Health News and Scoops

 “To receive something you never had,

you have to do something you never did.

And when God takes something from your grasp,

He’s not punishing you,

but merely opening your hands

so you can receive something better from Him.

Remember, the will of God will never take you

to where His grace will not protect you.”

– Lito Casaul, NAIA”

MANILA, Philippines – Monte Maria, the healing and spiritual center of the ministry of Fr. Fernando Suarez of the Companions of the Cross in Alfonso, Cavite turns one year old today. Some 10,000 pilgrims are expected to flock to the “big tent chapel” at the sprawling grounds of the center which was once grazing land for San Miguel Corporation’s cattle herd.

SMC has turned over 33 acres to Fr. Suarez’s foundation which will be surrounded by a mini-city developed also by the giant corporation. Monte Maria has attracted thousands of pilgrims in the past year with its weekend healing masses, vigils, and livelihood, feeding and medical projects.

Development of the site as a pilgrimage center which is the original vision of the ministry and its foundation is on-going.  Soon, the basilica and shrine of Mary Mother of the Poor will be completed.

So, for those who seek healing miracles, come to Monte Maria and receive manifestations of Jesus’ caring love!

And now, from our mail box:

“I wish to share with you, Ms. Deedee, a memorable experience I had midnight of Monday, March 7.

I was waiting for my flight back to Manila close to midnight at the Cebu Pacific departure lounge in Jakarta.  It was a quiet and lazy wait with most people dozing off while awaiting departure.  Moments later, formally dressed persons began to arrive, obviously awaiting the arrival of a VIP.  We thought that surely, it would not be P-Noy arriving at this unholy hour on a regular flight from the Philippines.

When we noticed that the formally dressed persons stood up, so did we, hoping to catch a glimpse of who this VIP was and the sight which beheld us was our very own President with his bubbly stride and without much fanfare waving at those who were curious enough to awaken and line up the glass- lined staircase where P-Noy passed.

We then proceeded to board the aircraft and I was expecting to enter one with a first class or at least a business class section where surely our president would have seated himself but to our surprise, the aircraft was a small one with only economy seats throughout.

Having gotten a seat at one of the front rows of the aircraft, I imagined that perhaps this was the seat that PNoy occupied.  I did not feel special thinking that this was the presidential seat but rather, I felt comforted by the thought that my seat was the one occupied by PNoy, a seat of an ordinary Filipino citizen.

In last Ash Wednesday’s mass, I prayed that P-Noy be protected whenever he gets caught up in traffic like all of us do. I also prayed that he be given clarity of mind and clearness of heart when he makes decisions for our people.  And may he share more seats with us, the ordinary Filipino.”

Salamat  too, Dr. Joel Ignacio, the country’s top orthopedic surgeon and spine expert for sharing your thoughts on P-Noy who had to gamely trudge up 24 storeys in the underground water recycling facility of Singapore because the elevator broke down!!Not only in the Philippines! Welcome back, Mr. President.

And on a very personal front…please pray for my March-born sisters Cielo and Lita, our manang from way back, Gloria Villanueva, the No. 1 fan of VP Jojo Binay, and our friends- our balae Cora Barte and  Lipa First Saturday “classmate” Dolly Nazareno, also of Mary’s Way and dear friends Charisse Chuidian of Mandarin Hotel and Lydia Castillo of StarWeek …if getting older means cementing more bonds with kin and friends. I am so thankful I notched another year!

My Intengan side of the family  remembered my maternal grandfather,  one of the pioneering  surgeons in the country, and a Public Health director in the era when these  unselfish doctors served with pride in the hinterlands,  UST graduate Dr. Gabriel  last March l7 . My dearest Hubby Sonny should be turning 72  on Sunday 20 but since he is now in  the Kingdom  of eternal sunshine, I know he is so enthused about the loving support  his “my girl, that’s my wife, yata! “ was showered with.

Meanwhile…Malacañang and Congress allies have batted for the postponement of the August ARMM elections, citing the need to: 1) conduct first an audit of ARMM fund utilization; 2) save on election funds; 3) cleanse the ARMM voters’ list; and 4) initiate reforms as ARMM.

The Palace has also floated the idea of appointing a caretaker government at ARMM composed of officers-in- charge (OICs). Alas, the plans have been met with howls of protest from some leaders of ARMM. The consensus is that the postponement is illegal and that the excuses being given by the administration are “hollow” according to Rep. Simeon Datumanong and former senator Nene Pimentel, the father of Local Government Autonomy and the ARRM Autonomous Region. They claim it violates the Constitution and the ARRM charter.

They point out that Comelec itself has brushed aside Malacañang’s claims of lack of election funds, saying it has P1.8 billion with which to conduct the ARMM elections as scheduled. In fact, the Comelec has already set the registration of new voters at ARMM on March 21-31, 2011.

The oppositors say also that Muslim Filipinos must not be “robbed” of their right to choose their own leaders. He said that the August election would give a fresh mandate to leaders that would stir economic activities and spur stability at ARRM. In the sidelines of the recent LEDAC meeting, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile asked Pres. Aquino to thoroughly consult first with ARMM stakeholders since their opposition to the postponement is very apparent, according to House Minority leader Edcel Lagman.

Article source: Read More

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