Crosses I Have to Carry

I believe that when the Lord and my God breathed life into this poor soul, this lowly servant of the Lord, this poor sinner, He did it for a reason… a profound purpose. This belief sustains me and makes my life meaningful. But my challenges continue, even more so now at age 84.

These challenges are like crosses that I have to carry. In a way, these crosses are a gift to me from my Maker, in order to deepen my faith in Him. Thus, I carry these crosses with reverent passion.

The weight of the crosses on my shoulders serves to strengthen my faith during times when I’m down and to celebrate the times when I’m up. Indeed, it makes my life such a thorough experience, with moments for tears and moments for cheers. And the lessons I’ve learn along the way are like a lamp that lights the rest of my life journey. The hurts and pains serve to enhance my endurance such that I become more and more unafraid of what’s yet to come.

The passing of Papa Inting and Mama Pining confronted me with the challenge of running the University. At the time, my brother Eddie was immersed in public service being the governor of Cebu. I took it upon myself to lead in upholding our parents’ legacy, with the support of my siblings Inday Sering and Eddie.

I also had to commit to the continuance of Mama Pining’s works for the Lord and Mama Mary. When my Mama Pining was still very active in her charity works and religious involvements, one time she shared with me, “Dodong, your Lolo Juan (her father), was the one responsible for bringing the image of the Santo Cristo de Limpia in the Basilica del Santo from Spain.” Together with the Augustinian priests at that time, she said, Lolo Juan initiated the Tridium for its annual feast every September, which our family celebrates to this day.

Unfortunately, the untimely passing of my daughter, Jacqueline, last year and the commemoration of her first death anniversary this year – plus the numerous concerns in the University – had sadly gotten in the way of our celebrating the feast day. But we made sure to offer Masses. (The image of Santo Cristo de Limpia stands at the right wing of the Basilica to this day.)

On the other hand, it has become tradition with my wife Nena and me to celebrate the feast of the Blessed Virgin in Lindogon, Simala, every September, for years now. We take part in the celebration during the “bisperas” and sponsor the 10:30 Mass the following morning. We would attend the Masses on the feast day of the Blessed Virgin; officiated by the late Cardinal Vidal, who’d never refuse to do it if his health and time permitted, according to Bro. Martin. Often, Msgr. Esteban Binghay would be with the cardinal and, upon the cardinal’s request, we’d all be sharing a meal afterwards.

A few years ago, after our annual pilgrimage to Simala, Nena and I decided to proceed to Valladolid, Carcar and look for a shady area where we can dine en route to visiting the final resting place of the late Servant of the Lord, Archbishop Teofilo Camomot.

That very first visit to the archbishop’s tomb was to be followed by many more, where we’d pour out our troubles and ask for intercession for personal favors, for thanksgiving of granted favors and to celebrate special occasions like the archbishop’s birth and death anniversaries.

At the end of the day, my heart is full. Despite all the crosses I had to carry each day, I offer prayers of thanks to the Lord. I am fortunate to have the loving and strong support of my wife Nena as I carry out what I set out to do day by day.

If the Lord permits, I will be sharing more on the crosses I had to bear. Crosses that symbolize great love for the Lord, unwavering faith in the Blessed Virgin Mary and fervent optimistic hope for what lies ahead in my journey.