Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7

This week’s ICW Kamustahan in New Lucena wasn’t just a check-in — it was a gentle exhale. A sacred pause. A space where public servants, community leaders, and citizens came together not only to talk about their workloads and worries but to remind one another that we don’t carry these burdens alone.

These stories reflect the deeper pulse of SEA Inc.’s IPAT-SIAD program: that true development is personal, participatory, and deeply human. And that resilience begins where we reconnect with our sense of kapwa, compassion, and Creator.

Merlinda: Holding On to His Promises

Merlinda reflected on God’s promises and the importance of relying on Him even when life feels overwhelming.

“We are flawed, but God’s love is constant. We must nurture our relationship with Him, especially in times of worry.”

Her words are a grounding reminder that faith isn’t a shortcut — it’s a shelter in the storms we face.

Os: Surrender in the Struggle

“I feel torn in half,” Os shared — a weight many leaders feel in silence. Work pressure, responsibilities, expectations. But instead of breaking down, he chose to lay it all down.

“I surrendered everything to God because I know He will carry me through.”

This is the core of IPAT-SIAD’s principle of integrated wellness: leadership that’s sustained by grace, not just grit.

Elbert: Provision in Unseen Ways

With no steady income or travel allowance, Elbert felt worn and worried — until a surprise blessing came in the form of a ₱1,000 LGU subsidy for solo parents.

“I told the Lord, ‘Ikaw na bahala.’ And He did not fail me.”

His story reminds us that support systems — whether divine or institutional — matter most when they’re personal and grounded in real need.

Divina: When Plans Shift, Breathe

Divina shared how her child’s unexpected illness disrupted their plans — with high hospital bills and emotional toll. Help came through PhilHealth and her sibling, but problems kept coming.

“Sometimes no matter how hard you try, if it’s not for you yet, it won’t happen. I’ve learned to breathe and accept.”

This is panabudlay — the quiet labor of care, patience, and letting go. It reflects SEA’s belief that development must adapt to life’s unpredictable turns.

Charmagne: Prayer in Motion

Charmagne doesn’t always kneel when she prays. Sometimes, she’s just walking down the street, whispering her hopes to God like a conversation with a friend.

“My sister told me, ‘If you want something, tell God. Demand it. Manifest it.’”

Her story reframes prayer not as ritual, but as relationship — dynamic, sincere, and woven into daily life.

Engr. Virgel: Coping Through Prayer

Facing a medical operation and struggling with overthinking, Engr. Virgel found peace not in controlling outcomes, but in constant prayer.

“When the thoughts come, I choose to pray. That’s how I survive.”

His story reminds us: mental wellness must be part of leadership wellness — a key pillar of SEA’s integrated approach.

Kelly: Just Enough, Just Right

Kelly doesn’t have a job right now. But somehow, there’s always enough — rice, basic needs, peace of mind.

“As long as there’s food and no stress, we’re okay. God provides.”

Sometimes abundance isn’t about having more, but needing less — and feeling secure anyway.

Angela: We Are Not Alone

Angela wrapped it all together with a reflection straight from the heart:

“God doesn’t just tolerate our fears — He cares deeply. Surrender doesn’t mean the problems vanish, but it means we don’t have to carry them alone.”

This is what makes IPAT-SIAD transformational: not just systems of transparency, but spaces of trust. Not just development in barangays — but growth in the soul.

From Policy to Prayer

Behind every LGU ordinance and CSO effort is a human being — tired, faithful, trying. The ICW Kamustahan space proves that the most sustainable systems are built on the wellbeing of the people behind them.

“You don’t have to carry it all. Just carry what’s yours, and let grace carry the rest.”