The priest, the island, the mission

I was in a hurry not to miss the meeting of a person who is stranger to me. I just don't want to create a disappointing impression as this meeting sets future encounters. Unfamiliar yet with past connections, it was not after all difficult for me to meet him on July 14, 2015.

Reverend Father Bienvenido "Ned" M. Disu, CM, happened to have visited my priest uncle, the late Reverend Father Greg Cabatingan, in our Mandaue City residence. I had no idea at all that they had close association. And my being a half Ilocana has been revealed to him only after several moments of our conversation that I know he comes from San Fabian in Pangasinan, an hour travel to Alaminos City, my childhood place where my late father hails.

Father Ned has a wonderful vision, which I share. He dreams that no one is left out in getting a good education. The marginalized and the poor in the barrios can have access to education. He believes that education can provide greater opportunities for them and for their families. It is a dream that saw its realization in a small island where the young need and value education.

In northern Bohol lies the Jao Island. From the town of Talibon, you take a four-hour van ride and then a 45-minute pump boat ride, which proudly has the Danajon Bank, a rare double barrier reef in the world. It is spread across almost 130 kms and consists of three large reefs.

Father Ned heads the Visayas Missionaries Confraternity Incorporated (VMCI), a group of religious missionaries that has always been looking for ways in protecting Danajon. In line with my personal advocacy, in its mission areas, they realized putting up community-based theaters that can do a whole lot to campaign for community involvement.  The mobile theater has been one of its implementing arms to effect the desired socio-cultural transformation.

Father Ned has been instrumental in tapping the help of key Bohol community theater workers, artists, and arts consultants. Its major artistic venture was staging a creative production of the folk tales of the people of Danajon with playwright Jerrey Aguilar and a host of artistic talents integrating a musical play entitled "Ang Sirena sa Jao," an incorporation of ballet, folk and modern dances.

With funds from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Local Governments of Bohol and Talibon, Kasing Sining and Teatro Bol-anon, "Ang Sirena sa Jao" recalls the story of the famed mermaid guardians of Danajon and its counterparts in the islands; the monitor lizards or hawo (Jao).

The play aggressively moves the community to pledge for the preservation of Danajon, Jao, other islets and their spectacular underwater environs.

As the founder and executive director of the Raise a Village Foundation, Inc., he is instrumental in responding to the island's problems contributing to homelessness, poverty and lack of education. In partnership with Vienna Kaffeehaus, it promoted community outreach projects in the island, such as scholarship, nutrition and livelihood programs. Part of the proceeds from Vienna's coffee will build houses for the underprivileged families.

More than this, Father Ned's initiative extends seeking assistance from other charitable organizations like the Rotary Club of Mandaue North and Wadah Foundation, Inc.  in fulfilling his mission.

Noteworthy to know from Father Ned is that there are three youths who are undergoing their trainings; dancing at the Ballet Center of Cebu and voice lessons at the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion in Cebu City.

Another area that Father Ned has been helping aside from his hometown in San Fabian, Pangasinan is Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City where the Vincentian Order Missionaries manage the San Roque Parish. He wanted me to help, train and eventually establish another theater group for the young and adults. This is an undertaking that I readily accepted. I will be teaming up with a great man whose good heart drives him to fulfill a noble calling.

Father Ned's mission has long been carried out by people who share with his dream. My acquaintance with him opens a door of opportunity for me to help others. A life worth living for a mission that is worth accomplishing.

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