Paying it Forward

Last June 22, 2013, the Indigenous People’s Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Davao, headed by Fr. Jun Acedo, Jr., held a blessing of the Ata Student’s Shelter at DapSa. We were invited to grace the occasion. I was with Fr. Norman Quilaquil, OP and two students from San Pedro College of Davao City, members of DomNet (Dominican Network) Youth group. Present during the blessing were members of the IP Apostolate, APaKO officers, APaKO students and friends. APaKO stands for Ata Paquibato Kalayag Organization.

When we arrived, Fr. Jun had already started with the prayers. After the short prayers, before the blessing of the house, Fr. Jun invited all those present to introduce themselves to one another. It was my first time to meet Fr. Jun in person. After that, he requested Sr. Cris Lagunsad, CB to share to the group how the project for the Ata Students’ Shelter came to be realized. Fr. Jun also requested Rimo Españalo, the leader of APaKO, to share with the group the plight of the Ata students. Becoming a little emotional, Rimo shared the struggles and difficulties of the Ata students, and their dream to pursue their education in spite of all the odds. Rimo thanked all those who are supporting the Ata students in pursuing their dreams. After hearing from the Ata students’ leader their situation, Fr. Jun in turn posted a challenge to the group present in that gathering on what we can do to help them. Since I cannot fully understand Bisaya, I surmised that Fr. Jun’s challenge to the group was not to answer with mere words, but more so with action. Fr. Jun also mentioned that the home of the Ata students is already a blessing, even before the actual house blessing.

And then Fr. Jun requested me to do the honor of blessing the Ata Students’ Shelter. It’s a small house, about 5 meters by 7 meters, with two cramped rooms and a kitchen and dining area. Outside is a toilet and bathroom. At present, twelve students make do with the small space that they have, with two narrow double deck beds in each room. It has electrical and water supply. They cook their food with firewood or charcoal.

After the blessing, there was food that was shared by everyone. Friends and guests brought food for sharing. I told Rimo that we are trying to collect school supplies in support of their group’s project to help the children of Paquibato in their education by giving them the tools for learning. Their group, APaKO, initiated the project and is now on its third year. They have been doing this because they know the difficulties that the children undergo in pursuit of their education. They underwent the same experiences. That is why even if they do not have the means to support themselves, they have come up with a project to help others, because they have experienced and came to understand the meaning and value of helping and of being helped. It is not about paying back whatever help you have received from others; it’s about paying it forward.