‘We care, we share’

It was a euphoric night that began quietly at first with a solemn thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Fr. Gerard Deveza at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City. The priest celebrated the Mass with gratitude in his heart for the generous benefactors of the Divine Healer Academy, a mission school in Cabid-an, Sorsogon that he founded for underprivileged and deserving students. The school is now on its 10th year.

The night of caring and sharing at the Polo Club unleashed divine talents and energies too joyful to conceal! After saying grace before meals, our emcee, two-time Catholic Mass Media Awardee Büm Tenorio Jr. welcomed generous benefactors who filled up the main lounge of the Polo Club and introduced the members of the Healing Servants Foundation. They were overwhelmed by such strong presence and enthusiastic support from benefactors that night.

During the program, while guests were partaking of a sumptuous dinner, the students and Fr. Gerard touched the hearts of the audience through their rendition of The Carpenters hit song I Won’t Last a Day Without You and James Taylor’s You’ve Got a Friend to express how much the caring and sharing meant to them. 

Surprise guest Jon Santos tickled those funny bones that night, too.

Show director Ding Mercado got the members of the crowd on their feet with a rousing performance of nostalgic tunes like The Harder I Try (The Bluer I Get) and You to Me Are Everything.

Then it was time to turn over the stage to the guest performers who flew all the way from Sorsogon to share their phenomenal talent by entertaining the joyous crowd — the Singing Ambassadors of Sorsogon.

A full band with 20 strong members sang hit songs of the ‘70s and before we knew it, the dance floor was jammed with dancers of all ages from 16 to 61. There was a dancing frenzy to Night Fever, September, Play That Funky Music, YMCA, I Love The Nightlife, among other hits of the ‘70s.

 Shared talents flowed from the performers to the hosts to the singers and lead dancers. It was truly a meaningful night to remember!

“Thank you to all those who continue to support the Divine Healer Academy,” says Fr. Gerard. “It is because of your caring and sharing that these children live happy and hopeful lives and will be able to complete another year of education!”

(Would love to hear from you at miladayjewels@yahoo.com. For more information, visit www.healingservants.com or call 0917-5382033. You can send an e-mail at healingservants@gmail.com.)

Photos by Larry Tamondong of Pacific Light Studio