THE UPSIDE-DOWN GOD
by Sunday Villarica
Every last Thursday of the month we have a work bee at the new school property, purchased from Ginawa (Breath). After the
work we have a potluck. Our students bring food from their gardens and the jungle. Here, I've learned to eat roasted unripe
bananas. I've seen other Filipinos eat it in the past. Here among the Palawanos it is one of their favorites. I didn't care
for it though. Then Sandra, my little girl, offered me one, that someone helped her roast. Not
wanting to hurt her feelings, I accepted it and took a small bite. Soon I find myself roasting them myself. When our boys
returned from gathering firewoods, the ones ahead saw what I was doing, they told the rest.
"Look! Kuya Sunday is eating roasted unripe banana. He's truly a Palawano now!"
I was flattered.
"Soon you'll be like the rest of us, passing gas," they told me.
But one time, while we were working, I've noticed a spot that the students neglected. In the middle of the tall grass was
a tree that nobody wants to be near. I asked if somebody can clear the spot but my words fell on deaf ears. So I borrowed
a tukew (machete) and tried to do it myself.
"Don't cut the tree down it will give you sores!" they warned me.
No wonder they're so afraid. Then I later found out that "Megebu", the name of the tree, is believed to be one of the Palawano
gods.
"Our folks dress it with g-string and worship it." Agus, one of our Palawano
teachers, informed me. Our students, most of them, share the beliefs of their people. They fear the spirits and are controlled
by them. Some of them attend school for just a quarter, and then no more. We just hope and pray that the seeds planted in
their hearts grow and flourish, and that the Holy Spirit leads them to higher truth and deeper love for the One True God.
And not only them but as well as their people one day be free from the devil's lies that's raping the minds of one of God's
wonderful people.
NOTE: SUNDAY & DEBBIE VILLARICA are working among the Palawano people groups in Palawan, Philippines.
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