IT’S SO GOOD to develop new friendships at any given stage and age in one’s life. I have been desiring to expand my circle of friends and this was answered after I attended the Intergenerational Healing Retreat organized by the Healing Missionaries of the Holy Spirit Community at OND Mission Center in General Santos City on May 27-29, 2022.
The participants came from different age groups and professions which made the interactions and reflections more dynamic. It was a wonderful experience for me and I’m sure for everyone else since activities were geared towards self-reflection; relationship with God, family, and loved ones; and one’s healing journey.
Immediately after the event, we created our own group chat, haha! and started communicating. The sense of solidarity is strong that you can’t help but feel heard and understood. Of course, the prayers are also constant.
I want to thank Girlie Cruz for creating the chat box; Chona Miranda Ejercito, Haneliza Villa, Karl Matthew, Father Marben Morallas, Rox Almanzor, Tita Sylvia Parial Carrion – glowing as she is creating a legacy, Umbs Balani, Jov Coronas, and Dr. Nessel Mondenedo, for the new experience. Hoping to keep the relationship alive through the years.
As Father Marben aptly said, “Friendship found in crisis,” which is a good title for another column. Let’s work on that soon.
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Finally visiting Bohol this week to pay my last respects to the first cousin of my mother, Nang Salud Racho Calope-Torregosa who passed away on May 28, 2022. Nang Salud was born on August 24, 1940.
She left behind her doting husband, Felipe ‘Nong Pepe’ Garcia Torregosa and children and my cousins Charles, Christopher, Charlemagne, Chandro, Chona, and Charina.
According to Charina, “Mama was no ordinary mom. She was resilient hence, she never asked for us to take care of her. God is so good and faithful that He heard my prayers for my parents not to suffer in their twilight years. Mama was granted her wish to come home to family after she was thrice cleared by the hospital. The following day, she embraced God’s call to return to her heavenly home.”
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Instead of Iloilo City, I will proceed to Bohol for my birthday. The Iloilo trip has been planned since May but due to pressing matters in Bohol, I redirected my trip. Hopefully, Philippine Air Lines will convert my unused ticket to travel credit considering the number of times I submitted a request and follow-up via their PAL Travel Hub. We will see if it’s effective in the sense that they will act on it. Calling on Philippine Air Lines, please act on my request, I don’t want to waste money. Just for healthy comparison, it’s easier to deposit via Cebu Pacific’s Travel Fund. I was expecting the same ease and speed. I guess we will know real soon.
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Before flying, I filed my Statement of Contribution and Expenditures (SOCE) with COMELEC-General Santos. It’s a must since the deadline is June 8, 2022, while my trip to the Visayas is June 3, 2022. My political journey is concluding with the filing of the SOCE.
I want to thank everyone, the 12,900 plus constituents of General Santos City, who cast their votes for me, hence entrusting their full confidence and faith in my candidacy and platforms. I am grateful and totally feel fulfilled for accomplishing my goal to run for public office this year. I immensely enjoyed doing the rounds of the campaign and engaging people, listening to their issues and concerns, and meeting leaders and followers. It was and is a privilege!
Many, many thanks also to our lean campaign team – all volunteers, and our campaign donors and sponsors who believed in our campaign and what we stood for – non-traditional politics. To the future!
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My Birthday Wishes:
For my daughter, Shiloh Ruthie, to stay fit and committed to her new journey.
For my son, Hezekiah Kit, to finally have a break from work and have fun.
For positive news on the Rotary International Peace Fellowship.
For a professional engagement in Bohol.
I know it’s plenty, haha, but prayers should be specific.
Still claiming Jeremiah 33:3.
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Writer can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN
