MANILA, Philippines - Five years after the stigmatic priest Padre Pio was canonized by Pope John Paul II in Rome on June 16, 2002, a miracle happened last March 2. When his tomb was opened by an Archbishop from the Vatican, Padre Pio?s body was found incorrupt. Today, thousands of pilgrims are flocking to San Giovanni Rotondo in Italy to say ?thank you? for prayers answered and to pray more for help.

In the Philippines, businessman Ramon Escobar Rodriguez and his wife Didi Cloribel Rodriguez continue to maintain the Philippine Centre of St. Pio on their property on 188 E. Rodriguez Ave., Bagumbayan, Quezon City. With the help of the center?s board headed by Rafael Ortigas, there now stands a big chapel designed like the one in San Giovanni Rotondo. The façade is shaped like the Cross.

It all began when Ramon Rodriguez experienced St. Padre Pio?s miracle in 1979. At that time, Ramon was hardly praying and had not gone to church for a long time. Even when he suffered high blood pressure of 240/130 that caused blindness in his right eye and blurred vision in his left, he didn?t go down on his knees to ask for help.

A friend then gave him a novena to Padre Pio. He just put it on his desk at home. One evening, out of curiosity, he picked up the novena and wondered who Padre Pio was. Unconsciously he was reading the novena and wondered why he was able to read it. When he went to his ophthalmologist, Dr. Naval, he was told that he was cured. He could already see clearly.

Right then and there, Ramon promised Padre Pio that he would pray his novena everyday and that he would venerate Padre Pio for the rest of his life. Also, he decided to stop taking steroids to cure him of his high blood pressure. He gave it all up to Padre Pio whom he believed would take care of him. He prayed: ?Take care of me, Padre Pio. Don?t let me die, if I stop my medicines.?

Chapel

In 1983, Ramon and Didi put up the Philippine Centre of Padre Pio. First, they used a space in their building and converted it into a chapel. When I visited again last May 24, I was amazed at how much the chapel has grown on a 2,000 sq m area that included a garden which is called Padre Alessio Garden. It was named after Fr. Alessio Parete who came to Manila for the first time in 1983 to introduce the devotion to Padre Pio. The first couple he met were Ramon and Didi, friends of Bishop Jesus Sison of Pangasinan.

The new chapel was officially blessed on Sept. 23, 2007, death anniversary of Padre Pio who died on Sept. 23, 1968. Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and eight priests concelebrated in the Mass. At least 2,000 people came, which still puzzles Ramon. Fr. Victor Clemen is the spiritual director of the center.

Schedule of Masses: Every Wednesday at 4:45 p.m. (Perpetual Help novena) and 5:15 p.m., Mass and Novena to Padre Pio; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 5 p.m. Mass; Sundays, 10 a.m. and 12:15 Masses.

Miracle from addiction

Ramon José Rodriguez, Jr., son of Didi and Ramon, was able to give up addiction from drugs through a successful rehab in New Beginnings and through prayers to Padre Pio and much later through Didi?s prayer to Venerable Matt Talbot, patron of alcoholics and addicts. Today, RJ serves in the chapel and brings the miraculous glove of Padre Pio to healing Masses. He is married to Maiya, daughter of Sonya and Mel Mathay, and have one daughter, l3-year-old Marj. In May, 2007, RJ visited St. Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo in a pilgrimage of thanksgiving.

Special thanks to Tony Que and Mila Que, Fr. Rene Ruelos, CM; Eden Leonida, production manager, Fr. Bienvenido Disu, CM; Heidi Nimuan, Fr. Nano de Silva, CM; Sr. Emilita Pacubas, DC; Milo D.R. Cavarlez of Mixsonic Productions Inc, Noel Espenida and Gene Delfin.

Religious plays

Francis O. Villacorta, theater writer-director of ?Batang Bosco? (St. John Bosco story), ?Beloved Beata: the Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo Story? and ?The Virgin of the Poor? (Our Lady of Banneux) is now working on new plays after the successful staging of ?Virgin of the Poor? in Girlstown, Silang, Cavite. A very interesting play coming up is ?Lorenzo: The Martyrdom of San Lorenzo Ruiz.?

Those interested to present his plays can call Villacorta at 5248454 or mobile number 0915-5832697.

Golden wedding

The parents of Fr. Manuel Ocaña will mark their golden wedding anniversary in St. Michael Parish in Tolosa, Leyte on June 20, 9 a.m. Claro and Fortunata will renew their vows before Naval Bishop Filomeno Bactol. Fr. Ocaña, his siblings and their spouses (mostly coming from Seattle and Winnipeg) will be there: Olive and Louie Borgonia, Dra. Ofelia and Dr. Leonardo Alcantara, Odith and Dusty Salem, Erwin and Malou Ocaña, Irene and Nathaniel Asis, Felix Claro and Rhodora Ocaña, Mario and Aleta Ocaña and Portia and Alfredo Tia.

Novitiate house

The Eucharistic healers of Mary (EHM) are holding a fundraising concert to build their novitiate house in Cainta, Rizal. Businessman William Uy donated a seven hundred plus sq m lot. The concert scheduled on July 16 at the Camp Aguinaldo Tejeros Hall is also being held in honor of the order?s patroness, Our Lady of Piat. The performers are Claire de la Fuente, Richard Merk, Josh Santana, EHM priests and seminarians and other surprise numbers. Ticket costs P1,500. Devotees who want to advertise in the souvenir program can text 0921-4990244 or e-mail beato_renzo@yahoo.com.