SECOND FIDDLE

It is noisy outside, fleetingly drowned by Starbucks’ choice of music in Makati in Metro Manila. The street noise of cars and motorcycles serves as dull bass to the music inside. I love watching the busyness and frenetic of life passing by me, full of life and vigor. As an extrovert, I get energized by the surrounding energy. The city features unparalleled smog and mugginess though it has been the bearable kind so far. I remember Manila being much hotter and more humid from previous visits. 1986 was the year I came to Manila where I bounced around in outskirt villages during my short-term missions trip. The ubiquitous fumes-vomiting Jeepneys, unique to the Philippines street scene showcasing various deco and colors, some drab and some elaborate, seem exactly what I remembered from back then. My lungs were not used to the smog and during our outing on our first day, my irritated throat rang an alarm bell and gave me a sore throat as the air was subpar.

The first morning in Manila, as is the custom for me, I hit the road to explore and walk about 3 miles. The exploration and walking satiate my two needs: curiosity and exercise, a combination that has been working well in new environments. I started walking a little after 6 am and people were already out and about. What I could guess as a lower-middle-class neighborhood was my choice of route as I wanted to check out the bus station in the adjacent town. To my surprise, there was a fully garbed marching band walking through a small neighborhood street. At 6:15 in the morning! On my loop back to our Airbnb, I found out by asking one of the spectators that the parade was celebrating the Feast Day of Patron San Ildefonso. Astounded by the time of the parade and the size of the crowd all before 7 am, I arrived back in the Airbnb having soaked in much of Manila all before 8 am.

This morning, my wife and I, along with two Korean brothers from Korea and Malaysia, with who we have been closely associated and thus recruited for this school, took a 5 hour bus from Manila to Baguio where we will spend the coming week of Opening Residency of CenterQuest Asia. CenterQuest founder and director, Will Hernandez, long dreamt of starting a school of spiritual direction in Asia. His dream is finally coming to fruition and my wife, a graduate of Cohort 3, will participate as a mentor and an instructor in the next 15 months. My wife is dialed in as she considers this role as her “dream job.”

Probably for the first time in our married life, I am happy and content to play second fiddle to my wife as I am mainly here to support and encourage her involvement. As she has been generously and sacrificially supporting “my” ministry for more than 30 years, it is with great joy I am reciprocating my appreciation and excitement for her this time. Joy and hope fill my heart as I watch her getting excited and nervous at the same time. I know what that feels like. . .

One of the brothers said to me, “this is the first time I have seen you not having any role.” I told him he was probably right and agreed with him as I did not remember the last time. It feels so right to not have any role and just be here as a cheerleader and encourager, not only for my wife but for the brothers as well. I have known these brothers for well over 12 years. Both came to Pasadena in 2010 for a 6-month long training where most of their deconstruction of faith and Christianity took place. Ever since then, we have been journeying together as fellow sojourners of faith.

During the Opening Residency at a Jesuit retreat house, I am hoping to engage in my own retreat of reflection, reading, and writing. I am also sure that exploration and walking will call my name every day during the week.