Fr. Fernando Suarez finds God everywhere

Meeting a priest whose reputation precedes him, one cannot help but feel intimidation swelling up before the very first encounter with the Fr. Fernando Suarez.

One fears, for example, that for every not-so-clean word or politically incorrect phrase uttered, whether accidentally or otherwise, one will be struck by lightning from the heavens.

However, after attending Mass at MonteMaria where Fr. Suarez prayed with thousands and delivered an uplifting homily, he intimidated me no more, for he sports absolutely none of the snooty snobbery some of us associate with healers.

Fr. Suarez commands respect, and this observation springs not at all from the stern demeanor we stereotypically accord men of the cloth, but from his joyful and playful yet serious and charismatic conduct.

In fact, it is his charisma, sufficiently immersed in the ways of the common tao, which makes him simply a man among men.

We soon learned that in addition to his already all-consuming devotion to his mission and ministry, whenever possible the tireless priest plays tennis at least twice a week for three hours, and runs five kilometers every day. What could be a more balanced regular regimen than his?

Despite his accomplishments — founding the Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation and assisting in the building of the ambitious MonteMaria Oratory in Barangay Amuyong, Alfonso in Tagaytay, which they envision not only to be a site for pilgrimages but also to house retreats and recollections for soul-searching pilgrims, as well as to have the world’s tallest statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary a la Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer — one feels comfortable, yet in silent awe, sitting down with Fr. Suarez.

Instruments of the Lord: The icon of democracy Corazon Aquino with Fr. Suarez

But during a lunch graciously hosted by Sonya Garcia in her nearby garden, Fr. Suarez — with Rita Dy, Elsa Payumo, Ricky Ocampo and Lester Suntay — had all of us spellbound with his anecdotes and stories, some he had never told before.

PHILIPPINE STAR: What do you remember most of your first trip abroad?

FR. FERNANDO SUAREZ: My first trip abroad was to Winnipeg, Canada in 1995 in the middle of winter. I was so excited since I had never seen snow, never felt its actual texture. I badly wanted to touch it with my own hands, so the first thing I didwas to go to the park and actually tasted the snow. (Laughs) I was like a little boy in awe, thankful for the experience of discovering this white miracle that blanketed everything — the streets, trees, shrubs and greens.

What won’t you leave home without?

I can’t leave home without a rosary. The one I used to bring with me was given by Pope John Paul II. But that particular one, I gave it to a dear friend. The rosary I carry around with me these days is from Mother Teresa, one made of wood.

Who is your ideal traveling companion?

I enjoy traveling with Fr. Jeff Shannon. We find pleasure in similar things, from sports to the silly outings like window shopping. I would like to think I’m very integrated that way, very human, someone who plays tennis and does other things everyone else enjoys.

What is the first thing you do upon checking in at a hotel or resort?

I go to the washroom (laughs). Without wasting time, I check out the hotel’s surroundings. Being an outdoor person, I look forward to experiencing nature wherever I am. Walking through beautiful parks is a joy for it completely relaxes me.

Unselfish generosity: Philanthropist Danding Cojuangco with men of the cloth

What would you consider a must-do activity in every foreign town or city that you visit?

The first and foremost on my list is to visit churches and adoration chapels. If time permits, checking out the nearby tennis courts immediately follows.

Describe your most memorable trip.

I got stranded in Paris in 2002. The flight was overbooked and the check-in airline staff asked for passengers willing to be bumped off in exchange for a hosted three-to-four extra days of stay. I readily volunteered (laughs). That was the highlight for I was able to see Paris by myself. I walked and walked around the city, even rode the riverboats on my own. It was so memorable. Of course, I made sure I visited once again the Miraculous Medal Shrine on rue Du Bac. Whenever I’m in Paris, I never miss this site, for I have a very special relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was my mother who inspired me to do so.

What do you miss most when you’re away from home?

Nowadays, it’s MonteMaria that I miss.

Name your favorite city abroad.

I like Rome, most especially at night when it’s best to walk around and continuously discover what the city has to offer. This is not, of course, to mention that I have been blessed to have access to celebrate Mass in the Vatican.

Name your favorite spot in the Philippines.

I love Coron. It’s nature at its best. So pristine, it’s so beautiful over there — you can see God everywhere, anywhere.

What’s your favorite airline?

Bless me father: Fr. Ricky Ignacio and Fr. Fernando Suarez fulfill their dreams of celebrating Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Philippine Airlines mainly, because of its staff. The service is superb. It’s a very hospitable airline — is it perhaps because of the Filipino touch? I have tried other airlines, of course, but it’s PAL I like the most.

Favorite museum?

My choices are the Vatican museums. They house the Catholic Church’s immense collections of arts and artifacts accumulated over the centuries. The scope of what it has is priceless, awesome and mind-boggling.

Favorite resort?

I do love the Pearl Farm Resort. Honest. It’s one of the best resorts I’ve ever been to. It is simply made for indulgence, where they pamper you. Yet that place provides peace in momentary seclusion.

Favorite musical or play?

The songs in Mamma Mia! — all by Abba, that talented Swedish group — I find very light-hearted, very entertaining.

Favorite restaurant?

I like Japanese restaurants, Shakuji in particular. It has left a lasting impression on me.

Name an event anywhere in the world you would like to participate in?

I received a presidential invitation to the French Open just recently, an event I always wanted to attend. So luckily, I went. The director of the International Tennis Federation was here because of my ministry. He got healed by our Lord Jesus Christ through intercession of Mary. Since he was not Catholic, he converted to Catholicism — from Hindu to Catholic. I baptized him, the first to be baptized at MonteMaria.

Open arms, open hearts: As it happens everywhere they go, the traveling priest accompanied by his ideal traveling companion Fr. Jeffrey Shannon are welcomed by the Filipino community leaders and their families in Virginia, Maryland and Washington areas.

What are your pasalubongs? Outbound?

Religious articles, most of the time, usually from here at MonteMaria.

What’s the first thing you do upon returning home, besides unpacking?

I never unpack, I just go on and on and on. The moment I arrive, I leave again. I spend most of the time on the road. I may say I’m one priest who’s always on the go.

Name a city you have never visited but would like to someday.

I hope someday to visit St. Petersburg in Russia. Residents of the city and its surrounding areas are busy planning to have me visit them. If it materializes, then that’s a good reason — it’s a real reason (laughs), I am not making excuses just to go there.

Name a country you wish to explore.

The Philippines. Most islands have remained a mystery to even most Filipinos. It’s rather a shame that we hardly know our very own country.

What would you say is the best part of travel?

Education is what I value the most, learning about a particular place. And part of that is to know more about the religions its people believe in and practice, its history, its culture and what makes it tick.

If you could reside anywhere in the world aside from the Philippines, where would it be?

Definitely, Florida. The shores of Naples, Florida calm me — the vastness of the surrounding blue waters, the sunset, the horizon, the peace. Every visit is stress-free. I go every time I have a chance.

The ball of no return: The sportsman scores a point in a game of tennis in Melbourne, Australia.