The Road Less Traveled

Whenever there is a calamity, the normal thing to do is to evacuate, find a safe place, and wait for the proper agency to announce a safe return home. However, Rhoderick G. Hernandez does the exact opposite: whenever disasters occur, he goes there to deliver relief goods and provide assistance. And every time he journeys the road less traveled, he is grateful that his family supports his selfless service and commitment.

At a young age, he became a sacristan, then joined the San Pablo Youth Apostolate and eventually became its coordinator in 1998. He later decided to work for the San Pablo Parish Pastoral Office in 2004. Through the years, he participated in numerous trainings and programs that helped him become a better servant leader. His dedication to serve others and his work in the youth ministry earned him the John Paul II National Youth Ministry Award in 2013 during the National Youth Day. This award is given to those who are selfless, committed, and dedicated to help and support the youth in their dioceses and parishes. Today, he continues his mission by taking on multiple roles, including being the Parish Social Action Ministry Coordinator, Parish GKK Assistant Coordinator, Head of the San Pablo Parish Quick Response Team-Parish Disaster Action Response Team, Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Communion, and Coordinator of the Archdiocesan Disaster Preparedness under the Archdiocesan Social Action Center.

Eric’s decision in traversing the road less traveled has left a meaningful impact, making him a role model for the youth as well as in the community. He hopes to invite more young people and volunteers to serve the Church and continue the mission of Christ because he wants them to experience the joy he felt in serving the Lord. His words of gratitude and wisdom are truly worth reflecting on: “Una pasalamatan nako tung mga nauna na naghatag sa akoa ug chance na musunod sa ilaha kay kung wala sila, wala pod ning apostolado na asa ko nagserbisyo. Kung wala sila, wala koy chance na maila-ila ang Ginoo ug matagaan ko ug chance na muserbisyo sa simbahan. Ikaduha, kini pod akong mga kageneration na bisan unsa ta kabusy sa atoang life unta hatagan nato ug panahon ang pagserbisyo sa simbahan according diha sa kung unsa ang atoang makaya ug atong field of expertise. Makahinumdum ko atong giingon ni late Fr. Paul Cunanan, bloom where you are planted. Kung asa man ka naplant, unta diha ka, imong nang imaster, imo nang padakuon, imo nang ishare na makatabang ka. Sa mga muabutay, ang akong pasabot ang mga batan-on ug katong mga hamtong na gusto magserbisyo sa simbahan, daku kaayo ang challenge of the time. Sa akong ministry na gilihukan, Social Action, specifically sa atoang disaster program. Ang Social Action program, ang apostoladong akong gilihukan need ug volunteers, unta labaw na sa batan-on, kamo man gud ang musunod mupuli sa amo, kumbaga sa kanta pa ba na next in line. Ninggawas po ni sya sa amoang planning na itry ug tap ang pinakanindot ug pinakablooming resources, ang atong youth. Unta makita sa mga batan-on unsa kaimportante ang ilang lugar, ang ilang presensya diha sa ilang apostolado sa simbahan. Daghan kaayo tag kalaban karon naay technology ug uban ba. Unta naa tay mga batan-on na maningkamot na unta mupukaw sa ubang batan-on, dali diri ta sa simbahan. Ug katong mabutang sa ministriya sa service, atong iexplore pod ning disaster program kay usahay ang batan-on man gud pag muingon kag service kay programs, mga pacute lang. Kaning program sa disaster kay holistic siya dili sya nakafocus lang sa rescue, its focus kay maprepare nimo ang katawhan na kung if ever naay disaster muabot, dili sila mademoralize, dili sila maglisod ug cope up. …gihagit nako akong mga kauban karong panahuna… na atong tawagon ug itapik ang mga batan-on kay kasagaran sa mga batan-on karon naa sa secular world. Kung dili nato iopen sa ilaha na ing-ani diay kanindot ang magserbisyo sa simbahan, kinsa na lang mupuli sa atoa? Mga batan-on, kanus- a pa man ta magsugod ug serbisyo? Kanang hamtong na ta? Mas maayo tung i-explore nato tung atong kaugalingon diha sa ministriya sa simbahan. Atong testingan, atoang tan-awon, atong i-experience. I tell you, nindot kaayo sya na apostolado. Usabon nako ang giingon ni Dr. Jose Rizal, ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan, kita pod ang pag-asa sa simbahan. Kung kanus-a na siya, dli ni sya ugma, karon. Dapat magsugod ta karon.”

Choosing the road less traveled entails a lot of sacrifices and much criticism. While we may never experience the agony of sweating drops of blood in prayer as Jesus did, we can always pray for strength to face our challenges and strive to become beacons of light for others who cannot see Christ, answering Eric’s and the Church’s challenge to serve now! (Karen V. Sison)