Roots deepened, mission nurtured

For as long as I can remember, it was in the forest of Sitio Bendum where I first walked barefoot again—unbothered by the muddy terrain or the possible dangers along the path, fully immersed and directly connected with the soil beneath my feet. That moment became the highlight of my immersion and summed up what this Laudato Si’ journey would ultimately be: a practice of presence, humility, and re-grounding.

Going into the immersion, I had many expectations. I’ve been to Bukidnon several times before, but this was the first time I came not just to visit, but to be immersed. I am grateful to be part of the first batch of the Laudato Si’ Bukidnon Immersion organized by the Office of the Assistant Vice President for Ignatian Spirituality Formation in collaboration with Fr Bros Flores SJ of the Bukidnon Mission District. The encounters we had with Jesuit priests, members of the Indigenous Peoples community, and local residents gave me new perspectives on God’s creation and its deep significance, especially for those living within their ancestral domains. They treat the land not merely as a resource, but as a relative. Each tree, river, and mountain holds memory, identity, and sacred meaning.

As a formator, the immersion offered me a renewed understanding of “formation”; not just as a process of shaping others, but also as a process of allowing oneself to be shaped.

This experience reminded me that all things are interconnected, and in that interconnectedness, we depend on and benefit from one another. I discovered my capacity to be still; to pause and appreciate nature in its simplicity and grandeur. Pausing doesn’t mean we’re not progressing. Sometimes, stepping back is necessary to rethink our purpose and goals in life and how best to live them out.

Personally, I came away with a deeper awareness of the actions and lifestyle changes I need to embrace in response to Laudato Si’. The immersion also gave me new insight into my role as a formator at Ateneo. It may have been a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it was deeply worth it.

From the generous sharing of the locals, to our overnight stay at the Balay Laudato Si’ in the forest of Bendum, from our visit to God’s Earth Manifest Farm and to the meaningful company of fellow Ateneo formators — this immersion was not just fruitful; it was truly formative.

Janlo Anthony G Capuyan
Student Affairs Professional - Office for Student Activities
Ignatian Leadership Formation - Mission Integration