THE YEAR 2020 IN REVIEW “Among us, who is above must be in service of the others. This doesn’t mean we have to wash each other’s feet every day, but we must help one another.” - POPE FRANCIS HE IRONY OF OUR TIME IS THAT, WE FOCUS ON THE PANDEMIC COVID-19 Tand yet we are distracted with the many issues that seem to haunt our routinary schedule of life. Anxiety, frustration, and even hopelessness have crept in the viral ecology of human existence. Are we not aware of Pope Francis’ warning in 2013, that, “… we can all be overly fearful. If we allow doubts and fears to dampen our courage, instead of being creative, we will remain comfortable and make no progress whatsoever. In this case, we will not take an active part in the historical processes, but become mere onlookers as the world (Church) gradually stagnate. (Evangelii Gaudium No. 129) The 9th Annual Report of LASAC, with the theme, “Helping as One: Loving across borders”, presents the Archdiocesan Social Action response to the many unfortunate events that happened in the Province of Batangas in the year 2020—Taal Volcano Eruption, COVID-19 pandemic, and the several typhoons in the last quarter of the year. Recalling the experiences of 2020, and as we continue sailing in the ocean of fear due to the pandemic, Pope Francis reminds us, that “… when we realize we are in need of salvation and are not self-sufficient, then we turn to Jesus and hand Him our fears, He will conquer them. Because this is God’s strength: turning to the good everything that happens to us, even the bad things. He brings serenity into our storms, because with God, life never dies.” (cf. Homily on 27 March 2020) I end this message thanking Rev. Fr. Jayson Siapco, the Director of LASAC, the staffs and all the kind-hearted people who until now make possible the prayer of Jesus, “that they may all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us to that the world will believe you sent me.” (Jn 17:21) 2 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | THE YEAR IN REVIEW 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | THE YEAR IN REVIEW 3 OR ALL OF US, THE YEAR 2020, THE YEAR OF FAITH FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE, Ftruly started with a bang! We have been met with so many unforeseen events: the phreatic eruption of Taal Volcano, displacing thousands upon thousands; the spread of disease caused by the pandemic, forcing everyone to stay at home; and the onslaught of strong typhoons, damaging further our disaster-stricken communities. Despite the seemingly insurmountable challenges we encountered, we have witnessed your courage and devotion to steadfastly respond to the call of pagmamalasakit. Your constant support is a sure testament and witness for dialogue; for the exchange of life experiences towards harmony. Amid the hardships we all experience, you chose to heed the call of pagmamalasakit. You chose compassion over comfort! More than the gift you have shared, we believe that you are the gift! I wish to thank you most sincerely for the gift that you are, for the gift that you have been, and for the gift you will continue to become for our most in need brothers and sisters thrice affected by natural disasters, innumerable losses, and the COVID-19 pandemic. In celebration of the local Church’s year of Ecumenism, Interreligious Dialogue, and Indigenous Peoples, we have experienced both giving and being gifted regardless of race and beliefs. We affirm that these are concrete manifestations of what it means to help as one and to love across borders. This conviction enables us to live, to embody, and to practice our collective aspiration towards social friendship: all of us are sisters and brothers of one loving Father; all of us indeed do belong to one another. As we bid farewell to the year 2020, too swiftly but memorably passed, we cherish the stories and lessons stored in our heart of hearts. And while we grieve for the many losses and missed opportunities, we are consoled with the hope that does not disappoint: Jesus Himself, who is very much alive in our midst. In the course of browsing, skimming and “praying” through the pages of this report, may we come to contemplate in the faces and names of the people we have served and encountered, the irresistible charity of Jesus. He is the core and root of everything we do. And He urges us and inspires us towards His very example: to help as one, to love across borders. 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | THE YEAR IN REVIEW 3 Social Action: A Collective Response across Sectors To His followers, the Lord does not send an answer. He sends the Holy Spirit. And the Spirit does not come bearing an agenda but comes like a fire. POPE FRANCIS ” 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIAL ACTION: A COLLECTIVE RESPONSE ACROSS SECTORS 5 PROVIDENTIAL PREPARATION AND INTERVENTIONS ndeed, these words from our Holy Father truly became prophetic. Catholic churches all over the country have joined fellow Filipinos ILast year, the Archbishop, along with our clergy and pastoral in providing much-needed disaster relief to people caught up in council coordinators have scheduled an orientation to set the course the eruption. Second collections in all Masses every Sunday were and direction concerning the pastoral life of the local Church: how to conducted nationwide to help the survivors of the disaster. reach more people, how to become of better service to the least, the lost and the last. It was set to happen on 13-15 January, unaware of Archbishop Gilbert Garcera has then earlier appealed for aid to what awaits on the day preceding it. In the afternoon of 12 January augment our ongoing humanitarian operations. The Catholic Bishops’ 2020, when the Taal Volcano had its steam-blast eruption, more than Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) called on each of the dioceses 450,000 persons residing within the danger zone fled their homes and to acts of charity and solidarity. These were met with timely and stayed in evacuation centers from 27 cities and towns in the province. outpouring kindness. 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIAL ACTION: A COLLECTIVE RESPONSE ACROSS SECTORS 5 Small, “unseen,” but effective game changers KILABOT KUNG SUMABOG: TAAL VOLCANO’S IMPACT ur Aral Batangueño and native hymns speak of this treasure as Obeing at the very heart of the province. It is what gives added fertility to the soil of neighboring towns near Taal Lake. The Taal Volcano, hailed as the world’s smallest volcano, was historically one of the largest volcanos that have ever existed. The description in our Aral Batangueño fits its character best: “kilabot kung sumabog!” Over the years, its outer caldera has gradually deteriorated—but not its vigor. Such strength of character is credited to the indomitable Batangueño spirit which, despite the struggles, tempests and “forging by fire”, remains strong, resolute and unconquerable. When the Taal Volcano had its steam-blast eruption on the Sunday of January 12, we witnessed how the local residents within the 7-kilometer radius desperately run for their lives, stretching their capacities to the limit in order to carry with them their most cherished belongings, vulnerable children, old women and not surprisingly, beloved pets and animals. We saw and heard firsthand the inestimable anguish and desolation of survivors worsened by internal displacement, loss of livelihoods and totally wrecked shelters that once served as cradles for the families. Our survivors may not be talking about it explicitly, but their gazes are screaming out loud about the future of their children, the livelihood to support them, and the uncertainty as to where and how they would ever rebuild their lives again. Weeks later, after the recent downgrading of volcanic alert levels, many returned to their homes, except for the residents of San Nicolas and Talisay, portions of which are situated in the volcano island. 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | SMALL, “UNSEEN,” BUT EFFECTIVE GAME CHANGERS 7 LITTLE BUT LETHAL: COVID-19 IN THE PROVINCE OF BATANGAS e were still far from recovery when another “small” and this were quarantined for almost three (3) months are overwhelmed, Wtime “unseen” element started making rounds in the province. along with our fellows working in the frontlines who were “locked The first case of local transmission of the coronavirus disease was down” in hospitals in the name of service. These plot twists in our detected mid-March, following an intense lockdown, forcing collective life story have called our attention to discern the relevance everyone to stay indoors, to stay home—sadly and tragically—even and impact of our socio-pastoral programs. Hence, the recent those without one. All the while, we were challenged anew to reach unfolding of events is to be seen as a game changer for it has radically out to men, women and children who were socio-economically changed and even renewed our commitment and solidarity with the battered by this pandemic. Daily wage earners—ambulant vendors, poor. public transport drivers, our vulnerable brothers and sisters, who 8 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | SMALL, “UNSEEN,” BUT EFFECTIVE GAME CHANGERS HANDS AND FEET OF PROVIDENCE In a time where lockdown and stay- at-home policies are the norm, there is a temptation to shrink from responsibility. But while many people retreat to the comforts of their private spaces, to their luxurious offices, successful pastoral leaders do the opposite. arly this year, we were only thinking of Eways to respond should the dreaded massive earthquake in Metro Manila, otherwise known as the Big One happen.