ALBERTO “TOTO” M. MALVAR
At 77, as I reflect on the tapestry of my life, I see the golden threads of cura personalis* woven tightly by divine hands. (You will find he meaning of “cura personalis” at the end of my story.)
Humble Beginnings
I entered this world fighting for my life — born premature at Philippine General Hospital, with doctors warning my parents I might not survive beyond six months. My early years were filled with constant watchfulness: two yayas (caregivers) looking after me, glasses of milk I had no choice but to drink, and regular visits to the PGH pediatric clinic. My parents, ever cautious, chose a school just 200 meters from home rather than sending me far away to Loyola Heights.
Seeds of Faith
In 1955, my world expanded when I entered the Jesuit school, Ateneo. By God’s grace, I was placed in classrooms closest to the chapel in both Grades 1 and 2, under the care of the Ramirez sisters — Emma and Nita. In time, both would heed a higher calling and dedicate their lives to the Lord.
This continued in Grade 3 with Miss Clemente, who also joined the religious life. Even Mr. Javier in Grade 4, though he remained a layman, nurtured my faith through his daily stories of saints. These were not just teachers — they were spiritual guides who, beyond teaching subjects, brought Jesus into our young hearts and minds.
I still hold dear the small keepsake from my First Holy Communion on October 7, 1956 — a moment so profound that I wept as I received the Eucharist, overcome with the certainty that Jesus Himself was there. Those early years planted the seeds that shaped the faith I carry to this day.
Living Simply, Thinking Deeply
Though my family was comfortable, we lived modestly. My parents instilled in us that we were mere stewards of God’s blessings, not owners — an understanding that aligned perfectly with Ateneo’s teachings. This harmony between home and school laid the foundation for the values that shaped my life.
In high school, I embraced a life much like that of a Jesuit novice at Challenge House, following a disciplined routine of prayer, study, and community. I was a regular boy traveling by jeepney while many of my classmates arrived in cars. At first, I tried to keep up with them, but Father Gordon, SJ set me straight: “Just be yourself and be the best of yourself.” That wisdom became my lifelong compass — my own One Big Fight.
The Call to Serve
A pivotal college retreat led by Father Antonio Cuna, SJ made me confront a question that changed the course of my life: Where were the poor people I read about in my economics classes? The statistics said 70-75% of Filipinos were poor, yet I did not see them in my Ateneo world.
With the guidance of Father Cuna, SJ, and Father Montecastro, SJ, I ventured into Vitas, Tondo, where I met the urban poor-not as a privileged Atenean, but simply as “Toto.” Sunday after Sunday, I returned, building friendships that have lasted to this day. Later, a six-week immersion with the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement in Nueva Ecija introduced me to the rural farmers and, unexpectedly, to Baby, a fellow student volunteer who would become my wife of 55 years.
Thank you, Ateneo, for giving me the eyes to truly see the poor — not as numbers, but as neighbors.
God, Nature, People: A Trilogy of Wholeness
Life has taught me that cura personalis is more than care for the self — it is caring for all of creation.
Like the narra tree, which bends but does not break in storms, I learned resilience. From forest ecosystems, where every creature has its place, I understood the necessity of community. Watching seedlings push through soil toward the sun, I found hope and perseverance.
Nature became my second classroom, reinforcing my faith in God’s presence in all things and in all people. This trilogy — God, Nature, People — is inseparable; each gives meaning to the other.
From Seeds to Sustainable Fruit
Today, our family runs Mount Purro Nature Reserve (MPNR), an eco-tourism retreat that reflects our God, Nature, People (GNP) philosophy. This is not a business — it is the fruit of a lifetime spent living out cura personalis.
We learned that to care for the forest, we must first care for the people who depend on it. This realization led us to build MPNR not only as a place for nature, but also as a source of livelihood for those who live there. Over the years, we have helped provide:
- ⁃Work opportunities for the community
- ⁃Clean water
- ⁃Medical care
- ⁃Scholarships for young students
- ⁃Sustainable farming programs
All of these is rooted in one truth: caring for people and caring for the land go hand in hand.
Our work with the Dumagat tribe has been especially meaningful. Through years of trust and shared learning, we have been adopted into their tribe — a recognition that speaks to the genuine relationships we have built through cura personalis.
The True Meaning of Wealth
At 77, I have come to understand that true poverty isn’t financial — it is spiritual.
“When you have God, you have enough. God is enough. When you are without Him, you are poor.”
The greatest wealth is living in harmony with God’s creation and serving His people. This is cura personalis in its purest form-caring not just for the body and mind, but for the soul and its place in the grand design of God’s creation.
As I look back on my life — from a fragile infant to a life filled with purpose and meaningful relationships, I am humbled and grateful.
Thank you, Ateneo, for nurturing my faith.
Thank you to the poor, who became my teachers in ways no book ever could.
And above all, thank you, Lord, for weaving my life into something far greater than I could have imagined.
One Big Fight!! “Maraming Salamat po”
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*Cura personalis is a Latin phrase that means “care for the whole person.” It’s a core value in Jesuit (Ignatian) spirituality and education, expressing a deep respect for each person’s unique mind, body, and spirit. The idea is that true care goes beyond academic or professional development—it includes concern for someone’s emotional, physical, moral, and spiritual well-being.
In practice, cura personalis means:
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Seeing each person as an individual, not just a role or task.
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Listening with empathy and understanding personal circumstances.
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Encouraging balance—between work, rest, relationships, and faith.
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Fostering growth in every aspect of a person’s life, not only intellect.
It reflects the Ignatian belief that God is present in all things and that serving others with compassion and respect honors that divine presence.)