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