Trip to Zamboanga!

It has been a while! I have been busy since the day I was told that ordination is close at hand. I was on a 6-day retreat last July 18-23 then went straight for Zamboanga dawn of July 24.

We left Cagayan de Oro around 5:00 in the morning. We took the longer route, via land travel. We need to pass through the cities of Iligan, Pagadian, Ipil, and Zamboanga City. Archbishop Ledesma, SJ and his driver Bossing Edwin took turns in this long drive. I volunteered myself to help them but was not given a chance, hehehe... Perhaps the Bishop knows that I don't know how to drive, hahaha!

Our first stop was around lunch time and took our lunch in the parish where Bishop Ledesma, SJ was first assigned as a new priest, at the parish of Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay. He was an assistant parish priest way back before he was assigned in the academe. We were graciously and warmly welcomed by the Fr. Larry, the most light-hearted priest I have yet to met. His positive disposition is very contagious. You cannot think of pain, problem, and suffering when you are with him.

We arrived at our destination around 4:00 in the afternoon. You can only imagine those 11 long hours sitting down and watching panoramic views passing before us. Or was it us who passed by the scenery? We arrived safe and sound at the Silsilah Oasis of Dialogue Training Center, Harmony Village, Sinunuc, Zamboanga City.

We then proceeded to thank God in the Eucharistic Celebration for the safe trip.