I greet the New Year with great hope and positivity as always, with a solemn prayer for better things tucked in for good measure.
Better things because I am feeling blessed as can be, having overcome the greatest hurdles of my life, which come with bringing you the news through Balita.
Looking back, it is interesting to note that it has been a year of pleasant engagements and achievements, despite the restrictive rules imposed by Covid-19.
One significant event I went through recently was attending a healing seminar, a therapy session, on the invitation of a close friend who was there with me, at Regina Mundi Renewal Centre in Queensville.
Run by the Magnificat Charismatic Prayer Community, it was the ideal place for me for soul-searching, for unburdening, and spiritual guidance from the Lord.
I was in the groove, until we came up to the part about forgiveness and reconciliation. Then it must have been my inner self that took control because what I said was what I have internalized all along that “I don’t think I can ever forgive in this lifetime”, of course with a particular life event in mind.
I must have looked pitifully because the retreat crowd were sympathetic. Kababayans in the group could instantly relate, they said, “we in this community all know what you went through and what happened”.
Thankfully, the session leader, Deacon Bob, explained and affirmed what happened to me. I was thankful, it calmed me to restore my footing.
The inspirational Speaker, Father Rony, further affirmed that I was now in God’s graces as never before because by coming to the seminar I had already started the journey towards true spiritual healing.
It is the hardest thing to accept how the justice system can work by technicalities, but that there is also what they say as karma that can bring balance- in the real world.
I confessed that seeing these people in events, gives me the feeling of evil spirits around and a great fear that the place would explode in any moment. I know this is where I need spiritual guidance. Fr. Rony said, it is a normal feeling.
Deacon Bob Rosales added a similar personal experience- he has with someone with evil vibes, that when they are together it makes him smell Sulphur… so it must be in the bible, which was such a great relief.
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Yes, I made some people instantly rich, with money that they have never had in their lives. But we know from what the old folks, anything that were taken deviously would also get the big curse or karma that comes with it.
I made a mistake of fighting by hiring the wrong person to defend us as I totally underestimated their greed and diabolic power. But in the end, we all seen how divine justice intervened and it is far from over.
History gives us examples. The Dictator who amassed ill-gotten fortune from the nation’s coffers who declared Martial Law to hide his loot was mercilessly ousted in the people’s revolution.
I watch in disbelief and in sympathy as our own black spider widow do her local version of grabbing the limelight and every photo-op in our social gatherings, and not caring if people appreciate her presence.
As they would share intimately with me later. Was it not that we Filipinos are polite people, they said they would have stood up and left?
I cannot help but compare her to the life of the “shoe museum” lady, hated by the people in the homeland, and disdained throughout the world.
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Meanwhile, in our community unfolding is the other big story coming after the sale of our Filipino community center. With millions of profits on hand, the Board made pay-outs to Officers that members say are highly questionable.
In the beginning it was an all-out effort in the community to put up the center. organizations fund-raised and contributed big sums. For years it was run by selfless and resolute volunteers, including the Board of Directors.
When there was money to be had, suddenly there were officers to be paid.
Balita will continuously publish their call for investigation and restitution.
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Finally, with the recent calamity wrought in the homeland by Typhoon Odette, it is to the credit of the Filipino sense of community, that organizations are starting fundraising and relief campaigns to help the victims. `
We in Balita wish to add our support to these efforts, but we caution, as in past experiences, which let us be careful to give aid only to legitimate and transparent campaigns who will give us an accounting of their collections.
Alternatively, report to us any opportunist or fraudster who prop up in times like this to exploit and profit from the situation by filling up their personal bank accounts.
Further, let us share that information with the Philippine Consulate General’s office for their coordination. We are again fortunate to have a ConGen, Orontes Castro, whose heart is truly with the Filipino people, bridging our local community with those in our homeland, always involved and ever present in all community activities.
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Moving forward, Balita will continue in its mission to look after our community’s welfare and interest, as set forth by its Founder and Publisher Emeritus, my husband Ruben Cusipag. I know our community is squarely behind us since start, and it is with this confidence in mind that I will also continue to serve you, our reading public, advertisers and supporters with the best that I can do.
From all of us, Balita contributors, advertisers and staff, let us welcome 2022 with open hearts and minds, and hope for better things to come. *****