Divine Mercy in the Philippines A collective work by Ann T. Burgos, Edita T. Burgos, Manman L. Dejeto, Lourdes M. Fernandez, Renato L. Fider, Alma A. Ocampo, Joel C. Paredes, Teofilo P. Pescones , Filemon L. Salcedo and Monina S. Tayamen The Editorial Board Edita T. Burgos, Lourdes M. Fernandez, Renato L. Fider, Alma A. Ocampo, Joel C. Paredes, Teofilo P. Pescones, Filemon L. Salcedo and Monina S. Tayamen Book Editors Lourdes M. Fernandez and Joel C. Paredes Writers Paul C. Atienza, Ann T. Burgos, Manuel Cayon, Ian Go, Wilfredo Rodolfo III and Ramona M. Villarica Cover Design Leonilo Doloricon Photographers Rhoy Cobilla, Manman L. Dejeto, Roy Domingo, Gabriel Visaya Sr. and Sammy Yncierto Layout Benjamin G. Laygo, Jr. Editorial and Production Coordination Ressie Q. Benoza Finance Dioscora C. Amante, Virginia S. Barbers, Elizabeth T. Delarmente, Nora S. Santos and Linda C. Villamor Editorial Concept and Design by People and Advocacy Published by the Divine Mercy Apostolate of the Philippines Makati, Philippines April 2008 2 Divine Mercy in the Philippines In Memory of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska and Pope John Paul II, the messengers of global peace. This book is also a tribute to all those who have opened their lives to accept the devotion to the DIVINE MERCY, especially the members of the clergy, the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church and the lay people. In the Philippines, we dedicate this collective work to the untiring effort of Monsignor Josefino S. Ramirez, the first Filipino priest who relentlessly embraced our devotion. Divine Mercy in the Philippines 3 Table of contents Benefactors, Sponsors and Patrons 6 The Mercy Centers 40 Foreword 7 The first Divine Mercy Shrine 44 A devotion unfolds 8 Divine Mercy Apostolate- Archdiocese of Manila 48 A Bishop’s constant message: Mercy is all we need 32 Divine Mercy Movement in the Philippines and the Marians of the Immaculate Conception 50 St. Maria Faustina 34 Marian Shrines around the world 60 Elements of the Devotion to the Divine Mercy 36 The DMAP story: Dawn of a new beginning 64 The Filipinos and Divine Mercy Devotion takes root in a perfect vineyard 38 Ramona M. Villarica’s anecdote 71 4 Divine Mercy in the Philippines Atty. Orlando Samson: From the business The long and winding road to San Manuel 100 of man to the business of conversion 74 Divine Mercy Apostolate in Laguna, Diocese of San Pablo 104 Planting the seeds of the Divine Mercy among priests 78 Cebu’s DM community ‘started’ by God 106 From the movies into the light 80 A miracle in Masbate 108 Father Vic Robles and the National Shrine in Marilao 82 Remembering Maria Celina Ilagan: Spreading ‘vitamins Building an archdiocesan shrine 86 of faith’ in Mindanao, through the eyes of a companion 110 On a hill, an ocean of mercy opens 90 Devotion in the Diocese of Legazpi 113 A devotion blooms in the South 94 Ever-growing community of devotees 114 Divine Mercy in the Philippines 5 Benefactors VIC & NORA SANTOS AND FAMILY • RONA S. AGUSTINES • NORVIC FOUNDATION, INC. • JUN & ROSA JAO AND FAMILY • ALFREDO & FLOR GO AND FAMILY • VIRGINIA BARBERS AND FAMILY • DIOSCORA C. AMANTE AND FAMILY • ANTONIO & LINDA VILLAMOR AND FAMILY • CAROLINA NARDO AND FAMILY • PABIHIS KOMITE • JOHN CARCOVICH • CLEMENCIA FOUNDATION • MILA S. TANSECO • VENG PLAZA • CANDIDA A. SANTOS • SUSAN TAN • ORLANDO SAMSON • CRIS & EMMA DY AND FAMILY • JIMMY & JENNY NAPOLES • MOTHER BUTLERS GUILD, MANILA CHAPTER Sponsors PETROENERGY Resources Corp. • Annie I. Mandriak • Divine Mercy Apostolate – St. John the Baptist Parish, San Pablo • Global-V Builders Co. • Malayan Colleges Laguna • Apostolate of Divine Mercy, San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral Parish, Surigao City • Harold Manufacturing, Cebu City, Philippines • Murli Mohnani • Isaias & Elenia Reyes and Family • Mary Jane Abacan • Banco Filipino – One Heart, One Mind in Christ Catholic Charismatic Community • Adela Chua • Florentino Concepcion • Multi-Core Technology Resources, Inc. • ARPAPHIL Shipping Corp. • Macro Pharma Corp. • JEJORS Construction Corp. • Sylvia T. Ramos • Jose S. Tanjangco, Jr. • Pilar L. Tanjangco • Sylvia Ibazeta • Babygirl Tañedo • Jess Tañedo • Marivic Concepcion • Fr. Salvador F. Pablo, SDB • Elisa T. Cruz Patrons Felicitas Chua • Vendie Chua • Bato Springs Resort, San Cristobal, San Pablo City • Divine Mercy Apostolate – St. Francis of Assisi Parish, San Pablo City • Leoncio Hospital, Brooke’s Point, Palawan • Sagrado Medical and Children’s Clinic, Brooke’s Point, Palawan • Arnie Leoncio and Family • Tess de Asis • RFG Construction • Nene Quiratinan • Eddie Penicate • Medy C. Adre • Divine Mercy Apostolate – St. Joseph Parish, Brooke’s Point, Palawan • EATS CETERA Foods Services • Gloria Corpuz and family • Narciso Maglaque • Zenaida Doria and Family • Amelita C. Española • Edna S. Castro • Nilo & Zeny Librando and family • Rolando & Salvacion Sta. Maria and family • Jonji & Jinky del Llamas and family • Gloria R. Motos • Bert & Didi Neri • Mel Ocampo and family • Trinidad Q. Aggabao and family • Manuel & Beth Delarmente and family • Trigold Builders Corp. • VHB Realty and Development Corp. • Paulette T. Mangosing • Mayor Gilmore Acero and family • Clemen dela Torre and family • Romy & Reina Tinoco and family • Marlene Cabral and family • Francisco & Ellen Nipal and family • Carmen Santos and family • Dolly Sobrepeña and family • Constantino & Brigitte Bravo and family • Trinidad Villamor • Lita Velasco and family • Marina del Rosario • Danny & Sally Lomotan and family • Roberto & Merlina Wynekus and family • Rolly & Pining Lirio and family • Macario C. Umali • Pete & Josie Garrido and family • Rosalina Sabejon • Casiana C. Basaca • Rikzel Trading • Leonida Ho • Tony & Liza Garcia and family • Raul Faller and family • Ramon Joson & family • Falcon and family • Cesar Mandapat • Angelo Geraldo Valera and family • Jessalyn Bañez • Susan Ampil • Levy G. Sanz • Shirley Manese • Lulu Policarpio • Cely V. Santos • Christian Espiritu • Chochi Peralejo • Anabelle G. Dario • Sessy Garcia • Vicente Limcaoco • Cora P. Buensuceso • Angel C. Dimatatac • Lina D. Velasquez • Nitz M. Villarica • Jojo & Maritess Ramos and family • Paz Layos and family • Doy and Emma Briones and family • Nilda Angeles and family • Salve and family • Lolita Sunglao • Fred and Carlyn Reyes • Emil & Marie Reyes and family • Amador & Lyn Pelagio and family • Porfirio Tayamen and family • Renato Fider and family • Sol Dealino and family • Teofilo & Terily Pescones and family • Freddie & Gay Ocampo and family • Mon & Remy Salcedo and family • Ernani & Salve Castillo and family • Ceferino Ang • Treena, Tristan & Tricia Bauca • Lucia A. Alva • Neng Libo-on and Family • Paz Victoria and family 6 Divine Mercy in the Philippines Foreword For the greater glory of God HE Divine Mercy Apostolate of the Philippines considers this needs but also the psycho-spiritual wants of the millions of nominal Chris- book as its contribution to the universal church on the eve of tians reached by the devotion. preparations for the first World Apostolic Congress on Mercy at The continuing travails of our people have prompted us to cling to God’s Vatican City, Rome, Italy from April 2, 2008 to April 6, 2008. offer of mercy and acquire the means to promote our hearts’ desires and Our country continues to be buffeted by a number of fulfill celestial design. problems, from worsening poverty that has reduced our people To all the Bishops who welcomed the new challenge of the Universal to suffer wretched lives, denied of basic services like medical Church for the 1st World Apostolic Congress on Mercy, first: by encouraging attention, education and welfare benefits, to the seeming lack of spiritual their spiritual directors, diocesan leaders and promoters to collaborate with Trebirth and an appreciation of God’s grace. us in the preparation of this book, and second: for the warm welcome and We at the Divine Mercy Apostolate of the Philippines have continued hospitality extended to me when I was asked by Msgr. Ramirez to be his to strive hard to do our share in promoting the devotion not only among emissary, tasked to deliver his personal letter to the Bishops, I express my established communities but also in large shantytowns, spreading the deepest gratitude. message of hope to our fellow Filipinos who have practically lost the will To all those who received the mercy of God, may you become powerful to live decently and profess their faith, or be living witnesses to the power witnesses and eagerly share this benefit with all those who have not yet of God. received it. Our aspirations, hopes and dreams have always been conditioned by the For, indeed, as Pope John Paul II said, “the hour has come when the harsh realities on the ground, with nearly a third of our population suffering message of Divine Mercy needs to fill the hearts with hope and become the in silence, forever wishing relief and wishing that the grace of God dawn on spark of a new civilization: the civilization of love.” their miserable selves. These factors and more have further raised our commitment to promote God’s Kingdom on Earth, working on corporal needs while propagating the devotion to the Divine Mercy, whose power has created miracles and led lost SIS. MONINA TAYAMEN, ocds causes to victory. Formation Director Indeed, the Apostolate is doing its best to work not only on the physical Divine Mercy Apostolate of the Philippines Divine Mercy in the Philippines 7 A devotion unfolds 8 Divine Mercy in the Philippines Fider, together with Rosario Achondo and the late Zeny Peralta and Lily Decena, became the founding members of the devotion’s prayer community, which they officially named The King of Mercy Prayer Group. They held their first prayer meeting on September 18, 1983. Devotees and members of the King of Mercy Prayer Group praying before the Divine Mercy Image at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish in Cubao, Quezon City in 1985. T FIRST, Renato L. Fider just ignored the first copies of the ners of the Immaculate Conception Parish who were active in different Devotion to the Divine Mercy which he received from Terry charismatic communities in Metro Manila.