We have arrived in Tagaytay: a pretty little town on top of a ridge. From up here-looking towards the province of Cavite and the Metropolis of Manila- you can admire  the valley, and on the other side Lake Taal with its volcano located at the centre…

Tagaytay, is where  the Focolare Movement has built in the last 45 years one of its little towns the Mariapolis Pace [Peace].

During the last few days the meeting took place of those responsible for the Movement from all over Asia. This has been an opportunity to share experiences and future plans.  The contribution of the President and the co-president during the dialogues and meetings with those representing the various countries was very important. They have assured communion and total faithfulness to Chiara’s charism. They have also shown a great discernment in helping the movement develop in Asia in this particular moment in history.

It is worthwhile reviewing the history of the Focolare Movement in the Philippines.

It was February, 1966 when 5 members of the Focolare Movement landed in Manila. They arrived after a long, adventurous trip though Pakistan, India, Myanmar and Thailand. Due to a misunderstanding  there was nobody at the airport to greet them, however, the Movement was already known here. It had arrived with a group of religious men who had come to know the spirituality back in Europe. When sent to Thailand, they had spread the spirituality around the archipelago through their pastoral activities. This as well as the blessing of bishop Rufino Santos -who had personally asked Chiara Lubich to open a Focolare Center in Manila-  is how the initial development came about and surpassed all expectations.

These 5 focolarini were the first to live permanently in Asia. After their arrival the Focolare Movement spread to Hong Kong and Korea in 1969, to Japan, Australia, Taiwan and Pakistan in the 70’s and in India and Thailand in 1980 and 1981 respectively.

After only a few weeks they were invited to Tagaytay. The couple who had invited them gave them a plot of land which they went to see and absolutely loved. After accepting this piece of  land, they took a trip on the nearby lake. Back in Manila the next day, they read that during the night the volcano of  lake Taal had erupted violently.

However, Taygaytay had already become a reference point. This is why the Mariapolis Center was built there and slowly – but regularly – other small houses were built for the formation of the members of the Movement. Chiara Lubich contributed to the completion of the centre personally. She donated part of the prize she was given in London by the Templeton foundation in 1997.

Through the years, it went from a small centre to a little city with: focolare houses, formation centres for young people, seminarians and priests. Some families have moved in permanently. Now, there are also handcraft enterprises which allow the inhabitants of the little city to be self-sufficient..

Today the little town Pace has become a tourist destination for the inhabitants of Manila.

There are two important aspects of the Asian context: the dialogue between religions and the social dialogue.

(It will continue…)

Roberto Catalano

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