Seminarians find fullness of faith in Gawad Kalinga

MANILA, Philippines – Two seminarians found the fullness of their faith in Gawad Kalinga. One lives to spread the good news of GK while the other one, who was killed by a thief last year, nonetheless left a legacy of his GK experience, to be told and retold by his peers and loved ones to people who do not yet know about GK.

After participating in GK’s 1 Million Bayani Challenge in typhoon-ravaged Marinduque in April of last year, Society of St. Paul seminarians Bro. Albert Garong and Bro. Justin Daniel Bataclan realized that GK is truly a holistic Catholic response to the call for social responsibility.

The Bayani Challenge left a strong impression to Bataclan. Although skeptical at first, Bataclan, like Garong, became convinced that GK is the perfect way to live out one’s faith, after he joined the GK1MB in Marinduque.

He thought the GK 777 goal was way too ambitious but as Garong explained to him GK’s vision, he became convinced especially on  the concept that GK communities do not end on building homes, but offer livelihood programs, school for the kids, values formation for the parents, health centers, and other projects that would ensure that each community runs well.

“The GK program tries to instill in each member of the GK community that he deserves a better life,” Bataclan said in an essay he wrote before he died.

After building homes in Marinduque, Bataclan had considered to work full time for GK. But he died at the age of 20, stabbed to death by a thief who entered their home.

“I realized how addictive it could be to help others. I want to reach out and the flame keeps burning in with me,” Bataclan had said.

Clearly, coming to GK 1 Million Bayani Challenge last year was the event that changed Bataclan and Garong’s lives.

Garong, for his part, had long been a GK advocate and believes that it is the solution to poverty. But as a seminarian cloistered for most of the year, he has hardly been able to participate in any of its builds.

Although saddened that Bataclan would no longer be around  to join this year’s GK 1M Bayani 2008, Garong said he would invite other seminarians to participate in the GK1MB challenge, which will be held in eight sites in Bukidnon and Wao, Lanao del Sur on April 21-25.

Mari Oquinena, GK1MB project director, said this year’s theme is “The more we sweat for peace, the less we bleed in war.”

GK1 MB Challenge, launched in February 2006, aims to increase and mobilize GK volunteers and human resource for GK build communities.

Participants must form a team of 15 members and spend five days either building houses or simply spending time in GK communities in Bukidnon and Wao, Lanao del Sur.

Corporations are also encouraged to join. There is no registration fee but they accept donations.

The invitation is open to whoever wants to join. There is no age or height requirement.

The five-day build will culminate in a special concert in the evening of April 25 in Malaybalay, Bukidnon. Those who want to join may send requests info or registration slots to [email protected].

A seminarian’s legacy

Bataclan was able to intimate his feelings and experiences about the GK in an article he wrote titled “GK. God Knows We Will Succeed.”

In the article, he wrote how the mission in Marinduque was by far his best experience in summer of last year.

“I was very ecstatic about the whole thing. Even though after exhaustive days of building roof, mixing cement, finishing walls and carrying bags of whatever it is that is needed to be carried, I still feel overly rejuvenated. Even though after I came home unrecognizably dark after working hours under the scorching sun, I still feel so presentable. Nothing could compare with this one kind of experience. And given another chance to chance to help in GK projects, I would not hesitate to drop what I am doing and set out for another mission,” Bataclan said.

Doing GK work had been Bataclan’s reason for joy and he had wanted to be the light of God’s love in the lives of those experiencing darkness, through GK.

He believed that GK is God’s work and it will succeed.

“GK 1MB -Gawad Kalinga Isang Milyong Bayani. This was what they call their present project. It’s so simple to become a hero, according to them. And I now know that it feels anything but simple to be one. I should know, I am a bayani! And I do hope that a million or even more would also become one. A week of leaving work, problems and other worldly concerns in exchange to become a hero and volunteer for Gawad Kalinga is worthwhile; so fulfilling. God Knows GK will succeed,” Bataclan said.

GK what?

Garong said that despite the popularity of GK here and abroad, he found out that almost all his fellow seminarians did not know about GK.

They thought GK was just another charity group, government project or even a party-list group.

“The rest merely gave me that perplexed look or the proverbial ‘Huh? What’s that?’” he said.

“How can seminarians, people who aspire to be full-time ministers to Christ’s flock, not be aware of something like Gawad Kalinga?” Garong said.

The GK1M Bayani Challenge was very memorable to Garong. Together with several members of Singles for Christ and other volunteers, they mixed, cemented, built and painted houses while interacting with the beneficiaries.

Another seminary, the San Carlos Seminary of the Archdiocese of Manila, sent their own delegation to GK 1MB in Naga last year, proof that more seminarians are believing in the advocacy of GK.

Garong said he would continue to be involved in GK and share his experience with fellow seminarians.

He believes that GK perfectly embodies the Catholic social teaching and is convinced that it operates on the principle of restoring the dignity of the poor.

He also appealed to all Catholics to try to participate in a GK build so they will know the difference it can make in their own lives.

GK, to date, has built over 1,500 villages in the country since it was established in 2003 and has facilitated land donations for an additional 150,000 families.