The Missionaries of Jesus (MJ) at the Malita Tagakaulo Mission (MATAMIS) of the Diocese of Digos conducted a Dental-Medical Mission in Brgy. Macol and in Matamis, Brgy. Demoloc, Malita, Davao Occidental on September 6 and 7, 2019 respectively. Together with the staff of MATAMIS, they welcomed the MJ Lay Associates, dentists, doctors, and volunteers from Luzon and Mindanao who had come to help . The teachers and facilitators of the MATAMIS IP schools and the youth of Ubun na Kettal were there to assist in the two-day mission. There was a total of 723 people served by the dental-medical mission this year: 258 in Macol and 465 in Matamis. Medicine and vitamins were given to patients for free. Besides dental and medical services, an ophthalmologist was also present for eye examination and eyeglasses were also distributed free of charge. The beneficiaries had come from very far communities. Many of them had to hike for hours through the mountains and crossing streams and rivers to get to the venues. The first MJ Dental-Medical Mission took place in 2014 with the help of MJ Lay Associates from the United States. The Mission last year was the second after four years; that time MJ Lay Associates and dental and medical personnel from the Philippines were tapped. The same had been done in this year's Mission. MJ hopes that this could be made an annual outreach from here onward. These dental and medical missions are made possible with the help and donations of benefactors and generous people. The Missionaries of Jesus (MJ) and MATAMIS would be unable to accomplish this without their invaluable help. MJ does not solicit nor receive help from any politician whether local or national.
Visit from Mensen met een Missie
by Primo Fagel, Jr., MJ (21 August 2019)
“Salamat sa Tyumanem kay awun manga utaw, dakula ya ginawa na gayed tyumalaban sa manga Lumad.” (Thanks be to God for people who have great love and always ready to help the Indigenous Peoples.) This stanza of the song somehow expressed how grateful we are to Mensen meet een Missie (MM) of the Netherlands and their benefactors for helping in the Paralegal Training of our leaders in Malita Tagakaulo Mission (Matamis). On August 5-8, 2019, Tjeerd Rienstra representing MM and Mabel Carumba of MPPM visited Matamis. They interviewed some participants of the Paralegal Training and the Facilitators of the two Indigenous Peoples School in Kyasan and Lebleb. The people expressed their appreciation and gratitude to MM through Tjeerd for the knowledge they have gained from the Paralegal Training. In the words of Pastor Rosalino Sumanday, he said, “The paralegal training is like a light that illumines our way so that we can walk and stand for our rights as Indigenous Peoples”. Others also shared that the Paralegal Training will help them and their fellow Tagakaulo to nourish their culture and protect their ancestral domain. The IP Facilitators of Kyasan shared why they chose to serve their fellow Tagakaulo by teaching in the IP Schools. Some of them were products or students of the Tribal Filipino School before. They were inspired by the commitment and passion of their Tagakaulo teachers. Like them, they believe that teaching is their vocation and mission. In Lebleb, when Tjeerd introduced his name, “I am Tjeerd”, one mother, Nanay Clarinda, responded “No, you are Jesus!” In many ways, God continues to reveal His presence among us His people. We, in Matamis have experienced God’s goodness through the generosity and support of the people behind Mensen met een Missie. We are grateful to them. We are also thankful for the visit of Tjeerd and Mabel. As we say in Cebuano, “Balik, balik!” Come back again. We hope and we are looking forward to your next visit.
Photos from left to right: Tjeerd in Lebleb, Pinalpalan; the IP school teachers of Kyasan Permol Malgante, Elvie Calapong, Elel, Artwarren Sumanday, and Edwina Tuco with Tjeerd; at Matamis mission station: Mabel Carumba, Marites Gonnzalo, Wilma Garcia, Primo Fagel, Jr., MJ, and Tjeerd Rienstra. Photos by Mabel Carumba,
Banwa na Kolu, the theater production
by Marites T. Gonzalo (17 July 2019)
The Malita Tagakaulo Mission (MATAMIS) of the Diocese of Digos presented a theater production entitled "Banwa na Kolu: The Tagakolu Youth's Journey in Reclaiming and Sustaining It's Ethnic Identity" at the Finster Auditorium of the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) in Davao City last 12 July 2019. The production featured the struggle of the Tagakolu youth today and the response of MATAMIS; it also showed the other endeavors of the mission station to sustain the cultural practices and spirituality of the Tagakolu. The actors in the production were Fr. Primo Fagel, Jr., MJ, Marites Gonzalo, Wilma Garcia, and Eleonor Sua of the MATAMIS staff. Mentors and members of the youth group Ubun na Kettal were also part of the production: Julie Garcia, Carlo Arabit, MJ, Levie Labando, Angelica Gualna, Jeffrey Toco, Reymart Inantay, Olito Macatunao, Mildred Albaracin, Elvie Calapong, Reynaflor Inantay, Lovely Padayag, Beth Leah Albaracin, and Jason Cabila. The whole production was made possible through the assistance of Sheila Labos of Kaliwat. The production was presented on the occasion of the Anthropology Day and Ignatian Conversation of the Ateneo de Davao University. Among the audience was the MJ Novitiate community, headed by Fr. Efren Reyes, MJ, to show their support.