A visit to Sto Nino de Providencia

Years ago, I have seen this footage of ABS-CBN reporter/anchor TJ Manotoc sharing his story about the Sto Niño de Providencia.  If I remember it correctly, he went to the Sto Niño to cover a story.  He might have prayed for something and got it miraculously.  I really forgot what it was that he asked for.  TJ also found out later that the place was located in a street named after his mother, Aurora Pijuan.  It was an interesting story, although I knew that in this country, miraculous claims are common.  I kept note of the address and promised to visit when I can.  But that of course happened only March of this year.  I was doing my “spring cleaning” when I found my old organizer and decided that I should see the place now.  I told my best friend about this and she and her hubby agreed to come with me.  Our first visit was March 10 of this year but as some errands were still needed to be done earlier that day, we reached the place very late and it was already close.  The three of us, however felt good that we found the place, though we still need to come back again to see the Sto Niño inside.  We had a bit of difficulty locating it because we were looking for a big church.  We found out that the image is housed in the Gonzales residence, in a small prayer room.  So we scheduled another trip to Paranaque, March 12.  This time, we got there early morning.  Except for us, the caretaker and another visitor, the prayer room is all ours.  I believe during Catholic holidays like Holy Week, the place is full.  The booklet we received shared a brief history of the Sto Niño’s miracles.  The Sto Niño is with the Gonzales family since 1988 and when one of the siblings, Lutgardo Rodrigo Gonzales, a medical intern, got into an accident it was placed in their sala.  The first miracle happened on January 27, 1992 when Lorna Gonzales, found the Sto Nino “shedding liquid profusely from His tantalizing eyes” which she then scooped and rubbed into his brother’s body.  His brother started to recover gradually since then.  Blessings and miracles has also been reported by devotees.  This I believe is all about faith.  For me, I just want to see the place and the Sto Niño.  I prayed my usual prayers as a Catholic.  As for miracles, I felt peaceful that day.  It was enough.

Sto Niño de Providencia is open Monday to Sunday 8:00 to 12:00 noon and 1:00 to 5:00 PM at 65 Aurora P. Juan St.  BF Resort Village, Las Piñas City

Philippine Monitoring Company/Greentop Marketing Scam

This afternoon, a call from Philippine Monitoring Company, a lady, woke me up. She said I need to claim my reward for subscribing to PLDT landline/DSL. Still very much sleepy, I listened anyway. She gave me an alphanumeric code(CH8048DLPA)with instructions that I need to pick up my reward right away at Greentop Marketing in Olivarez Plaza, Los Baños, Laguna. At the back of my mind, I am starting to get suspicious although I never got the chance to ask her what PLDT promo it is all about. I do not remember joining any PLDT promo. Anyway, I let her continue her spiel because I do not want to sound rude. She even provided me these numbers to call, 501-1379 and 552-9129 and look for Aileen Concepcion or Michelle Mendoza. I took notes while we were talking, just in case. I am by nature not very trustful! I began to doubt when she kept bugging me to get my reward. She sounds desperate. I kept my politeness (truth is I am rarely polite to cold callers) and to end our conversation, just said I will try. I went back to sleep afterwards.

Tonight, I googled the said company and found web pages of their scam. I felt relieved (!) that I was saved from trouble. I am sharing this to help and to warn. I am yet to call PLDT and DTI to report this incident which I am sure PLDT has nothing to do. For those victimized and soon-to-be victims, please click the links below. It pays to read and be informed.

PESO-Cainta
Greentop Scam
Greentop Ever-Gotesco
Greentop Ali Mall Cubao