In spite of the Diaspora amongst parents, siblings, and friends, we still find time to connect. What binds us together? Is it the technology? Is it how funny the forwarded message was? Is it due to how hot an issue we are talking about? These are just means to have us connected. I believe it’s the love that we have in our hearts that keeps us together no matter what the distance.
Christ tells us to “Love one another.” (Jn 15:12). This is our offering to St Joseph, our patron, whose very life was dedicated to love. This is our offering to Gagalangin, where we first experienced how it is to be loved and to love.
The Gospel for this coming Sunday is actually one of my favourites. In fact we chose it for our Wedding Mass. The Lord wasn’t simply reminding His followers to love one another. It was actually a command. No doubt the late Morrie Schwartz once told his former student and renowned author Mitch Albom, “Love one another or we perish.”
Thank you, Lord for a wonderful life! Thanks too for my loved ones who have made this life meaningful! I’m turning 32 this Saturday, dear friends. I’m looking forward to a more challenging and fruitful year ahead. I hope that I will remain in love with those around me so that together we would all grow into better people. Please say a prayer for me, OK?
When I was 26, I told myself that almost all my elders have already died except my grandmother Dr Pilar Valdes-Albano. Little did I know then that she has passed away while I was celebrating my birthday. As I reflect on these two occasions, I cannot help but query God why He chose such a date for two opposing events to happen. Maybe, to remember Lola Piling in my prayers and see to it that I continue to practice the good examples she has shown me?
I have heard the sad news that Dr Gloria de Castro-Bernas, my former biochemistry professor and ex-dean of the College of Science has passed away on 16 May after a lingering illness. Ma'am Glo, as we call her, has been supportive of me as a student and as a faculty member. In one of her last e-mail messages she told me that she has already entrusted herself to God. She made the right choice - those who trust in the Lord will never be lost. May God bless her soul. May He also strengthen her bereaved husband and family.
May is indeed a month of numerous celebrations. Here's just a few on my list.
Birthday blessings to the following: Vlad Reyes (14 May), Cecile Villaraza (15 May), JP Pablo (17 May), Guian Paolo Axibal (18 May), Nadine Sulit (19 May), Ritzie Mendoza & Cherrie Valdes-Healy (20 May), and Ping Samaniego & Tony Mendoza (22 May).
Congratulations to my sister Nicola for graduation with her BSc degree in Nursing (18 May)!
Happy wedding anniversary to: Jimmy & Lilia Reyes (19 May), Mareus & Jo De la Rosa (21 May), Don & Ellen Samaniego, and Ariel & Mae Alao (23 May)!
