Those of you who are experts in Church history especially those from Masbate or interested in Masbate could have heard from your elders the explanation why Masbate is quite multilingual and multicultural. Perhaps because it is because its extremities are facing different locations with different cultural and even linguistic background. But I was struck by an explanation of Sister Salvina Cataldi, an Italian Sacro Constato Sister who in her stay in Masbate has been serving the diocese with the presence of their religious community with their school for children, in a span that extends to three bishops. While explaining some stained glass in the diocesan St. Anthony de Padua Cathedral, she said that the Spaniards before forced many men from neighboring provinces of Bicol, Panay, and even as far as Mindanao in order to build boats for them. (Of course, this has to be confirmed, and I invite those interested to place their comments).

This is not my first time to be in Masbate, but the third one. The previous two were to give a recollection to the members of the Sacro Costato Lay Associates and to visit the parish priest of Aroroy, Msgr. Ismael Misolas, the second one was to attend his sacerdotal anniversary and to visit the Fazenda de Speranza, a 200 hectare drug rehabilitation center which serves also to those who have certain addictions; and  this time, the third – again invited to give a recollection to the parents and teachers of the Montemurro School and to the recent members of the same mentioned association.

When they brought me to my room I saw a sign placed on my table “Welcome to Masbate”. I wished that ‘the Heart of the Philippines’ could be added. I have my reasons: first the heart by nature is at the center of man’s body because of its function – the pumping in and the pumping out of the blood to sustain the life of the body. Perhaps, in a symbolic way those men who were kidnapped were forced to come also for intermarriage with the local women. The second is obvious: if you look at the map of the Philippines, Masbate is really the center.

When we visited the local bishop, already their local diocesan media uses this beautiful caption and was happy to learn about it.

Unfortunately, it is not a healthy heart. In as much as its people speak a lot of dialects, depending on which part of Masbate they come from and in which direction they are geographically facing, this differences are carried on to a certain diffidence, mistrust, and even fear among themselves. But this is not all. Masbate is, it is known to many, is a place where the political conflicts are brought into the open with killings and violence among the political clans. It is sad to know that there seemed to be an intent to use these violence so that many investors would be afraid to come to Masbate. Masbate then has failed to accelerate its economic and infrastructure development. Though the Catholic Church has been a significant sign of unity and reconciliation among these clans, much still has to be desired even on the part of the clergy so that visible unity, fraternity and solidarity could be more evident in the province. The diocese is doing a great part with the leadership of their able bishop: Jose Bantolo who came from the same island where I came from.

Those who are familiar with Masbate could not deny its very rich of its scenic beauty and natural resources which seem to deteriorate in time. One could just think of the mining in the town of Aroroy. This uncontrolled exploitation has its consequential effects which are not very desirable both for the health of the locals (as far as mercury is concerned) and on the part of preserving the landscape. Destruction of the mountains in that town becomes very ugly, unpleasant and even undesirable to look at.

Masbate prides itself to be called a city even there is not one traffic light. However, to be in this city, one could dream of or pleasantly think about lake Geneve in Switzerland with all the posh expensive hotels and residential areas which near the lake, and these places seemed only to be reserved for the rich. The water of Masbate are not by substance different from Lake Geneve, in fact, in its shores are appealing to look at from the Sacred Heart Hill embellished by the Sacro Costato Sisters.

But wait! If you go near, I pity, instead of envying those living near the calm but sparkling waters because, there are a lot of plastics floating. I found out the the garbage pit/s are near the sea where they throw all the dirty garbage but during high tide, the waters would simply carry them as far as many kilometers away, polluting all the seashore with its beautiful beaches including where the resorts are located far away from the city. What a pity. I say, if the heart is dirty and unhealthy, then also the body.

Well, as far as health is concerned, now the diocese is building a hospital at the foot of the hill where the bishop’s residence, the seminary and some houses of formation are located. But this is not yet finished and it still need good and generous doctors to offer their time without charging a lot from the inhabitants. Another one in this aspect is the Fazenda de Speranza in the town of Milagros, founded about twenty  years ago but its relevance now is being felt both within and outside the church as a rehabilitation center that could save and heal a lot of lives. Healing not killing is the solution that it offers for this drug plague which truthfully or untruthfully is claimed to be the most important problem of this beautiful country.

What perhaps would be a gift to many is precisely this central location of Masbate, the heart of the Philippines. Usually the hub, be it in economics, tourism, transportation, shipping, etc., is always in the center. It is not difficult to understand this. I believe first of all, the airport has to be improved or its piers in order to let the life giving “blood” could flow in and flow out. The inhabitants, in as much as the are varied, have the capacity to welcome businessmen and visitors in their own multiple culture. They have been existing together in Masbate for centuries as a society characterized by plurality. What is in fact necessary is for this heart is: to learn to be in harmony as a right and left ventricle works in any heart, even if there are several “chambers” within.

The disastrous political or even economic divisions of the past, which has bled this heart almost to its self-destruction must end. The new era has come to make this heart – a symbol also of warmth, love, harmony which is never lacking in the people of Masbate – be more evident even if perhaps, some are still enclosed in their own individual chambers and therefore block the flow of the life-giving blood. The church has always been its partner in their history which more than ever, is bringing this same warmth, love and harmony in Masbate, the heart of the Philippines. Before leaving, I wish to join my prayers for those who love Masbate and has the desire to make this God-blessed province, to be so.