10:38

I founded Ephesus Home, a home and foundation for abused girls. October 1, 2020 is our 20th anniversary and in our 20 years of service, more than 100 children have passed our way. Among these children, two went on to become nurses, one became a pharmacist, and others became social workers and graduates of IT and HR. I devote this accomplishment to the Lord, but I am still searching for an even higher service to God. I am 67 years old - I want to find someone who can inherit and run the place when I eventually retire. We’re meeting people who come back here regularly to serve the children. I'm hoping they get to embrace what I’ve done because I’ve given my all for these children.

21:27

I always wanted to be a priest, even now. As a matter of fact, a priest asked me what more I want in life when I’m already living a priestly life. I answered, to form a semi-monastic community. But living a priestly life didn’t always stick with me. In fact, it faded when I was a teenager all the way to my young adult life. I moved to Manila after high school and worked blue collar jobs. Eventually I enrolled in college as an undergrad pre-med student, but I didn't finish due to financial difficulties. I worked at the Philippine Heart Center, and during my time there I felt bitter because I was assisting my classmates in pre-med. If I only had the money, I could’ve been a doctor. I then joined PAL in 1978, where I had the mindset of conquering the world. The next 20 years as a flight attendant became a life of drinking, addiction, and excess.

My life began to turn around during a trip to Israel when I visited an orphanage called Ephesus and had mass there. In their chapel, I discovered the stampita wherein Jesus told John, “John behold your mother, Mary. Mary behold your son John.” I felt God calling out to me - I went home intending to put up a foundation for HIV victims because many of my friends suffered from HIV, and I wanted to help them. But I was criticized by others and the proposal I gave was declined. People often asked me, why would you want to help HIV victims if they’re going to die anyways? The governor of Bulacan then told me, ‘why not put up an abused home for abused girls since we don't have that yet here.’ I did that instead and gave a proposal that was accepted.

My life circled around - while the first half of my life was characterized by indulgence and pleasure, the second half which I would say is the better half, has been much more peaceful and meaningful. I got tired of the meaningless and empty life of pleasure. Looking back, I would say that God had his ways of humbling me. I’ve reached some pinnacle in my life. I’m slowing down now and living a life of obedience and simplicity and purity. In the grand scheme of things I find joy in my sacrifices. I know that the Lord is with me and that He won't let go of me. I am very thankful for the little things and I'm not worried anymore because of my faith in Him.

48:08

I promised the Lord to be sincere and loyal to my promises. I understood, through raising these children, the suffering involved in the apolisitc mission. I’ve learned to embrace the joy received from suffering. There are always obstacles and challenges, and if you don’t know how to handle it, you enter a state of loneliness. My goal now is to serve other people - I have so much love in my heart to give. I need to share this. I have that kind of foundation in my life. The home for the girls came in spontaneously and I was ready to give to others that love in my heart. That’s one of the reasons why I put up this home for these girls because it provides a sense of security in a sense that the joy of raising these children is the essence of love. I simply cannot stop even if my family and friends tell me that what I have done is already enough. What I need now is the continued strength to go on.