Devotion is an everyday thing and it gets tested every now and then, such is my experience.

There is nothing more painful than the loss of loved ones, particularly family. While I know that death or passing away is inevitable, I can never be prepared. Each is like a first.

When my parents were still around, I felt safe and secure. When I’ve done something wrong or when I made mistakes, faced difficulties, or have problems, I have them to help me pray to God for guidance, for forgiveness. I leave it to them to talk to God about their erring child. When my parents died, I suddenly found myself face to face with God. I felt vulnerable, like there is nothing or no one between me and God now, there is no one to shield me from God's wrath, so I thought. But then, there's Ina. My devotion to her made me felt like I've never really lost my parents.

I had two brother priests, Fr. Vito we call Manoy, and Fr. Wenceslao Jr. or Boboy to us family. They were both devotees of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Manoy left us in June of 2019 and in September of 2020, Boboy was also called home. Each passing was a very painful experience; physical, like somebody stabbed at my heart with a knife. I was overwhelmed with grief. But in the middle of my pain came the words "and sorrow, like a sharp sword, will break your own heart." The words reminded me that what I was feeling was not even a fraction of what Mama Mary must have felt; she has endured more sorrow for her son, Jesus. But she is there to comfort me.

Our devotion to Ina made us move forward with joy and thanksgiving, to take every opportunity to make happy memories, to look out for each other, and to pray for one another.

I pray every day to Our Lady of Peñafrancia, like a child to a mother, I tell her everything because I know she will let the Father know.