2. How do I feel about the existence of these challenges in my community?

3. Upon discovering these dark clouds, what is God's invitation to me?

2. I fear for my home. It frustrates me how the welfare of things at stake is being put behind. Not even thousands of pesos can compensate for its possible damage, and even at best, the likelihood of its benefits to the people is extremely low. I fear for our future.

3. I am invited to speak, question, and challenge. When too much has been lost, urgency is vital and we need all hands on deck. I will do my part in the hopes of preventing the worst things from happening. 

2. I am concerned about the government's lack of environmental action and protection, particularly in the current campaign to keep the prohibition on open-pit mining in South Cotabato. Yes, it will make a significant contribution to the country's economy, but will it be fair compensation for our fertile land, the home of our indigenous people, and the lives of our future generations? I don't think so. And this has made me afraid about our home, our lives, and our future.

3. With this tragic reality, I think God is calling me to be more vocal in my cause, take a stand and influence others to take action for environmental preservation. This issue needs a unified front, sound and systematic action, and a significant transformation in our way of life. I hope that instead of exploiting the planet, we use our bright minds and limitless abilities to safeguard it.

2. I am disappointed how those who promise leadership front this and how institutions let it happen. The manipulation of media creates a distortion of reality, and many fail to assess and identify this. For broadcast stations, reporting biased and controlled news on national television disrespects not only the dignity and ethics of journalism, but also the people who expect honest coverage. I fear for what it will do to our country if this goes on.

3. I am invited to be vigilant about the different information I receive and to inform others of what is happening and may happen if we let ourselves be controlled by what we consume. I am also invited to find better and more effective ways to make others understand and aware of the current situation.

I have observed even though we haven’t successfully elected the leaders we believed in and fought for, the Philippines is a democratic country after all. 

2. How do I feel about the existence of these challenges in my community?

I feel like if we lose control and we lose meaning in our service, we will experience a thin and flawed democracy. This is rooted in a failed leadership and abuse of power. In return, we experience the brutal effects of capitalism - environmental degradation. Right now, I am scared of how much time humanity has left and the habitability of earth in the next few years.

3. Upon discovering these dark clouds, what is God’s invitation to me?

I am invited to advance social justice in my community. As a youth contributing to a just society means doing it in our context or greater. I am a strong believer that small ways can ripple concrete impact. With fraternity and social friendship we can build a better, more just, and peaceful world where people, communities, leaders, and institutions can commit to this shared vision.

Last Friday's session made me realize three things:

Lately, I've been thinking and making plans for myself and focusing too much on accomplishing something for my wants and needs, so I just realized that if I'd live my life just thinking about myself, I'd miss the whole meaning of life itself. I want to connect with others and do something for them, especially those in need. 

I am not the only one having a hard time with our situation, so it wouldn't hurt if we get to be kinder to others.

 

It is just so beautiful how one word could break all barriers and diversities. I felt like when love is there, everything is possible, always in all ways.

 

2. What was your own understanding of Faith that Does Justice? How did the talk help you understand it more? 

"When we work for justice, do it through love." Maybe that was the line that I could think of when it comes to my own understanding of faith that does justice.

I know that seeking justice is very tiring and draining. Plus, the world is becoming harsher with all the killings, the natural disasters, our planet is dying, chaos everywhere, and many more problems arising each day that sometimes it gets so overwhelming even to breathe. But when we do something about it and take action for it through love, then that love would be our fuel to keep going. We could take a rest but never give up on something that we started with. We'd get that motivation: our love for the people, the passion for volunteerism, and the love for making this world a better place. Through that, we'd never lose the hope that someday, all of our aspirations of having better things for our community will come true.

3. As Arrupe Volunteers, in what ways can you actualize Faith that Does Justice?

As an Arrupe Volunteer, I can actualize faith that does justice by giving actions to the aspirations or advocacy that I have in mind. I know that leading advocacy can be very scary, but if I'd forever be scared to start it, those aspirations would remain a dream and would never become a reality.