A Call to Ecological Conversion - IFFAsia Mission Project 2019
in Bicol from 13th to 31st May 2019 (by Cheon Seong Yeon @ Issac, S. Korea)
We had 3 months to prepare for the 19-day
IFFAsia Mission Project. And now that we have come
to the end of our Mission Project it is a challenge to
describe all that has happened in the briefest way
possible.
We had to start from ‘Zero’ for the preparation
of this project. We needed to choose the social issue
that we wanted to encounter and respond to, the theme
and the location for the Mission Project. It was a time-
consuming process to come to a single decision among
the 19 participants from 9 countries (Bangladesh,
Cambodia, East Timor, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, S.
Korea, Philippines, Vietnam) as each one had different
expectations and ideas about the mission. Also, as part
of the Mission Project, we needed to plan and raise
funds for the Mission Project. It was challenging but
we encouraged and tried to understand each other to
see through the obstacles so that we could be ready for
the mission project.
Having the whole-hearted welcome of Bishop
Joel Baylon, Diocese of Legazpi, IFFAsia Chairman,
and taking into consideration several other factors, it
was finally decided that the location of the Mission
Project would be in Bicol, Philppines around Daet,
Naga, Iriga City, Ligao and Legazpi City with the
theme, “I am Hope – A Call to Ecological Conversion”.
This theme also echoes the Panama: MANIFESTO from the World Youth Day 2019: Care of
Creation. The Mission Project included exciting encounters and talks that allowed us to fully
immerse and respond to the situations too.
WHAT IS ‘MISSION PROJECT’?
Mission project is an essential
component of the IFFAsia formation
program to help participants understand
what it means to lead projects, as they
get in touch with the concrete realities
on the field and apply the skills they
learnt in response to the situation. It
therefore becomes part of their mission
training while still undergoing
formation.
It offers an opportunity for the
participants to grow in confidence as
they apply themselves from the design to
the execution of the mission project.
The takeaway for the participants in this
mission project was the growing
confidence of their personhood, the gift
of communion with one another and
those they encountered, in addition to
the spirit of joy and hope that they
brought to the people they met in
various places and communities.
This experience though demanding on
the young participants, it has borne
much fruit.
“We need projects that can strengthen
them, accompany them and impel them
to encounter others, to engage in
generous service, in mission.” (The
Apostolic Exhortation, Christus Vivit,
No.30)
- Florence Alexius, IFFAsia Head
 As I look at the objectives we set for the program, I can say our Mission Project was
successful. We took the word ‘HOPE’ as the acronym for our objectives;

HARMONY: During the mission project, we faced various challenges in terms of

transportation (22 people traveling in an 18-seater jeepney!), accommodation (some days
better than others), changes in program (makes us look-out for the unexpected). But we
helped each other with our gifts. We encouraged each other. We didn’t lose our smile. We
didn’t give up in front of the challenging reality. We kept the harmony to overcome it.

OPPORTUNITY: We had opportunities to learn many things. In Daet, with SPACFI (Social
Pastoral Action Centre Foundation Inc.), we could see and listen to the fisherfolks about their
life, meet the tribal community, Manibe, in their living space; see the small-mining
operations on the plantations and learn about the realities, challenges and how they cope.

In Ligao, through SAC (Social Action Center), Diocese of Legaspi, we saw the work
of the local municipality engaging the community of Sitio Tambac in Barangay Maonon in
maintaining cleanliness on the beach front and enforcing the law for marine and mangrove
preservation. Here, we saw the involvement of the Catholic Church in the Philippines
responding to the social issues. And not only did we learn the principles of Disaster Risk and
Reduction Management (DRRM) from the staff of SAC, but we also saw it in action,
implemented by the City Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) staff
in Sitio Tambac. We had the opportunity to clean the mangrove to experience action on
ecological protection.

Another learning opportunity of DRRM was when we visited the families in San
Andres in Sto. Domingo. A resettlement for the survivors of the typhoon and those living in
vulnerable areas of high risk of natural calamities. This was a case in example of the
rehabilitation work done for the survivors and offering means of livelihood for the past 12
years.

And finally, the talk on Laudato Si, by Msgr. Crispin C. Bernarte, Jr., V.G. was a
valuable input to put together our various exposures and immersions on our learnings of care
of the environment. Our learnings and insights from this Mission Project will be useful for
our missions when we return to our countries.
PRACTICE: In this Mission Project, we wanted to practice our knowledge and skills that we
have gained from the formation in IFFAsia to be of service to the communities we planned to
meet. We prepared 7 key activities in line with our theme, as follows:

 Session on Positive Mindsets for the youth of the Manibe Tribal Community, Daet
 Youth Jam for the youth in the Fatima Center for Human Development run by the
Daughters of Saint Augustine in Iriga City
 Session on Caring for the Environment for the children in Sitio Tambac in Barangay
Maonon, Ligao
 Seminar and Awareness Campaign on Laudato Si for the youth in Legazpi
 Prayer Rally for Ecology Conversion for the youth in Legazpi
 Dialogue on the Challenges of Asian Youth for the youth in Legazpi
 Session on Choices and Responsibility for the residents of Good Shepherd Home,
Legazpi

Our Mission Project was not only about gaining knowledge and skill, but also to apply
ourselves; so, it makes the Mission Project more meaningful.

ENCOUNTER: We met as many as 150 children and youths (ranging from 3 years old to 26
years old) through our various encounters during this Mission Project from the various places
we visited. We had fun with them and shared stories with each other. Through these
encounters, we realised that we are one in God. We also had some important encounters with
persons in mission; especially Sr. Etat (Sr. Felicia de Lima), Daughters of Saint Augustine
the co-founder of the Fatima Center for Human Development. We visited, their satellite
school on Mt. Iriga in Maryhill, an Aeta village, offering formal and informal education
programs for elementary students. We learnt from her sharing what it means to live our life
for a mission from God. “Nothing is free and nothing is useless.” Then, our encounter with
Bishop Rex Alarcon was also very meaningful. He welcomed us on the 1 st day of our arrival
in Daet, when we arrived for our Mission Project, celebrated a special Mass for us, inspired
us with a wonderful homily that gave us a good perspective in the Mission Project. He also
treated us to a wonderful dinner.

In Naga, we also had the opportunity to meet the Missionaries of the Poor (MOP) and
understand the challenges of the life of missionaries to serve the poorest of the poor - the
homeless, abandoned or unwanted special children, disabled and the elderly.
 Besides that, with IFFAsia alumni, Angela Basco, we all got to be on-air with Radyo
Veritas Legazpi to talk about our motivations, future work, and inspiration for the ecological
conversion we want to see in our countries. It was even more amazing for us to have the
chance to sing on-air the specially composed song, “Let’s Hope”, our song for the Mission
Project to create awareness for the need for ecological conversion.

Another special encounter opportunity that we experienced was through the welcome
of Fr. Al Ray Compuesto, Director of the Diocesan Commission on Youth, Legazpi, to share
our mime on promoting awareness on Ecology Conversion in the Chapel of San Lorenzo
Ruiz, Barangay Guiburaguis, Legazpi, followed by a wonderful lunch treat with the
community.

VALUE OF THE MISSION PROJECT

In the midst of our Mission Project, we had to adjust to the different situations than
what we had planned for; either the participants were younger than expected, or we had to
change the venue due to changes in the program; and above all we had to also let go of 2
sessions on Ecology, and replace it with another related activity at a short notice. We were
not disappointed with the realities on the ground but rather accepted these changes as a matter
of fact and helped each other in the activities to make it a success. This was also a preparation
for us to be ready for such changes after our formation in IFFAsia. When we return to our
countries the realities that we will face may not necessarily be what we are expecting. We
will need to face such challenges; thus, the important thing is to accept our reality and try to
overcome them with our teams. We should not give up easily because of changes on the
ground. This Mission Project has given us a taste of such situations.

In addition, the Mission Project has been important for many of us to grow in
confidence for our missions in the future. Missions are gifts from God for us in our life. This
Mission Project has prepared us for missions in our life, for the 19 participants from 9
countries in Asia. Though our mission has not started yet, we are hopeful. Hopeful that we
can go forward with our mission, though our missions are different. I saw this hope during
our Mission Project, I believe that all of us can achieve our mission - “I am the hope of
today.”

We are thankful for all the partners on this mission, beginning with the generous
support of our sponsors, our partners on the ground – IFFAsia alumni in Legazpi, Social
Action Centre of the Diocese of Legaspi, Radyo Veritas Legazpi, City Disaster Risk and
Reduction Management Office, Ligao, Fatima Centre for Human Development, Iriga City,
Missionaries of the Poor, Naga City, Social Pastoral Action Centre Foundation, Inc of the
Diocese of Daet, – for the success of this Mission Project.

The Mission Project was a great opportunity for each of us to go forward in our
mission and vision; to have a vision and mission in our life makes it more meaningful. We
are sincerely thankful to IFFAsia for such an experience in our formation program. We hope
that many youths in Asia can join IFFAsia program to discover their mission and have a
meaningful life.