Your mantra for the week: “I am awakened to my essential Goodness when I think of God.”
This season, which has been Lent to us metaphysically by the universe, is a time to consider transforming our lives by the renewing of our minds.
Change negative thoughts to positive ones by focusing on certain concepts that would not only quiet the mind, but also still the heart.
Contemplate on the following views that have been denied and dismissed by many who are going through challenging times:
1) No matter what they say, God loves you.
2) No matter what they tell you, all things work out together for good.
3) No matter how much they insist on the contrary, faith always wins—for it sees far beyond what discouragement does.
4) No matter what others believe, the right prayer moves mountains of problems.
5) No matter what they say, God is your help in every need.
6) No matter what they say, you do not hear the answers to your prayers when you are fearful.
7) No matter how much they insist, that it isn’t so, “Decree a thing and it shall be done unto you.”
8) No matter what others believe, you can heal yourself. Prosperity lies within you. The people in your life are your reflections, and you can succeed beyond your fondest dreams.
Who is Raymond Haynes?
Last Wednesday, I met Omstar chair and president Richard Skaggs, whose company is into fuel additives that not only saves the user money but also cleans the air, thus helping save the environment. Omstar is currently doing business with Sumifru Philippines Corporation, Victory Liner and Chavit Singson’s Partas Bus.
Traveling with Skaggs on this visit to the Philippines is former Republican Senator from California Raymond Haynes, whom Representative from California’s 45th district Mimi Walters has endorsed to be the next Ambassador to the Philippines.
In her letter to President Donald Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff Katherine Walsh, Walter says: “I write to recommend Sen. Ray Haynes for appointment as the Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines. Given his conservative legislative record and his experience advancing American business interests in the Philippines, he is uniquely qualified for the position.”
A miracle in itself
Anita Guidote-Guanzon, a devotee of the miraculous Virgin of Lourdes, has put up a replica of the Grotto, which is now a church, in her family’s 20-hectare property in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
It has become a public shrine where people visit during Holy Week to fulfill their religious vows. This shrine is now taken care of by Anita’s daughter Marietta Guanzon-Holmgren.
Marietta’s life is in itself like a miracle because, at the age of 83, she has married thrice and is currently with a Japanese beau. She doesn’t look a day over 50 and speaks and talks with the enthusiasm of a young person despite having great-grandchildren.
She had her first marriage annulled after she discovered her husband having an affair with a nun. The story goes that a well-known actress, who was her next-door neighbor, informed her that she would see her husband’s car drive out of a motel every Wednesday with a woman wearing a nun’s habit.
Sure enough, the habit was not a put-on but a real one, worn by an real nun who turned out to be the same one who would visit her children and help tutor them.
Marietta then visited the Mother Superior of this virgin one and told her off. The disgraced nun was immediately exiled to another country.
A funny side to this story was when Marietta applied for an annulment in Brooklyn, the bishop told her: “It would cost you $1,000.” She haggled for $500. I kidded her that the bishop should have paid her instead for damages because of the third party involved.
Marietta’s second husband was an Italian. “I left him after three years. Then I met Tage Holmgren in New York. We lived together for 14 years until the big C took him away. I gave my inheritances from my parents and two ex-husbands to my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“I live on what Tage left me, which I later found out was substantial enough for me to live the lifestyle of a jetsetter. Now, I’m back in Asia with a new love who is Japanese.”
First time
For the first time last week, I attended a dinner hosted by international gastronomic society Chaine des Rotisseurs as a guest of regular member, consul Helen Ong.
It was such a pleasant treat to see Bailliage National des Philippines’ Bailli Delegue Michel Lhuillier and wife Amparito.
Amparito, who was once our neighbor in Malate, told me: “I used to see your mother come in and out of your beautiful home next door, and we in school had a girl crush on her.”
The Chaine des Rotisseurs was founded in 1950 in Paris. Its goal is to promote fine dining, build friendships and enjoy the many pleasures of the table.
E-mail the author at [email protected]
