Ben says, “Good bye America, I am outta here!”
August 30, 2009
(Ben Ypil’s daughter finally found a good day care for 1st grandson Rafael, so his Apo-stolic mission finally ended. Unfortunately, his other mission to end his single blessedness – was not “a mission accomplished”. All the single ladies he met - Americans (white and black), Fil-Americans, Koreans, Cambodians, Chinese and Vietnamese, introduced to him by his Cebuano friends in the media 25 years ago, all did not click with him. So he decided to go back home. He said he’ll seek an audience with Cardinal Vidal to possibly become a priest in his old age. Monching) Ben wrote about his 6-month life in the U.S:
As I promised my good friend Monching, I’ll write about my memorable experience as regards my visits to different tourist attractions and historic landmarks in U.S. cities before my apo-stolic mission here in Fort Wayne, Indiana would end and prior to my return trip to the Philippines on Sept. 2, Wednesday, next week.
(Photo: Ben was standing outside the White House for 6 hours waiting for a chance to be invited for a round of beer with President Obama)
“Tempus fugit,” yes, how time flies! I didn’t realize that my stay here would be that long (about six months since my arrival on March 24). As a holder of a ten-year multiple entry visitor visa, I am only entitled to a maximum stay of six motnhs unless extended by the U.S. immigration authorities. But I didn’t bother anymore to request for extension since I have so many pending works to complete back home regarding my early retirement after I turned dual citizen (Filipino citizen and senior citizen) during my birthday on May 18 which, incidentally, coincided with the late Pope John Paul the 2nd’s.
Except on weekends when, almost always, I’d enjoy my sabbatical from my apo-stolic work (read that babysitting my little bundle of joy) I’d be under a voluntary “house arrest” with my grandson Rafael during weekdays. If it’s any consolation, (as my former Freeman boss and the inimitable Nito Jabat would kid me) I’m not placed “incommunicado.” And so, I still have the privilege of sending emails and calling my kith and kin which was my wont day-in and day-out, prompting my daughter and son-in-law to tease me a “call center agent.”
This diversion, in fact, of burning the wires and sending emails as well as reading the national and local news back home (thanks to the internet and modern telecommunication technology) has kept me always abreast of the developments in our country and has made me less homesick, let alone made my stay here a lot more enjoyable and pleasurable.
Aside from Chicago which topped my visits, perhaps, due to the proximity to our place (only more than three hours by long drive and where not a few of my relatives are residing), I’ve gone on brief sorties to Missouri passing by Illinois and Iowa and, of late, Pittsburgh, Wahington D.C.,(where the White House and Capitol Hill are located) Maryland, and Niagara Falls, (in Buffalo, New York side) again all by long drive.
I was, particularly, interested in Niagara Falls not because of its being a tourism jewel but, due to the nature of my previous jobs in the National Power Corporation (Napocor) and, recently in the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo). Unknown, perhaps, to many, Niagara Falls is being harnessed for hydro-power generation that provide not only cheap and clean source of electricity for Canada but also to some parts of the U.S.
I was also gifted by my daughter Michelle and son-in-law Jojo as a reward for my volunteer service (yes, gratis et amore) with two roundtrip plane tickets to Boston which is so rich with historic landmarks and tourist attractions and where I saw the magnificent summer houses of America’s old super-rich like the Vanderbilts and Astors, among others, in Newport, Rhode island when Bill Gates was still unheard of and the JFK Library and Museum.
Finally, the last leg of my weekend visits was to Florida which is famousI for Disneyworld (more than 14,000 acres in land area) that I toured and its beautiful beaches. We motored to Sun Villa Drive in Vero Beach where I had a late lunch with my cousin and her hubby, Dr. and Mrs. Gemma Indolos-Mendoza. In all these two visits to Boston, my former colleagues in the Cebu media Ed Recla and his family and Balt Quinain, Jr. and his wife. Dr. Regina Pongos played gracious hosts just to make my weekend jaunts very enjoyable and memorable.
Capt Mae Castardo Relates Afghan Experience
August 5, 2009
Taga Danao ni Bay:
U.S. Airforce Capt. Mae Castardo-Cunamay, RN
Mernamie ‘Verna’ Castardo-Cunamay, a DAUSA Member, back from tending horrifically wounded soldiers in a frontline Afghanistan field hospital, relates to dausa.org her story and experiences while working for five months in Afghanistan.
I volunteered to enlist in the military service despite the good pay I was getting as a licensed Registered Nurse in Florida and California.
It just hit me one day that I should join the U.S. Air Force, do my share providing the best nursing care, that I can possibly perform for our soldiers in the battlefield.
It’s no different from a successful attorney or businessman, leaving behind wealth and possessions, to become a priest or a monk.
My husband was initially shocked and reluctant letting me go but he also felt and understood that it was some kind of a divine calling and that no- thing could have prevented me from going.
I underwent the same intensive training that every newly enlisted soldier must undergo, especially for Afghanistan deployment. I work as an ICU nurse but also perform other duties as an Airforce officer. I wear the same uniform (ABU) like other U.S. servicemen assigned here, and we also we also salute to our higher ranking officers.
I am at the forward operating base of the Army known as FOB Salerno located at Khowst Province about 12 miles from the border of Pakistan.
Khowst is the backyard of the Taliban. Our hospital has four ICU Units and 4 wards. Victims of suicide bombings, depending on distance from our hospital, are flown here by helicopters. We worked for 8 hrs, 6 days a week with one “on-call” da. But at any time we have to be ready for an any emergency but everyday there is an emergency
We provide care not only for our soldiers but also local nationals (Afghans) injured in ambushes, bomb, land mines, accidents or burnt injuries. Burnt victims are quite common because there is no electricity and villagers used gas lamps and gas stove for cooking.
Nearly every week rockets are fired in our base coming from the Taliban especially during full moon, but rarely hitting their targets, because they were always in a hurry.
The Taliban have planted IEDs on the roads in nearby villages, sometimes hitting our own vehicles. Most victims are Afghans civilians, and we see mangled bodies, severe eye injuries, head injuries, and severed limbs. It’s really horrifying sights but you get used to it because of the frequency of its occurrence.
Family members who visit or keep watch on a patient at the hospital are all males, a male relative, a brother or father.
Injured U.S. servicemen are flown immediately to Bagram Airbase for transfer to Germany, then to the U.S. They don’t stay long at our hospital after surgery, they are flown by chopper to an airbase and flown by plane to its destination for a follow up care. I had flown with patients twice with full body armor and a weapon.
For U.S. servicemen everything is free – for all 33,000 of us here, our pantry looks like a Ralphs, we have unlimited drinks, except alcohol. I always carry a 9M anywhere I go, except to the shower or to the gym. I cannot leave the base.
Last Aug. 18th, three suicide bombers blew themselves in out gate, one killed more than 10 villagers on their way to work .
That same night we were attacked by 15 suicide bombers but thanks to the army, no damage was done inside the base.
Busy is an understatement when we have to take care of more than 20 patients with shrapnel wounds.
Rocket attacks are common in our other bases some worse than others, kiling sometimes contract workers.
The price of freedom is high. Things we take for granted most of the time.
Everyday someone dies out there and knowing we nurses can be of service to them give a new meaning to this profession.
Despite the emotional scars of nursing young soldiers and Afghan civilians blasted by bombs and weaponry, I would have no hesitation returning to Afghanistan. Service to our soldiers is a calling I cannot turn my back.
Taga Danao ni Bay! A Story of Hope
July 15, 2009
Girl, 18, Born Deaf, Now Lives Life Like Regular Teen
By Georgene Rhena P. Quilaton, Sunstar Cebu, July 15, 2009
SHE may have been born deaf but Vania Monsanto, 18, had played the violin at an international conference in Manila and now dreams of becoming a nurse, chef or flight attendant.
In time for the observance of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, Vania and her mother Sonnie want to spread a message of hope for those who are hearing impaired.
Six years after a small device was implanted into her cochlea, Vania is now in third year high school and has been living the life of a regular teenager.
Vania, the eldest of three, was diagnosed to be deaf at two years old.
The diagnosis left her mother Sonnie, a chemistry instructor at the Cebu State College of Science and Technology, and father Victor, a seafarer, disheartened.
Vania Barriga Monsanto (left) with her mother Sonnie
But with the financial help of Sonnie’s aunt, Leonora Barriga-Phillips, a medical doctor based in the United States, Vania underwent cochlear implantation (CI), a technology, which according to Dr. Charlotte Chiong, became commercially available in the US in 1984.
Chiong is a neuro-otologist and is one of only four Filipino surgeons in the country who can perform CI.
She has operated on over a hundred Filipino patients, including Vania, since 1997. She said the success rate so far is 100 percent.
For the first time in Cebu City yesterday, two patients underwent CI at the Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital with the help of a team of Cebuano doctors with Chiong and Dr. Dina Reyes, also an otologist.
Jascha Louise Duyo, 11, and Church Ventura, 4, became the first two Cebuanos to benefit from a more affordable operation.
With her family around, Vania underwent the procedure on May 22, 2003 at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital.
Chiong called Vania “an example of a patient whose family’s commitment pushed the success of the implantation.”
Vania’s abilities to hear spontaneously through her left ear and play the violin are phenomenal, considering she was implanted late, Chiong said.
Doctors encourage early implantation or preferably from 12 months to two years old to produce the best and almost natural results.
Chiong is pushing for the approval of the New Born Hearing Screening Test, a bill by Sen. Loren Legarda that promotes early diagnosis of hearing problems to ensure
early intervention.
While more patients avail themselves of CI, Sonnie is at the forefront of support group meetings with parents of children with cochlear implants to share them her story of hope.
Sonnie estimated that they spent more than a million pesos for the operation, the device and its processor, doctors’ fees, medications, hospitalization and travel expenses during Vania’s operation.
But Chiong said a family’s commitment ensures the success of a CI patient.
“A determined family, including the extended family, produces the most successful kids,” she said.
Sonnie and Victor said they also made sure Vania’s siblings understood what she was going through.
The couple had opted to have Vania use a hearing aid and enrolled her at the Gualandi Preparatory School for the Hearing Impaired.
In 1997, she was transferred to a mainstream school, MZed Christian School.
She learned sign language on her own years later.
To ensure full guidance, Victor stopped going on board international ships when Vania was five.
He and Sonnie, who also resigned from work, decided to be with their three children through their formative years.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on July 15, 2009.
The next Kristi Yamaguchi- Keilani Rudderhman, half Danawanon
May 14, 2009
Danao City, better known in the world for making illegal near perfect copycats of Smith & Wesson revolvers, Colt 45 pistols or other automatic handguns, or where its long dead residents rise from their graves on election day, will soon be talked about in the world as the birthplace of the mother of the world’s figure skating superstar.
Our Danawanon reporter in Washington D.C., Boyito Quiroz, recently brought to our attention that a daughter of a young mother from Sabang, Danao City has consistently won major figure skating competitions in the State of Massachusetts and on her way to grabbing the limelight in the nation’s figure skating scene at a young age of 13.
Boyito Quiros reports to dausa.org:
Her name is Keilani Lynn Rudderham. Her mother’s name is Marilis “Bebeth” Quiros who is the youngest sister of my father. Ate Bebeth was married to an American of British descent, Larry Rudderham. They were married in Maslog, Danao 18 years ago.
They have two children, the older boy is David. The Rudderham family visited Danao around 10 years ago but Ate Bebeth went home recently when her father and my grandfather Isabel Quiros died few years ago.
Below is an article published recently in Lowell Sun of Lowell, Massachusetts
Tyngsboro teen skates her way into the U.S. Nationals
By Kevin Jacobs , kjacobs@lowellsun.com
BOSTON — The moment she glides onto the rink at the Skating Club of Greater Boston, it’s clear that Keilani Rudderham is something special.
At only 13 years old, the Tyngsboro eighth-grader will be competing for a U.S. Figure Skating National Championship on January 18th. Rudderham recently won the New England Regional Championships and placed third in the Eastern Sectional Championships.
“That’s everyone pretty much on the east coast and I came in third, so I qualified for the National Championships,” says a cheery Rudderham. “I’m in the novice division. That’s two levels below all of the Olympic champions.”
Despite skating against girls as old as 17, Rudderham has been able to stand out. Off the ice Rudderham, tall and charismatic, looks like most girls her age. However, on the ice she looks more like a grown woman than a middle school girl. Elegantly and effortlessly carving up the ice, performing breathtaking jumps and complex combinations, Rudderham looks totally comfortable.
“I definitely love skating just because it’s fun,” said Rudderham, “My favorite move would definitely have to be the spiral.”
Rudderham started skating at the age of two, inspired by watching her older brother play hockey. Although she started in hockey skates, by the time she was seven she was lacing up figure skates. It was then that she began training with private coaches, and she’s been skating everyday since.
This will be her first time competing at the National Championships and it should help guide her towards the ultimate goal; competing in the Winter Olympics.
“It’s my first National Championships so I’m just looking forward to having fun and trying to skate my best,” said Rudderham, “In 2010 I won’t be age eligible and I won’t be at the right level yet, so 2014 is definitely my goal to reach.”
She knows it won’t be easy, but it’s something she works hard to achieve. Her dedication to realizing that dream is evident by looking at her daily schedule:
6:00: Wake up & go to school
2:30: Leave school and drive directly to the rink
3:45-5: Stretch and skate
5:10-6:10: Work out
6:15-7:15: Homework
7:30-8:20: Skate
8:30-9:15: Drive home & homework
10:30: Bedtime
Most days she has less than an hour of free time, but what matters most is her time on the ice.
Coming to America – Boyito Quiroz of Sabang
May 11, 2009
Boyito Quiroz recently contacted dausa.org expressing his appreciation for having this website that connects Danawanons with their loved ones, friends, relatives or classmates of long ago, wherever in the world they may be.
He said he came to America barely a year ago with his family in tow, including his parents, a privilege granted to foreign diplomats, U.N. personnel, including employees of World Bank where Boy and his wife work. Boyito is from Sabang, Danao City where he finished his elementary and high school. He studied for the priesthood at the CICM Seminary in Bacolod but later discovered he had another calling in life.
We requested Boy to write for dausa.org to share with fellow Danawanons what life is like for him and his family here in the U.S. or what led him to come to America. (Monching)
My Own Big Family
Most of the Filipino households are numerous. This is not to exclude my parents. Both of them belong to a quite large family. My mother has 8 brothers and sisters and my father has 7. When my grandfather Lucio Andrade passed away, there was a count of more than 50 grandchildren and great grandchildren. Much more, in my Quiroz lineage. The barangays of Maslog and Sabang in Danao City are filled with Quiroz descendants. There is a trace of Quiroz or Quiros to every family native in the area. This is just to show how fruitful the family tree where I belong.
However, this is not the case with my own immediate family. I have only one sister and no brother at all. For health reason, my mother was advised not to give birth anymore after my younger sister was born. If not because of that, I think I may have plenty of siblings as well. Much more I realized that priesthood was not meant for me. If patience just took place, I could have been a missionary and a religious. There is no doubt that I will not enjoy and experience of being a family man, as celibacy is an inherent value and almost equivalent to priesthood.
I usually introduced myself to new acquaintances and to old friends that I have 4 children. Most of the time, if not always I received a “wow” response not because that I look younger to having four, hmmm. Having been here in the US for one year, I understand and realize that it is extraordinary normal to have more than 1 child. This is not to mention the expenses related to child care and the needed quality time allotted to each child’s development. I have not encountered these as I am lucky to have my parents helping me out taking care of the children and other household activities while my wife and I go to work on weekdays.
My big family. My wife, my four beautiful children and my parents during the Cherry Blossoms Festival in Washington DC.
Challenges
Just to live in the US is a challenge in itself. I can count hundreds or more reasons to be worried about. After 1 year of stay, the youthful myths that US is a country of honey and green money is fading. It was even aggravated that the economy is down and struggling and many faced unemployment. Even with hope, the future may seem hard and difficult. The job which I thought is just around was hard to reach. My father whom we expected to have been given his work permit found nothing yet in the mailbox.
Another level of challenge pertains to growing-up children. As much I would like them to remember our values and speak our native tongue, they started to speak otherwise specially with my youngest. She understands Pilipino because she was born in Metro Manila but it sounds awkward anymore to hear her utter salamat or magandang umaga with an “h” in between the letters and with air coming from her nose. She seems not interested anymore to speak the dialect.
I should be adventurous to food as my children no longer like the food I usually cook and enjoy to eat since I was young. They prefer chicken and pasta. My “inun-unan” and tinuwang isda are always keep untouched.
Blessings
Rather than to be sad like the lifeless trees in winter, I always count our blessings. I remember five years ago when my wife and I were lining up early morning at the US Embassy in Manila carrying the documents we prepared for months. It turned out that we were only asked for 3 questions and told right away by the consul that she was not satisfied and stamped our passport with received which meant decline. It is a blessing that we were able to come to America and not even asked to go to the Embassy. My parents and my wife’s parents were given the same visa but did not experience lining up for the interview.
It is a blessing that there is a good public school system where my children continue to develop their talents. It would cost us half of our earnings, like we did back in the Philippines to have quality education. We no longer have to worry where to get the tuition fee at least until they finish high school.
Home is where my spirit smiles
There are still many obligations I need to shoulder and debts that have to be paid. But as they say, America is the land of opportunity and where labor is of great value. I continue to strive to look for that opportunity and use my honest labor to advance in life. This is the new place where my family lives. This is the country that my children grow and find their meaning. I am confident this will be my new home for my spirit starts to smile as the summer is about to come. (Boyito Quiroz, Washington, D.C.)
Coming to America – Mr. Ben Ypil
May 5, 2009
Mr. Benjamin Ypil is a good friend from Danao, a classmate at Santo Tomas School, ex-seminarian (good he left - being a potential embarassment to the Archdiocese – too irrestible to girls – according to him), former Freeman columnist, former PR of Governor Gullas, retired PR Consultant of Napocor, a widower, now single and actively on the look out for a 2nd time around. We asked him to write for dausa.org, and willingly he sent us a nice piece.
My Apostolic mission in the USA
So, this is America! I left Cebu for Manila 5:20pm on March 24, a Monday, then took a connecting flight at 10 pm for Los Angeles which was my port of entry. My daughter in Fort Wayne, Indiana was worried sick because her friend whom she requested to meet me at LAX at 7:35pm (L.A. time) failed to fetch me at the airport arrival area.
Grandpa Ben at Rafael's baptism. Also in photo (2nd from left) is my beautiful classmate at STS in Danao, Grace Ypil-de Leon
So, here I am now doing a l63, better known in ABS-CBN as “Bantay-Bata.” On weekdays, Rafael and I are left at home while my daughter and son-in-law are out working. It is, more often than not, only during weekends that I am able to go out malling or dining. To kill my boredom, I contact my kith and kin here, thanks to Monching Barriga, my classmate during our michievous days in highschool at Santo Tomas in Danao whom Timmy Laurente, another classmate has called the immigration officer here in the U.S. But, of course! Monching is virtually the walking directory of all Danawanons here.
“Single Lady” Candy Canga finally says “I Do”
April 21, 2009
DAUSA’s “Most Eligible Bachelorette” finally gave up the long held title after marrying another Fil-Am from San Francisco, Cris Picar, in a public wedding ceremony in Modesto, California on Sunday, April 18, 2009.
Candy served as Danao Association USA, Inc. (DAUSA) Vice President for 4 years, during the term of Gemma Montegrande, and as Project Manager of the associations’ Adopt-a-Student Program. She had her family in Danao get actively involved in the annual DAUSA Medical Mission, particulary her brother, Dr. Gregory Canga and mother Rose, a registered Nurse.
A resident of Modesto since arriving in California 18 years ago, Candy, a registered nurse, is Surgical Dept Manager at the Sutter Memorial Medical Center. She finished her MBA degree while working at this hospital.
Several fellow Danawanons from Southern California, led by Ben & Dr. Anita Cal-Jackson, DAUSA President, witnessed the solemn and beautiful ceremony.
Cris & Candy Canga-Picar’s Love Story
In November 2007, after 21 days of prayer and partial fasting, Candy shared with her girlfriend her desire to remain single while serving under the Refresh Women’s ministries.
But God had a different plan! On December 8, 2007, Candy’s cousin, Mimi, gave Candy’s cell number to Cris, a friend of Mimi’s best friend. Immediately after the first hello, the couple started to connect and talked for over 2 to 4 hours at a time.
Believe it or not, they fell in love with each other’s soul, mind and spirit over the phone. It was not love at first sight, since they did not even know how each other looked like. Two weeks later, Cris drove down from San Francisco to meet Candy at Mimi’s Café in Modesto.
Afterwards, the couple decided to officially date by attending a church service at Calvary Temple Worship Center. During that service, Candy asked God for a sign if Cris was the one for her. To her surprise, Pastor Glen called out Cris to welcome him in the midst of a crowd of over 500.
The rest is history. Only July 27, 2008, Cris and Candy got married in a private ceremony. They were excited to start a new family. Unfortunately, on September 11, their dream of having a child was not realized.
They successfully overcame this difficult trial with the support and prayers of family and friends. The couple found comfort in Jesus Christ, the Lord of second chances.
On Saturday, April 18, 2009, Candy and Cris had over 200 friends and relatives participate and witness their public wedding vows as they celebrated their love and new life together at the Calvary Temple Worship Center in Modesto, California.
“We need you in our lives just as much as we want to be part of yours,” Cris and Candy declared.
To view more photos, just click this link:
Cris-Candy Canga-Picar Wedding
http://www.flickr.com/photos/monching/sets/72157616985884829/
The “Curious Case” of Richard Seco
January 15, 2009
13-yr old Richard in 2006 with Ben and Anita Jackson
Just recently my wife and I watched the blockbuster movie “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” starring Brad Pitt, who takes on the title role. The story, narrated from Benjamin’s point of view, is about a boy born an old man who must live his life in reverse.
It is certainly an entertaining movie nominated for Best Picture in the Golden Globe Award, and most likely in the Oscars too.
The story of Benjamin quickly reminded me of a patient in the DAUSA Medical Mission which in some way is somewhat similar to Benjamin’s case. Now 15-years old, Richard Seco first came to the Medical Mission in September 1999. He was 5 years old at the time, but looked way too old his age.
Unlike Benjamin who was born old and grew up young, Richard was born normal but contracted a certain kind of disease that made him look old too fast.
Seeing for the first time a rare case of advanced aging, DAUSA volunteers were moved with pity and they gave the ever-smiling Richard some special attention. The young old-looking boy was so pleased of the special treatment given him responded so warmly to the attention. Dr. Anita gave him toys and cash.
Dr. Jackson spent considerable time with the mother and talked about Richard’s “curious case” of advanced aging and how to care for the boy’s skin. She gave the mother enough supply of moisterizing creams to last for months.
The Chief of Medical Mission explained “the aging process of Richard is accelerated; demonstrated by his dry, pigmented desquamating skin especially on his face and stunted height.”
Anita further said, “his skin felt burning when I applied moisterizing cream, but smoothened and felt good with a topical steroid cream (Triamcinolone 0.1% Cream).
Richard and his mother went back to their far flung mountain village of Barangay Cambubho (close to the boundary of the town of Asturias), very happy though nothing much has been done to control the boy’s abnormal aging process.
With the cash gift Dr. Jackson gave Richard, his mother bought him some hens so Richard can raise chickens and earn some money.
During succeeding medical mission, Richara and his mother, never failed to come to the DAUSA Medical Mission to meet Dr. Jackson, at times bringing chicken for the doctor, which the hospital cook made into chicken soup with “kamunggay”.
Last September 2008, Richard showed up again at the Danao Hospital with his mother and a niece, very anxious to meet Dr. Jackson and the medical mission volunteers who became his friends. Unfortunately, they missed the mission due to change of schedule resulting from Bishop’s decision to change the fiesta date. Residents of Barangay Cambubho heard nothing about change of fiesta or the medical mission schedule.
They asked around and found Dr. Jackson at the hme of her regular host, Ricky Mata, on the same day she was flying back to Los Angeles.
Anita related, “he happily dragged me outside the gate to show her his gift – a GOAT! Richard is not only raising chicken but has also gone into goat raising. Richard promised Anita, God willing in next year’s medical mission, he may give his doctor-friend a horse.
Richard will be a young man then, 16 years old, and it is very likely he’ll be looking 76 unless some miracle happens.
The boy is indeed praying for some miracle.
STEVE RAY’S OPEN LETTER TO THE FILIPINO CATHOLICS
January 12, 2008
Finally, something positive about Filipinos. Here’s something very positive written by a foreigner named Steve Ray about Filipinos. Steve Ray authored many best-selling books, among which are, Crossing The Tiber (his conversion story), Upon This Rock (on the papacy), and just recently John’s Gospel (a comprehensive bible study guide and commentary). Steve is also currently filming a 10-video series entitled, Footprints of God. The first two videos are out: Peter, Keeper of the Keys, and Mary, Mother of God (now available here in the Philippines) .
We stepped into the church and it was old and a bit dark. Mass had just begun and we sat toward the front. We didn’t know what to expect here in Istanbul, Turkey. I guess we expected it to be a somber Mass but quiet and somber it was not – I thought I heard angels joyously singing behind me.
The voices were rich, melodic and beautiful. What I discovered as I spun around to look did not surprise me because I had seen and heard the same thing in other churches around the world. It was not a choir of angels with feathered wings and halos but a group of delightful Filipino Catholics with smiles of delight and joy on their faces as they worshiped God and sang His praises. I had seen this many times before in Rome, in Israel, in the United States and other countries.
Filipinos have special traits and they are beautifully expressed as I gazed at the happy throng giving thanks to God. What are the special traits which characterize these happy people? I will share a few that I have noticed-personal observations- as I have traveled around the world, including visits to the Philippines.FIRST, there is a sense of community, of family. These Filipino Christians did not sit apart from each other in different isles. They sat together, closely. They didn’t just sing quietly, mumbling, or simply mouthing the words. No, they raised their voices in harmony together as though they enjoyed the sense of unity and communion among them. They are family even if they are not related
Born again: A child’s 9-year journey to a new life
November 10, 2007
By: PHIL STRICKLAND – For The Californian
(DAUSA Editor’s Note: Merylou underwent a 12-hr surgery on Thursday, November 10, 2007, at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles involving 9 medical-surgical specialists led by a prominent plastic surgeon, Dr. Mark Urata. She is still confined at the hospital. Monching)
Merylou’s eyes, bright, even enchanting, as they can be, aren’t the first thing you notice about her.
What you first notice is that where there ought to be a child’s smile is instead a freakish card dealt her at birth. Between Merylou’s eyes, brow to chin, is a deep opening that is her mouth, cleft palate and all.
It’s not easy to look at, which accounts for the ever present, rarely removed, white surgical mask that hides from the world the 12-year-old Filipina’s affliction.
The surgery necessary to even begin to make some difference in her appearance is nonexistent in the Philippines. And, even if it were, Merylou’s family —- her mother sells food in the streets of their squalid slum and her father paints when there is work —- couldn’t begin to afford it.
A turning point in Merylou’s life came more than nine years ago when her mother Merilyn took her to a clinic in Danao near the one-room shack where she lives with her mother, father Rosendo, an older brother and a younger sister.
It was there that Merylou Barriga and the members of the medical mission team from Danao Association USA, a nonprofit organization composed of Filipinos who have emigrated to the U.S., first came together.
Among the Filipino immigrants in America volunteering their time for the mission that September in 1998 were Dr. Anita Jackson, a Temecula physician who is Merylou’s primary doctor in this country and was chief of the medical mission, and Ramon Barriga, a state-employed legal secretary who is no relation and lives in Winnetka, and was then president of DAUSA.
Jackson and her fellow volunteers immediately set about trying to find help for Merylou.
It proved to be a daunting task, said the Temecula doctor.
Treatment was sought in Japan and South Korea, but “for one reason or another, it just wasn’t available,” Jackson said.
“At long last,” she said, what began that day now will play out in a series of major craniofacial reconstructive surgeries to be performed on Merylou at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles thanks to the determination of DAUSA members, assistance from the International Craniofacial Children’s Fund at the hospital and Mending Kids International, and the generosity of others from whom help was sought.