Paved roads, easy internet connection, and electricity available around the clock. These and numerous more factors make mainland living unquestionably comfortable and convenient, meeting one’s sensual needs. But what if, all of a sudden, these are detached from us on a daily basis? How would we respond and cope with it? Improper electricity, lumpy and dusty roads, limited access to the internet, and difficult access to barangays, including fully operational mining companies that affected lives for years. These and other things, one will only experience whenever one is so distant from the mainland, on an island far away.
It is undeniably inconvenient and uncomfortable for one to experience such who is accustomed to convenience. Yet the question is, how do we get along suffering with this inconvenience? Perhaps this is the greatest paradox I’ve ever experienced during my first-ever summer apostolate at St. John the Baptist Parish, Homonhon Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar. A lot of learning and unlearning, as well as subtle suffering of detachment from comfort. Really, adjusting to inconvenience is not easy, for it conforms to what the logic of the world teaches us. However, as Bishop Barron said, let us delve into a much deeper dimension of logic, contrary to what the logic of this world tells us—filling ourselves up with every opportunity. Let us reflect on the theologic: to God’s logic–our being increases in the means of giving it away, a pure and strange paradox! Jesus always says, give! Even if you do not have plenty, for you will be rewarded in heaven. Experience suffering! and you will be comforted in heaven. Tough and challenging, yet comforting and fulfilling; that is the logic Jesus is teaching us. To cope, change, and adjust to something that we’re not used to—especially if it is inconvenient—is not so straightforward. A lot of questions, fusses, and complaints may fill our minds, but as we go along and open ourselves up to that change, then everything will be alright. The things I surrendered, which I thought were all for nothing, turned out to be fulfilling and a good memory to reminisce about, an experience I’d only encounter during this time of formation. The joy I get with that Waray-Waray term of “pakiki-angay” and the fulfillment of serving in the parish—these are the fruits of that inconvenient change.
On another note, the irresponsible mining on Homonhon Island continues. Raising issues, I believe that the very first thing that destroys mining, especially on Homonhon, is not primarily the environment but the family; the family really suffers from it. Rooted with broken principles driven by the necessity of money, engulfed by greed, with a very convenient yet depressing means possible, working for mining itself. One time during supper, Fr. Kim expressed a very sad reality happening at Homonhon; he said, “makuri pag-pinakiaway hiton mina, kun mismo iton mga tawo ngadi diri na-ugop haimo,” then he added, “Sanglit makalolo-uy iton mga tawo nganhi nga na-depende mangud hini nga isla—tuna, panarabaho, panimalay ngan ha panadlaw-adlaw nga pan-nginabuhi,” embodying the late Pope Francis’ statement, “The cry of the Earth is the cry of the poor.” The bottom line here is really the call for an adequate anthropology that leads to a correct ecology. Of how it is to be a human first before anything else. “There can be no renewal of our relationship with nature without a renewal of humanity itself. There can be no ecology without an adequate anthropology” (Laudato Si, 118). Let us save what’s left! Kind community, wonderful places, and the precious culture of this island.
Nevertheless, let us remember what the late Pope Francis spoke out and declared on this year’s Jubilee; let us all be pilgrims of hope and remain hopeful of that positive change each of us is capable of. Let us preserve the pride of our faith! Let us protect where it all began! Let us save Homonhon Island!
By: Sem. Fritz Juneil Dulfo
Published: 19 June 2025 via The Convergence
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