From the Winter 2003 Newsletter

Confronting Violence in the Philippines

Ina Mantaring Lapid

My name is Ina Lapid.  I am a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Program in the Philippines.  I joined not knowing where I would be sent or what I would do.  Because I desire to serve God and my country, however, I trusted that JVP would send me to where I could be the most help.

I was assigned to Zamboanga, the farthest area from my home in Manila.  Living on my own is a completely new experience.  There have been nights of great loneliness.  But God always met each tear with ten reasons to rejoice.  Despite the proximity of a Muslim extremist group called the Abu Sayaff, connected to the al Qaeda network, and the very apparent military presence, I have always felt secure.  I met so many people, learned so many things and stretched the capacity of my abilities.  I have never been so blessed and happy in my life as I have been in Zamboanga.

On October 17, two days before I was set to go to Manila to attend a family gathering, two bombs exploded just a few blocks from my office.  At least six people were killed and many were hurt.  While I was gone, another bomb was set off in Fort Pillar where people go to pray, and more people were killed. Suddenly the danger was so real.  But for me it wasn't scary.  It was sad.  Because I have come to know this city to be full of people working hard to live good lives.  Then a small minority decides to end the short period of peace.  It is sad because the violence did not gain anything, while entire families and futures have been devastated.  Again Zamboanga was put on the map as a danger zone.  Few people would dare come.  Many wish to leave.

It occurred to me that my family might not want me to return to Zamboanga after my short vacation ended.  For me there was no question.  I committed to serve for a year, and I was going to fulfill this commitment.  This is not only a commitment to JVP.  I told the students that I would come back.  If by returning they could know how committed I am to them, then nothing could have stopped me.

Coming to Zamboanga has taught me that we have to work for peace.  We have to get out of our comfort zones and expand them.  We have to extend our hands to people, especially those who are different from us.  Peace is not gained by ignoring or eliminating or even changing those we disagree with or don't understand.  Peace is gained from learning to appreciate each other, despite differences.  Sometimes, the simple willingness to do what you can is all it takes.

Ina Lapid is 23 years old and graduated last year from the University of the Philippines.  She works in a university program that raises awareness of social issues and provides a venue for social involvement for the students and staff.