Basilan and Zamboanga: A Hope Forged by Fire

In places long marked by war and fear, can hope truly take root?

In Basilan and Zamboanga—lands once synonymous with violence—a different story is quietly unfolding. It is a story of wounds turning into wells of life, of strangers becoming neighbors, and of hope catching fire where it was least expected. AND WHERE HOPE BURNS, HEALING BEGINS.

BERTRAND LEONG*

Nagdilaab: Fire as a Symbol of Struggle and Renewal

Nagdilaab is a Cebuano word that means “on fire,” “flaming,” or “blazing.” Fire, as we know, is paradoxical—both life-giving and destructive. When harnessed well, it warms, illuminates, and nourishes. Left unchecked, it consumes and destroys.

In the southwestern Philippines, particularly in the Sulu archipelago, fire has long symbolized its troubled past. Basilan and Zamboanga are often remembered for decades of Moro rebellion and the terror of Abu Sayyaf. From 2000 to 2019, news of sieges, bombings, kidnappings, and killings dominated headlines.

And yet, in the midst of this darkness, something extraordinary has taken root: a hope forged in the very fires meant to destroy it. This is not a shallow or naïve hope. It is gritty, purified, and resilient—a hope that has endured oppression, fear, and uncertainty.

Rebuilding Through Dialogue

In the wake of so much devastation, several non-government organizations, faith-based movements, and grassroots groups have stepped in to transform this “fire” into a force for healing. They do not seek to extinguish it but to channel its energy into life-giving work through Inter-Religious Dialogue (IRD).

One such group is The Silsilah Dialogue Movement, whose very name—silsilah—means “chain” or “link” in Arabic. Silsilah promotes peace and harmony by nurturing solidarity, seeking the common good, and encouraging a “life-in-dialogue” approach.

Another key player is Nagdilaab Foundation, Inc., which champions child protection, education, peacebuilding, and sustainable development. Among its unique projects is the “Recycling War Trash for Peace” initiative—transforming discarded military materials into useful items that now symbolize hope and renewal instead of violence.

But make no mistake—hope is costly.

“Hope is costly. But those who risk are the ones who keep it alive.”

Peacebuilding in Basilan and Zamboanga remains volatile, challenged by local conflicts, poor governance, cultural tensions, and long-held mistrust. True peace demands time, patience, resources, and courage.

It is a risky, lifelong struggle. Yet those who dare to risk—who refuse to give in to despair—are the ones who keep hope alive.

“Authentic dialogue is more than tolerance—it is learning to see the other as brother.”

When Hope Takes Root

Here, hope is more than an abstract ideal. It takes human form.

It grows in people who have learned from history and desire to coexist rather than spiral into tribal, political, or familial feuds. It blooms when communities choose authentic dialogue—not superficial tolerance but a genuine appreciation of the “other,” without the need to erase differences.

This hope stretches our hearts—to see others not as threats, but as brethren. It shows us that reconciliation and win-win solutions are possible.

Thanks to these “hopefuls,” social needs are slowly being addressed: housing, education, scholarships, farming, agriculture, and livelihood programs are transforming lives.

One powerful sign of progress? A road connecting Maluso and Tairan in Basilan. Once avoided out of fear—travelers used to take the sea route instead of risking an ambush—it is now considered safe to traverse at any time of the day.

When Hope Catches Fire

Yet many outsiders continue to avoid southwestern Mindanao due to its lingering stigma. Some may even call visiting such places foolhardy.

But isn’t it also foolish to do nothing and simply wish for change?

Traveling—carefully and respectfully—to once war-ravaged communities can be transformative. It allows us to engage in healing and restoration, to confront our fears, immerse ourselves in different cultures, and stand in solidarity with people who have suffered deeply.

As an African proverb reminds us:

“However long the night, the dawn will break.”

No matter how dark a situation may seem, dawn eventually comes.

The Dawn of Peace

How do we know the night is passing?

By listening to those who survived the sieges. Their stories shift us from being fearful outsiders to companions of hope. They remind us that peace isn’t guaranteed—but it’s worth the fight.

Their resilience is proof that peace is never a lost cause.

In their lives, we see the courage to take “foolish” risks—risks that spark freedom, reconciliation, and healing. And in their courage, we, too, catch fire.

                                              A Poem for the Journey

                                 Sparked in the Cracks, Kindled Together

                                     Your feet were tired.
                                     Your road was long.
                                     Yet still, He walked with you.

                                     Not to ease the cracks,
                                     but to spark them into light.
                                     Not to seal the wound,
                                     but to let it blaze with grace.

                                     The breaking was never wasted.
                                     The wound never without witness.
                                     Right there in the ache,

                                      Hope caught fire. Hope grew.

                                     And when your heart burned,
                                     It wasn’t from answers;
                                     but from Presence.

                                     The fire is no longer yours alone.
                                     It moves from eye to eye,
                                     from hand to hand—

                                    A communion of kindling.

                                     Where two or more gather,
                                     there is the hearth,
                                     the flame,
                                     and God.

For more information, please contact:

Nagdilaab Foundation, Inc., Lazaro Drive, Sunrise Barangay, Isabela City, 7302 Basilan. https://www.facebook.com/nagdilaabfoundation/

The Silsilah Dialogue Movement, Pitogo, Harmony Village, Zamboanga City, 7000 Zamboanga del Sur. https://silsilahdialogue.com/

Ateneo de Zamboanga University. La Purisima Street, Zamboanga City 7000 Zamboanga del Sur. 062-9910871

*Bertrand Leong, SJ is a Jesuit scholastic from Singapore. He is currently in his second year of philosophical studies at the Loyola School of Theology in Quezon City, Philippines. In 2025, he visited Zamboanga City, Basilan, and Dipolog as part of a month-long summer intersession apostolate to learn about Inter-Religious Dialogue.

Tag related articles:
https://jcapsj.org/2023/08/relishing-gods-gift-of-diversity/
https://nowyouknowph.rappler.com/776/in-the-face-of-hope/

[1] https://web.facebook.com/share/p/19YP1uFfRC/