Diocesan SocCom to present a documentary featuring the childhood of Bishop-elect

Saturday morning on January 13 this year. Some members of the SJP SocCom took an early drive toward Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, the hometown of our then parish priest now Bishop-Elect Ronald I. Lunas.

The drive was pleasant, we passed along the main streets lined with Indian trees on both sides and enjoyed a scenery of the ever green rice fields now on its third week since planted.. Magsaysay is considered as the rice basket of Davao de Sur. They do not only produce plain rice but they also have varieties like brown rice.

Stopping at the Sto. Nino Parish to ask the exact location of the Lunas residence, we were grateful to the gracious and friendly staff who sent us to Bala, Magsaysay where the Lunas clan lives. A teen altar boy in a motorcycle was our guide. This time we were passing another long stretch of rice fields and huge coconut plantations in between. Magsaysay indeed is rich in farming.

We arrived at their house and the guide introduced us to Fr. Bong’s parents. Later on the siblings started to arrive. It was an unannounced visit to document an interview so we started with apologies for such an instant visit and they have found no problem with it. Mr. Rodolfo Lunas, Fr. Bong’s father motioned us to the front porch and asked us if we would be comfortable enough in such a beautiful venue facing the street and the rice fields. From that time on, we feel the warm welcome from the family.

We then set up the cameras and I started talking to them off the record. I noticed their eagerness to talk about Fr. Bong, his childhood and his decision to enter the seminary. Noticing the ease, I started to ask them if they would be comfortable if we start rolling the video as we continue to have this conversation as simple and friendly as possible. Couple of hours have passed and it didn’t feel like we were working. The whole team was totally immersed to the story of this family they so generously share.

The documentary will be shown during the back to back dinner of the Clergy on February 10 and on February 11. We are trying our best to come up with a very good output. The result of the interview was a very inspiring start. Thank you to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Rodolfo and Corazon Lunas for welcoming us dearly to your abode. (Blaze Q. Cantaros | Photos by RJ de la Cruz and Erika M. de la Cruz | SUGID)