December 13, 2020
Editor’s note: Ambassador Rudy Arizala learned about Fr. Francis Lucas recent confinement at the Lung Cancer Center in Manila. Thank God, he tested negative of COVID-19 virus. Ambassador Arizala remembered his encounter with Fr. Francis and wrote the article below.
By Rudy Arizala
I remember that in February 1993, when buses plying the Manila-Infanta route across the Sierra Madre mountains stopped their trip due to a fatal mountain road accident on the narrow mountain road.
Fr. Lucas Francis was kind enough to help me. Pending the widening of theMarikina-Infanta road as alternative route from Metro Manila to the Pacific coasts, going to Infanta at that time in February 1993, was difficult, if not impossible.
However, as stated above, Fr. Francis, assigned in Infanta Prelature graciously accommodated me in his vehicle despite the fact that he already had other passengers—three religious sisters of Mt. Carmel who were assigned in Infanta. That morning, I left Manila for Infanta with a priest at the steering wheel and religious sisters as company. While on the road, there was not much conversation among us after the exchange of pleasantries upon boarding the vehicle. The religious sisters closed their eyes and remained silent from the moment we started climbing the mountain road. Either they were praying or trying to get some sleep.
To break the monotony of silence, Fr. Francis and I talked about the socio-political and economic life of his parishioners while the vehicle, with laborious humming of its engine, was climbing up the mountain road. I even remarked that he would have made a good candidate for mayor of Infanta. To said remark of mine, Fr. Francis just smiled as he kept his eyes on the road ahead.
When we came to the most dangerous part of the road where the bus accident occurred, I refrained from talking further so that so that Fr. Francis couldconcentrate on his driving. I amused myself by looking at the slopes of the Sierra Madre mountains. I recall that during my youth when I was a college student in Manila, the slopes were full of green vegetations, giant lauan trees, vines and cascading clear mini waterfalls.
As we drove along, it became apparent that the forests were denuded and the mini waterfalls were dry or non-existent. Patches of clay and red earth now dotted the slopes of the mountains which looked like a chessboard. Then I noticed several whips of dark gray smoke in the distance coming from what remained of the virgin forests.
“What are they, Fr. Francis?”, I asked. They are kaingeros burning the trees to plant either kamotes or bananas.” He added, I already talked with the authorities to put a total log ban to save the remaining trees in the area, but the kaingeros are a problem,” he replied.
Suddenly, from a distance, we saw looming before us, a solitary giant lauan tree standing like a sentinel, keeping vigil over the remaining green patch of green vegetations in that part of the Sierra Madre mountains.
“ I hope they will not cut that tree yonder.” I said pointing to the solitary lauan tree.
“Oh yes, that is my favorite tree. I pass this way twice a week and that solitary majestic tree gives me the last inspiration to save our forests.”Fr. Francis replied while avoiding a large deep rut in the middle of the road.
“What can we do, Fr. Francis to preserve our forests, at least, that remaining favorite tree of yours?”, I asked.
“Nothing except pray,” he replied sadly as if talking about a person whom he had already given up hope that he could still bring him back into the Catholic fold. We both fell silent. The religious sisters awakened or would have ended their prayers. I told them they had missed a beautiful sight—the lone giant lauan tree standing majestically on the mountain top looking every bit the proud sentinel.
“ We heard you and Fr. Francis talking about it”, they replied.
“ We thought you were sleeping,” I said.
“No, we were just relaxing and meditating,” the religious sisters replied.
A few kilometers more and the religious sisters got off the vehicle. Their sanctuary lay at the foot of a hill. In parting, I requested them to pray for the preservation of that tree we had seen on the way. They replied in unison that they always include among their petitions, a special prayer for the preservation and protection of God-given beauty, pointing at the mountain.
“Thank you, Fr. Francis for the ride and God bless both of you,”they said as they waved us goodbye.
Fr. Francis and I resumed our journey. He was in a hurry to get to a wedding ceremony by evening because he was to be the officiating priest. I was about to ask him what his opinion on family planning and the use of the condom. However, before I could do so, we arrived at our destination. All that I could utter was: “ Thank you, Fr. Francis for the ride.”
“Don’t mention it. See you in church tomorrow.” was his reply. I was reminded that the next day was Sunday. During mass, I included in my prayers the preservation of the solitary lauan tree—the last inspiration of Fr. Francis.
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