Bishop Tobias, visiting the Mt. Miracle God the Holy Father Community Altar (left) and entering the Mt. Miracle and Organic Garden (right photo), March 17, 2026.
In a world overshadowed by conflict and the rising costs of oil and basic commodities, the poor are often the first to suffer. Their burdens multiply as prices soar, leaving them more impoverished and vulnerable. Yet, in the mountains of Misamis Oriental, a small community of farmers gathered on March 17, 2026, to hear a message of hope from Bishop Antonio R. Tobias, Bishop Emeritus of Novaliches and former shepherd of Pagadian.
Two years earlier, on September 3, 2024, Bishop Tobias had challenged these farmers to embrace the vision of Laudato Si’ by turning away from agrochemical fertilizers and pesticides. Inspired and guided by Fr. Oliver McCrossan, former spiritual adviser of MASIPAG-Mindanao, and Bobby Pagusara, former coordinator of MASIPAG-Mindanao, the farmers began their journey into regenerative and organic agriculture. Their conversion is now well underway, and their gathering with Bishop Tobias became a moment of affirmation and renewed challenge.
A Glimpse of Hope in Simplicity
“The price of oil – diesel and gasoline – is rising because of the war,” the Bishop told them. “All prices of commodities are, in effect, rising very fast. This has made life more burdensome. For the poor, it is too much. But your lifestyle in the mountains shows us a glimpse of hope.”
They pointed to their simple practices: using discarded wood and branches for cooking fuel instead of methane gas or electricity, walking on foot rather than relying on petrol-powered transport, and most importantly, cultivating their land without petrochemical fertilisers. “Since you are into natural, agroecological, and organic farming, you will not be affected by the rising cost of oil-based fertilisers.
This is a great hope for when all of you will be in full adoption and practice of organic farming. Please continue your effort, because you are not only minimizing the impact of the crisis but also caring for God’s creation, which is the source of life and sustainability for humanity.”
The Challenge of Continuity
Yet Bishop Tobias did not stop at encouragement. He offered a sobering challenge: “I know you are exerting all efforts to educate your children and to improve your life economically. But what I noticed is that when these happen, you leave and abandon farming. When children become professionals – teachers, engineers, and so on – they stop farming. That is why we have a food crisis and why we always import. Please don’t leave or abandon farming, as this is still the hope and backbone of our country.”
His words struck at the heart of a national dilemma: the gradual abandonment of agriculture by younger generations, leading to dependence on imported food and the erosion of local food security. For Bishop Tobias, farming is not merely an occupation but a vocation – an act of stewardship, a service to the nation, and a witness to God’s sustaining love.
Hope Rooted in Creation
In the shadow of war and economic hardship, the Bishop’s message was clear: hope is found not in grand strategies or political manoeuvres but in the humble, faithful practices of communities who live close to the land. The farmers of Mt. Miracle, Misamis Oriental, embody this hope. Their commitment to organic farming, their resilience in the face of crisis, and their care for creation are signs of God’s kingdom breaking through the darkness.
For the Columban family, this story is a reminder that mission is lived not only in distant lands but also in the daily choices of ordinary people. Amidst tension and escalating war, a Bishop spoke of a simple path to hope – and the farmers showed that hope is already alive in their fields, their homes, and in their hearts.
Written by Bobby Misa Pagusara sent via Columban Fr Oliver McCrossan
