At Peace

 

(My father and former web columnist has passed away on 29 April 2025. I am sharing with you the eulogy I delivered during the final viewing of his remains in Edmond, Oklahoma, USA on 3 May 2025.)

Each of us has lost a father, brother, grandfather, uncle, and friend in our beloved Mario. And as he lay asleep in the blessed hope of the Resurrection, I remember how he told us when we were kids to respect someone who is asleep: Kung ayaw mong matulog, magpatulog ka. I once disobeyed this house rule and was smacked accordingly.

As Papa lays asleep, let us allow him to sleep in peace. To do this, I am reminded of some advice he once told me: rise to the occasion. In those moments of unforgiveness, we rise to forgive. In times of despair, we rise to hope. In times of need, we rise to reach out.

I have not received any sign from Papa since his passing, but listening to your stories and relating with you, I realize that you are his signs for me. Recently, Emmy Garon, wife of the late Bob Garon, wrote to say that she will never, ever forget Papa. He did something which he never expected will save thousands and thousands of lives who were addicted to drugs. To this day, what he implemented in DARE is now the official method of rehabilitation in the Philippines. 

Papa has made a difference in our lives. We too are called to make a difference in the lives of the people around us. Doing so, Papa would be at peace.

Thank you, Gio and Marcia, for welcoming Papa into your home. Thank you, Tita Meddy and Tito Teddy, for being there for Papa when he was so ill. You stayed by his side as long as he needed you. Thank you, Gio’s friends for accepting Papa as part of your families. He spent the last years of his life enjoying the warmth and love that you showered him. I am pretty much sure that he will put a good word for you all when he meets the Lord.

We just recited a Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Before Papa passed away, Tita Meddy prayed this beautiful devotion with some of the family around him. Tito Teddy told me that when the fourth decade was recited, Papa’s countenance became peaceful. The next time you recite the Chaplet, please remember Papa in your prayers.

On behalf of my siblings and our families, as well as the Valdes-Albano Clan, thank you for being with us in these difficult times. God bless.
 

Alone with Our Lady

2017 is a special year for Marian devotees because it marks the 100th anniversary of Our Lady's apparition in Fatima, Portugal. An indulgence is granted by Pope Francis throughout this jubilee year (which began on 27 November 2016 and will conclude on 26 November 2017) to: 1.) anyone who would visit Our Lady's Shrine in Fatima f; 2.) anyone who prays before any statue of Our Lady of Fatima solemnly exposed for public veneration in any church, oratory or proper place during the days of the anniversary of the apparitions, the 13th of each month from May to October (2017), and there devoutly participate in some celebration or prayer in honor of the Virgin Mary.”; and 3.) the elderly and infirm to pray in front of a statue of Our Lady of Fatima "and must spiritually unite themselves to the jubilee celebrations on the days of the apparitions, the 13th of each month, between May and October 2017."  

Our parish here in Bulwell is blessed because there is a statue of Our Lady of Fatima in the Poor Clare Monastery Chapel where people who are unable to make a pilgrimage to Fatima during the jubilee could pray and venerate Our Lady's statue.  The Poor Clare sisters, described by Fr John Martin (our new Parish Priest) as "a powerhouse of prayer", have been kind enough to welcome visitors who would like to avail of the jubilee indulgence.

One sunny afternoon, I decided to pay Our Lady a visit. Mother Lilly, the Monastery abbess, opened the door for me. The chapel was empty. As I knelt before Mary's statue, I thought to myself, "I have been to this chapel many times, but it was only now that I had a look at Mary's beautiful face!". It was neither happy nor sad, in keeping with how the three visionaries Lucia dos Santos and her cousins (now Saints) Francisco and Jacinta Marto described her.

I felt at ease with Our Lady's aura and spent a few minutes pouring my heart to her. Beneath her pedestal was a box where devotees could place their prayer requests. I turned left and right to look for a piece of paper and a pen to write my petitions. Luckily, there were sheets of paper and a pen at the back of the chapel. I wrote a handful of requests, I thought of people who need prayers. Later, I approached the statue and placed the sheet of paper in the box. I held Our Lady's left hand, looked once again at her beautiful face, and (because I was all alone in the chapel), sang this popular Marian song:

As I was getting ready to leave, Sr Francis came into the chapel. I thanked her and the rest of the sisters for welcoming me. 

Two things on prayer struck me in that visit: space and specificity. We all need that space to be alone with God, with Mary and the saints in prayer. In a rat race culture we're all in, this could be a challenge. But, as I have seen from some people's experience, if we ask God to give us that space (and time), He'll grant it! 

Being specific with what we pray for is also good because it keeps us focused on what we need, on what frustrates us (be it events, people, or ourselves), and on what comes from the heart. Writing it down especially when you're running out of time helps a lot because it allows you to let go and let God do the rest. It is also heartwarming to know that someone else, like the sisters, are praying for your requests too.

I felt good making that visit to Our Lady. I am happy thinking that she will always be here to guide and protect me, to guide and protect all of us, her children. We need Our Lady, we need the message she gave in Fatima 100 years ago. Entrusting ourselves to her is the way forward if we wish to follow Jesus and obtain the peace which we badly need (Think about Manchester, Marawi, London, Syria, etc.) and which He alone could give.