saying greeting in peace with Joseph’s missionaries. Today Mr. Sun was very handsome; he shined some sun flowers through the branch and leaves of the trees on the road for Joseph and others some vitamins from Sun’s shining. Ahead Joseph there was a sister already old, she had an ambition that she wanted to handle with these two mountains just for the sake of seeing these tribe (mangyan) who were living behind of these two mountains. They perhaps were waiting for her and her companions. On the other hand, the tribe was waiting for the generous hearts of this old sister and those who had forgotten themselves to come here to serve. To bring love to them, to share and experience together with the life of theirs.

The way up to the mountain, again, still was very long. In his missionaries there were two people who are a little fat. It seemed that they could not manage, but finally, they both overcame themselves to follow up Joseph’s missionaries. After almost four hours, his missionaries had passed through the two mountains and came to the village of the tribe (mangyan). Everyone was really tired and suffering because of the long way. But in the suffering there was also joyfulness. The sweating of everyone kept falling down constantly. The noontime was really hot, such as Sahara desert. He wished…wishing there was a cool juice. Or etc…just making the throat cool, he thought. While thinking somewhere in heaven, there was a strong man who was approaching near to him. On the man’s hands there was a very sharp knife, the shining came from the knife for the shining of Mister Sun. In other hand of the man, which was carrying a bunch of coconut. He invited the missionaries and Joseph. Each had one coconut. It was really interesting, heaven must be here, he thought.

After that he made new friends with the kids around him. They were afraid of him. When he approached near to them, and then the kids were running away from him, they hid themselves in some rotten tents. Later on they revealed themselves, they got out of their tents and gather a small crowd and looked at him with curious eyes. He spoke to them by Tagalog, but there was not response to him. Maybe they did not understand or yet understand what he was talking about. He asked for help from one of Immaculate Sister’s member to translate some words which perhaps he has spoken wrong. The reason made the kids did not answer his question just because he spoke too fast. Sister advised him to speak slower. This time he controlled his speed by speaking slower than before. He used one nail cutter to cut children’s nails. By doing this, the kids got closer to him and they were no longer afraid of him. At the beginning, they would be afraid of him, or they would be shy. There were some hands with the very long nail, under the nail there was full of dusts. Some of kids used their hands put in their mouth and bit the nail. Their hands still remained some soil in itself; this might cause them getting stomachache when they placed this hand into their mouth. What a pity on them. The same time that hands which works outside the garden, and now at the same time, that hands which placed in the mouth. Brother Jeno helped them for hair cut, other brothers helped them to take a bath, and some were cooking for lunch.

The day had come to noonday, some of his brothers and sisters already prepared the food for them (mangyan). He also wanted to contribute some help to them by wrapping the food in a small plastic and later on these foods would be delivered to the tribe (mangyan).

They ate very well, and were very enjoy with the food. After eating they received the clothes and other things. He helped his fathers, brothers, and sisters to give the clothes to the tribe.

This time of the day was very very hot, after having lunch. He had the Mass in the house nearby the place where he and his missionaries were there before. While having the Mass in the house. All of them, the tribe who had curious eyes, they just sat there and kept an eye on him and all the people in the house. It seemed that they had never seen this kind of Mass before. That was the reason why, the entire house was surrounded by the tribe. The young and old, men and women, all of them paid attention in the Mass without comprehension, and reaction.

After having the Mass (pagkatapos ng Missa), he and all missionaries arranged the things to go down the mountains. He said goodbye (paalam) to them.

The 4^th day April 10, 2010

This day he, fathers, brothers and sisters spent time for relaxing, swimming. Of course, he had time for swimming before this day, but not fully enjoy. Because he and his missionaries were very busy. At 1:00 PM the boat was already waiting for his all companions to get into and going home.

Ah finally, I see you again, my friend. He spoke to the boat.

At last, he, fathers and brothers reached home in peace around at 5:00 PM

This missionary has given Joseph many experiences; he hoped that if possible, there is a chance for him again to go there next year, to see again the pitiable people on that island.