JesCom presents 2018 Lenten Special, “Sangandaan: Paghahanap kay Hesus sa Camino Ignaciano”

By Pauline ( Pinaytraveler )

Remember my 15-day pilgrimage in Spain last year? I wrote a little bit about it here. Well, finally, we’re airing our documentary about it next week! Read on:

Jesuit Communications Foundation (JesCom), the media arm of the Philippine province of the Society of Jesus, has been presenting Lenten TV specials during the Holy Week through the years.

This year, JesCom offers “Sangandaan: Paghahanap kay Hesus sa Camino Ignaciano,” a documentary about a group of pilgrims who retraced the route that St. Ignatius of Loyola took in 1522 in order to become a true soldier of Christ.

“Sangandaan” airs on ABS-CBN Channel 2 on March 30, Good Friday, from 4 to 6 pm. For Filipinos based overseas, “Sangandaan…” will air over The Filipino Channel (TFC) at 12:30pm in Rome and 1:30pm in Saudi Arabia, also on March 30.

The special narrates the pilgrims’ spiritual odyssey and their compelling personal stories–from the time they set foot in Spain until the moment they all completed the 157-kilometer journey of faith.

JesCom Creative Director Pauline Mangilog-Saltarin says that the documentary is going to touch a chord in everybody’s hearts. “The pilgrims that audiences will see, they’re physically moving from point A to B. Much like in our lives, we’re always journeying regardless of what stage we are at. Ultimately, it is getting to know God more, connecting with Him that remains to be our main purpose.”

“Sangandaan” features the Camino Ignaciano walking retreat that was done from September 26 to October 10, 2017. The documentary reveals picturesque landscapes and scenic towns, as well as the churches where St. Ignatius worshipped. The route concludes in Manresa, the town where St.Ignatius composed The Spiritual Exercises. Fittingly, it is paired side by side with scenes from “Ignacio de Loyola,” winner of the Best Film award at the Mirabile International Film Festival that was held at the Vatican.

After conquering Coll de Can Maçana and walking 11.4km to Montserrat (behind) with my team, I survived!

“The different scenes from ‘Ignacio’ are a good medium for the audiences to visualize what St. Ignatius went through,” explains Mangilog-Saltarin.

Each day began with points for reflection from spiritual director Rev. Fr. Louis Catalan, SJ, who also guided the participants to do the daily Examen in order to “find God in all things.”

“Sangandaan” therefore is going to be a “virtual pilgrimage” for viewers. Says Mangilog-Saltarin, “We really hope that through their immersion in this virtual retreat, audiences will take to heart our various points for reflection, as we ourselves (in the production team) experienced first-hand how it felt to walk in faith, with God by our side.”

“Sangandaan: Ang Paghahanap kay Hesus sa Camino Ignaciano” is supported by Marly Camino, The Pilgrims’ Center and the Spain Tourism Board.

For inquiries about JesCom’s upcoming Holy Week special, “Sangandaan: Ang Paghahanap kay Hesus sa Camino Ignaciano”, contact Ms. Dit Sablan at tel. 426-5971 or 72, local 121, mobile number 0908-886-8447, or email esablan@admu.edu.ph.