My first reason for taking this program is its theme on Compassion. Compassion is one of the lessons I discuss with my college students. I teach a Theology course that centers around examining the brokenness of the world, especially experienced by various marginalized sectors in the Philippines, and then responding to the woundedness through discerned, compassionate actions. Checking at the 2nd stage of the journey, compassion is explored in a multidimensional way. I believe this program will expand my horizons, understanding, and concrete living out of the value of compassion. I hope to share and manifest what I will learn and experience here to everyone with whom I will have the opportunity of meeting, interacting, or working.

Last June 2021, right after my 33rd birthday, I decided to do an 8-day silent retreat. One of the insights I’ve gained is that migration, which I would define as openness to be always on the move, is my life’s pattern and paradigm. I found out that any movement, whether external and physical or something internal, is necessary for my growth and transformation as a person and creation of this world. For 16 years, I have been constantly moving, quite literally, from one place to another. These movements have afforded me the opportunity to meet, learn, and develop good relationships with various people: religious missionaries working with vulnerable communities in the country, indigenous peoples who exhibit reverence and companionship with creation, children dwelling in the streets who despite their dire circumstances continue to strive for their dreams, fellow educators and learners who make it their mission to seek for the truth and promote justice, and people whose stories of struggle are wonderful sources of strength and inspiration. This program will give me the opportunity to meet, interact, work with, and build fellowships with people who deeply care for the world. I am greatly looking forward to the wealth of wisdom and experience which I will get to listen to and learn from in the “human library”.

I firmly believe what Socrates said that an unexamined life is a life not worth living. In the same retreat, I also did a lot of introspections. It helped me to understand so many areas of my life. I know in my heart there is so much I have yet to dig into and bring to the light about myself. The first stage of the program, which includes self-exploration and recognition of the other, will be another opportunity for me to unearth and celebrate my truest self and others.

Lastly, I have been undergoing what Daniel Groody referred to as cognitive migration to the point that I feel like I am experiencing an existential crisis, in a good way. I am currently doing my course works at the Loyola School of Theology and I have been undergoing a lot of mental and affective deconstructing and reconstructing. I find these experiences so liberating and life-giving. I believe this program will facilitate more cognitive and affective migration in me.