It Is Just As Good To Receive As It Is To Give
By: Lou Maningas Cabalona
TRIVIA: there are an estimated 1 billion valentines cards sent each year? For a second, it crossed my mind “how come I haven’t gotten any in a while?” Before you think I am surrounded by uncaring people, I tell you it’s the contrary, in the past few weeks leading to this “special” month, I have been touched by so many beautiful people who showed me how pure and unselfish love really is. During the month of February, we are most often reminded to –– give love. I believe it’s just as important is to receive love with open arms, acknowledge and be grateful for it! You see, this month is truly special for me personally. This month, I will be making a promise in front of God, my parents and the Church to live with my one and only love in Holy Matrimony forever. This month will be the first time in nine long years, I will be able to see my family complete again – something I never thought would happen after my parents separated. This month, Baron and I will be able to see Tacloban for the first time after killer typhoon Haiyan destroyed his hometown last November. And with the generosity of so many people we know, we will come there equipped with aid to help the sick, and money to help rebuild their town. I did not get a single Valentines card this year but I don’t need any. I am grateful for everyone who has showed me, and others I care about, much love. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for being my Valentine! Valentine #7 – Folks at Copernicus Center. Early January I was in search for a “free” venue for our fundraiser which I thought was only possible through a church. I tried the Copernicus without much hope thinking I won’t lose anything trying. But the day after I gave them a call, Managing Director, Gregg Kobelinski called to say they were more than willing to give their venue as a way of giving back to the Filipino community. Their generosity paved the way for us to create an Illinois Philippine Recovery Operations – Fundraising Fair that allowed us to raise over $10,000. Valentine #6 – My artist friends. Artists have such big hearts. They are the only professionals I know who would, in a heartbeat, offer their craft, their means of living, for free, for a cause they believe in. To my band, Baron Cabalona, Ran Sevilla, Ben Corpuz, Jun Rodriquez and Louis Tan of SamaSama Project; wonderful artists Jennifer Ligaya, April Garcia, Carolina Davis, Saayidah, Filipino Cultural Dance Troupe of Iowa, The Defensor Method, CIRCA-Pintig, Lovien “Joey” Flores, L.E.D., PACF Performing Arts, Faceless Soul, When Ned Left, Jay Kinder, TJ Medel, TFKidz, Jst Bcz, Filipino Musicians of Chicago Band, New Friends Band, CGCMD Stars, Junior Luvabulls, Christian Punzalan, Stanley Tigno, Beata Benavides, Gllbert Galon, Aljun Molina, Ginger Leopoldo, and most especially those who offered to be part of two consecutive fundraisers, Jessica Tevaga and family, Priane Gunabe, Carlos Cousiño and Ms. Bless Peterson; our special guest, Judge Jessica O’Brien — your passion for your work and your determination to help despite sub-zero weather inspires me. ###
(Third from Left) Judge Jessica O’ Brien, (third from right) Fairmont Care Centre’s Joanne Ventrella and (bottom right) Videographer, Rogie Cruz with the ILPRO Core Organizers and Medical Mission Team (counter clockwise) – Girlie Pascual, Louella Cabalona, Anna Millan, Almira Gilles, Merle and Ruben Salazar, James Delacruz, Dr. Ariel Tolentino and Baron Cabalona
Louella with her youngest sister Lee (left) and mother, Sally Mesde (right) during her 2008 trip to the Philippines
Louella’s Family in the Philippines – (From left to right) Mother Sally, Sister-in-Law Joanna with Savannah Blair, Brother J-Rick Maningas and Sister Leigh Maningas, soon to be wed to Daniel Guallar III.
WORD OF GRACE 2014 PRAYER PILGRIMAGE & BIBLE TOURS
Dr. Richard A. Mirpuri – Founding Pastor & Spiritual Director of the WORD OF GRACE INT’L CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP in Chicago will be leading Prayer Pilgrimages and Bible Tours for 2014 to the following places: From October 11 – 21, 2014 – an 11- day tour that includes a 2-day Mediterranean Cruise to Turkey, Greece and the Isle of Patmos which is about visiting “The 7 Churches of the Book of Revelation & Following the Footsteps of the Apostle Paul” that starts in Istanbul, Turkey and ends in Athens, Greece with a stop at the Isle of Patmos during the cruise where the Apostle John was exiled and received what is now the Book of Revelations in the New Testament that speaks of the end of days. The other tour is to the Holy Land (Israel) with an optional 2- day stop in Dubai from October 31 – November 11, 2014. Both tours are open to participants from the U.S. and from the Philippines. Photo shows participants from the US and the Philippines who were water baptized in the Jordan River during the last tour led by Dr. Mirpuri in November of 2013. Slots are limited so anyone interested in joining the 2014 tours should email Dr. Mirpuri at dick_mirpuri@yahoo.com or call/text his mobile phone number 773-226-9062 for more information and details.
WOG’S BAPTISM PHOTO IN ISRAEL IN 2013.
