Phl is now under the protection of Mama Mary

For our special presentation on our talk show on Straight from the Sky, we bring you a talk about the 17th edition of the Cebu Business Month (CBM) of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (CCCI) that we have always supported in this TV program in the past 13-years of our existence. With us tonight is CCCI President Lito Maderazo and Vice-President for Membership Development and CBM 2013 Chairperson Ms. Melanie Ng.

The theme for this year’s CBM is Excite Cebu… and one of their major activities is the CBM Tourism Congress and the Cebu City Tourism Night. Incidentally, while I was writing this piece, I read a news report from the Freeman that the City of Cebu has not included a financial assistance package for the CCCI in the last two years according to Councilor Margot Osmeña. The last time it was included in the budget of the city government was in the year 2011.

I would like to know why did the city government stop giving aid to Cebu’s premier business organization? Mind you, in places like Germany, the local government no longer gets business permits from businesses, as it is their various business guilds that collect these permits. But the City of Cebu continues to collect business taxes… and yet they cannot even help or financially support the Chamber during the CBM? What a shame!

Anyway, please watch this very interesting talk about the Cebu Business Month and the plans of the Cebu Chamber on SkyCable’s Channel 61 at 8:00pm tonight with replays on MyTV Channel 30 on M-W-F.

*  *  *

Last Saturday, I joined the group of the Human Life International (HLI) and the Task Force for Life and Family during the historic National Consecration of the Philippines to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The mass was officiated by Rev. Fr. Nilo Igloria, Rector of the Seminaryo Mayor de San Carlos. What made this Consecration extra special is that, it was happening to all the cathedrals and parishes all over the Philippines. This alone is a great blessing to Filipino Catholics who are especially devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

As we’ve written many times in past columns about the Fatima Apparitions in Oct.13, 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary requested the three little children to have Russia consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and there will be world peace. There were a few consecrations by previous popes, but never focused on Russia, hence the world today is still not at peace. All that the Vatican should do is heed the request of our Mama Mary.

Frustrated that the Vatican did not heed this request, on May 13, 1931 the Bishop of Leria, together with all the Portuguese Bishops before a huge crowd of 300,000 people, solemnly consecrated Portugal to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This consecration resulted in the “protection” of Portugal from the contamination of the communists who wanted to take over their nation and was sweeping throughout Europe.

Then Portugal, which is just next door to Spain, was spared from the horrors of the Spanish Civil War between the communists and Franco’s fascist. Then Portugal experienced a magnificent Catholic Renaissance or a rebirth of Catholic life. But most important of all, while Europe was in flames because of World War II, Portugal was spared from the devastation.

My faith tells me that last Saturday’s nationwide Consecration of the Philippines to the Immaculate Heart of Mary will result in a shower of graces from God. If Portugal was given those blessings way back in 1931, I don’t see why the Philippines would not be given a divine blessing, especially in these times when our nation is on its toes in keeping its sovereign right over our national borders, which China is using its military might to bully us.

Our nation has been having an internal security problems with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) that for decades continues to wage war against our people in that hypocritically named New People’s Army (NPA), an army of terrorists that kills not only the military and police, but innocent people. Worse for us, those above ground allies of the CPP are now members of Congress in that stupidity called the party-list system.

Again, I’d like to point out that I’m positive that this National Consecration would be a great blessing for the Filipino people. But it doesn’t mean to say that Satan will now abandon the Philippines. On the contrary, he will work harder to destroy our Church and the Filipino way of life. So please do not put your guard down and never cease to pray the Holy Rosary.

*  *  *

In celebration of the 115th year of Philippine Independence, Marco Polo Plaza Hotel has embarked on a culinary journey dubbed “Cocina del Siglo” at the Café Marco where you can taste your favorite Filipino and Spanish dishes that you could hardly find in most restaurants today. That’s from June 7 to 16. Yes, this was through the efforts of my wife, Jessica Avila.

*  *  *

Email: [email protected].