by Gertrudes C. Samson, Columban Lay Missionary

Bat Walk

Recently, the Columbans in Solihull organized a Bat Walk. At first, I had second thoughts about attending because of the many horror films I have watched featuring bats. Those scenes had left me with persisting prejudice, and fear immediately crept in- “What if the bats bite or attack me during the walk!”

On the evening of the Bat Walk, while having an early dinner at Solihull, my fellow Columbans James and Jane suddenly arrived with snacks for the event. They asked if I was joining. Unsure at first (due to my fear), I was persuaded by their enthusiasm. The walk started with a lecture on the myths and facts about bats.

St. Columban once said, “If you want to know the Creator you must first know His Creation.” I’m thankful I joined the Bat Walk, as the myths and facts about bats were clarified – bats are not vampires, nor they attack humans; in fact, they even avoid us. I learned about their vital role in the environment. By the end, I totally agreed with the lecturer: ‘Bats are amazing.’ Now, my fear has turned to fascination, and I feel that there is much more to reflect on about them.

Fruit bats and my family

After the Bat Walk, while packing up, Fr. John Collins and I talked about the activity and the lecture. I told him that I was grateful the lecture came first, as it addressed my fears from the false portrayal of bats in horror films. I also shared a family story about fruit bats, to which Fr John enthusiastically said, “Ger you should have shared that story during the lecture – surely it would have interested everyone.”

As a child, my elder brother and I ventured to a different part of our village, where we met an elderly man who asked, “Which family are you from?” When we said, “The Samson Family,” he said “Oh, you are the grandchildren of Milio and Pania. You are from the Bayakan (fruit bat) family.” Curious, I asked why, and he joked, “Because you all turn into fruit bats at night.” Offended, I said, “No lolo, that’s not true. I don’t turn into a fruit bat at night.” (Lolo is a respectful title for an elderly man.) He laughed, saying, “You will when you grow up.”

That night, I couldn’t sleep, one of my eyes remained open, checking  if any of my family will turn into a fruit bat. In the morning, I asked my mom why the elderly man on the other part of our village called us Bayakan Family. She smiled and said, “It’s just name calling; maybe some people were jealous of your grandfather’s success.”

My mom explained that, before I was born, my grandfather’s land was filled with fruit trees, attracting fruit bats at night. In the morning, children in the neighborhood would climb the trees, eat fruits until they are full and take some home. When I asked if grandpa chased them away, my mom replied, “No, your grandfather did not mind sharing it with others.” He also felt the same about the bats, saying they were harmless. Even being called Bayakan Family never bothered him; he’d usually just smile.

As a child, I wished that those bats hadn’t come so that no one would call us that. I did not yet understand that time how amazing bats are or why my grandfather didn’t mind.

God’s Message

After learning about bats, I realized that the fruit bats that came to my grandfather’s garden were key to its success.  Like bees, bats help flowers cross pollinate, leading to more fruits. Their droppings which are rich in nutrients acted as natural fertilizers. The bats also ate pests, so he didn’t need pesticides! This explained why my grandfather’s fruit trees bore abundant, big fruits, enough to share with neighbors and even the bats.

My mom added that my grandfather’s flowers also bloomed beautifully and plenty, providing additional income when sold at church. Now, I see bats as God’s night workers, naturally nourishing fruits and flowers so we have more to enjoy and share.

Fruits bats are large flying mammal that eats fruit and lives in warm or hot countries.

(Image from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/)