Deepening roots, nurturing fruits

Of the many themes shared in the experience, one that really stood out to me on a personal level was: deepening roots, nurturing fruits. I signed up for the immersion, looking forward to the many new experiences and insights that I felt God was preparing for me. Yet in the weeks since, I’ve found myself reflecting not just on what I learned, but on what I brought with me. At the start, I felt like I had nothing to offer and made preparations to absorb as much as I could. But I came out inspired and moved by the stories of our Jesuit priests and Lumad representatives from different Binukid tribes. Their courage and conviction reminded me of my own journey. It felt as if God was affirming my life experiences. Going through the fields and mountains by car and sometimes by foot reminded me that I have lived underneath a mountain or volcano for most of my life. When a student told us that their biggest problem was hunger despite being farmers, it reminded me of fishermen in my hometown who were pushed out by large corporate fishing vessels and had to resort to dynamite fishing to feed their families. I once believed these memories were simply lessons for the past; now I see them as seeds. God had been preparing me all along. This immersion didn’t just teach new concepts; it answered questions I’ve long carried in my heart. God responded not through theory, but by letting me witness a faith lived out daily. These communities don’t just understand Laudato Si, they embody it.

The partner communities offered a radically different vision of progress: one rooted in harmony with nature, not exploitation; in education and stewardship, not mere survival. Their desire to lift their communities through education while maintaining their relationship with creation showed me what's possible. Equally powerful was witnessing how naturally our diverse Ateneo group came together, discussing collaboration with genuine excitement. God brought us together for a purpose I can't wait to act upon.

The invitation is clear: live in the now while acting on the desires God has placed in my heart. For our office, this means making Laudato Si more prominent in our identity, moving beyond good intentions to embody this alternative vision of progress. But more personally, I feel called to be a storyteller. To keep alive the narratives of communities who demonstrate that sustainability and living with nature is possible. Their stories, combined with my own journey, can become tools for transformation. The collaboration we discussed isn't just about support; it's about amplifying voices that offer the world a different way forward. And finally, I feel invited to live like my story matters. That even the small, everyday choices I make toward sustainability can inspire others. That my life, rooted in experience and faith, can bear fruit that nourishes others too.

Tyler Jared L Boone
Campus Minister Ateneo Junior High School
OAVP-ISF-Mission Integration