MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/15 May) – Malaybalay Bishop Jose A. Cabantan said celebrating the parish fiesta is still relevant because it is a way to express gratitude to God and to remember a model in faith, naming San Isidro Labrador as not only a local patron saint but also a model among present-day farmers.
Cabantan told MindaNews Monday that San Isidro Labrador should remind the modern agricultural city of Malaybalay of the need to resort to organic farming, the method used by the Spaniard saint during his days as a farmer. San Isidro Labrador, he added, is also the patron saint in Madrid, Spain.
Malaybalay celebrates the feast of its patron saint on May 14 to 15. The parish focused this year’s celebration on the theme: “Kinaiyahan gasa gikan sa Dios: Angaya’ng Ampingan ug atimanon” (Nature is a gift from God, let us nurture and take care of it).
He said San Isidro was an ordinary but prayerful farmer who used organic farming techniques.
He said celebrating the fiesta reminds the parishioners of their duty to God. The patron saint focused his farming life to serving God and also helping others by being generous to the poor.
Cabantan, who is also the parish priest here, said the saint was successful because he was helped by his wife, who also became a saint, Sta. Maria dela Cabeza.
He said San Isidro’s family served God and fellowmen and demonstrated farming that helped others and the environment.
The bishop welcomed that the Malaybalay city council passed a resolution imposing a moratorium on expansion of agricultural plantations.
But he said the moratorium is not enough. The city government must level up by implementing organic farming in the city. He said large plantations, too, must already shift gradually to organic farming. The city government sponsored several events in time for the fiesta, including sports and entertainment events. (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews)