Maldita – Sr. Rica Dalaguit, FSP: 50 Years in The Mission of Quietude and Silence

“Unsa! Mag madre ka? Madawat kaha ka sa ka maldita nimo!” Such was the incredulous reaction of Hilaria Dalaguit when told by her daughter, then 18-year-old Federica, that she was intent on entering the convent to become a religious sister. Someone else of lesser grit and mettle would have been discouraged. But, Federica, “maldita” as she was, remained unfazed. And on June 30, 2021, Federica now better known as Sr. Rica Dalaguit, FSP will be celebrating the 50th year of her solemn profession.

Sr. Rica was born in Digos as the fifth of seven children of Constancio Suralta Dalaguit and Hilaria del Corro Gonzales, both from the island-municipality of Poro, Camotes Island, Cebu. Their love story was borne from their common love of Sacred Music. Both met at the choir loft of the Sto. Nino Parish Church where Constancio was a guitarist and a tenor while Hilaria was a soprano who trained under her father, Maestro Blas Gonzales. After a few years of wedded bliss, the couple decided to migrate to Mindanao; first buying land in Koronadal, South Cotabato and then eventually settling in Digos City.

Learning catechism from her mother and the scriptures from her father, Sr. Rica, who finished her elementary education at the Holy Cross Academy in Digos, was reared in a home where a cardinal rule was for the children to read the Bible, books related to the Catholic faith and the Sentinel, the official publication of the Archdiocese of Davao.

Sr. Rica’s mother, Hilaria, however, has a different take on the root and reason for vocation early on in life. She fondly reminisces: “As a member of the parish choir, we were often brought by our priest to the neighboring barrios for the mass. I had to bring Federica with me because all my other children were already in school. So, I’d wrap her in thick clothing and with a duyan I’d hang her on a tree near the chapel under the watchful care of parishioners. She was always silent during the mass so everybody was pleased with her.”

Growing up listening to the celebration of the Holy Mass constantly, it was but natural for Sr. Rica to gravitate towards the Legion of Mary and the Sodality of Mary and, by the tender age of twelve, she was already a well-versed catechist during the Flores de Mayo.

Strangely, the “call” for Sr. Rica to join the religious life came in the midst of a catechism class for a group of young students at the Magsaysay Elementary School in Digos. So strong was the sudden energy of the moment that Sr. Rica recalls that “it came like a loud voice whispering to me that I should be compassionate toward these students who were like sheep without a shepherd.”

To Sister Rica her calling was clear and specific: To proclaim the Word of God through an instrument that would reach the most number of people. She knew then it had be through the radio. But she was in a predicament. She knew of no religious organization then that was into such apostolate. She had heard of the Sisters of Notre Dame in Cotabato but she did not know how to contact them.

Providence intervened through a friend, Nora Salcedon, who invited Sr. Rica to tag along for a trip to Davao City where Nora had a sister who had just entered the Daughters of St. Paul. It was there over lunch that Sr. Rica met the Italian Sr. Gaetanina Modena, FSP who passionately shared the nature of their apostolate with a special emphasis on their book center. That got Sr. Rica thinking, “I love reading books but I am not interested in selling them!” The maldita in her made her resist. She didn’t want to become a book saleslady!

Sr. Gaetanina must have seen through the spunk in Sr. Rica. She took no time in asking Sr. Rica if she was interested to enter the convent and immediately gave her the date of her entry. There was to be no application forms and no interviews! And Sr. Rica, touched by Sr. Gaetanina’s solicitous kindness and ardor was left dumbfounded. The catechist during Flores de Mayo entered the convent of the Daughters of St. Paul in the merry month of May.

While it is not uncommon for those who enter into religious formation to go through difficult moments of having misgivings and doubts over the vocation, Sr. Rica shares that she also had her share of both spiritual and moral desolation but not for one moment doubted her vocation. “It was very clear when I entered that I have to pursue this life because I am destined to serve God. While there may have been ups and downs throughout my life, I’ve always felt the hands of God.”

Sr. Rica further reflects, “that my greatest struggle is dealing with my weakness. My only weapon is to strengthen my prayer life. On the other hand, I consider it my greatest victory when I find myself at peace because I managed to discipline my number one weakness – my pride.”

Having tucked under her belt two Masteral Degrees in Theology and Mass Communications, Sr. Rica, like many in her congregation, has through the years been tasked to work in the field of media and communications – in radio and film, television and media literacy – and has been assigned in Vigan, Ilocos Sur; Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley; Cagayan de Oro City and Cebu City; Manado City in Sulawesi, Indonesia and now here in Davao City.

The world of media is not one for the faint-hearted. It is fraught with noise, unhealthy competition, rumors, intrigues and, yes, fake news. But this Daughter of St. Paul, she who was thought to be too maldita that no convent would accept her, keeps her calm.

“When the disciples found themselves in the middle of a violent storm at sea, the Lord gently admonished them: ‘Be Quiet. Be Still.’ Silence and Prayer — they are my armor!”

On June 30, 2021, when Sr. Rica Dalaguit, FSP renews her solemn vows as a Daughter of St. Paul the world will stand still and watch… in silence. (Vince Villafuerte Escario)