Visiting San Lorenzo Parish of Don Marcelino

October is tribal month and the San Lorenzo Parish of Don Marcelino in Davao Occidental responded with a visit to one of the tribal schools. The parish priest, Rev. Fr. Rogelio Albite and his team went to visit Datal Labe, a sitio in Brgy. West Lumidan, Don Marcelino. The school is located a few kilometres off the highway and into the beaten path. It requires you to a three hour hike from the barangay proper and a tough drive to get you to the bottom of the forest where the trekking begins.

As soon as Fr. Albite and his team reached the school, he presided a thanksgiving mass which was followed by a short program where the students proudly showcased their own culture from wearing the ethnic costumes to playing the tribal games and singing some songs that unite their voices into one. After the short program, they shared a fellowship meal and not long after a heavy downpour covered the thickness of the forest. This cut short the visit so Fr. Albite and his team started another hour of walking down the muddy path and back to the bottom of the forest where they left the car. And since it required them to cross the river in order to get back to the highway, this time the river was rising and making it difficult to cross. Thinking it’s a Sunday the next day, Fr. Albite decided to brave the water and off they went. They were helped by many parishioners and local residents to cross. “God is mightier than this river,” Fr. Albite said to himself. He was happy to be back safe and sound. (Blaze Q. Cantaros, Sugid SoCCom | Photos by Emerlyn Malbino)