Let us pledge ourselves to the Highest

(Part II of ‘Where Divinity Descends for Humanity to Ascend’)

All 27 holy monuments in the Trinity of Shrines were erected with the late Punay Kabayao-Fernandez, who was mystically guided by the Blessed Virgin Mary. Punay, an artist-mystic friend of the Solivens, never went into a trance but spoke normally. In her prayers and meditation, she received mystical messages from the Blessed Mother, our Lord Jesus and several saints. Words were not spoken directly to Punay by our Blessed Mother, Lord Jesus and the saints. Instead, they communicate by “interior locution,” thus Punay “hears internally” what the Holy Ones say. I compiled all the information and have been writing about them.

Punay’s partnership with psychic-sculptor Pempe Floriano made possible the creation of these 27 life-like statues: 22 in O.B. Montessori Center, 3 in her own plantation, and 2 in Mt. Pinatubo Shrine. There are 2 wall frescoes: that of Angelique Victoria on the façade of the 8-storey O.B. Montessori college building, and that of St. Francis with St. Claire painted three times and surrounded by 200 animals, which is in the Ristorante La Dolce Fontana.

1986 – The grotto of Our Lord of Sacrifice, World Mother and the Angel with a pointing hand

On Aug. 31, 1986, Dr. Maria Montessori’s birthday, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the school. It was also the year the Marcos dictatorship ended. In celebration, Punay received the mystical request to have the grotto of Our Lord of Sacrifice and the World Mother placed in the OBMC schoolyard. Soon after, a giant Angel with a Pointing Hand was placed above the grotto.

According to author Geoffrey Hodson, this angel, who reminds us to be perfect as the Heavenly Father is, had given this admonition: “Let this be the motto for you all, The Highest – and let all who join our ranks pledge themselves to the motto. We, too, will pledge ourselves, and every time this inward pledge is uttered by a man, an angel shall repeat his pledge like a torch to add to the great reservoir of power apportioned.”

1993 – The Vestal Virgin, Keeper of the Sacred Flame

The upper right-side corner of the OBMC building shows the Roman Vestal Virgin, priestess of Vesta, the Goddess of the Hearth, who cultivates the sacred fire that’s not allowed to go out. The fire symbolizes the continuance and security of Rome. The Vestal Virgin has taken the vow of chastity to devote herself to study and the correct observance of state rituals. Her message carved in marble states: “We are all the Keepers of the Flame . . .the Child is the vessel and bearer of the light of God. From him will shine forth the golden ray of light to guide the destiny of this nation.”

I never thought of having so many monuments, although I did wish to have the statue of Dr. Jose Rizal and Dr. Maria Montessori. These wishes were fulfilled before the groundbreaking of the first construction phase of the OBMC building in 1993.

1995 –  Angelique Victoria, the Angel of Sacrifice and Hope

In 1995, as the new eight-story facade of the O.B. Montessori College loomed in the Greenhills shopping area, the 22nd spiritual creation was produced. The largest, most beautiful angel in the country, Angelique Victoria (or Angel of Sacrifice and Hope) was painted with the inscription, “Through Pains to Gains” – referring to the various encounters of the school for the past 50 years. As a mural painting, she has been robed in fuschia and violet with a rose in her bodice, framed by sparkling giant golden wings.

The late Punay worked closely with Pempe on each dictated detail of color, texture, body, and facial expressions for six months. They paid particular attention to the outline of the hands holding the Holy Grail and Sword. Punay also reminded us to pray continuously because negative forces often distracted the sensitive sculptor.

The chalice is the highest divine symbol of mankind, evoking God the Son’s greatest SACRIFICE for man and the HOPE it brings. Ever since the Last Supper, the Holy Grail has been associated with the spiritual battle of man against evil. King Arthur and his Excalibur sword have inspired leaders of great nations. Men like Winston Churchill, Douglas MacArthur, John F. Kennedy, Jose Rizal and Ninoy Aquino courageously followed The Way with all its crushing passion and crucifixion. They in turn have inspired the literate youth, especially during these crucial times. Schools help keep alive the quest of the youth to reach these ideals. Thus, teachers must know how to uplift their souls, not only expand their minds, and vivify their understanding.

Dec. 25, 1995 - photo finish, the Holy Family in technicolor

Angelique Victoria was finished by Dec. 7, 1995. The next day was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the painting of the Holy Family started. At first, the Holy Ones objected to my secret wish that the 13 figures be painted in time for Christmas.

There were only two weeks left before Christmas. Pempe calculated that each statue would require two weeks to paint. Thirteen of them would therefore need more than six months. But after a few days, just while Angelique was almost finished, the Holy Ones changed their mind, granting my wish. Lo and behold, the whole ensemble was all colorfully painted from Dec. 8 to the eve of Dec. 24. Philippine STAR put this colored picture on its front page for its Christmas issue in 1995.

The Shrine blessings continue to flow

From 1996 to 1998 the OBMC College started to offer two courses: the Montessori Preschool Teacher Training course and a four-year course in Culinary Service. Eventually, two-year Proficiency courses for each specialization were added, together with an apprenticeship at the Italian Ristorante La Dolce.

I continued to work in the UNESCO National Commission from 1986, when I was elected to the Executive Board of UNESCO Paris, until 2002. From that year to 2010, I became Secretary General of the UNESCO National Commission, initiating projects to meet the goal of quality education for the UNMDG 2015 by introducing the EFA DAKAR pilot Pagsasarili project in the Pulung Bulu public school in Angeles, Pampanga. In partnership with the local government, Luzon DepEd regional offices and the teacher training state colleges of Leyte, Cadiz and Mati, Davao, we have helped establish 160 affordable Pagsasarili Montessori preschools in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Alongside this effort, since 1986 to 2010, my UNESCO Commissioners and I exchanged visits with ten Southeast Asian countries surveying their comprehensive educational systems while seeking their recognition for our proposal to be Category 2 Center as Southeast Asia Center for Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development (SEA-CLLSD). At the 2010 General Conference, DG Koichiro Matsuura and the Executive Board officially approved the SEA-CLLSD of the Philippines as Category 2 Center.

A wisp of wind, a glimmer of gold, the hand of God of Love enfolds.

Raindrops of hope, dewdrops of care, gentle reminders, God is everywhere.