DAPIT-ALIM
A place for prayer, contemplation,
meditation, and for retreats. For the
tired and weary, for those
seeking answers to faith questions.
For those with a passion for
inter-faith dialogue (withMuslim and
Lumad Brothers and Sisters).
Founded by Fr. Dong Galenzoga and those who
constitute the KH - Kahigalaan ni Hesus -
almost ten years ago, DAPIT-ALIM is located
in between the towns of Kolambugan and Tubod,
Lanao del Sur.
One can easily spot DAPIT-ALIM with its sign along
the national highway traversing across Lanao Norte,
as soon as one is in the vicinity of barangay Simbuko
(in between barangays Manga and Lama-Lama).
From Ozamis, one takes the ferry boat towards the
Kolambugan side. From there one takes a jeep or tri-cycle
towards Simbuko. It is easy enough to find as it is quite
accessible from the national road.
From the road one sees a big hand that welcomes the
visitor who then takes the cemented pathway to climb up
the hill towards Dapit-Alim. It is just over ten minutes to
climb up the more than hundred steps to the top of the
hill. It is a pleasurable climb as the hill as not too steep and
there are Indian as well as Eucalyptus trees that line up the
pathway, providing a much-welcomed shade especially if one
gets here my mid-day. From these steps, if one turns around,
the Panguil Bay leading towards the city of Ozamis spreads
like a blue blanket.
On top of the hill,
one sees the
10-foot face of
the COSMIC
CHRIST, a
sculpture of
Kublai Milan.
TheCosmic
Christ
has the
heart of
the child,
as the
figure of
a Sto.
Nino is
attached
to a big
heart
on the
lower
level.
The outstretched
hands of the
Cosmic Christ
embraces everyone
who comes to
DAPIT- ALIM. The
beauty of the
sculpture is in
the manner that
the hands serve
as bridge towards
the
center
of the
sculptured piece.
From this vantage point,
one gazes towards the
Panguil Bay and parts
of Tangub City.
Stars are part of the
leitmotif of DAPIT-ALIM.
Stars are on the halo of
the Cosmic Christ, they are on the
walls of the 88-foot tower.
Another leitmotif are the hands.
Across the tower is a fountain
with hands stretched out in
offering to the heavens.
One other
significant
signpost of
DAPIT- ALIM is
the labyrinth
with the
sculpture of
a cut-tree
with a huge
branch that
shoots up to
the heavens.
The folks living in
the nearby villages
come up to
DAPIT-ALIM
on Sundays to
attend the
7:00 AM outdoor
Mass.
The al fresco
liturgy attracts
close to 300 men
women and children.
Fr. Dong officiates
at this Mass.
There are kaabags
and altar boys and
girls who assist him.
A choir leads the
singing.
The altar that is used at
DAPIT-ALIM is a big rock,
an indigenous rock on this
hill.
Indigenous trees like the inyam
and noni grow in abundance on
DAPIT-ALIM. When landscaping
work began, Fr. Dong insisted that
these trees not be cut. Today,
a number of inyam trees have
grown taller and wider; as these
have small fruits, they are a
source of food for the wild birds
of this area.
People hold hands during the
Our Father. (This practice which has
spared throughout the country was
first introduced by Fr. Dong during
a liturgy at an MSPC meeting in
Ozamis City in 1976).
At the entrance of
DAPIT-ALIM is
as one comes up
the steps to reach
the top of the hill
is a welcome arch
which is the body of
Mother Nature.
Kublai's sculpture
is the face of
Mother Nature,
which has the face
of an indigenous
woman. Again the
stars around the face and a
red heart which is lighted at
night.
On a higher level of the hill, Kublai
sculpted the Inahan sa DAPIT-ALIM.
(the Mother of Dapit-Alim).
This sculpture has an Asian face
and a demeanor of a young woman.
One more sculpture done
by Kublai at DAPIT-ALIM
just above the Mother of
Dapit-Alim statue is a
rather interesting piece:
sprouting out of a star are
tentacle-like figures gracefully
wiggling their way to the sky.
A visit to DAPIT-ALIM is, indeed, an experience of encountering the Divine Presence
amidst both natural and person-made beauty. Privileged are the pilgrims who find
their way to this sacred space.
