Almost a month after the beginning of the Prior General’s visit to Asia, Fr. Miguel Angel Hernandez takes a break to answer a simple interview in which he tells us how he is living this experience.
How has your experience in the Philippines been?
My experience in the Philippines has been unique. I believe that it will be unrepeatable and wonderful; because I am having the opportunity to meet many brothers who are part of the Order, I am having the opportunity to know the ministries that we have in the Philippines.
I have had the opportunity to meet a warm, close, affectionate, loving people. I have been able to get in touch with the roots of our history.
We are 400 years of evangelization in the Philippines in the island of Palawan. Christianity came through the hands of our fathers, of our religious.
Stepping on this soil and doing an exercise of imagination helps me to think about the work of our friars, 400 years of history! The truth is, these days make me feel very proud to be an Augustinian, to be a Recollect.
How is Filipino food?
The food in the Philippines is wonderful. I haven’t had any problem. Some things I have not dared to eat, for example balut. But everything else is very good, fish, pork, rice, vegetables. I have tasted typical food like pancit
What do you remember most about your visit to the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno?
I think it will be unforgettable. The opportunity to live a little bit with the people, with the people, in the different realities that the Province of St. Ezekiel has in the Philippines, has been a precious experience.
Everyone has gone out of their way to give us the best welcome, the best reception. I could not imagine in my wildest dreams that we would have such a welcome from the communities, schools, universities, colleges, parishes and missions. There has been no lack of expressions of welcome, of affection, which will remain in my heart for a long time.
Our friars are there, in the universities, in the big urban centers; but we are also in the missions, in the peripheries, in remote and small islands, living a very simple and very evangelical life, giving testimony of the love of God and of his mercy in the midst of the humblest people.