By Marivic Mercene In the Philippines, fair skin is often seen as the standard of beauty. From whitening soaps and lotions to countless advertisements, the beauty industry thrives on the idea that being maputi (fair-skinned) means being more attractive or successful. This mindset traces back to our colonial past, when lighter skin was associated …
By Marjorie Engcoy One of the last things I remember doing in Fiji was starting a livelihood program for women – though quite unintentionally. Unintentionally, I say, because it wasn’t something I planned for, not even remotely. I was pressured into it by expectations; in other words, I was forced. My heart was not …
A Reflection on The Miracle of Five Loaves and Two Fish Read More »
By Fr. Rex Rocamora, SSC The MiRLeC (Mindanao Religious Leaders Conference) multi-sectoral dialogue held on August 5, 2025, at Notre Dame University, Cotabato City, carried the theme “Faith and Peace in Action, A Multi-sectoral Dialogue for Peaceful BARMM Elections.” More than just a gathering of leaders, it became a moment of shared introspection and …
A Blueprint for Peace: From Dialogue to Action for the 2025 BARMM Elections Read More »
A reflection on First Mission Assignment By Lydio Mangao, Jr., Columban Student in Chile Each week, I make it a habit to visit the nine chapels of the Columban parish of San Mathias in Bajos de Mena, Santiago, where I have been sent, choosing one or more at random. Riding a bicycle, I would …
By Michael Javier, Columban Lay Missionary The Columban house in Myitkyina, Kachin state, is located within the compound of Eden. It is surrounded by bamboo and a variety of trees that provide more than enough shelter for the different kinds of animals, including birds, snakes, bees, and more. There is also space for growing …
By Fr. Kurt Zion Pala, SSC It has been two years since we last hosted the Student Leadership Camp, and much have changed since then. While most parts of the world have already recovered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Myanmar (formerly Burma), sadly, has not. While the world is slowly recovering, Myanmar …
By Marivic Mercene “We need to prepare ourselves for persecution.” Fr. Brendan Kelly’s words hung in the air, heavy and unsettling. I had asked him how our two mission priorities—Biodiversity Protection and Migrants and Refugees—shape his ministry in Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental. His answer wasn’t theoretical. It was rooted in years of living with …
Prepare for Persecution: When Mission Becomes Witness for the Earth Read More »
By Fr. Louie Ybañez In an Islamic country like Pakistan, Christmas doesn’t cause much of a stir for the majority of people. However, it does matter to many Christians, as it represents a celebration of profound faith and a proud adherence to their unique religious identity. A wedding is a different story. From December to …
By Febie Gonzales, Columban Lay Missionary in Taiwan “Compassion is a language of God” -Pope Francis. When I asked, “Why did you choose to come to Taiwan?” Adi, an Indonesian caregiver, replied, “To earn money for my family, to provide for their needs and well-being, to send my children to school, and to have …
By Fr. Vinnie Busch, SSC Fifty years ago, during my first parish assignment in Mindanao, I was struck by how frequent the people use statues in their spiritual lives. Almost every home had an altar with statues of their patron saints. During Holy Week and fiestas, parishioners would join long procession, often under the …
