Tweet“Flowers have an expression of countenance as much as men and animals. Some seem to smile; some have a sad expression; some are pensive and diffident; others again are plain, honest and upright, like the broad-faced sunflower and the hollyhock.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher Summer afternoon…oh the summer afternoon. I...
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Tweet“If I die, Mama, will I be alive again?” Luijoe asked. My six-year-old was lying on the bed, flipping through the prayer books piled on his tummy. It was Holy Week, a month before that fateful day of May 27, 2000. I turned my body to face his and stroked his cheek. How could I explain the mysteries of death to a little...
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TweetSo if someone says to us, by word or by action, “You should be over that by now,” we can recall the words from the Talmud: “Judge no one before you have been in his place.” When people ask how many kids I have, I always say three children and pretty soon, the question goes on details like “are...
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Tweet I am listening to “Tomaso Albinoni- Adagio in G Minor by Gizatto” as I write this post. I’m exhausted. Not from work but from trying to figure out things from 3:00 PM till midnight yesterday. That’s all I can do. I can only do so much. It is not my job to control people, outcomes, circumstances, life....
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Tweet Luijoe meadow somewhere in the North, where his grandparents live today A few years ago a highly rated and popular TV magazine contacted my husband and I to share our painful experience and grief recovery for their “Holy Week” feature. The theme centered on “The Seven Last Words” and our story will...
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TweetWhen I was a little girl, I loved reading books about saints. It must have been their courage and faith which struck me the most. There was even a time I imagined the Virgin Mother Mary to appear in front of me. Sitting on a rock at the back of our house, I prayed, clutching on to the rosary beads and waited for the Blessed...
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TweetThe Kingdom of God is inside you, and all around you, not in mansions of wood and stone. Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift a stone, and you will find me. –”Stigmata” Like all Catholic schools, Religion was taught as early as First grade. I can still remember my book with images of clouds, and a man...
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Tweet“A part of you has grown in me, and so you see, it’s you and me together forever. Never apart, maybe in distance, but never in heart.” There are friends that come and go and there are friends that make a huge mark in our lives. It must have been 30 something years ago when a friend gave me a bible. Inside the...
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Tweet I do not understand why the good Bishop Oscar Cruz calls it the “Sex Bill 4244″ when it is plainly, Reproductive Health Bill HB 4244. You know what the Bishop said ? End products of Sex Bill 4244: Promiscuity. Insensibility. Amorality. Risa Hontiveros delivers a brillant rebuttal to the Sex Bill. End products of...
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Tweet“The Day of Judgment is an important notion: but that Day is always with us” Alfred North Whitehead (Updated- May 22, 10:30 AM ) Is it really the end of the world? There are thousands of Twitter conversations that center on Rapture, the “Judgment Day” that some believe is set for today, Saturday . “Don’t...
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Tweet Spoiler Alert …. Most weekends, my husband and I watch the movies. Today, he felt like watching “Priest” and he says it is a movie about a priest who is for the RH Bill. I knew he was kidding “Aww really?” I quickly searched for a synopsis. Apparently, the movie is an adaptation of a Tokyopop...
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Tweet“Forgiveness means that we are not going to allow the experiences of the past to dominate our future” Photo Credit How often have our loved ones hurt us to the point of saying “I will never forgive ____”? Well, I haven’t ever said that but I did hear others say such line. Being unforgiving...
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TweetNo matter what you’ve done for yourself or for humanity, if you can’t look back on having given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished? - Lee Iacocca I felt so blessed during the beatification of Pope John Paul II. Perhaps because he once blessed my daughter at the Raigiubeleo...
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TweetPope John Paul II has just been beatified. I feel so blessed. I prayed for my special intentions already. I reminded my daughter to pray too. She is blessed to have been blessed by the Pope in January 5, 2001. Only one miracle is needed to start the canonization process of Blessed John Paul II and declare him Saint.. I hope...
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Tweet“To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children. Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others.” Pope John Paul II Pope Benedict XVI set May 1 as the date for Pope John Paul II beatification, a step toward possible sainthood. Whenever I look at Pope...
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TweetEaster Day will always remind me that my son is just around me. I believe he is somewhere living an eternal life. This station of the cross painting is also a reminder that I am comforted by many “St. John’s” in my life. In those temporary moments of deep sadness, these two memories bring me...
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Tweet“When we are unable to find tranquillity within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.” Francois de La Rochefoucauld Discovering a tranquil peace at Luijoe meadow leaves me energized and comforted. Luijoe’s grandparents named this “Luijoe meadow”, a playground to frolic at their mountain...
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TweetSo when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?” (John 13:12) At the St. Francis Chapel inside Padre Pio Center in Libis The Holy Week is always special to me as I recall my last Lenten holiday with my son 11 years ago....
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My grief journey culled from edited 2006-2010 blog entries are now converted to an ebook format and "Print on demand". Read story behind the ebook.
Touched by an Angel e-book is now available for purchase. For inquiries and reservations, please call Vee Press sales department at +632-712.9156 ext. 350 or email sales@vibalfoundation.org
This is about me ( a Filipina mom) and my journey to a "new normal" after the death of Luijoe , my beautiful 6 year old son.
Recovery is a work in progress.... read more?
Celebrating love , life and experience at the Lady Gaga Born This Way Ball
Bullying in Philippine Schools
A hug is a handshake from the heart
A letter to my daughters. Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough
Being romantic in Batanes : A time to celebrate the beauty, gift, and the blessing of enduring love.
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