For our beloved healing priest, Fr. Gerard Deveza, there is no stopping the fire in his heart which burns for the poor children. This all started in 2002 when he decided to build a school for them in order to provide free quality education. With the help of generous donors, this culminated in the Divine Healer Learning Center located in Cabid-an, Sorsogon. He started with two kinder classrooms. Proudly, Fr. Gerard says, the learning center has reached up to Grade 6 with the first batch graduating next school year. His current dream is an additional floor for high school classrooms. At present, the school has 248 students who have grown to become intelligent and God-fearing children due to a well-rounded curriculum.
Tireless is Fr. Gerard in this endeavor. So grateful is he for the many friends who likewise share his passion to see the fruition of this dream with an outpouring of their God given talents and resources.
In an effort to help, the very gifted chef Reggie Aspiras conceptualized and hosted a unique culinary charity event called “A Taste of Tabang” (“tabang” is a Bicolano word that means “help”).
She got together her willing and able friends in the food industry such as food historians Lillian Lising Borromeo and Francis Musni who conducted a lively cooking demo of age-old recipes. For dinner, Reggie and Atching Lillian collaborated on a Pampango spread filled with dishes of historical significance, food with stories to tell.
Healthy breads for the evening were provided for by Mr. and Mrs. John Lu Koa of French Baker, while pastry chef to the Hollywood stars Buddy Trinidad showcased his rendition of Filipino-inspired desserts. Olive Puentespina of Davao prepared a sampling of delicious local cheeses and the best bo-ang goat.
Equally gracious JR and Vinia Camacho of Prime Beef roasted their famous tender ribs and lechon baka by the slab on the spot.
A coffee, tea and smoothie bar set up by Cherry Cruz of Equilibrium, Café’ Mauro and Torani kept us all refreshed.
Maricel Manalo of San Miguel Corp. provided meats and Purefoods Jamon Royale. Chingling Tanco of Mida Food Corp. provided the freshest seafood.
Lyn of Lynster’s lechon did a melt-in-the-mouth lechon.
The event turned out to be a most palatable experience, a rediscovery of the unique tastes and flavors of Philippine cuisine, complemented by wines provided by Bobby Joseph of The Wine Museum and Ralph’s. Venue was chef Reggie’s ancestral home made even more beautiful by the floralscapes of Rachy Cuna.
Guests were serenaded all night by Bangge Mabanta, Emily Guinid, Benny Soliven and baritone Joan Geconcillo.
Fr. Gerard recollects with a smile: “Having come to see, hear and taste how the Lord is good... many hearts were touched that night, especially the children whose lives will prosper from the education they can now receive. It will only cost you P7,000 to send a child to our school for a whole year.”
(For more information about the Healing Servants Foundation, please contact 0917-5382033 or e-mail healingservants@gmail.com. You may also log on to www.healingservants.com.)
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