Laborers from India were brought in to Fiji in 19th century by the British who colonized this country. The British wanted to grow sugarcane. Since Fijian were not willing to do this backbreaking work, they had to import laborers from Indian laborers settled between the Fijians and the Indo-Fijians. Six Filipino Columban Lay Missionaries are now in Fiji. As they celebrate their second Christmas in this faraway land, let us pray that they may bring peaceful Christmases to this divided paradise.

Jennifer Chan

I was christened on the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception. The fifth in a brood of nine. I grew up in a happy environment, constantly surrounded by people. I consider my college years as the best in my 26 years. I relished the freedom, independence and the romance of youth! But now, as a Columban Lay Missionary in Fiji, I feel really blessed. I am here because I know I have something to share – my faith, my culture, and my own person. Fiji has captured my heart. It won’t be difficult to call it home for the next three years.

Ma. Cynthia Empleo

I was raised in the central plains of Luzon where rice is grown and coconut oil is produced. I finished my degree in Bachelor of Science and Education in Aquinas University at the foot of the magnificent Mayon Volcano, famous for its perfect cone. I had worked in Manila with an Environmental Group of Companies and spent my free days helping in the Parish of Our Lady of the abandoned run by the Missionary Society of the Philippines.

Fiji is a challenging mission area especially on faith dialogue and the marginalized. The Fijians are proud of their culture and were able to preserve it, something I admire in them. On the other hand, the Indo-Fijians have contributed a lot to the country’s economy through their being hardworking and industrious. To see the Fijians and the Indo-Fijians fighting is like a dagger in my heart. I pray that someday they see the light of living together peacefully in this Paradise of the Pacific.

Rowena Cuanico

I come from a small family: my parents, my only brother and I. I had worked in development planning, communication as well as in helping the poor. Becoming a lay missionary was the biggest decision I have ever made in my life. It opened a whole new world for me in terms of my relationship with God, with others and with myself.

I am fascinated at the richness and uniqueness of the Fijian culture. I find the people very warm and friendly. Some things are familiar: the sea, the coconut trees. They remind me so much of home. When I think of the Fijian lay missionaries currently serving in the Philippines, and us here, Filipinos serving in Fiji, I realize just how generous God is for allowing us to experience Him through other cultures, other people, other paradise. In my three years here, I hope to be able to show to the Fijians my own experience of God’s love.

Elizabeth Ordonio

I am the youngest in our family. Before I decided to join the Columban Lay Mission Program I was working with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. It is a joy to see the paradise of the Pacific as Fiji is commonly called and also to share the gift of life God has given me-my culture, my faith and my being a Filipino. I find the people of Fiji very friendly, generous and kind.  I have listened to them share their stories about their lives and their struggles which often breaks my heart. I cannot promise them anything but my own self and pray that my presence here will make a difference.

Elizabeth Briones

I am from the northern part of the Philippines, Baguio City, the summer capital of our country. I’m a Chemical Engineer by profession and have worked for Colgate-Palmolive Philippines Inc. as quality control laboratory analyst for three years and Quality Control Supervisor for your years in Uniden Philippines.

My being here in Fiji brought me back to the roots of my being, of my own origin and people – the Filipino people. A feeling of sadness overcame me when I realized that I had lost my own sense of culture and tradition and that the other tribal Filipinos are slowly losing theirs. I have become more aware of this reality when I attended several Fijian celebrations and experienced how they integrate their culture in the liturgy and in the feasts. I marvel and appreciate at how they kept their tradition alive and preserved it up to the present so that even young children know it. I’m impressed too with their sense of community and sharing; it deepens my missionary calling to be with others and share Christ and myself with them. Same goes with the Indians. Their culture is still intact and preserved and I admire their perseverance and their being hardworking; I respect their being reserved . The paradox though of having both cultures preserved is that it has caused division which I really feel sorry and sad about. But I am hopeful and challenged to be an an instrument of God’s peace and reconciliation.