What does it mean to live a life of worth? On September 5, 2025, in Sibagat, the question rang clear and timeless, framed by a verse from the Gospel of Mark: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36, KJV).

This gathering—part Kamustahan, part spiritual retreat—was no ordinary meeting. Facilitated by the SEA Sibagat team, it drew Inner Conditioning Workshop (ICW) graduates and Collective IPAT-SIA Team (CIT) members into a circle of reflection. What unfolded was not only a sharing of words, but an outpouring of wisdom that stitched together faith, humility, resilience, and purpose.

Charmae Balais opened with a prayer as simple as it was profound: “Guide me, Lord, that I may not become greedy.” For her, faith is not merely a belief but a privilege and a passion—a daily compass that points away from fleeting material desires and toward what endures.

Then came Francisco Gabiana Jr., a familiar face in Sibagat’s community work. He spoke of struggles not as burdens but as fuel, saying, “God does not measure us by our profession or possessions, but by how we treat others.” His words were a gentle yet firm reminder that kindness and humility outweigh any earthly accolade.

Myrna Buera grounded the conversation in a sobering truth: “Our stay on earth is temporary.” Her message was one of stewardship—that time, talent, and treasure are not owned, but entrusted, meant to be shared, even in imperfection.

From Elizabeth Cocon came the wisdom of age. Nearing seventy, she radiated gratitude: “The Lord takes care of me.” Her story of motherhood and volunteerism embodied the fulfillment that comes not from wealth, but from service.

Virginia Timosa added her own thread, reflecting that trials are not punishments but preparations: “Only the Lord knows our path, but He equips us to persevere.” And finally, Cecelle Galinato brought the circle to a poignant close: “Our time is brief—every moment has purpose.”

Together, these voices formed a chorus that redefined success, not as accumulation, but as alignment—of soul, service, and community.

And here is where the IPAT-SIAD program comes alive. At its heart, SEA Inc’s Integrated Participatory Accountability Transparency towards Sustainable Integrated Area Development insists that development is not just about infrastructures or incomes—it is about people. It is about inner conditioning that reshapes how communities view themselves and the world. The Kamustahan in Sibagat was not merely a spiritual exercise; it was a living demonstration of IPAT-SIAD’s core principle: that transformation begins within, and ripples outward into collective action.

The community’s reflections echo a vital truth for development work: without anchoring in values, progress is hollow. Roads and livelihood projects may change landscapes, but it is faith, humility, and purpose that change lives.

One participant summed it up best: “Our community doesn’t just need more—it needs meaning.”

In Sibagat, meaning is being rediscovered—in prayers whispered, in struggles reframed as strength, in gratitude that defies hardship. And in this rediscovery, the community charts a path where the soul is never lost, even while the world changes.

Because in the end, what shall it profit a community, if it gains the whole world, and loses its soul?