Divine sign for Princess

Living a comfortable, quiet life with her husband Jason Field in California, Princess Punzalan had some kind of premonition about Supertyphoon Yolanda days before it hit the Philippines.

Princess recalled that she was using a meme with a Biblical verse from The 700 Club as screensaver in her laptop. Every time she used her laptop, she automatically saw that meme, as if she was getting a “divine sign,” Princess told friends.

So when Yolanda struck, Princess coordinated with Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines, the humanitarian arm of CBN Asia, and signed up as volunteer nurse for the medical mission in Tacloban. Princess has taken up a nursing course in California.

She flew home posthaste. On her birthday last Nov. 20, the OB team cooked sopas with sardines even if a celebration was farthest from Princess’ mind. Instead, she buckled down to checking the survivors’ vital signs, dressing wounds and distributing medicines, at the same time praying over the survivors and their families.

Like the other volunteers, Princess slept on a wooden bench, ignoring the mosquito bites.

“At first,” Princess was quoted as saying, “I didn’t know what the Lord’s purpose was in bringing my attention to Operation Blessing. While with the Yolanda survivors, I realized how much the Lord love(s) me and how blessed I am, blessings that I have to share with those in need.”

Beauty queens without borders

Beauty Queens from various national beauty pageants are banding together to support Runway for Hope Year 2, A Charity Fashion Gala for the benefit of Yolanda victims, set for Dec. 8, 6 p.m., at ACE Hotel and Suites, United corner Brixton Streets, Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig City.

According to Funfare “beauty expert” Felix Manuel, the project was organized last year by Czarina Gatbonton (Bb. Pilipinas World 2010) and Diane Necio (Bb. Pilipinas International 2011) as a one-time charity event and is revived in the wake of Yolanda. Supporting the event are fashion designers, events organizers and make-up artists.

(For ticket inquiries and other means on how you can help, just like the official Facebook page of Beauties for A Cause, Runway for Hope 2. Or call Francis Calubaquib, Runway for Hope Volunteer at 0906-5127820 or Czarina Project Head at 09154203155.)

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)