A PHONE CALL SAVED MY DAY

Lately I had been distressed thinking about all the calamities that befell our country.

Not having been completely over the havoc wrought by the recent typhoons, and still recovering from the gory Maguindanao massacre, for days now we had been closely monitoring the possible eruption of Mayon Volcano anytime. The alert level had been raised to no.4 since two days ago and according to Phivolcs might be raised to no.5 or the maximum level any time now which means forced evacuation for residents within the danger zone.

As I am writing this, a big fire is raging several houses and establishments in the boundary of Pasay and Makati. It is such a big fire that the local fire department of Pasay had to raise an alarm for the other fire stations of nearby towns and cities to respond and assist. And it had to happen two days away from Christmas.

As of the latest count, 1,400 families had lost their homes. It would have been tolerable enough for these people to probably have nothing on their dinner tables for Noche Buena, as it had been sort of a way of life for some of our less fortunate kababayans, but for them to spend Christmas in the streets is the height of torment.

Early this afternoon I was taking a nap as I had not been feeling well these past few days due to a bout of colds and a sore throat. The phone rang and I was hesitant to answer it at first as I was awakened from my slumber. It kept on ringing so I got up to look at the caller ID to see who was calling. It was not a familiar number. I thought of just letting it ring but instinct told me to lift the receiver. A gentle male voice was on the other end of the line. He was looking for me. When I acknowledged, he introduced himself as a priest from the Blessed Sacrament Congregation , the order of the priests at Sta. Cruz Church in Manila. How can I forget that congregation, I was all too familiar with them. He said he just called to thank me for all the help I had extended to their congregation these past years and wished me a Merry Christmas. I wished him the same and thanked him for the call.

The Blessed Sacrament Congregation has always been very close to my heart. I had extended some help to them in my own little way and because of this I gained a friend in the person of Fr. Nory Vasquez, then the parish priest of Sta. Cruz Church. Unfortunately Fr. Vasquez succumbed to cancer about 5 years ago . I would remember, every Christmas he never failed to send me handwritten Christmas cards with encouraging notes of advice that would guide me in my personal life. I miss him dearly, especially at Christmas time.

So I was ecstatic that this good priest from the same congregation would call up to say thank you and wish me a Merry Christmas. Little things do mean a lot.

Probably Fr. Nory way up in Heaven wanted me to answer that call. I am glad I did because it saved my day . Even if only for just a few minutes, I felt a sense of happiness within me, and made me forget all the misery that emanated as a result of the tragedies that happened and still on going.

I know that we can overcome these tragedies once again. One of the greatest traits of a Filipino is that of being resilient. We shall rise once again.

Yes with God's help, we can overcome them.

YES INDEED, CHRISTMAS WISHES DO COME TRUE

In my most recent article, (please refer to the one preceding this) I mentioned my Christmas wish of being able to make others happy this yuletide season, most especially the needy or should we say the less fortunate members of society. I prayed to Jesus to help me find these people or lead me to them.

I had been asking HIM if it's possible to please do so before Christmas such that it came to a point that I had to apologize for pressuring HIM or giving HIM a deadline. But I knew too well in my heart that he would grant my wish. And he did.

This morning I went to mass on the occasion of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception not knowing that this would be the day when my wish would be granted. During the mass, the lector mentioned that they were looking for kind souls who could grant the Christmas wishes of the old priests residing in the Home for Retired Priests. These priests were made to write their wishes on a slip of paper which were sent to our chapel (Sto Nino de Paz Chapel at Greenbelt). Anyone who wished to join this cause could pick out a small piece of paper inside a box containing the names of the priests and their respective wishes.

I picked out a slip and the beneficiary priest was requesting for medicine which he enumerated and some milk for adults. I signed in the log book signifying my intention to help. I then asked the office if they are willing to accept money too, and they said yes. I told them I will be back.

I went home overjoyed, oblivious of the people staring at me for tears were streaming down my cheeks. I was too elated to be bothered by their stares.

Upon reaching home I immediately thanked Jesus and Mama Mary for once again giving me the opportunity to be able to help. I knew they were sending me a message as my Christmas wish came true on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. They couldn't have chosen a better date.

I will go back to the chapel and pick out probably four more names and grant their wishes. Aside from their wishes I could probably give a little amount also for their needs. I am sure it would make their Christmas happy. Or I might give their foundation an amount that could be distributed among all the priests so that even those whose names I did not pick out could benefit.

I am praying to Jesus to help me decide which is more advantageous for them. I am sure once again he will guide me, as he always does.

I cannot really express how happy I am for this opportunity. Yes indeed, Christmas wishes do come true.