LAST August 13 to 17, I was in Alexandria, Virginia, taking part on a course called “Called to Transformation.”
As the city of Baguio celebrates her 109th Charter Anniversary by developing a culture of creativity, a call to transformation is just appropriate. The celebration also centers on the awarding of the Outstanding Citizens of Baguio. This drew comments like -theSOCOB selection committee biased on selecting people they do not personally know to dispel the complain of previous selections, that they are only choosing people they know well. That could be reputed as sour graping but could also be some truth into the comments. Am one of those who was not selected as an outstanding citizen and yes, I know the members of the selection committee.
Back to the Called to Transformation that was conducted in Virginia Theological Seminary, that was scheduled for Dioceses of the East Coast from. They made an exception as I was admitted from the Philippines and Dana from the Virgin Islands. There were 23 participants and four staff; participants of 6 males and 17 female of which there were five clergy, four deacons and 14 lay persons. The training was on the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) which developed in 1993 in Illinois by John L. Mcknight and John Kretzmman. This has basic principles of everyone has gifts who are to build a citizens are at the center led by leaders who engage the citizens.It includes principles of people caring, listening and asking. With principles of institutions serving communities and organizations are inside out where the local community is in control of development.
During our workshop we started with an breakfast at the Refectory with the other members of the Seminary population. Then we converge at the hall of the Addison Academic Center for morning prayers and sessions until lunch. Session resume at 1:30 pm and ends past 8:00 pm with evening prayers. We were in small groups of five members and my group included Rev. Barbara, Deacon Joan, Earl Haddad and Mildred Reyes. Our group practiced open communication, respective of each other and listens to others. Outside the class sessions we had time to interact and know other members of the class especially during mealtimes and after sessions. Aside from knowing each other we shared on how we can see ABCD in our own communities, participants coming from Massachusetts down to Miami, Florida.
I have been in community development training in the 1980s and have practiced that in the Cordilleras, rest of Northern Luzon, Palawan, other parts of ASIA especially among the refugees in Nepal and the communities of Maharashtra of India. But this training enhanced my understanding in new terms and definitions like Asset Mapping, learning conversations, Christ Centered development and Feedbacking.
ABCD is intentional discipleship, it is building communities inside out with institutions that are caring and organizations that are actively involved in the development of the citizens and the resources - the gifts of God for the people of God. Specially in the Philippines that is considered predominantly Christian with the presence of Islam adherents, faith is a factor for decisions and communities building.
Baguio in its culture of creativity can be a rallying cry for transformation. Consider the thousand of city employees and officials who have gone out for lakbay aral and workshops where best practices are shared and studied, these knowledge and experience can be harnessed. Consider the many department heads and city officials who have gone abroad to observe, visit and study best practices in the development of communities, these should not be personal but an experience that must be inputted into our cities, for many times these were made possible because they do travel as a representative of the city or because of the positions they occupy in the city’s organizational structure.
We have the physical resources, but the greater challenge is the transformation of the city’s human assets, and it does not only include the citizens in government but every person in the community. A sense of belongingness and ownership of every citizen in the city will make transformation so possible. This maybe a dream for now, but great things start with a dream, a vision, a concept that transforms into realities and models for others to emulate. We must have a sense of a pioneering spirit to be shared by the leaders of our communities. That sense of creativity in preserving our heritage and using that heritage as a base for development will make our city great again, and our citizens proud of our heritage. As someone born, schooled and worked in Baguio, an unfailing dream for the better is never quenched, it is our culture.