As Doris Day sang, ‘Que sera, sera’ - JAYWALKER by Art A. Borjal

Had the power blackout happened on May 14, Election Day, you can just imagine the chaos that would have ensued. How would the counting of votes be done, without emergency generators or a lot of candles at hand? And how would the certificates of canvass be prepared, without any lights to illuminate the place?

* * *

It is strange that the Commission on Elections has not reacted to the power blackout last Saturday. The poll body has not mentioned what emergency measures it has adopted to cope with such an eventuality. Probably, the Comelec is merely leaving it all up to God, because of the reality that it can offer nothing else. Bahala na ang Diyos.

* * *

Abraham "Bambet" Mirandilla Jr., the 30-year-old seminarian who is about to be ordained as a deacon and is just a few steps away from becoming a priest, will finally have his kidney transplant on April 20 at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute. The donor is Maria Socorro Jean Carretero Asoy of Sorsogon, the 51-year-old sister of a Jesuit priest and a pre-school teacher. This is a race againt time, with high hopes that the life of God’s future priest will be saved.

* * *

The Good Samaritan Foundation has been in contact with the father and other relatives of Bambet. In fact, I have already turned over to Bambet’s father a check for P10,000, with Bishop Jesus Y. Varela as payee, that came from a kind lady known for her commitment to nationalism and civic work.

* * *

We are still far away from the goal of P700,000 which was cited as the expense that will be incurred in Bambet’s pre-transplant, transplant, and post- transplant expenses. However, since time is of the essence in saving Bambet’s life, it has been decided to go ahead with the kidney transplant on April 20, with the hope that God will inspire Good Samaritans to lend a helping hand.

* * *

In the meantime, let me give you a brief profile of Bambet’s family. His father, Abraham Mirandilla Sr., is an employee of the Department of Education with a monthly take-home pay of P7,000. Bambet has a married sister who is unemployed, married to a casual government employee. His only other close kin are a 7-year-old nephew and a 4-year-old niece.

* * *

Ever since Bambet’s kidney disorder was discovered, his father has been taking care of the dialysis expenses. As a result, the family savings have been totally depleted. Compounding the family problem is that the low-cost house they are living in is still amortized. Moreover, Bambet’s father has to support his daughter and son-in-law. How the Mirandilla family has been able to sustain Bambet’s dialysis expenses is a mystery. Probably, God wants Bambet to live so that he could soon become God’s good servant.

* * *

Christian-hearted individuals and entities can help seminarian Bambet, during his family’s time of ordeal, by sending their donations either to Bishop Jesus Y. Varela of the Archdiocese of Sorsogon or to the Good Samaritan Foundation, at tel. nos. 716-1399 and 716-1499, Unit 1-B RM Arcade, 80 Ramon Magsaysay Blvd., Quezon City. In the meantime, let me acknowledge the donation of Edmundo Magdaraog of the Bureau of Customs, who sent P1,000. Thanks a million, and may the Holy Week be truly meaningful to one and all!

* * *

Now is the best time to share with STAR readers some of the inspiring text messages that have kept my cellular phone busy during the past several days. I have regular texters, among them businessmen Noli Agcaoili, Pop Cola’s Elmer Yanga, National Telecom regional director Lilia de la Peña, Bong Cruz, and PT graduating student Jun-Jun Cruz, and their messages always provide food for thought.

* * *

Here are samples of the text messages that Christian-hearted individuals never seem to run out of:

Heaven sends a gift each morning...
a gift of a brand new day.
What a joy it is to share it
w/ 1 of God’s greatest gifts...
a person as wonderful as u.
Good morning!

* * *

As the sky breaks into a beautiful sunrise,
may God open heaven to shower you
with lots of love and happiness
to make your day a meaningful one.
Good morning!

* * *

God is always nearby
to hear ur worries.
Whatever our cross,
whatever our pain,
God always sends
rainbows after the rain.
Good morning!

* * *

Each day God expects a new you.
Start the day w/ humility.
Go on w/ patience
& end it w/ praise.
After all, He brings out
the best in us.
GodBw/Ualways.
GdPM!

* * *

I wish you rainbows that never fade,
blessings that never end,
and a heart filled wd love
to keep u smiling always!
Stay hapi. Have a wonderful day!

* * *

Anoder day has come...
n we may not knw
wats nstor 4 us 2day.
Rmbr dat Sombody up der...
wil jst be waiting
4U to call Him
wen U think uv lost ur contrl.
Godbless!

* * *

Survivl kit contnts:
Pencil- 2 write dwn blsings rcvd,
Eraser- 2 erase all hurts n pains,
Ink- 2 rmnd us God blots out sin,
Crayon- 2 color d wrld wid His luv.
Gud AM!

* * *

Many people r now obsessed
with the letter C cellfone, credit card, cash, etc.
This Lent, let’s reflect
on the real meaning of C:
Christ, Cross & Care.
Gd day!

* * *

Has life been good?
Let God hear your "THANK YOU."
Has it been bad?
Let Him hear your
"I TRUST IN YOU."
Has it been unfair?
Shhh... Just have faith in Him.
Gud PM!

* * *

God is good!
God is great!
God luvs U!
May your heart be always open
to God’s plan & surprises.
God b w/ U always!
Gud mrng!

* * *

Love never grows wen it is
kept secretly in our hearts.
Love will find its fulfilllment
wen it finds its way out
2 d heart of d person
destined to keep it.
Gudnyt!

* * *

God is always playing chess
w/ each 1 of us.
He makes moves in our life
& then sits back 2 see
how we react 2 d challenges.
So make d best move!

* * *

Dreams visit us when we r asleep.
But God is truly wise.
He wakes us up each day
& gives us evry chance
to make our dreams come true.
Gud AM!

* * *

My e- mail address: <[email protected]>