My Friend Whom I Call Ems

I am blessed to have a lot of good and genuine friends. Usually I prefer to call them differently in my most endearing and exhilarating way. Thus, I would like to share with you about my friend whom I call Ems.

I was invited by Ems and her husband Joecel to join them in their house so that we can help and support each other paying for the house rental and other shared expenses which is a common practice among Filipino expats here working in Jakarta. We have established a good and loving friendship, hence, I felt that I am a member of her family. Well, you may say that I am their “adopted handsome son” since they only have one beautiful and smart daughter whom I call Samya.

For some inevitable reasons, I have to go back home to the Philippines which made us part ways for awhile. Nonetheless, we still kept in touch with each other through FB. Thanks to Mark Zuckerberg because it was very easy for me to communicate to anyone especially with my family and good friends. As we chat and update each other on Facebook, I told her that I might go back to Jakarta and look for a job. She offered me her place and assured me of her unconditional and genuine support .

When I came back to Jakarta on March 2011, I initially stayed in the house of my equally good and loving friend whom I call Binoy who is known as Elvin for many. Eventually, I moved to the house of Ems with Joecel and Samya. I was overwhelmed and felt very blessed by the magnanimity and outpouring of love and support of her family. One day, when I was scheduled to serve as a lector in one of the biggest Catholic churches here in Jakarta, Ems just woke up for me and cooked my breakfast. She never mind cooking for me eventhough she knows that I can cook for myself. Her being sensitive and caring as a friend has made me feel more the blessing of God. Just like a sister, she offered financial help which I really badly needed at that time. She would always ask me of what I need and she would make me feel assured together with Joecel that they are ready to help me all the way.

Most especially, I have fully realized that Ems can go beyond making sacrifices just to share her love and goodness of heart as a friend. She agreed to my request to stay with her family and gave me the room intended for their daughter Samya. I just can’t thank her enough and her husband as well for doing such a great and unselfish act of love and kindness.

Well, Ems also has her crazy and whacko character which unfortunately she got from her husband Joecel, hehehehehe! Peace Ems and Joecel! Since I have a poor vision, she was instructing me on how to hunt and kill the mosquitoes but apparently there was none. Also, I will never forget the time when I went home to bring good news and when I entered the house they were all gone. Hmph! I have to look around only to find out that I have to play hide and seek with them. All of a sudden, the whole family just came out from nowhere laughing at me. You got me there!

Ems, I would like to thank God for I have known you as a friend and that He has blessed me with your unfathomable love, concern, and generosity in the most tumultuous and challenging part of my life. I will never ever forget every single act of kindness that you have given me. It is my hope and prayer to God to continue to bless you and your family because you are one person I know who truly deserve all the love, abundance, and happiness in this world.

Happy Birthday Ems and see you at D' Cost! hehehehehehe!

Block Rosary to Our Lady of Fatima

On September 8, 2011 will be the birthday of our blessed Mother Mary which coincides with the 5th year anniversary of the block rosary of our Lady of Fatima here in Jakarta, Indonesia. It all started from a bonding moment I had with my brother Terry who was working in Jakarta at that time. We asked help from friends and thru the kindness and support of Tintin and Sharlene we were able to commence with our first day of devotion to Our Lady of Fatima at the residence of the family of Bro. Andy and Sis. Tintin Magbitang in Bona Indah.

Filipinos working in Jakarta gather as a small community in a house of a family who volunteers to be the host of the block rosary on a weekend. Every time we pray and meditate on the mysteries of the holy rosary, we offer our intentions of thanksgiving, adoration, contrition, and supplication for everyone present and for the intentions of all people who need most of God’s blessings. This has been our fervent desire and our simple way of showing our love to God through our devotion to His beloved Mother Mary.

After five years of working in Indonesia, I went back home to the Philippines to take care of my sick father together with my brother Terry who committed ourselves to this devotion. By God’s loving grace, the zealous and faithful followers of the block rosary continued its’ weekly prayer and sharing. My brother and I felt very happy knowing that it goes on with its’ true and genuine mission of unceasing and sincere prayer for all the intentions of God’s beloved people. Most especially, I have witnessed the gradual learning and praying process of the children who at their very young age were able to pray the holy rosary through the guidance and support of their loving parents. I humbly believe that these children will pass on whatever good experience they learn from praying the rosary and hopefully it will draw them closer to God.

I vividly recall that Terry and I started to learn praying the rosary at a very young age too. It was difficult and scary at first because we were afraid to commit mistakes. As we slowly move our fingers bead by bead and utter the prayers which we tried to recite by heart, we just found ourselves engrossed into it. We regularly join the elders in our barrio as we queue for procession while holding a candle and sing songs for Mama Mary as we bring her image to the next host family. As we grow in faith, we realized that our humble devotion to our blessed Mother has become a way of life for both of us. With all humility, I can say that I am a living witness to Mother Mary’s intercession. I was blessed and still being blessed with great things more than the human mind and heart can comprehend.

As I reunite with my friends in Jakarta for our weekly devotion to our Lady of Fatima, it is my humble hope and prayer that we continue to grow in God’s love and spirit as one prayer community through the intercession and maternal protection of our beloved mother, Our Lady of Fatima!