This week’s kamustahan with the Cabilauan Group was a blend of raw honesty, unfiltered emotion, and a shared belief in the power of prayer. We didn’t just talk about life’s challenges — we held them up to the light, learned from them, and found courage in each other’s stories.

Each participant carried a different burden, but all had one anchor: faith that God’s timing is perfect.

Stories That Stir the Soul

Divinia Babaylo

“I feel that my mother treats me and my children differently. When she has problems or needs something done, she calls on us. But during times of joy, she forgets about us. Still, we humble ourselves because she is the only elder left.”

Her story reminds us that sometimes love is not about fairness — it’s about choosing to honor relationships even when they are imperfect.

Ma. Gina Espada

“When I called my child to tell them I had run out of maintenance medicine, they told me to ask someone else. Even though it hurt, I didn’t say much. I just kept quiet.”

Her quiet strength teaches us that dignity sometimes means choosing peace over confrontation.

Gilian Sibolinao

“My husband and in-laws are against me attending church because I am Born Again. They say I’ve gone astray. They gossip about me, but I stay quiet and continue to worship. For me, there is nothing wrong with worshiping God — because it is not religion that saves us, but faith. I cling to the Lord because He alone understands my struggles from the very beginning.”

Gilian’s faith stands like a lighthouse in a storm — steady, unwavering, and guiding her path despite criticism.

Mercedez Original

“I believe that in prayer, the time will come when my sibling’s treatment toward us will change. Eventually, things became better between my brother-in-law, my sister, and me. Nothing is impossible with God when you pray to Him.”

Her story shows how reconciliation grows quietly, watered by patience and prayer

Leonisa Alberto

“My challenge now is my son, who is a heavy drinker. I pity his child — my grandchild — who cries for his father. I keep praying that the Lord will touch his mind and lead him to change his life and give up his vice.”

Leonisa’s words carry the pain of a mother and the hope of a believer — proof that love never gives up.

The SEA Inc. IPAT-SIAD program is not only about improving livelihoods and governance — it is about building resilient people. Inner Conditioning sessions like this give space for emotional unpacking, strengthening of values, and deepening of spiritual anchors.

In IPAT-SIAD, we talk about community transformation. But real transformation begins with the heart — a healed heart builds a healthier family, and a healthier family builds a stronger community.

Just like participatory governance values every voice, our kamustahan honors every story — because in every personal struggle is a piece of the collective journey toward a better life.

“The person with a strong inner life cannot be easily toppled by life’s storms.”

This week, the Cabilauan Group reminded us that:

• Endurance is a quiet kind of victory.
• Faith is the compass when the road is unclear.
• Hope is the bridge from today’s tears to tomorrow’s joy.

Together, they walk forward — wounded but not defeated, weary but never hopeless — knowing that in God’s perfect time, every prayer will find its answer.