Your mantra for the week: “God is in action in all areas of my life now.”

 

God put Itself within each man so It may be accessible to all. God is accessible to you right now. It is within and around you, enfolding you and letting you know that all is really well in your life, at this very moment, and despite all appearances.

 

Whenever you experience a disappointment, remember to pronounce it good. Affirm that God is in action in this situation, bringing peace and harmony, and let God’s action go to work.

 

See God’s perfection everywhere in your life, for God is in your life now. Therefore, there is really nothing missing in your life. Whatever seems to be missing is just your perception; in truth, God is with you right now and nothing is missing in your life.

Observe God’s perfection everywhere: in an act of giving, in a loving text, in an interaction with a cheerful stranger, in a simple flower, in a sunset, in a rainbow. God’s perfection is everywhere, and as you seek it, you will find it.

 

No matter what is happening in your life right now, accept it, forgive it and release it. Affirm: God is in action in my life now. In every area of life, see God’s perfection now. Recognize your wholeness, look at every cell of your body in perfect harmony with every other cell, every organ functioning in perfection, every function expressing the infinite wholeness of God.

 

In your wealth area, discover wealth everywhere, for God is the Source, and God being the Source, It is all around you, there for you as you open your mind to notice it, to accept it and receive it.

 

God’s perfection is expressing in all your relationships. Whatever has to be ironed out at the moment, you know it is being smoothed out. Harmony and peace reign and there is understanding between all concerned, breaking down all walls of separation and indifference.

 

God’s perfection is in your success area. You are now expressing your uniqueness, talents and abilities, and are rewarded with recognition, achievement and honor. Creative ideas keep flowing into your mind, moving you to discover all that you have to know, all that you can share, all that will benefit you and the whole of humanity. I AM always in action in your life.

Maestro Roscigno in concert

 

Congratulations to the Philippine Italian Association for a successful production at the Cultural Center of the Philippines of “Italian Great Classics: A Homage to the Philippines,” with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) under the baton of maestro Ruggero Barbieri and featuring pianist maestro Fermo Roscigno, who has received rave reviews all over Italy and in the United States, Russia, China, Ukraine and Brazil. He also happens to be the older brother of Italian Ambassador Massimo Roscigno.

 

Barbieri, one of Nedy Tantoco’s favorite conductors, often visits to conduct the PPO whenever Nedy requests. Incidentally, Nedy is in California to stand as godmother at the wedding of her niece Marie Pineda, who is marrying William Adashek today in Los Angeles.

 

The concert was followed by a reception at the CCP’s Silangan Hall, attended by the guests of honor, members and officers of the Philippine Italian Association. The beneficiaries of the concert are the Sisters of Handmaids of Charity, The Servants of Charity and the Canossian Sons of Charity.

 

 Viol Cojuangco’s b’day lunch

 

The beautiful Viol Delgado Cojuangco celebrated her birthday last week at Rockwell’s Chef Jessie with close friends, mostly from her Philippine Ballet Theater group, of which she is vice president for external affairs. Viol took time out from being administrator and president of Jesus Delgado Memorial Hospital.

 

Viol was once the Bachelors Club’s Five Prettiest, along with Maita Gomez, Margarita Romualdez, Melinda Rodriguez and Mila Lichauco.

 

The luncheon was filled with lots of fun and laughter as guests tried to get over the shock of Donald Trump’s electoral victory as US president and the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani (LNMB). Some of us consoled ourselves with the fact that what was going to be buried was just a wax-and-wood replica of the dictator, which one day can be exhumed, once more, elsewhere, like a piece of furniture.

 

 Transferring remains

 

And speaking of transferring objects and remains, the esteemed singer Celeste Legaspi has moved the remains of her National Artist father Cesar Legaspi out of the LNMB as a statement of protest against someone who does not deserve to be buried in the hallowed grounds of heroes. And even if Supreme Court Justice Diosdado Peralta claims that burying Marcos “is not tantamount to hailing him as a hero,” his own argument for allowing the burial is based on the inclusion of all those “who were recognized for their significant contribution to the (sic) Philippine society.”

 

In that case, pasok na pasok talaga si Marcos on the basis of his significant contributions to Philippine society which have been totally and fully recognized.

 

1) He plundered the country to bankruptcy.

 

2) He declared martial law, silenced all opposition and committed human rights abuses with impunity.

 

3) Every Filipino is still paying off the international debt he accumulated in his 21-year rule.

 

I wish we had buried him beyond six feet underground, to the depths of 7,917.50 miles, stopping before we hit the surface of Brazil. Then, we can really move on—unless Brazil gets so upset and declares war against the Philippines.

 

Leaving Libingan

 

Another alternative is to do a Celeste Legaspi. Here are the steps to follow:

 

1) Submit a request for exhumation. Even a simple handwritten letter from next of kin will do. Submit to the Grave Services Unit of the LNMB, which will give you a formal request addressed to the AFP Chief of Staff.

 

2) Secure supporting documents. These include a health certificate, exhumation and transfer permit, and death certificate. You should already have a copy of the death certificate, but the rest you may obtain from the city hall of either Makati or Taguig.

 

3) File everything back at the LNMB. Once you have done this, you can schedule the exhumation with the Administration.

 

4) Deliver documents to Camp Aguinaldo. Submit them to the Office of the Quartermaster General. Once everything checks out, the Office will issue a letter approving the request.

 

5) Exhume your loved one. Remember to bring necessary supplies like gloves, disinfectant and a proper container for your relative’s remains. Request for the marble cross marking the grave.

 

6) Secure reburial permit. Fill all documents with the local Civil Registrar in the city you will transfer the body to.

 

7) Reinter your loved one’s remains, preferably in your family plot or some place where dead dictators aren’t buried.