“My High School life was so meaningful. Diyan ko mas namidbid an Diyos, sadiri ko, asin pamilya ko.” (My high school life was so meaningful. It is in high school where I better knew God, myself, and my family.) Having been from an elementary public school before entering the Ateneo community, everything was new to Ronald Muroda. He was speechless by the different activities and practices in Ateneo such as first Friday masses, retreats, and recollections. As time passed by, Ronald started recognizing the true meaning of these religious practices and began to apply them to his life up to this day. By the age of sixteen, the idea of entering the seminary to become an ordained priest commenced into his heart. But through a series of events, the Lord led him towards another track. Instead, he enrolled into the the Ateneo de Naga College under the BS Accountancy program. In the Ateneo de Naga College, he became a volunteer catechist and graduated as Cum Laude.
After graduating from college, he worked for an accounting office for a public school but left after two years. He realized that his desire to serve and help those people who are in need never left his heart, so he started to work for the Caceres Social Action Foundation of the Archdiocese of Caceres.
His first assignment was in Presentacion, Camarines Sur in a coastal community. He lived with the farmers and fisherfolk for six years. He then helped work on a project called “Kinamot” or Thread of Hope, which was another project by the Caceres Social Action Foundation. Thread of Hope a two-year program for the informal waste sector. It was aimed at giving waste pickers an alternative livelihood by sewing and weaving liturgical vestments for priests and altar servers. Despite the challenges of immersing in different cultures and constant set-backs in helping people improve their lives, he never gave up on them. “The essence of social work is that ‘til the end of time, dapat mahiling ninda ang liwanag na tinao mo sainda,” (The essence of Social Work is that ‘til the end of time, the people you’ve helped should hold on to the light they found.) Ronald said. Even though the project ended in 2016, Ronald held on to this project and now it continues to weave stories of hope not only from the informal waste sector but also from different kinds of people, including the senior citizens.
“I want to live the simplest life — asin ang iba na dae ko kaipuhan, kaipuhan ko yan itao sa sakuyang kapwa na mas nangangaipo kaysa sako,” (I want to live the simplest life and those that I no longer need, I have to give them to others who need it more than I do.) Ronald Muroda came from a financially stable family; however, he chose to live a simple life. He could have worked in big companies but chose to work for the poor, be with them, and aid their needs. He is and has been living a life closer to God in his own ways. For Ronald, a heart of fire is a heart full of love and full of mercy. “Dae ko man matao sa gabos na tao an puso kong naglalaad, mahiling lang kang saro o duwa, ugma na ako,” (I may not be able to show all mankind my heart on fire, but when the fire is seen just by a single person, or two, that is enough for me.) he continued. He wants to let the youth know that, “Habang joven pa kita mas kaipuhan tang hanapon kung isay ang inaapod na Diyos.” (While we are young, we have to seek to know who this God is.)
Interviewers and Writers: Yuan Angelo Pacao and Celine Andrea Tam
Layout: Guia Balid and Serg Sales
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Campus Ministry Office 