Minnie's decision

Minnie is my youngest sister. Still single. Living wih my mom and Violet, my other sister, in Paranaque.

At 40, you will probably think she is in her late 20s or early 30s. Her small stature, fair complexion and baby-like face will not give away her real age. But for the past couple of days, she probably has matured and grown way past her real age. A dermoid cyst was discovered this week in her ovary which needs immediate surgery.

We went to see Dra. Nagtalon, Chief's new OB Gyne, last Wednesday morning at UERM. The cyst was confirmed and the doctor stongly adviced for an immeidate surgery as it could "rupture." The cost. 100,000 pesos.

Now, Minnie faces a crucial chapter in her life. A decision to be made. UERM or Medical Center Paranaque? A major operation. A possibility she might lose her own chance for motherhood. A ckean bill of health for a chance to work in Canada.

As my sister goes through these ordeal, we had many long conversations. We had lunch at the UERM Canteen and told her that the cost should not be a factor in making a decision on where to have surgery. Even if MCP was half the cost of UERM. Does she trust the doctor? Is she an expert in this types of surgeries? Why is the MCP price half the cost of UERM? How are their facilities? It is definitely no among the ranks of Asian Hospital or St. Luke's or Medical City. There is definitely a big gap between the standards of UERM and MCP... And I trust UERM better. They will not even notice you entering the emergency room of MCP. We know. We experienced it when we brought in my mom for an emergency a couple of months ago.

Is there a previous relationship with the doctor? After all, she and mom only discovered her by chance at MCP, unlike Dra. Nagtalon, with whom Chief has gone through a D & C for Christian Gabriel. Told Minnie that we

Gave her my "expert" opinion, after all that I have learned being with Chief as we went through our own parenthood steps with Dra. Desquitado and Dra. Nagtalon. I could have "insisted" Minnie have her surgery at UERM. I could have asserted my role of being "kuya" But ultimatelly, Minnie and my mom will decide.

She has made her choice. Prayers for Minnie will help. Faith and trust in God is all I have now. Plus, Angel Christian Gabriel looking after my sister, Fermina Velez.

Late night coffee with Fr. Armand

Last Sunday, June 25, 2006, we finally met up with Fr. Armand Robleza.

It was our second time together to hear Fr. Armand's words at Mass in Don Bosco. Tonight, he focused on three words, faith, focus and forgiveness!

Fr. Armand talked about man's fears. "Natatakot ba kayonsa mga multo" he asked the parishioners. He explained that our own fears are multiplied many times over. "Iyon multo ninyo dumadami kapag natatakot kayo. Mayrun na sa kuwarto, sa sala, sa banyo, sa kotse." he described.

He said that we must conquer our own fears with the "3Fs." He narrated the story of how the apostles feared the thunder and lightning and the storm out in the Sea of Gallilee. They called out for Christ's help out of their own fear, even though they were much familiar with that sea and its storm, being fishermen.

After Mass, Chief and I waited until all his well-wishers and friends has said goodbye and good night to him. Fr. Armand was such a popular priest here at Don Bosco Church and it was usually a 15 minute wait until he was totally free. People would come to him for blessing or even just a warm hug, specially , among the younger one. We saw a whole family come to him for prayers and blessings. He spread his arms and prayed over them.

Finally, he was all ours. He changed to a black t-shirt which said, "Bosconian ako... from elementary to eternity." I noticed he was wearing Dockers slacks. Black.

I said, "Ang ganda ng shirt mo Father. Mayroon bang kapatid iyan."

He replied, "Kaya nga suot ko. Mayroon puti nito."

I asked if he had dinner already and replied "I will have coffee with you." There was a slight drizzle was we walked to Shaq. He sat in the front as Cecile took a back seat.

We proceeded to Starbucks at Greenbelt 1. We talked about many things our own lives. Vision of Code Red. Ateneo. Greis wanting to meet him. Fr. Nim leaving the Jesuits. His studies in Rome. Giving up and again handling Don Bosco Communications. Homilythics. Out of the box thinking for seminarians. Spies from San Carlos Seminary. Mass during EDSA 2. "Sugog mga kapatid" Homily. March to Malacanang. Decency and no name-calling against Erap. Other priests afraid to give homilies during EDSA 2. USP for eggs by Don Bosco. 21 million pesos needed for his magazine to reach more schools nationwide. The kindness of Menlu from San Miguel Corporation. UCPB's IT team help for a website. Recording his Sunday homilies. Teaching media education at Don Bosco Seminary or High School. Driving down from Baguio and guessing number of churches along the highway. Karol's Ten years. Importance of communications from the philosophical and practical viewpoints. Sainthood. Working with DECs on values for students. Faith. Unborn babies becoming angels.

Cecile was surprised to find out that Carol San Pedro, was the editor of "CODE Red" Magazine. Carol and Cecile were colleagues in J Walter Thompson. Fr. Armand even called her up at the late evening and handed his phone to Cecile so that the two ladies could talk. Apparently, Carol had not known that we had returned from Vietnam already.

I was teasing Cecile to get involved in the publication too. Even Fr. Armand brought up the idea. But I did offer to write and asked Fr. Armand to let Carol call me so we could discuss these possibilities.

Fr. Armand adviced us to pray to St. Sabio, a young 15 year old Don Bosco saint, whose miracle was giving a baby to a couple. He also said to pray to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. I told him that Don Bosco Church was very significant to us it was the last new churach that we had both visited and prayed together for a baby.

He told us a story of a woman who had two abortions and was being overcome by guilty about it. She now had one baby but still couldn't overcome the feeling of losing two lives.

And one evening, they were talking on the phone. Around 1am. He advised the woman to get over the loss and move on... by lighting two candles in their house in memory of the two babies who died. He waited on the phone as she lit her candles and prayed to the two babies. "Kausapin mo sila. Magdasal ka sa kanila. Mayroon ka ng dalawang angels ngayon." Fr. Armand explained.

Now, we were even more convinced that we had Angel CG looking down upon us. And ever more grateful that the Lord gave us a chance at parenthood and help bring about a new angel.

Definitely, we shall have coffee again with Fr. Armand. Soon. I hope.