Who do you pray to?

There have been moments in my life where the only thing left for me to do was to run to prayer.  I can’t count how many times I’ve tried to test the power of prayer and up to this very moment I can say it has never, ever failed me.  Prayer is surrendering ourselves to the Lord and giving Him the power to do what is best for us. Whatever time of day we choose to pray, whichever saint we call on doesn’t matter. For as long as we give time for prayer – not only when we need something but in every moment – we get a chance to spend time with Him.

EJ LITTON, businessman

I actually pray to a lot of saints like St. Joseph, St. Nicholas of Bari, St. Theresa and St. Josemaria Escriva, but now particularly to St. Peregrine, who is referred to as the "cancer saint," due to my present condition.

NICOLE ORTEGA, financial advisor

Ever since childhood, I never really had an inclination to pray to any of the saints, although the manner in which they lived their lives should serve as an inspiration to us all. It has always been my principle to pray directly to God the Father, in the name of my savior Jesus Christ. In doing so, I find that my relationship with God has become more personal and responsive.

JULIUS BABAO, TV and radio personality

Oftentimes Tin Tin and I pray to our patron saint Anthony De Padua. Many miracles have happened in our lives which we believed happened because of the intercession of St. Anthony. That’s why we named our daughter Antonia after him. We also donate images of St. Anthony to different churches and chapels as a way of thanking Him for responding to our prayers.

MIKE DEFENSOR, DENR Secretary

I pray as much as I possibly can. When I wake up, when I lie down to sleep, when in my car or before a meeting, conference or speech. I pray to thank Him, to say sorry, to ask for guidance and protection or to shield me from evil and temptation. Connecting to the Lord gives you strength, inner peace, wisdom and from time to time small miracles.

IVAR ASERON, fashion designer

I pray to God for adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication. I talk to Him about anything and everything, anytime and every time, anywhere and everywhere.

LOUIE B. PUYAT, chairman, Manila Bank

The object of my prayers is the Blessed Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. I ask intercession from the saints, especially Our Lady, Mama Mary. St. Joseph as a model husband and father. Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei, St. Ignatius of Loyola.

TWEETIE DE LEON GONZALEZ, jewelry designer

Anybody who knows me well knows that I constantly pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary for intercession with the Father. I pray to her during serious situations, for parenting matters and even for mundane reasons such as easing traffic when I’m running late for appointments. She hardly ever, ever fails me. I encourage all to call on her as well.

NORA SALAZAR, businesswoman

I pray to the Sacred Heart of Jesus because his heart is the fountain of life and holiness, the source of our redemption. And what is life if not the beginning of human holiness, the holiness which is in God and which man can reach with the help of grace? All of us wish to drink from the divine heart, which is the source of life and holiness.

CHERRY REYES, creative and managing director, Essensuals Toni & Guy

I don’t know if she is considered a saint, but I pray to Our Lady of Manaoag. I visit the church in Pangasinan especially when I have special requests. Otherwise, I pray directly to God on a daily basis.

VANNA CALALANG SEVERINO, chef

I pray to God most of the time. I feel closer to Him when I talk to Him directly and have conversations with Him not only when I need something.