EDITOR’S VOICE

     In the past two years, PAPAG has been published in the context of two pandemics: first, the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected us all, but especially those who are in the margins of society. Second, we have also been devastated by the pandemic of lies in fake news and systematic disinformation and misinformation. We have since moved on from the first pandemic, but we are still reeling through the second pandemic.

     This year, PAPAG focuses on SVST’s school year’s thrust, “Walking with the Poor”, in line with the Church’s Synod on Synodality. This year’s issue builds upon the wisdom of the previous issues of PAPAG, but offers fresh insights from the SVST students’ engagement with philosophy, theology, and the rough grounds of their involvements with the poor and marginalized. I assure you that the students of SVST who contributed to this issue have provided worth-reading reflections on relevant topics, as well as their self-expression in poetry and visual arts.

     On a personal note, coming from a poor family, I deeply appreciate how the venerable institution of SVST cares for us who are at the margins. SVST is a mouthpiece for our hopes and aspirations; this school has become for us “a voice crying out in the wilderness.” This year’s thrust, “Walking with the Poor’’ is, for SVST students, faculty, and staff, an “already” but still “not yet”. Even before the recently-concluded Synod on Synodality, SVST had already been walking with the poor; in this sense it is an “already”. Having said this, however, walking with the poor is also an ongoing commitment to be better; in this sense, it is still “not yet”. With humility, I say that, in SVST, we walk on the path of the poor despite our limitations. We do not simply “walk the talk” but we “walk the walk.”

     On the pages of this year’s issue, we see the fruits of “Doing Theology from the Margins”. SVST not only inculcates among students ideas and frameworks for the exercise of future ministries, but also challenges them to put into action what was learned in class discussions. We are not only provided with the right teaching (orthodoxy), but we are also called upon to discern the right action (orthopraxy).

     This year’s PAPAG would not be possible without the support of our Dean; our generous and esteemed sponsors and benefactors; the contributors who offered the fruits of their reflection to us; and most of all, to the members of the Editorial Team. To you, I am most grateful!

     May this PAPAG help us to reflect on our journey as a Church!
     May this PAPAG remind us not to forget the poor!
     May this PAPAG let us see Jesus walking with us, He who is the very endpoint of our journey!

     Padayon an pitad tipaunhan,
     An simbahan waray kakalimtan ngan babayaan! (Continue to step forward, The Church will never forget and leave anyone! )

SEM. DEAN LLOYD BERMAS
Diocese of Calbayog
Editor - in - Chief