The Bell Tower in Payatas

There is something very special about this bell tower in a Catholic church in Payatas in Quezon City–it was donated by Muslim couple Ibrahim and Yasmin.

I had the privilege of being there during its blessing and inauguration. It was truly an experience, seeing a Muslim listening to the Catholic priest’s homily.

“When we see people, we don’t anymore see them as Christians or Muslims–we see them all as children of the Almighty,” says Yasmin during her brief statement after the mass. She shared with the church goers that she and her husband know Catholics–they went to a Catholic school and surrounded by Catholic classmates and friends.

A thunderous applause followed. The parishioners couldn’t contain their gratefulness. Padre Martin, an Argentinian, who said the mass in impeccable Pilipino, was too grateful he couldn’t stop mentioning Ibrahim’s and Yasmin’s names as benefactors.

Yasmin seemed to be a familiar face in the parish, as she would be greeted by the nuns, lay leaders, and even some parishioners. How could she not be? She is a volunteer counselor there!

Ever wondered how we can achieve peace, not only in this country, but elsewhere in the world? Try what this couple is doing. The genuine desire to reach out to brothers and sisters is in the hearts of this couple, truly admirable and commendable.

And the bell rang for the first time in this community, reverberating, as if to tell everyone that truly, even those with different faiths can live together in peace, love, and harmony–and how sweetly.