“Unsa na?” “Asa mana?” “Unsa diay nang DARV?” These were the first questions that came to our minds when we learned that we would be having our community engagement with Davao Animal Rescue Volunteers. Even when our other friends asked where we would be having our community engagement, they were just as unfamiliar with DARV and asked the same questions. Despite previous batches and other people having engaged with this community, awareness has not always translated into action. The “ah, aso lang yan” mindset reflects how animal welfare is often overlooked, reminding us that knowing about the problem is not enough if we do not act on it. In addition, our section’s partner community is a non-profit organization run by volunteers. It was established in 2009 in response to the increasing number of stray, abandoned, and neglected animals. Relating this to the quote, “Faith without works is dead,” we are reminded that good intentions and awareness alone are not enough. Without the active support and involvement of the community, DARV may face overcrowding and a lack of resources to provide for the animals under its care. This also places greater pressure on its volunteers, who may experience exhaustion and struggle to meet the growing needs of the animals. Without

proper support and development, both the organization and its volunteers may find it increasingly difficult to sustain their mission. Change must start with us—as stewards, we must remember that strays are also God’s beloved creations. We must challenge the mindset of “Pasagdi lang, asong gala ra na” and treat them with compassion. In the light of our faith, we must turn our beliefs into action by donating food and supplies to DARV, volunteering, promoting adoption, and encouraging spaying and neutering to prevent overpopulation. We can also report animal abuse and educate others on responsible pet ownership. Through these, we can ease the burden on volunteers and live out our responsibility as stewards of God’s creation. After all, we can’t just be passive consumers of faith, we have to be active agents.