In one of Fr. Jerry M. Orbos, SVD’s books — Just a Moment — he asks a powerful question: “Was there a moment in your life when you experienced God in a very real and personal way?” My answer is a wholehearted yes — not just once, but many times. I didn’t grow up religious. I wasn’t taught to rely on God’s grace. As a child, life felt messy, hopeless, and out of control. I wanted to grow up fast so I could fix the things I hated most — especially the way we were living. Back then I didn’t know it, but God was already working behind the scenes. The first time I truly felt His presence was in 2008, when I passed the bar exam. That year, the passing rate was unexpectedly adjusted — something I saw as God’s perfect timing. Honestly, if that didn’t happen, I don’t know how I would have survived it. It was a turning point that made me believe God sees us, hears our whispered prayers, and knows how much we struggle. From that day, I promised myself to live ri...
Back in the day, when Holy Week was just around the corner, I’d always feel a bit uneasy. Not because of anything scary or religious — but because I knew it meant one thing: another long, “boring” week at home. As a 90s kid growing up in a typical Filipino household that wasn’t particularly religious or outgoing, Holy Week felt like being grounded for seven days straight. There was no television. Stations would go off-air starting Maundy Thursday, and the only things you’d hear on the radio were mellow songs or church readings. Even the usual laughter and noise in the streets would quiet down. Kids like me weren’t allowed to play outside, and it felt like the entire neighborhood went on a strict “quiet mode.” I still remember the eerie silence, only broken by the sound of the pabasa in a nearby house, or the occasional procession passing through our street. People in black sutanas (robes) would walk solemnly, and adults would warn us, "Ayan na ang mumu!" to mak...