Long read but worth it: SINA TATAY RANY AT NANAY SARAH

Earlier, Jeraine and I went to National Bookstore at SM City San Lazaro in Tayuman to buy her school supplies.

We were unaware that it was raining heavily. When we stepped out around 4:30 PM, we found out it was pouring. Right away, we tried to book a ride home because I had another commitment. However, after more than 30 minutes, we still couldn’t book a ride due to the heavy rain and many passengers trying to book as well.

We attempted to take a taxi, but the line was very long. We also tried to ride a tricycle, but no one was willing to take us when I said, “Sa Espana lang po.”

We waited for the rain to subside and decided to eat while we waited.

After an hour, we tried booking again, but there were still no available rides. We decided to take a jeepney, but there was already flooding on the road. A Toktok ride was approaching and I immediately said, “Kuya sa Espana lang po.” The driver seemed hesitant and had many reasons not to take us because of the flood, but I smiled and said, “Kuya, sige na po. One hour naman na po ang dumaan. Baka po humupa na yung baha.”

He agreed to take us, and we were comfortable in his Toktok. However, I sensed he was still  hesitant to take us. He was with his wife and baby.

As soon as we turned onto a street, there was flooding. We tried to find a way with shallower water, but it was really flooded, and traffic was terrible. Even so, I didn’t want to rush the driver since I had another appointment. We were stuck in Dangwa for almost an hour. When we were near Laong Laan, I heard him talking to another driver and they transferred us to a Kuliglig.

I wanted to be annoyed, but I understood his reasons. He said they might get stuck for a long time since they were going back to Tondo. I asked about the fare, and he said it was okay not to pay. However, I insisted on paying him.

I asked him, “Kakayanin kaya ng Kuliglig na to yung baha sa Espana?” He replied, “Kakayanin po. Matibay ang makina niyan.” Even though I was doubtful, we got on.

The driver, Tatay Rany, was with his wife, Nanay Sarah. We couldn’t talk much because of the  sound of the Kuliglig was noisy and the pouring rain. But Jeraine and I could feel his determination to safely take us to our destination.

Tatay Rany was so brave. He didn’t complain. We passed through the flood in España. The water was so high that it almost entered the Kuliglig. Every time a motorcycle or vehicle splashed water on us, we would scream, and he would shout back at them, “Hoy gago, dahan dahan may sakay ako.” 😆🤣

At M. dela Fuente and Vicente Cruz, the water was particularly deep and difficult to navigate. I thought tumirik or bumigay na yung makina. I panicked. It felt like we were in the middle of the sea. After a while, Tatay Rany and Nanay Sarah started pushing the Kuliglig. I felt embarrassed and sorry for them. So, when we passed the deeper part, I said, “Pahinga muna po kayo.” But they kept going. After a moment, we plunged back into the water until we were safely delivered home.

We were incredibly grateful to Tatay Rany and Nanay Sarah. Afterward, I whispered a thank you to God for getting us home safely.

“Lord, salamat po nakauwi kami ng maayos at ligtas. Gabayan mo po sina Tatay Rany at Nanay Sarah sa pagbalik nila sa pila sa SM Tayuman. 🙏”

Kudos to the couple and to the makina ng Kuliglig at di bumigay! 😛

Happy Birthday, Chewy!

 Happy Birthday, Chewy! 🐪 🎂🍧🍧🍦🍪🍰❤️🐓🎂

Chewy is a camel stuffed toy that I bought in Oman before we embarked on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

I got it as a pasalubong for my daughter, Jeraine. 👧 She always makes sure to have Chewy by her side when she sleeps. 🐪 Whenever someone asks her who gave it to her, she proudly boasts, "That was a pasalubong from Mommy! When he turns one year old, we’ll celebrate!" 😛

 

Today marks exactly seven years since I bought Chewy. Some may think it’s silly to celebrate a toy's birthday (according to Jeraine), but the celebration isn’t really for Chewy. It’s truly a celebration of Jeraine, who has given meaning to the thought that "it came from Mommy."

At her young age, I’m certain she understands the importance of valuing and appreciating love.

This little gesture brings me so much joy, her sweetness warms my heart. I love you, Pot! ❤️

BIYAYA

Sabi ng isa kong kaibigan, lahat tayo ay may kanya kanyang pinagdadaanan at kinakaharap sa buhay. May kanya kanya tayong paglalakabay at landas na tinatahak. Sa huli, yung daan na nilalakaran natin, ang direksiyon sana ay patungo kay Kristo.

Habang naghihintay sa pagdating ng Poon sa San Sebastian para sa Dungaw para i-cover yung event, na-witness ko na naman yung libu libong deboto na naghihintay para makita ang pagdaan ng Nazareno. Para silang mga alon sa dagat, atras abante para makapwesto ng maayos. Nakakakilabot, makatindig balahibo lalo kapag narinig mo na ang sabay sabay na pagsigaw ng Viva, Viva.

Sa likod ko, may babaeng nakatungtong sa isang silya. Naririnig ko ang usapan nila nung kasama niya. Para akong maritess, nakikinig sa mga hinanaing niya sa buhay at mga problema niya. Narinig ko na dumayo pa siya para lang makita ang Poon para magpasalamat. Nung parating na ang  Poon at nagsisigawan na ulit ng Viva, naiinis ako sa babae kasi yung hawak niyang Good Morning towel ay tumatama sa mukha at ulo ko habang taas baba ang kamay niya at sumisigaw ng Viva. Pero dahil dumadaan na ang Poon hindi ko na pinansin. Bigla narinig ko umiiyak na siya at nagsasalita pero mga kataga ng pasasalamat. Lumingon ako at tumingala. Nakita ko ang mga luha niya. Habang umiiyak tumingin siya at ngumiti. Napangiti rin ako. Naluha ako ng slight (nahawa ke ate).  At that time, I felt blessed na nandoon ako mismo nakita ang Poon na dumaan sa harapan namin. Bukod doon, naisip ko yung mga bagay na wala sa buhay ko pero higit ang pasasalamat ko sa mga biyaya na meron ako ngayon.

Lahat tayo ay may biyayang tinataggap mula sa Kanya. Isa sa biyaya na ipinagpapasalamat ko ay ang biyaya ng pamilya, ng trabaho at ang pagkakataong makapaglingkod sa Kanya kasama ang mga taong itinuturing kong pamilya.

#Nazareno2025
#JesusNazareno

 

To find peace is to experience chaos.

To understand love is to be hurt and feel pain.

To be confident is to embrace your imperfections.

To succeed is to stumble and fall.

To be firm and strong is to be broken into pieces.

To be forgiven is to ask for forgiveness.

To grasp life is to die and resurrect.

To feel God's presence in your life is to accept that everything happens for a reason. You may not find the answers today, but sooner, it will be revealed in His time, in His ways.

Life is a one time journey. Live life one day at a time. Enjoy. Always choose to be happy. Choose to have peace of mind and soul. Let go. Let God. 🙏

Moments with Cardinal Grech

This may sound bragging to some (slight hahaha), but who would not be proud if you were given the chance to  moderate a press conference with Cardinal Mario Grech, the secretary general of the Synod of Bishops (last choice nga lang sinuwerte pa). And after the press conference, unexpectedly, the Cardinal came to me, made a handshake, and said thank you (ayyy shala 🥰). 

I thought that would be the last time we would interact with him. But during PCNEX, every time we get the chance to see him, he will always be the first to notice us.

After PCNE X, OPNE asked for assistance from our office (AOC) to document (photo) a few of the Cardinal's pastoral visits to different organizations. That paved the way for us to have a closer and longer conversation with him, and he would always thank us for our service.

On Jan. 23, I had the chance to interview him after the High Level Interfaith Dialogue held at Pope Pius XII in Paco, Manila (thank you to Fr. Caloy Reyes and Miss Beth Marie).

During his visit to Focolare in Tagaytay, while having a break, he came to me and said that he was looking for us (with Maricar). After lunch, before we went to the Laudato Si Farm (SVD), we again had the chance to have "kwentuhan" with him and Fr. Andrew of Focolare. At the SVD, he never failed to say thank you to us every time we crossed paths. On our way home, Miss Beng called via video call with Cardinal Grech speaking to us, thanking us for the long day of work. 

Last January 27, in Bataan, was our last schedule for documenting his visit. At Batiawan, Zambales, he led the gift-giving to the Aeta Community living there, followed by a Mass at the Franciscan Sisters and St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish.

Before heading back to Manila, we told Fr. Mark and Miss Beng that we will go ahead. But the good Cardinal called us (me and Maricar) and said that he was very thankful for our service. As a token of his gratitude for us, he gave us a rosary and told us that it was blessed by the Holy Father. He also told us to keep in touch.

His visits were very tiring, but he always had that smile on his face, which is why people are so close to him. He was very warm and welcoming.

This may be an overreaction to some, but as church workers, it was a proud moment for us to be dealing with and interacting with one of the Vatican officials who really took his time to talk with ordinary people like us (super nose bleed lang talaga 😁😀 - muntik muntikang maubos yung baon naming English). It was indeed a once-in-a lifetime experience. 

I don't know his thoughts, but for me it was a clear message that he interacted with us, talked with us even though we are nobody and not because we are entitled or we have titles or positions (madalas ko kasi ma-experience at ma-witness sa simbahan yung hindi ka pansin or nilagpasan ka ng tingin kasi wala ka sa limelight, kasi hindi ka personality sa paningin nila, wala silang mapapala sa'yo, pero hindi nila alam mas may substance ka, mas may lalim ka -  #realtalk to mga pre) - yun typical na titignan ka lang pero di ka tititigan - gets? ✌️😜)

I wish more priests would do the same thing for their flock since we are called to be a synodal church—spending time to talk and listen with more humility and a lot of wisdom. 

This isn't bragging. I know you have more significant experience than this. I am just overwhelmed with the experience, and I want to share it with you.

I am looking forward to seeing him in Rome (inshallah).

Salamat Fr. Mark and Miss Beng for this rare opportunity. Thank you also to Fr. Roy for allowing us to extend assistance.  We are so grateful! 🙏🥰

📸 Miss Beng ❤️

A devotee who sees Christ

Quiapo Church, Nazareno - they are very, very, very dear to me.  All of us have stories to tell about how the Black Nazarene changed our lives, but all of these stories differ from the others. 

I fell from the ladder when I was a year old. I was rushed to the hospital and had been in a critical condition. I will not say any more what happened after, but it was indeed a miracle that I escaped death. Fast forward, my parents vowed to bring me to a church in Sto Nino, Pampanga every fiesta until I was seven years old. 

After fulfilling it, I was vowed to hear Mass at Quiapo Church every Friday with my mommy (for a lifetime). I was always excited to go to Quiapo Church to hear Mass and wear that maroon dress (same as the Nazareno) with a yellow belt. Aside from those, I was also looking forward to eating lugaw (P5.00/bowl), and my mother would also buy bananas (senorita) for me to eat while heading home.

I never failed to do it every Friday until I was in high school and college. There were times that I couldn't go because I was in school the whole day. The more I felt guilty when the time came that I had to work. Since then, I seldom hear Mass every Friday at Quiapo Church.

I need not say I am a devotee (hindi ako pumapasan, humila ng lubid o kasama sa sea of devotees na sumama sa prusisyon). But as a silent believer, I have my own ways to show my devotion to Him. My relationship with the Lord goes beyond going to church.

But He is a good Lord. He never fails me. My work in the Archdiocese of Manila is not a coincidence. It was His will. It was His plan. I get to serve Him while working. He doesn't want me to be in other places. He wants me near Him.

I am fortunate because I may not get to visit Him every Friday, but He blessed me with work in the Office of Communications of the Archdiocese of Manila where I get to serve Him every day.

The theme of Nazareno 2024, "Nais po naming makita si Hesus" suits the things I've been through. I see Christ in my pain and joy. Christ sees me. He hears and answers my prayers. And through my work, I am given the chance to let others see Christ.

My life is not perfect. I am not perfect either. There were times that I failed and felt weak, helpless, and almost lost hope. But come to think of it, the Lord has endured a lot of pain than I have. But He still managed to carry the cross even until the end to save me - that is why I am still here, alive! 

Sometimes, we have to change our perceptions and our views in life. There is no such thing as perfect happiness. All of us suffer and struggle. And our travails pull us down and stumble. We cannot remove the cross on our shoulders but we can pray to God how to carry it without losing our hope.

The Lord allows us to become weak for us to realize how much we need Him. Let our faith in Him grow deeper and as we deepen our devotion to the Nazareno, we also cultivate our values that will allow others to see Christ in the things that we do.

Three years after the surge of COVID, I got the chance to serve Him again on that very special day through my work (which sometimes I don't consider as work but a mission). 

The sea of devotees amazes me every time I cover the event. But this year, it was different. I saw the other side of the coin. Devotees come not only because they are devotees, but they are devotees who place their hopes in the hands of God, praying and begging for His mercy and grace.

While waiting for the arrival of the Nazareno in front of San Sebastian Church in Plaza del Carmen for Dungaw, I had this feeling that I find hard to explain. I was gently moved and it struck me again - there were drops of tears (I got emotional). I don't know why. As I came to my senses, I deeply realized that God is God and that these people trust and believe in Him at the risk of their lives for Him.

Thank you, Jesus for the opportunity to serve you!  #Nazareno2024 #Traslacion2024

A Mother’s pain and joy

Miracles do happen to those who believe and have strong faith in God.

These were the thoughts I held on to during those times when God laid a burden on my shoulder to test my faith and truthfulness to Him. My daughter Jeraine, is not just a special blessing. Jeraine for me is a miracle.

I had difficulty carrying my daughter Jeraine for nine months. “Mababa ang kapit niya,” as the OB Gyne told me. My husband Chard was so worried that it came in time when he was about to go abroad to work. A few more days then, he had to leave us. I knew then, we’ll have a hard time. I felt so alone because, literally, my husband was not at my side and my firstborn was only 9 years old then. I knew there would be tough times during my pregnancy and I was aware that I had to bear and combat this battle all alone.

Physically, I got tired. Financially, we run out of money. Emotionally, I was stressed and drained. Nine months passed and I can’t believe I survived. With the help of my family and a few good friends, we survived!

But God has his own way of testing me how long I will hold on to His hands. I was rushed to the hospital because there were blood and uncontrolled water flowing out from me on Oct. 3, 2010. I was laboring overnight and Jeraine should have come out by that time but “ilang CM pa lang,” according to the doctor. At 2 a.m. of Oct. 4, the doctor told me, “Mommy humihilab na ba? Malapit ka nang maubusan ng tubig. Pag 7 a.m. mamaya di pa siya lumabas, i-CS na kita. Kausapin mo si baby.”

I was kinda of “groggy” at that time because of so much pain in laboring but I very well heard and understood what the doctor said to me. I touched my tummy and talked to Jeraine, “Jeraine, labas ka na ha baby, kahit sobrang sakit ng labor, ok lang kay mommy.” I knew Jeraine listened. I felt a little push from my tummy. The next time the doctor checked on me, I was rushed to the delivery room and everything went well. The moment I saw her, nakalimutan ko ang hirap ng panganganak.

When she was finally out of my womb, I was expecting a crying baby. I saw the doctor carrying her saying and patting her back, “iyak....Iyak..”  Jeraine didn’t cry at all. I worried and asked them “anong nangyayari? Nobody answered. But in a short while, I heard her start to cry. I thought after this everything would be alright.

A few days after we got home from the hospital, Jeraine was detected with a congenital cyst at her throat (where air passes through) which is why she had difficulty breathing and couldn’t drink enough milk. She was hospitalized thrice, the last was at Cardinal Santos where God led us to the right people. We met Dra. Ayson. She immediately had Jeraine brought to the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in Quezon Avenue to conduct a series of tests. Afterward, Jeraine was confined for observation and operation.

Jeraine was operated on twice when she was not even a month old. We stayed in the hospital for almost 2 months (October to December 2010). This was the moment that all I could do was cry in silence. I cried in the dark so no one would see me. I was a mother in pain at that time. It hurts me so much to see my almost 3-week-old daughter that way and I can’t do anything but watch her and obey what the doctor asked me to. In between times, I uttered prayers.

After the second operation, everything went well and we were told that we could go home. It was December 24. With my eagerness to go home on the eve of Christmas, I went to the doctors and told them that I did not have the means to pay the bill at that moment. I made arrangements with the hospital and the doctors ( mahirap talgang makiusap at magpakumbaba na sagad ka na, ubos ka na at upos ka na). But God works in mysterious ways. Some doctors told me that they would no longer ask me to pay them and just pay the anesthesiologist. The hospital bill was discounted and the remaining balance can be settled on the date set by the hospital.

My son Jennard who was only nine years old then was waiting for us to be back home. As soon as we arrived at the house, I rushed to the nearest store and bought food to cook for Noche Buena. Hindi ko na naramdaman yung pagod sa tuwa ko na nakalabas na kami ng hospital. It was a celebration and Thanksgiving as well.

It was Jeraine’s first Christmas.

This was one of the hardest parts of my life yet one of the sweetest, too. I said this because my husband then is working abroad to support our needs and to give us a brighter and better future. He carried the pain of wanting to be there for us but he can’t. There were lots of sacrifices for both of us. But definitely, this one was a well-learned experience for us.

I know I am a stronger person now. I know too, that Jeraine is a strong child. She was a survivor, and she will always be.

We were thankful to those who prayed for Jeraine. To those who gave us help financially, physically, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually. To those people who stood with us from day one of that journey until now. Although some were nowhere now, had left, faded, flew away, and turned their back - - - we still owe you one. But it paved the way for a few appreciative people who are now a part of Jeraine’s journey to life.

Our deep gratitude to those who are still here and remain to be there for us, especially to my Daddy and Mommy who patiently assist me in going to and from the hospital.

Today, Jeraine turns 12. 

I smile as I glance at that moments of pain and joy in my life. I know I have so much to be thankful for to the Lord. Thank you, Lord, Jesus! You always give me blessings much more than I deserve.

May you continue to bless Jeraine with your mercy and love through the intercession of Mother Mary.

Today is the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. May he intercede for us to the Lord.