She loved mountains. She taught us to love the mountains. She continues to care for mountains. For so many years we have attended Good News Deaf Centrum. We would walk with our teacher to the nearby hills where sleeping on the soft grass was luxury and the shining of the moon and the heavens at night was a delight.

Occasionally, we would come upon a fallen nest and scramble up a chosen tree to put it back, hoping that the mother bird would not see us. Many a times we would bring back to the Centrum dry wild flowers, leaves, and sleek stones from a river. Then the trees were gone… the forests, the wild plants, the grass, even the mountains! In their place, stood piles and piles of cement blocks and mountains of sand, gravel, and stone. Even the virgin streams were not spared. The alarming phenomenon was called "urbanization", "sub-divisioning" and even "housing". The birds came no more. Even the wind did not blow that way again. Our silent signs of protests were not heard, trucks and workers moved on… digging… leveling… building… and building. The forests were no more to be seen… the mountains - their features and their faces were gone. Forever.

Teacher Terry continued to teach us about mountains. But this time… she pointed out that the mountains we so loved were back. We were the mountains that people climb, touch, and walk on. When we smile, when we lend a helping hand, when we give out comforting signs. We were the mountains with the trees when we gave our shoulders for others to lean on. We were the mountains with plants and animals when we taught others to grow with us. We were the rivers and streams of the mountains when we healed and eased the pain of others.

The challenge had been sounded. The sign of the times was clear. Our hearing impairedness did not hamper our commitment to be the vanguards of Mother Earth. In 1998, we joined the Maryknoll Sisters, where sisters Ann Braudis, Dolly Mitch, and Peg Dillon were all nature lovers. A new mission - to protect mother earth - was created.

Busol is our murong… our friend… and our mountain. In its heart, lies an endangered watershed, a precious source of water for our city and nearby areas. Upon its bosom, grow pine trees, young and aged, surrounded by climbing vines and flowering plants. Upon its brow, are newly planted pine seedlings… life that will emerge to give more shade and keep the mountain green and lush.

Whenever our teacher would bring up the prospect of visiting Busol, our eyes would sparkle and we would jump with joy. Armed with work tools, we would ride a jeep with our favorite driver and travel to Busol. There we would gently weed around each tree and support weak saplings and clear the area of any clutter left behind by uncaring individuals. We could feel each tree being grateful for having more space for its roots to spread out and its branches to reach out wider and higher. We could feel the breeze blowing gently as if caressing our sweat away. Then we would sit briefly for a respite from the "tilling" and the "weeding". Our learning continues as our teacher tells us about how lucky we are to have these moments of peace with our mountain. She explains that many children like us have never climbed a mountain… much less loved a mountain. And she tells us many mountains are waiting to be set free.

There were times many of us were displaced and marginalized because our hearing was impaired. Maryknoll gave us a home. Our feelings of self-confidence, personal enrichment, and empowerment have found roots in its fertile environment. Where before our talents and capabilities were belittled and ignored, Maryknoll provided us all the time opportunities, ways, and means to nurture these talents… letting us grow creatively. Where before being hearing-impaired was a setback and a failure, Maryknoll mellowed the pain and disappointments. Where once we had nowhere to go, Maryknoll opened doors, windows, and its heart to become our home.

We journeyed so long until we found Maryknoll… a mountain of faith, compassion, and endearment. While educating people here and there to care for mountains and all other living and non-living things, Maryknoll is herself showing the way for others to follow by being a mountain of peace and justice… a mountain for the integrity of creation. Our dear teachers in Maryknoll… this place will be our blessed mountain forever.