The miracle in Vilma’s life

After recovering from back pain which tied her down for three weeks, Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos recently appeared before the press for the Third National Pilgrimage for Peace to Lipa at the media office of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

"Lipeños are my priority right now, They believed and supported me as the first woman mayor even if I’m not a Lipeño or Batangueño," she says.

Vilma’s back pain alarmed her so much, she decided to have a complete check-up, including a CT Scan, mammography and MRI of the brain. Luckily, all the test results are okay and she happily says, "According to the doctor, my brain is still intact. It is the brain of a 25-year-old. But my spine is is that of a 38-year-old lady’s."

As a Marian devotee, the Lipa mayor is appealing to the people to join the pilgrimage in honor of Mother Mary to fervently pray for peace and unity in the country. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, through Proclamation 1095, declared Sept. 12 a National Day of Prayer, Reparation and Consecration for our nation.

"Since I studied at St. Mary’s Academy, I grew up under the guidance and teachings of the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM). That’s why I have a high regard for the Blessed Mother," Vilma says.

The Carmel of Lipa has become a pilgrims’ destination since miracles attributed to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace were believed to have taken place.

Furthermore, CBCP president Archbishop Angel Lagdameo urges, "Let us go to Mary" to pray for the country.

Fr. James Reuter, S.J. also requests everyone to pray for unity and to stop acts of violence not just tomorrow but every single day.

According to Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, D.D., true peace, which Christians believe is God’s gift to the world, can guarantee harmony and progress. Miracles are great occurrences, but people should learn how to do acts of kindness at the same time.

Asked if she has experienced a miracle in her life, Vilma replies, "Although I’m not a Batangueño, Lipeños believed in me and made me their mayor. I didn’t expect this to happen. This, for me, is already a miracle."

She admits getting a different high in serving people. But she doesn’t know yet if she will run for another government position or not. And she might be do movies again.

Mayor Vilma still has eight months to think things over.

"Whether I run or not, I will continue working because it is my source of energy and adrenaline," Vilma says.

Now on her last term as Lipa mayor, Vilma is giving her all to serve and work for the betterment of the city so she could leave a good legacy to her constituents.

She invites everyone to Lipa tomorrow. Lipa, the mayor adds, is blessed to be the center of this National Day of Prayer.

And of course, she concludes, it doesn’t matter what religion or religious organizations people belong. What counts most is being united in praying for peace in the country.