CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – As Balay Mindanaw forges ahead in breaking new grounds towards the achievement of peace, equity and development of Mindanaw, it is challenged to always get its direction and sense of purpose from its origin and history.
“Quo vadis, Balay Mindanaw?” asked Monsignor Elmer Abacahin, SSJV, during the Eucharistic Celebration that kicked off the 16th anniversary celebration of Balay Mindanaw on May 8.
Abacahin, who pastored the Immaculate Conception Parish in Barangay Bulua, where the Balay Mindanaw Group of NGOs is now headquartered, urged all BMG staff and personnel to always remember three things as they continue to “fight” for peace, equity and development of Mindanaw: remembrance, thankfulness and challenge.
“We have to go back and then express our gratitude. And accompanying our expression of gratitude – in every task there is always an equivalent responsibility and challenge – we are challenged to go ahead with a sense of purpose, which we take from our remembrance of our past,” he said.
Abacahin said remembering one’s history every now and then is very important as one takes on so many challenges as it will keep one from being diverted from his chosen goal and purpose.
“We have to thank God for the gift of memory, the faculty to remember. It is difficult to go back without memory…. Even the Lord, if you listen closely to the words during the consecration of the Eucharist during Mass, the concluding statement of the priest quoting Jesus is ‘Do this in remembrance of me’.”
“Ang pagkalimot sa Kagikan, sa gamut, mao usab ang pagkaguba sa paingnan, sa kaugmaon (Forgetfulness of one’s origin, of one’s roots, is the cause of the destruction of one’s future),” he said.
Balay Mindanaw began to base its operations in 1996 in an old building along JR Borja and Capistrano Streets, where the Balay Mindanaw Formation House hosted BMG’s trainings and other activities done by an original staff of three.
From that very humble beginning, BMG stayed on course and now continues to scale new heights in establishing a “balay that is a house, a home, a family,” where there is “kaangayan, kalambuan, kalinaw” for the Moros, the Lumads, and the Settlers not only in Mindanaw but the entire Philippines and the World.
With so much accomplishments in so short a time – becoming a global brand in peace, equity and development work – BMFI must always show gratitude to the “Prince of Peace, God,” for giving its very being meaning and purpose, Abacahin urged.
“In remembering, in our going back to our origin, our roots, we cannot help but express our gratitude…[especially since] there is nothing in this life that we can call our own; everything comes from God, even the gift of peace,” he said.
Abacahin also reminded BMG to remain true to its calling as channel of blessings and peace.
“We have lots of problems, especially in Mindanao, and most especially in our very own city, Cagayan de Oro. Our experience with Sendong is an eye-opener. But what is important is we help… the poor…. We have been made into channels of relief and blessings…. We are just instruments,” he said.
As Balay Mindanaw begins another year, Abacahin encouraged all staff to continue to work for peace.
“When we work for peace we work for and with God because God is the Prince of Peace,” he stressed
After the Mass, a product testing of Kape Mindanaw – using coffee beans produced by farmers being assisted by Balay Mindanaw and roasted using BMG facilities – was held, with baristas preparing the brew.
Then BMG staff and volunteers proceeded to Barangay Indahag to help in the construction of houses for Sendong Survivors.
A fellowship program was held in the evening, capping the celebration.