Dialogue with IP “Baylan”

It happened somewhere in North Cotabato in early 1995. A “baylan”, Manobo word for “shaman”, a respected spiritual person I was conversing with under the shade of a mango tree. He was telling how good and caring was the priest. He wanted the local office of the NFA (National Food Authority) to give rice to the people outside waiting for several hours under the heat of the sun. But he felt very sad. Why? Because they, his people, were notable to ask permission from… he did not finish but looked up… saying, no ritual, no permit from… (I understood what he meant.)

This is just to emphasize the need for dialogue in the area of faith, which is basically interreligious dialogue.