By Fr. Rex Rocamora, SSC, Columban IRD Coordinator On the 4th of May 2026, I found myself walking once again toward the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque on the island of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi—the oldest mosque in Southeast Asia. Built in 1380 by the Arab missionary Karimul Makhdum, it stands as a reminder of the …
Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future By Arlenne Villahermosa, Columban Lay Missionary The 75th anniversary of the Columban Mission in Negros (1950–2025) commemorates a legacy of “integral evangelization” that has deeply influenced the island’s spiritual, social, and ecological landscape. Celebrating 75 years of presence signifies a transition – from building the local church to …
By Marjorie Engcoy, Co-worker As a child, I often found myself gazing at the majestic silhouette of the Mt. Malindang Ranges located on the Zamboanga Peninsula in Mindanao. Rising above the horizon, it evoked a sense of wonder and mystery. I imagined the countless species hidden within its forests, marvelling at its grandeur. More …
The Dream Journey to Duminagat: Encountering Sacred Beauty and Ecological Lament Read More »
By Fr. Erl Dylan Tabaco, SSC During my seminary years, I had several encounters with inmates whose lives were transformed by their experiences in prison. Prior to my ordination to the diaconate, I was assigned to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa, Philippines, where I gave catechesis to our brother inmates in the Medium …
Chains Cannot Bind the Soul: Reflections on True Freedom in Prison Read More »
By Bernie Durangparang, Columban Co-worker This year marks my 30th year as a Columban worker—a journey that began in 1996 and has since become more than a role; it has become a way of life. Over the years, my work has taken shape primarily as a vocation animator, accompanying young people as they listen …
By Fr. Brendan Kelly, SSC Our Columban presence in Our Lady of Lourdes Mission Station, Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental, is ending. It has been a blessing in the lives of the faith community. A once peripheral, marginalized, and often neglected community has been regularly served, strengthening the catechetical, Eucharistic and youth ministries. Over the …
Thirteen Years of Grace and Growth in Don Victoriano Read More »
by Edward Robert Gallagher, Co-Worker The air in the Columban Mission House was never quite still. Even in the quietest hours― when the chapel lights dimmed and the last footsteps faded into the corridors― a sense of movement lingered―as though something were unfolding just beyond sight. It was not merely the turning of days …
By Ana Flores, Columban Lay Missionary As a missionary in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, I came to understand in a deeply personal way how difficult life can be without something as basic as water. What I once considered ordinary, I began to recognize as a daily struggle for many. During my first years there, …
By Lydio Mangao, Jr. Chile’s Global Ecological Significance Did you know that there are 110 identified ecosystems worldwide, and 88 out of these are found in Chile? This incredible diversity stems from Chile’s unique geography, stretching across Antarctica, South America, and the Pacific. Within its borders lies eight biomes or 15 ecological zones, ranging …
On Threats and Protection, Restoration of Ecosystems in Chile Read More »
