AT THE PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTERA Catholic Prayer Meeting of the LIGHT OF JESUS FAMILY

September 30, 2012

Today, I receive all of God’s love for me.Today, I open myself to the unbounded, limitless, overflowing abundance of God’s universe.Today, I open myself to God’s blessings, healing, and miracles.Today, I open myself to God’s WordSo I would becomeMore like Jesus every day.Today, I proclaim that I am God’s beloved, I am God’s servant, I am God’s powerful champion.And because I am blessed,I am blessing the world.In Jesus’ name. Amen.

ELS

IN THIS ISSUE

God Sings To You

POWERFUL WORSHIP. Bro. Didoy Lubaton (left) and Bro. JB Rodriguez rock the Feast during Worship, before the talk on Power by Bro. Bo Sanchez (See pages 2-3).

KERYGMA POWER. Sis. Chelle Crisanto announces bonus gifts for those signing up for Kerygma Conference 2012. What’s in store for you? (See pages 4-5). -- Photos by Ramel Robles

WE call Heaven “Paradise”. And when we go to Palawan, or

Boracay, or Bohol, we also say, “We’re in Paradise.”

But do you know what is God’s Paradise? St. Alphonsus Ligouri answers that question. He says, “The heart of man is the paradise of God.”

Wow.Let me share with you a

personal experience…One morning, I was singing an old worship

song to God. It went this way: You’re the love of my life, you’re the joy of my morning, you’re the song of my heart, and

I will praise your holy name.”After singing it, I kept quiet. That’s when I heard God whisper to my

heart, “Bo, may I sing you a song?” I heard God sing the SAME song to

me—He just changed a few words. He sang, “You’re the love of my life, you’re the joy of my morning, you’re the song of my heart, and I will love you all my life…”

Here’s what I believe: We sing to God when we go to the Feast. But God sings to you non-stop, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. God is telling you, “You don’t know how valuable you are to me. You don’t know how special you are to me. You’re a person of great worth! So great, I gave up everything on the Cross for you.”

You are God’s Paradise.You give God pleasure.Today, you’ll learn how to worship

God. Today, you’ll learn how to relax in His love.

Enjoy!

May your dreams come true,

BO SANCHEZ

PS. Next week, we’ll start our brand new series titled Rewards. I promise you: You’ll love it too. It’ll spark a spiritual revolution in your soul.

BreakFeastSpecial Talk

LAST WEEK

Who Is the Greatest?FROM Mark 9:30-37, the Gospel presents Jesus as He defines His real mission on Earth. He hears His disciples arguing about who is the greatest. And He tells them, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

In his homily, Fr. Eric Santos pointed out that the disciples were thinking only of political power. Jesus, however, was thinking of spiritual power-- the ability to shun evil and to do good. Alas, we ask for the wrong things for the wrong motives -- thus we do not receive what’s really the best for us. Everyone wants to be the greatest and to be known, to have power, and so unhealthy competitions arise and cause division among men.

Fr. Eric added that in the Gospel, Jesus takes a little child and tells His disciples, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Fr. Eric said power must be used not to ascend and dominate, but rather to descend and serve. He thus reminded us that God wants to empower us so we may empower others. Power should make us great not for our sake. The way to real greatness is for you to make other people greater than you.

-- Regiele Anne CruzPhoto by James Morrison

The Power in Us

BRO. Bo Sanchez talked on Power, the third topic in the series Money, Sex, and Power.

Bro. Bo said God has given us power. We have power over people, or call it influence. Bro. Bo presented the meaning of power through a story in Matthew 20:20-26 where the mother of Zebedee’s sons asks Jesus to allow one son to sit at Jesus’ right and the other at his left in His kingdom. And Jesus answers, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- just as the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Bro. Bo said power is all about loving people. God wants us to use power exclusively for love. Bro. Bo pointed out that there are two sources of stress in our life:

1. When you try to control things that are not under your control. The best way to overcome this stress is to surrender to God things we cannot control.

2. When you do not control that which are under your control. We need to take charge, use our power to take responsibility over the things that are entrusted to us by God.

Bro. Bo then presented five sources of Power:

1. Power can come from position. “If you’re a congressman, or doctor, or manager, or policeman, or parish pastoral council president, even baranggay tanod, you’ve got power. If you’re a father or mother, you’ve got power over your kids (not control but influence). If you’re an uncle or auntie or godparent, you’ve got power over your nephews or nieces.”

2. Power can come from popularity. “If you’re an actor, or a diva, or a comedian, or a basketball star, or a boxing champion, you’ve got power. If you’re popular, you’re a role model, whether you like it or not.”

3. Power can come from peso. “Remember the golden rule? He who has the gold, makes the rules. If you’re rich, even if you’re not the official leader, you’ll have tremendous influence over others.”

4. Power can come from physique. “If you’re taller, or bigger, or stronger, or sexier, or prettier, you have power.”

5. Power can come from proficiency. If you’re more talented, more intelligent, more gifted, you have power.”

“But,”Bro. Bo pointed out, “God isn’t impressed by all these.” He added that instead, God looks at the heart. “And He looks for real power there.”

Bro. Bo also shared three things about power today:

1. Power is limited. “You cannot abuse power. You have to respect the limits of your power—or you destroy others,” Bro. Bo said.

He warned against abuse of power-- which is most common in family life: “A few parents abuse their power over their children. They abuse them emotionally, verbally, and sometimes, physically.”

He also warned that power can destroy you. He pointed as an example Gollum in the movie, Lord of the Rings. He was once known as Smeagol, a simple man with no power. But he finds the ring which gives him

great power, and that power makes him a monster.

Power can also make you drunk. “Power is like

alcohol. It can bring out the worst in you.”In Lord of the Rings, the most powerful

man turns out to be Frodo. He has an inner strength stemming from his humility, honesty, and selflessness.

2. Power is Temporary. “Power has an expiry date,” Bro. Bo said. “If you use power beyond its expiry date, it’s like food that has turned into poison. It will kill you.”

3. Power should be exclusive. Bro. Bo pointed to the example of Jesus who used His power to serve. “And all throughout history, there have been many godly men and women who have used their power to serve,” he added. “Jesus asks us to do the same.”

To be able to use our power the right way, Bro.Bo said we must have the heart of a shepherd. He then enumerated the traits of a shepherd:

1. Satisfied. “A leader is corrupted by power because he comes from deep insecurity. He doesn’t like himself and so will grab power to fill the

2 THE FEAST September 30, 2012

REFLECTIONSinner wound of his heart,” Bro. Bo said. So a leader must be content with what he has. He says often, “The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.”

2. Selfless. Bro. Bo said “humility isn’t about thinking lowly about yourself; Humility is simply not thinking of yourself.”

3. Sacrificial. Jesus said, I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11). “Real leaders sacrifice for others,” Bro. Bo said.

Bro. Bo particularly spoke to parents and presented to them 3 Phases of Parenting:

Phase 1: Controller. Until their kids are10 years old, parents need to be a controller, to guide their children.

Phase 2: Coach.When the kids hit their teens, parents’role now is to encourage, exhort, and edify.

Phase 3: Consultant.When the kids move to their 20s and 30s, especially when they get married, parents should just be consultants. “You’re there as a presence of love and support to them, but you’re no longer there to tell them what to do,” Bro. Bo said.

Bro. Bo also shared the teaching on leadership by Lao Tzu who said there are four kinds of leaders:

1. The Leader That People Hate

2. The Leader That People Fear

3. The Leader That People Praise

4. The Leader That People Don’t Notice

“This leader is rare,” Bro. Bo said. “He empowers others because he believes that they can be better than him. He always sees himself as a John the Baptist, preparing the organization for someone greater than him. His attitude: The person coming after me will be greater than I am.” As Lao Tzu says, “A leader is best when people barely know he exists; When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: We did it ourselves.”

-- Mary Joy O. AcabadoPhoto by Ramel Robles

How To Save a LifeBy AILEEN GRACE ALVAREZ Illustration by RALPH ALLEN SEMILLA

LAST June, I got a call from my buddy John telling me that Mark*, one of our school mates, was confined in a hospital and in need of financial help immediately.

I was like, “What happened?”

“Tuberculosis,” John said.

Mark was a year younger than me. We were in the same school organization. But when everyone else finds a job, communication becomes seldom. I just heard things about him through John because they both work in Makati.

We raised funds for Mark and then John and I went to visit him in the hospital. As we entered the hospital’s Tuberculosis section, we were required to wear a mask. Mixed feelings of paranoia and sympathy crept all over me as I saw

agonizing patients all over the place.

Then there was Mark-- so frail, hardly moving. Blisters dotted his mouth, he could hardly speak. The moment he saw me, he cried and reached out for my hand.

I held his hand-- the only way I could express that I was there for him. John kept mumbling encouraging words to him.

We didn’t stay long. Mark’s mother, the only one taking care of him, escorted us to the Lobby and revealed to us Mark’s real condition.

“He’s HIV positive,” she said.

Mark was a homosexual and a call center agent. I never thought he’d abuse himself, living a worldly lifestyle. If only I’d known earlier, I might have done something to save him. But it’s too late.

He died last July, his birth month, at the age of 24. He didn’t make it to his birthday.

I thought a lot about Mark as I listened to Bro. Bo Sanchez preaching about Sex-- that sex could be the best or worst experience we could have. We could make sex clean or dirty. It’s our choice.

As I write this, the song of American rock band The Fray, titled How To Save a Life, played in my mind:

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend. Somewhere along in the bitterness. And I would have stayed up with you all night. Had I known how to save a life.

*Names were changed.

THE FEAST September 30, 2012 3

MINISTRIES

“EEEEE!” I wanted to scream. I could not hide my excitement. It was my first time to attend the Kerygma Conference. I wanted to capture every moment as perfectly as possible. So I tried to make a mental note of everything – the fashion show, the car exhibit, the awesome band that was performing. I wanted to memorize everything and I wished that my mind had a built-in video camera so I could just replay the scene in my head over and over again.

Well, I could watch it again in mind, but not as vividly as I intended it to be. I knew most of the details would be scraped off my memory, so I listened with my heart, keeping there the lessons that the speakers were imparting to me. It felt great to learn and re-learn values like humility, optimism, and purity.

IT’S been a year since Kerygma Conference 2011, but the memories are engraved in the heart of everyone who attended the leading Catholic learning event in the country. Who can tell the true joy and true blessings of the event? Of course, all the people who worked behind the scene, all who committed their time, talents, and treasures just to deliver the vision and mission of the Kerygma Conference.

Kerygma Conference offered a stream for those discerning their calling-- whether they are called for Single Blessedness, the road less travelled. Behind the success of the Single Blessedness stream was a dynamic team composed of brilliant, selfless men and women who lovingly embraced the challenge, the hard work, the joy of serving the Lord.

I had the honor of leading the team composed of Rowena Mallari, Angel Santos, Kate Yamson, Chris Chua, Joel Sta. Ana, Maynard Francisco, Riza De Guzman, Aezer Cajegas, and Lou Lim, with the great pastoral care of Sis.Vita Monforte and Sis. Beckie Sanchez. They are glorious treasures of Heaven as they gave their all for the glory of God.

As a young person, I always felt bombarded by situations that constantly make me ask myself: Is this right? Is this wrong? Is this normal? Is this tolerable? Sometimes the answers to those questions are obvious. But sometimes the answers are blurry as the thin line between right from wrong becomes more fuzzy-- as values in our society change from time to time.

The lessons that I learned from the talks and the wisdom to be able to apply them in my life were some of the best parts of my experience in Kerygma Conference Youth Stream 2011. But my favorite and most unforgettable part was when I held my head high and with my arms opened wide, I surrendered my dreams to God. It was not easy for me to do that because my dreams were very important to me. Also, I was also hesitant to hand my dreams over to God because during that year, I experienced a lot of trials as a student and even though I learned so much from

those trials, I did not want to walk that path again.

But I knew I had to do it, so I took a step into the unknown and opened my heart to God. I had no idea where God would lead me and if I would have to fall again before I reach my dreams. But I knew, then, that wherever God leads me, is where He wants me to be; and where God wants me to be is the perfect place for me to shine His light to others.

A GLORIOUS SERVICEBy OGOS M. AZNAR

Answered QuestionsBy BETHANY ANNE P. DECHAVEZ

SINGLE BLESSEDNESS TREASURES, clockwise from top: members of the dynamic team; Carlo Lorenzo hosting the event; the Production team and members of the Music Ministry, standing from left: Maynard, Ogos, Chris, Angel, Joel; seated from left: Kate, Riza, Rowena, Pearl, and Eline.

Bro. Obet Cabrillas leads Youth Stream.Photo by Janelle Ibay

4 THE FEAST September 30, 2012

Is the Career Stream for all or is it only ideal for those who are newly graduates? -- Shoji

Kerygma Conference learning event on Career will center on how one may be a champion at work. Working people actually spend more time at the workplace than at home. So, the Career stream will teach you how to survive the corporate jungle, so to speak, how to win people, and most important, how one can be a witness for Christ in the workplace-- without being preachy.

Why was the Health stream added this year? -- Nery

Among the prayer requests received by the Feast, a good number are from people with serious health problems or people asking for prayers for loved ones who are sick.

How can this stream help me maintain a healthy lifestyle? -- Perry

You will learn very practical ways not even your doctor will tell you. Why? Find out!

Q and A

Not an Impossible VowBy KIM PAMPLONA

SOME people may tell you, that’s an impossible vow to take!

I heard the line in the Kerygma Conference 2012 video teaser which was shown at the Feast recently. The video brought back memories of the Single Blessedness stream I attended last year.

Come to think of it, it was not purely by preference that I was at that stream. Aside from fulfilling a Media Ministry assignment, I was there --a bit reluctant-- but believing we all need to be open to heed God’s calling.

Remaining single may not be appealing to many of us. Yes, it may even sound like an impossible vow to take. The Single Blessedness stream, however, taught me that the state of life is something personal and that it involves conscious discernment and openness to God’s guidance.

We were around 200 participants who were at various stages of discernment. Some had not started the process, and attending this stream could be the very first step they had taken to rev up their curiosity. Some were in the middle of discerning and felt they needed clarity and leading by God. Others were already living and most probably enjoying their chosen path of single blessedness. Whichever state we were in, we were all seeking to be nourished and be empowered. We were focused on discerning and then fulfilling our glorious calling.

At the time, I was one of those wanting to get hold of a powerful crystal ball to finally reveal the answers to my haunting questions. Am I for married life? If in the end the answer is yes, when will all the false hopes cease? Do I have a calling for single blessedness? What will my “happy ending”

be, and how do I end with it? I could almost shake God: When will I find my destiny?

One full day of hearing testimonies of real single people living blessed and fulfilled lives, pacified my restlessness. I realized that we are all called for specific missions. Married life is a calling, same with consecrated life and single blessedness. If we ignore and escape our way, it may be difficult to find peace and happiness. It is a real blessing if we get to recognize where we are called.

When I finally learned to let go, God orchestrated what to me is His Big Reveal. I am now short of four months away from getting married. I am more happy to be altar-bound, not because I was escaping a fear of being alone, but because I am fulfilling His calling.

God changed my restlessness to openness. He made me see how wide the channels of happiness are. It does not matter which state of life you live. How you live it is what matters. I learned to appreciate and honor those who have embraced their consecrated life, those who have discovered the richness of the solo state, those who have discerned their life mission and courageously answered its call.

Each of the participants of the Kerygma Conference 2011 Single Blessedness stream was pampered by God’s special embrace: from the red carpet entrance, to glamorous hall ambience, to ardent worship and music, to empowering talks, to insightful ministry time activity, down to the fun photo booth sessions and fellowship. Every one of us experienced growth, grace, and glory!

This year’s offer of Single Blessedness stream excites me. God will surely be working miracles again to a lot of persons. He will pacify the restless. He will embrace the single to be fully blessed. He will make each champion arise.

Some people may tell you, that’s an impossible vow to take. But Someone else is telling you, you are a champion. And because you are a champion, champions change the world.

PHOTO OP. Kim (2nd from left) in various poses at the Single Blessedness photo booth, with other participants, from left: Rhoda Osalvo, Joy Nacuray, and Dave Apalla.

THE FEAST September 30, 2012 5

BLESSINGLOGS

SCARFACEBy JOSE ARJHEZ INSIGNE as told to AILEEN GRACE ALVAREZ

I LEARNED to drink and smoke when I was in my early years in high school. As a teenager, I hardly went to church. I didn’t talk about my problems to anyone. I dealt with my issues alone, downed with alcohol. After I graduated from high school, occupied by may

addictions, I didn’t go to college for a year. When I finally decided to enter

college, I enrolled for a degree as Bachelor of Science in Maritime Transportation. And part of my curriculum was bar hopping. Oh, I quit smoking, but continued drinking. I jumped from one fling to another. I even had a mutual understanding with someone for weeks. We had a movie date and watched The Amnesia Girl. The next day I was surprised to find out through Facebook that her relationship status suddenly became “in a relationship”-- with somebody else. She disappeared just like that.

Losing Miss Amnesia Girl, plus my activities as a Student Council officer, and the upcoming exams stressed me out. I called some friends for a drinking session, got my dad’s motorcycle, and zoomed to four bars in Cavite and Las Piñas.

After all the fun and my attempts to forget my problems, we decided to go home. I hesitated to wear my helmet then finally, I decided not to. I simply didn’t care. I didn’t want to think anymore. Drunk and hard-hearted, I drove down the dark highway.

Then it happened. I saw images of my family... I felt an

exhale of cold breath... and nothing more.I woke up with blood all over me. I

touched my face and I could feel ripped off flesh. Broken pieces of glass stuck in my skull.

Then, my friend arrived. Later he would tell me that he saw me speeding away. He knew I was in no condition to drive my motorcycle, so he followed me.

“I saw you slam against the central island,” he told me. “And as the motorcycle crashed, your body spun to the other lane!”

He checked my pulse and he said he couldn’t feel a beat.

Incredibly, though, I was able to stand up and pick up my tattered motorcycle to drive myself to the hospital.

“No!” my friend said. “Don’t move. You’re injured!”

You know, the next thing I did? I punched my friend.

Must have been adrenaline rush that allowed me to do that. I didn’t feel any

RENEWED, from top: Jose (right) with Bro. Bo Sanchez and friend Mark Macaraeg during Kerygma Conference 2011; 2nd row, from left: with co-servants at Feast Cavite; giving a talk before students of Paco Catholic School; 3rd row, from left: giving another talk at Calaruega, Nasugbu, Batangas; and sharing at Feast Cavite.

pain. You see, only my face was injured. No damage on my body. So, I was able to jump on my motorcycle and drive myself to a hospital.

I sustained 42 stitches all over my face.

After the surgery, the doctor told me, “It’s a miracle you survived.”

I didn’t think much about the doctor’s comment. Life went on after the accident. Until one day, our religion professor told us about the Feast in Cavite.

He said he’d exempt us from attending one of our classes, on one condition: that we would attend the Feast in Cavite.

Some 20 of my classmates and schoolmates agreed to go. Since it was a lazy Sunday, I joined the group.

At first, I found the Feast boring. I was like, “This is not my thing.”

But as the preacher talked on stage, I somehow felt he was directly talking to me. I remember the talk was about forgiveness.

6 THE FEAST September 30, 2012

Editor’s Note: Have you a similar story how you have received blessings from God? Share! and let the world know miracles still do happen today to give hope especially to the lost. For details, email feasteditor@gmail.com, or call 09399044065.

ONE DAY, I was surfing on the YouTube when I saw this man giving inspirational messages in a series of short videos. I began to watch and listen.

That’s how I came to know about Bro. Bo Sanchez. I searched for more videos about him, and I stumbled upon this replay of the Feast. I watched it, and was I amazed. Every word Bro. Bo uttered sent goosebumps all over me and before his talk ended, I was reduced to tears.

From then on, I watched replays of the Feast every night before I slept. Then one Saturday evening, I said to myself, “Tomorrow. I will go to the Feast tomorrow.”

I usually sleep at 3 a.m. but that night, I dozed off at 9 p.m. Then, in a snap, I woke up at 6 a.m, without the help from an alarm clock or someone rocking me to wake up. I took a bath, dressed up, had breakfast. I checked the time: it was 7:30 a.m.. I thought I was late already. I took an FX going to the Manila Bay area. I checked the time: 10 minutes to 8 a.m. Strange. Usually, it would take 40 to 60 minutes to get to the Manila Bay but it took me less than 30 minutes!

I got off at the Cultural Center of the Philippines-- because I didn’t know where PICC was. Then I saw this bunch of people who seemed to be going to one direction. I surmised they were going to where I wanted to go, so I followed them. True enough they led me to PICC.

I went inside the building, somewhat jittery because I didn’t know where to go really. Then a lady greeted me “Good morning,” and gave me a mini magazine. I continued to follow the flow of people, and next thing I knew, I was inside the Plenary Hall.

“I am finally at the Feast!” I said to myself.

The upbeat music, the songs, the Mass, the Worship, and then Bro. Bo Sanchez in the flesh! I could not believe that the man I used to see only on videos was actually in front of me, live!

That day, aside from Bro. Bo, there were three other preachers-- Bro. Adrian

Panganiban, Bro. George Gabriel, and Bro. Alvin Barcelona. I would learn that the Feast I walked into what was called the BreakFeast which wrapped up the series titled Younique. Each preacher testified on how the talks applied to him.

Each sharing was so edifying I was clapping my hands until they hurt.

One song that pierced my heart was Who Am I by Casting Crowns. At the very first line, I started to cry so hard, I had to take off my eyeglasses and pull out my hanky-- good thing, I brought one-- to wipe my tears.

The song was about one who thinks he does not deserve to be with the Lord. And I just felt alluded to. As the lyrics put it, I was actually “a flower quickly fading.”

I then felt repentance was coming off me. For the past two years I was not going to church. I was actually feeling horns had sprouted onto my forehead.

The next song, Beneath the Waters (I Will Rise) still made me cry, but this one made me feel better for its message was “like Christ, you will rise.”

After the Feast, ladies at the Lobby carrying a placard saying “Welcome First-Time Attendees!” invited me to go to a section where the welcomers gave me an ensaymada. Then, they led me to the Singles Men group. We gathered, prayed, and shared our Feast experience. Before we parted, we prayed again, and wished everyone to make attending the Feast a Sunday habit.

I ventured to go to the Feast not really knowing how to find it. But I got there so easily, like I was a robot automated to get there. It was a Force I could not resist. It was God, taking me to the happiest place on Earth.

A Force I Could Not ResistBy JEROME LAGBAS

And the preacher goes, “It’s not an accident that you are here!”

Now, that hit me big time! I continued to attend the Feast. I

was the only one left from the original 20 challenged by our teacher to attend the Feast. Listening to the talks, I got to know myself more and then I realized how great God is. I began to believe that I was really not there by accident. God wanted me to be there. I understood that I had more blessings than problems.

Of late, my family and friends have noticed a change in me. They said I now wear a smile and mingle a lot. I recently joined a Caring Group which has helped me take out the trash within me. I now view my problems as challenges. I could now say that I’m stronger, wiser-- yes, a better person.

I decided to stop drinking. One time, I attended a birthday party of a friend. And the guys goaded me to have a beer.

I said, “No, thank you.”Next thing I knew, they were

pouring beer on my head. Did I get mad? Surprisingly, no. I’ve changed, all right.

Right now, I happily serve as a singer in the Feast Cavite Music Ministry. I look forward to God’s words through the Mass. I could still remember that during my younger years, I never attended any retreat or recollection. But now, to my surprise, I do give talks together with my fellow servants in retreats and recollections, sharing what God has done to my life. I graduated from college and I graduated from my old habits as well.

I share to whoever cares to listen my past-- and I tell them they don’t need to experience a horrible accident to embrace change. I tell them that they don’t need to undergo trials to get the lesson, because it would be great if they can learn life’s lessons from other people-- like me. I show them my scarred face, because this is a symbol of the turning point in my life and also a symbol of God’s love for me.

Yes, it sometimes takes a painful situation to change us and tests are repeated until the lesson is learned. God loves us for who we are. His acceptance is enough for us to realize our worth. God wants me to rewrite my story. He wants me to change the meaning that was attached to the negative events that happened in my life. I can’t erase the past but I can change its meaning. God will use these experiences for something wonderful because He wants me to be a better person each passing day. Nothing or no one can separate me from my love for God. Not my past, my sins, and my mistakes.

I believe that scars will turn into stars that will bless the world.

FOUND. Jerome arriving at the Feast PICC.

THE FEAST September 30, 2012 7

LOST and FOUND If you lost or found an item, please approach any of the ushers who will guide you to our Lost and Found section.

The FEAST, published by the Light of Jesus Family, is distributed during The Feast by the Manila Bay, a weekly prayer gathering of the Light of Jesus held at the Philippine International Convention Center, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila, every Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.,10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 3:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

The FEAST holds office at The Lighthouse, 60 Chicago St., Quezon City, with telephone numbers 725-9999, and email address feasteditor@gmail.com.

BO SANCHEZFounder

CYNTHIA U. SANTIAGOEditor-in-Chief

BELLA ESTRELLA Managing Editor

KRISTINE MUTUCAPPLE CHICO Associate Editors

EDMUNDO SANTIAGOChief Photographer

CRIS LEGASPIAssistant Chief Photographer

ROSALYN ALBERTOGERALD GONZALESJAMES MORRISONRAMEL ROBLESALEX UY YCOPhotographers

JAMES BARDOSCES GONZALESAILEEN GRACE ALVAREZSHOJI MERISReporters

JOEL ESTRELLAChief Artist

JANELLA IBAYDON FRONDOSOAssistant Artists

MEMBERSHIP:KIM PAMPLONAHead

ARLENE BATISLAONGAssistant Head

FINANCE:JANE IBAYHead

CHICHI BARBAAssistant Head

PUBLIC RELATIONS:RHODA OSALVO

Head

MARTHINA G. SALOMEAssistant Head

ONE MORE MIRACLE

Got One More Miracle? A mysterious, inexplicable experience—a miracle God has allowed to happen to let you know He loves you? Share! Email your article with your picture to feasteditor@gmail.com.

Feast Hong KongWhat: 2nd Year Anniversary Celebration w/guest preacher George GabrielWhere: 5/F Caritas Community Hall, 2 Caine Rd Hong KongWhen: October 23, 2012 at 2:30-5:30 p.m.

UPDATEBy MIA FRANZ CATAN

UP Campus Feast What: Games. Kantahan. Inspirational Talk. Kainan.Where: Balay Kalinaw, UP CampusWhen: Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m.

Feast New Jersey What: We are working on our desire to have ‘The Feast’ in Southwest New Jersey. Inform your relatives now!When: We look forward to start The Feast in New Jersey very soon. Where: Woodbury and West Deptford, Southwest New Jersey, USACall 732-678-6935 or email njfeast@gmail.com

Oh, Yes!By FATIMA JOY B. BALUNGAYA

LAST June, I left my home in Tuguegarao, for a vacation in Manila. I stayed with my sister Lorraine who invited me to go with her to the Feast.

Going to a prayer meeting was not my idea of a vacation. Shopping was more like it. I dilly dallied, but okay, all right, I went along with Lorraine.

As we entered PICC, people greeted us, smiling, nodding, waving their hands. Urghh. Corny.

“This will be my last, for sure,” I told myself.

As we entered the Plenary Hall, I saw people raising their hands, some with closed eyes, some with tears falling down their cheeks. I just didn’t get it.

We arrived when the Mass was about to end.

“Ayan, late tayo,” my sister glared at me. But of course, she could not reprimand me because I was older than her.

I simply smirked. Soon, the Mass was over, and I was

like, “Good. Now I can go shopping.”But Lorraine goes, “Lipat tayo dun.

May upuan...”She found vacant seats. Oh, no,

we’re staying!Now everybody was clapping and

howling and clapping.They were very excited about something, I was so clueless about. Then four gorgeous guys came hopping onstage and began singing, encouraging the audience to raise their hands...

Oh, no...I don’t do this thing! Because FYI, I’m a cool gal...I am.

A little more minutes later, I was feeling it. I actually felt that my heart was digesting it no matter how my brain disregarded the idea that I truly was enjoying -- until the four guys called onstage “Bro. Bo Sanchez!”

The popular Mission Impossible music blasted and a guy in tux entered onstage.

My sister murmured, “Yan si Bro. Bo Sanchez, magaling yan, tignan mo, basta.”

Bro. Bo began to talk, and I felt like he was having a one-on-one session-- with me.

He said there are many things that would change. But there’s only one thing that won’t change: God’s love -- for me.

on white envelops. Hmmm, that was what the envelop for. So I wrote on my envelop too-- questions that bothered me, a decision I had to make.

One week after, I received a call: a job offer. A job that won’t require me to leave my kids and my husband-- but still provide my desired salary!

You see, I was torn between accepting an offer to work in the Middle East and earn hefty dinars and staying here, with my family, without income. Those were the questions I wrote on my white envelope. Answered!

Now, I am here in the big city once again for my job training and while I’m here, I see to it that my Sunday is exclusively for Him...at the Feast. One more week and I’m back to my province and I believe that the four Sundays I was at the Feast was worth a new life, a new direction, a new plan, and a changed me.

COOL GAL. Fatima Joy remains cool, but is happier.

How did he guess what was on my mind? I must admit, at the time, I needed to make a big decision in my life. I had to take one big step and I needed some help on how to go about it.

Then, ladies carrying baskets stood in front, below the stage. I saw people writing

8 THE FEAST September 30, 2012