Former Senator NIKKI COSETENG: The biggest cross I’ve had to carry was my mother’s death.
JAY R., R&B Prince: The biggest cross I have is my black pendant cross. It’s about three inches. (laughs)
Isabela Governor GRACE PADACA: The biggest cross I ever had was my having to take care of one-and-a-half million Isabeliños when, as a handicapped person since the age of three, I am used to being the one taken care of. I once heard Pastor Peter Tan Chi of the Christ Commission Fellowship say that one’s cross is not something he has no choice but to carry. You can’t refuse it. Many times as governor, I have wished that the Lord would take the cup away from me but He always gives me the grace to go on for His will, not mine, to be done.
PAENG NEPOMUCENO, six-time World Bowling champion: The biggest cross I’ve had to carry was in 1998 when my family found out that my brother was terminally ill. In six months’ time he was gone. It was our great faith in the Lord that helped us through the ordeal. My parents, sisters and I still miss him until now.
JERICHO ROSALES, actor: I think the biggest cross I ever had in my life and career was when I decided to concentrate on my music career and take a break from acting in 2006. My acting schedule was doing stunts and acting for 28 hours straight, taping three times a week for two seasons, plus doing guest appearances, going on international trips and doing a boxing film that was shot in Las Vegas, General Santos City and Manila, all over!....parusa sa katawan! I would cry out of fatigue. So I wanted a break. All I really wanted all my life was to sing. I wrote all the songs in my album because I am a very emotional dude. But I didn’t think people would reject my decision violently. They wanted me to act only. I wanted to act but I also wanted to sing! Worse, I had personal problems that I did not know how to fix. I became rebellious and my attitude was wrong. I turned down so many soap operas and movies and I wanted to become a more seasoned singer, which was my dream as a boy when I used to play the guitar and sing on the roof. But the cross turned into a blessing when I met people who patiently guided me and mentored me into knowing God in a better way. I was humbled. Music became therapy to me and today I know I have become a wiser man in the process. Resurrection!
LOUIE YSMAEL, businessman: I have never had any unpleasant experience that can be considered a "cross to bear." I have certainly done many wrong things in my life but I have learned how to deal with and live with them in time. God willing, I will never have a "cross to bear."
Dr. VIVIAN SARABIA: I consider myself an optimistic person because I am a firm believer in divine providence. As a result, I turn my crosses into blessings from God who is a good Father.
Three years ago, I was diagnosed with stage-three colon cancer. I certainly felt the blow of the situation. But my emotions were cushioned by my belief that everything happens for a reason. I learned to turn my crosses into blessings by having faith in God’s plan. I am blessed to say that I am cured of the cancer and that this experience has awakened me to the fact that life is a gift. And every moment is a chance to make a beautiful one. And now, when faced with difficulties, I say to myself, "This too shall pass" and so it does.
MERLE TIONGSON-DONA, businesswoman: It’s dealing with people who offer you support and pretend to be true friends when things are good, but when it gets bad, they turn their backs on you. And you realize too late that they were just using you for their own benefit.