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→Village opts for school building as priority project
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==Small man’s voice leads to big leaps in community== | |||
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/03/04/small-man-s-voice-leads-big-leaps-community-209390 | |||
*Sunday, March 4, 2012 | |||
:by Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper | |||
CALL him “small” and Fr. Angelo “Angel” R. Buenavides will not mind. | |||
After all, that is what he believes he is—a small man trying to make little contributions in the greater scheme of things, with the help of God and the people around him. | |||
The young Angelo was attracted to the priesthood as early as six years old, after seeing that priests were being served by parishioners with good food and driving their own cars in the town of Norala in South Cotabato, where he spent his formative years. | |||
But studying philosophy at the Notre Dame of Marbel University opened his eyes to the deeper calling of priesthood. | |||
“Shortly after studying philosophy in the seminary, I worked for six weeks in a company in Cebu that makes mosquito coils. That was my way of learning how ordinary people experience the hard life. I worked as a laborer, shoveling coconut husks and cleaning the compound,” he shared. | |||
He enjoyed the work but he admits ending the day feeling exhausted and asking himself how his fellow workers endured working for 36 hours without rest. | |||
“They will grab every opportunity they can have to work overtime to earn additional pesos for their families. It was then that I resolved to be more sensitive to the less privileged members of society,” said Fr. Angel. | |||
Finding his voice | |||
He joined the South Cotabato Foundation Inc. where he worked for six months. The foundation was involved in upland farming. As the youngest staff member, he was responsible for organizing communities. | |||
These two experiences strengthened his decision to complete his masters in Pastoral Theology at Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University, which he finished in 1997. | |||
From there, his journey in serving the Lord took an interesting turn. | |||
“I was very passionate about the things that I did and I was full of idealism after theology studies. I was then assigned as assistant parish priest in Sto. Nino, South Cotabato,” he recalled. | |||
He moved to different parishes within South Cotabato until he was tasked to be station director of DXCP-CMN AM Radio in General Santos City, Sarangani province. | |||
Alongside his newly-found calling as a broadcaster, he became involved in the implementation of the Integrated Rehabilitation Project for indigenous people in Barangay (village) Gasi, Kiamba town in Sarangani Province. The project was funded by United Nations Development Program Stride Mindanao, which involved building core shelters, water systems, barangay health centers, and giving capacity-building for eventual livelihood establishment, food security and psycho-social interventions. | |||
Fr. Angel said the village has 320 families with 97 percent coming from the T’boli tribe. Because it is a remote barangay, households plant corn, vegetables, banana and coffee for personal consumption. | |||
“You could say they are far from civilization. Most of the people think that there is no way for them to improve their lives in Gasi. Even young girls get married at a young age of 13 or 14. Development is limited,” said Fr. Angel. | |||
A channel of peace | |||
The village’s remote location is an ideal traversing point of armed groups, making it one of the conflict-vulnerable communities in Sarangani Province. | |||
With his exposure in Barangay Gasi, Fr. Angelo realized his own definition of peace—that is, “food on the table.” | |||
“One day is not enough to see what areas you can enter to help the people. The more I was exposed to the situation, the more I realized that it’s not just about implementing the project… I reckon that there has to be a deeper involvement of the community,” explained Fr. Angel. | |||
From this realization, he opened the lines of communication between the lumads, Christians and Muslims—helping them realize that they are not enemies in achieving peace but rather crucial factors in peace and development. | |||
Fr. Angel also encouraged the military to join in the peace advocacy. He used his skills as a multi-cultural facilitator in making the tri-people see what the military can contribute in their lives. | |||
Fr. Angel was able to mobilize the army in transporting housing equipment to the community. They worked hand in hand with the tri-people. | |||
According to Lt. Col. Adolfo B. Espuelas Jr. of the 73rd Infantry Brigade in Sarangani Province: “Nakaka-partner na kami sa mga tao na dati natatakot sa amin dahil nga may baril at naka-uniporme kami. Ngayon, ngumingiti na sila amin. Dahil yun kay Father. (We can now work as partners with the people who used to be afraid of us because we carry guns and wear military uniform. They now smile at us. That is because of Fr. Angel.)” | |||
His charisma and ability to gather people from different fields make Fr. Angel an excellent communicator. These talents convinced the Diocese of Marbel to appoint him as station director of the diocese-owned, DXCP-CMN AM Radio in General Santos City. | |||
He held the post from 2005 to 2011. | |||
Managing challenge | |||
Fr. Angel also served as the chairperson of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, SarGen Area, and vice president of the Catholic Media Network in Mindanao. He is the convenor of the Socsargen (South Cotabato, Sarangani, General Santos) Peace Network and assistant regional coordinator of KONSULT Mindanao. | |||
“I was made station director of the diocese-owned radio station when it was almost bankrupt. We had P600,000 in debt and we had no idea how to pay that amount,” Fr. Angel admitted. | |||
But with his gift of gab and the skills to find solutions when there seem to be none, Fr. Angel gathered resources from loyal supporters and friends. They were able to pay the station’s debt in six months. | |||
After settling the station’s financial obligation, he proceeded to revive the KBP in 2005—a decision that opened another door for him to serve the public. | |||
At 41, he is proud to have been able to establish the tri-youth volunteers group. As KPB chairperson, Fr. Angel made it possible for fellow broadcasters and reporters to be trained in peace development reporting. He also organized the Catholics and lumads to join in the important Muslim religious feast, Eid Al Fitr. | |||
Today, he serves as the media director and spokesperson of the Diocese of Marbel. He is responsible for all media-related activities and handles the diocese’s official publication, Concern. | |||
Keeping it simple | |||
Where does he get all the strength to serve people? | |||
Fr. Angel said he first saw genuine public service in the examples of his parents, who are both teachers. Growing up, he witnessed how dedicated they were in molding young minds to become better citizens of the country and to be persons who are willing to help their fellow Filipinos. | |||
He was not born in an affluent family but Fr. Angel said he enjoyed his simple life—swimming in the river, riding the carabao and playing random games with peers. | |||
This simplicity, he practices until today. | |||
“I am so blessed with my life that I feel I have to give so much. There is still so much work to be done, so many responsibilities to fulfill. But I find meaning in all these engagements. When I see people’s lives getting better, I find joy. I cannot exchange that for anything,” said Fr. Angel. | |||
(Fr. Angelo “Angel” R. Buenavides is one of five finalists for the Ramon Aboitiz Award for Exemplary Individual. The 5th RAFI Triennial Awards will be handed out on March 22, 2012.) | |||
==Village opts for school building as priority project== | ==Village opts for school building as priority project== | ||
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1671330675407 | *Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1671330675407 | ||
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According to KALAHI-CIDSS workers, in Kiamba alone a total of six sub-projects have been implemented with a total cost of P10,556,500. This is broken down to P8,550,000 from KALAHI-CIDSS and P2,006,500 from local counterparts contribution. These projects are elementary schools in barangay Badtasan and barangay Gasi; high schools in barangay Salakit, barangay Kling and barangay Lomuyon; and river flood control project in barangay Luma. (PIO Sarangani/CT Apelacio/PIA General Santos City) | According to KALAHI-CIDSS workers, in Kiamba alone a total of six sub-projects have been implemented with a total cost of P10,556,500. This is broken down to P8,550,000 from KALAHI-CIDSS and P2,006,500 from local counterparts contribution. These projects are elementary schools in barangay Badtasan and barangay Gasi; high schools in barangay Salakit, barangay Kling and barangay Lomuyon; and river flood control project in barangay Luma. (PIO Sarangani/CT Apelacio/PIA General Santos City) | ||
==Glan to host 2012 joint RP-US naval exercise== | ==Glan to host 2012 joint RP-US naval exercise== | ||