Three days ago doctors released me from a six-day ordeal that began with admission to the ER from profuse internal bleeding. Diagnosis: complications of diverticulitis, a rare condition that strikes without warning. A CAT scan failed to detect its origin because it has stopped and a colonoscopy ended with clips on three suspected diverticula. The doctors prescribed a three-day observation. My wife got me a private room and my son hooked up an external drive and a media player to the TV in the room. The drive has all of Charice’ songs on You Tube that my brother in San Antonio downloaded last month. Chasters, if you ever get in my situation (the condition visits 10 percent of the population), here’s one way of spending some hours with Charice.
First night, pray for a miraculous healing. Such was my hope when the doctors could not find the source. You and I deserve a miracle and when we pray for it we get it, though not always in the shape we imagined it to be nor at the moment we wanted it. The basis for this hope is what Charice sings in O Holy Night. Yeah, it’s a Christmas song but, this time, watch her pray the song. It can be a prayer for anyone who is going through a night of uncertainty, the dark night of the soul. At one point in her life she suffered defeat and derision, felt not having enough worth, and was ready to change course. Then she went to Quiapo Church and her soul felt its worth. To me, the song said that my night was a holy night, a night divine, and a moment of new birth. And if it were to be my last night, I could look forward to angels singing, stars forever brightly shining, and a welcome hug from One born that night.
The reality was a disturbed night with nurses coming in and out to check and replace IV bottles and take vital stats every so often. I was close to needing blood transfusion but the following morning I felt fine enough to want to go home. Friends came to visit and I treated them to Charice on Oprah’s show. This was their introduction to Charice and they asked like everybody in Oprah, “Who is that girl?” A colleague now appreciates better the lyrics she translated for me and we talked about a joint classes on Arts Appreciation and English as a Second Language for our Japanese and Chinese students. A Japanese student said they refer to “goose bumps” as “chicken skin” and claimed she felt it the moment I played Charice’ video at her ESL class.
Second night, pray with Charice and Andrea Bocelli. In deep trouble as I was, there are others in deeper trouble. The Prayer called me to find solidarity with men, women, and children suffering from injustice and violence. I felt called to help others find within them true love for others. It called me to communion with the suffering Man on the Cross who brought healing to this world and who tasked you and me to continue what He began. With Him I can reach out to the world and extend my hand in brotherhood.
Early the following morning the condition recurred and this time the doctors traced it to its source, injected a coagulant, and closed the wound with a clip. By late afternoon I was back to full consciousness and showing more Charice videos to friends who came to visit.
Third night, send a Note to God. With both arms being used, one for liquid food and the other for blood transfusion, writing was not an option. But mental notes were plenty. One was a thank you note. I thanked God for the doctors, nurses, friends, and, most of all, a family that was there for me and proud of its adopted daughter, Charice. I thanked God for a new appreciation of life which is ever so fragile and so much in need of loving care. Not just my life but also the life out there on the road where “so much is goin wrong.” I asked for strength to make it through and for the faith to carry on a project that will make us safe. Here the prayer of the night before merged in: guide us with your grace, lead us to a place where we’ll be safe.
The following morning ideas came rushing in on how to cut the rate of recidivism in the U.S. and elsewhere. If you share this concern, meet me at the chat room. Together, we will make U.S. streets safer for all.
Written and submitted by Rom Remus
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Max (1209)
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Becky@20, the thought of being ridiculed by chasters never crossed my mind. And the non-chasters? They’ll come around. So between those who are and those who are becoming, your website is a safe place, one of those safe places that Charice prayed for in The Prayer. Let’s beg our princess to keep on praying for safe places for herself, for school kids ( K-18), and for everyone else, for God listens to her.
Noellen @ 3, nice meeting you at the chat room but I concluded it is not a venue for Chasters for Safer Streets. Not that there is such a group, but there could be and it should then locate itself in “groups” on this website.
DrTp@17, hello, colleague. Students respond to music positively and the inevitable repetitive drills of ESL become less onerous, or “boring” as youngsters would say. BTW “Safer Streets” shall be a theme of teacher co-ops that will co-own and run Tree Farm Schools for and with ex-offenders. Interested?
ArrVee@7, when you find the fuller meaning of certain songs, will you please share it? To continue on mine, the 4th night prayer was You’ll Never Walk Alone. The following evening doctors told me I could go home and the 5th night prayer was Joyful, Joyful. Charice sings that beautifully.
Marie@9, thanks for sharing your prayer event. You described something I also experienced. But I am also a science teacher and I know, by Newton’s laws of gravity, I did not float. There must be another way of knowing, don’t you think? BTW I visited your Te Papa Museum when the Middle Earth theme was on all the buses. I understand why your friend wanted to stay. It’s a beautiful country.
Max @24 and Lololando@15, doctors said I only had ten diverticula compared to hundreds in many people my age. Why the vessel behind one bled, they can only guess. For the same random reason, it could have been a vessel in the brain or in the heart. I guess you and I, despite our malady, should count ourselves among the lucky ones.
jvfulge@25, we are many who share that experience, didn’t we? Good to know you.
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Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts re: Charice.
It seems like our thoughts are running on the same rail of impression because I just got a flash back of what had happened to me when I first watched Note to God. My comments were, as follows:
The Messenger has arrived to deliver the message “Note to God” by Charice. Superb! Fantastico!..
Wow!!!! This is what I claim “A miraculous Performance” by Charice. There was a spiritual feeling roaming around my living room during the entire episode of this extra ordinary performance. What a mind boggling display of unexplained talent that was witnessed by several thousands of spectators. I just couldn’t imagine what would be the outcome of her performance, say two years from now and for all we know she just turned 17 years old. David Foster was right when he said, let us not rushed her coz’ she’s just starting her journey to stardom. Well, Note to God is definitely worth keeping inside my prayer book that’s for sure. Charice , I believe you.
now, this is not a coincidence, the rest…I’ll leave that into the reader’s thought.
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I can sympathize with you because I have suffered from the same malady for 15 years. Since this would only concern those wanting to know more about diverticulitis, I won’t belabor the subject except to say that I rarely have attacks anymore since I learned how to eat properly, and get a daily recommended amount of fiber in my diet.
You or anybody can contact me through Charicemania if you want to know my secrets of success. And yes, Charice plays a big part because listening to her soothing voice reduces stress and tension.
OMG, This just made me realize that Charice truly is a healer as well as a superb singer and all-round entertainer.
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For charice, maybe it would be a worthwhile pursuit for her to explore music therapy – using her voice to heal people. She mentioned in the past that she looked into the possibility of becoming a singing nurse. i believe that was what her heart is saying to her.
Studies have shown that classical music particularly that of mozart’s can help heal a variety of illnesses, improve intelligence, and bring out the creative potential in everyone (The Mozart Effect).
Is this what is also happening to chasters? if the classical masters can do it with instruments, I believe she can with her voice.
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LoloLando, if someone wants your book, I would prefer that they communicate directly with you.
Thanks,
Max
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“Verily, with every Difficulty there is Relief.” The Qur’an (chapter 94: verse 5)
Let us all pray for charice and all chasters success and goodHealth. and we all keep our Faith to God Almighty.
God bless to us all.
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beccha05
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Charice has really touched a lot of lives.
God bless us all.
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I learned a lot from your article.
1. There is a line between admiration, love, and faith. You admire only from afar. But when you love, they stay close, especially in times of need – and with the warmth of the hands of family and friends or the comfort of a solemn yet powerful voice, you pray. For where two or three are gathered together in His name, there He will be at their midst (Matthew 18:20).
2. There are ways to infuse Charice in a course content- and maybe even into a program curriculum.
Thanks, my colleague, stay well!
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She has been instrumental in bringing this community into one close-knit family.Come to think that we have adopted grandpas/ grandmas, aunts/uncles, sons/daughters, nieces/nephews & grandchildren in this community that we haven’t personally meet in person. I am proud and happy to be a part of this community.
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thanks you so much for writing this post. i don’t usually write comments even if i visit charicemania everytime i’m online. reading your post and what you did when you were in the hospital made me write this note. you are truly inspiring and i’m sure your faith in God and your love for Charice and the love of family and friends will help you in your healing. rest assured that i am praying for you too. i have to admit that i have become a chaaddict myself since i became aware of her videos only last january of this year. i can’t help watching her videos everytime i’m in computer. now i also became a chaster! i feel i belong to this community of charice lovers as i also came to love Charice and those who love her. please get well soon!
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What you did somehow made me feel proud of you that even at times of life’s uncertainty, your Chaster heart is still at works. I could never doubt that Charice is now your adopted child. You’ve done great things for Charice that I doubt other would do if put in the situation you were in. I’m sure Charice’s videos contributed much on your recovery. True! Oh, I heard you!
God bless!
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I don’t really post comments nor blogs, but your article really touched my heart. i just want to tell you that I’ve prayed fervently and with heartfelt dedication for your recovery and healing. Please give us health updates every now and then. Being a charice fan yourself, please remember that you are part of one big family, The Chasters, who I believe is one big community who values and cares for each other regardless of race and religion.
Isn’t it incredible that a little girl with a big voice was able to touch the hearts of so many from all over the world and make them into one big family? Amazing!!!!!!
I’ll continue praying for your complete recovery!
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I was so touched by your experience. I was transported back to the time when I was taking care of my Mom who also was cut just to feed her and for her to recieve meds and other related medical treatment. My Mom is out of the hospital now, with God’s mercy, grace and love.
I pray that you’ll be safe and will recover ASAP.
God bless.
artemis
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I would like to share my story. A few months ago, a friend came over on the day of my birthday (the party was the day before my birthday) and uneasy. She told me that her appeal for PR (permanent residence) and work permit was decline. Her tourist visa already expired and she’s afraid that she might lose her job too. She doesn’t want to go back to the Philippines as she has nothing left. I bring her to the altar and I pray over her. She kneels down and I put my hand to her head and the other to the Bible and Mama Mary’s picture. At that instance I pray to God and ask Him to grant her the PR that she is longing for. I said God I ask just one gift on my birthday today, I submit her to you and your will thy will be done.( I’m not a religious person though I have a personal silent prayer before/while driving and before going to sleep). At that moment, I can’t explain the feeling as if I’m floating…
Yes, just last Sunday we have a thanksgiving for as she is now a Permanent Resident of New Zealand. She keeps on thanking me for that “pray-over” and I also believe the power of prayer. Sometimes He didn’t answer you immediately because He has a reason for that… maybe He has something much better than for what you’ve been asking for. So, if you think your prayer is not answered? Always think that He has something special prepared for you.
Chasters pray for each other and we all pray for Charice well-being. I pray for your speedy recovery. Stay happy and have a wonderful evening. Cheers…
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To many of us, she maybe just an ordinary child.
To me, she is “She Who Sings Like an Angel” (pardon me for repeating this in all my posts, I just feel “this” something when I call her this name)
To others, she may be an Angel in a human form.
Whatever she maybe to us, she brings joy, happiness and hope that she never realizes she does.
Who knows, her voice heals as well, then I will call her She Whose Voice Heals.
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Firstly, I will join you in your prayers for a complete healing. Although I do not know you, you are like a friend I’ve always known, like most people here in this site. And we will both meet in His name and pray for you.
Secondly, thank you for sharing your experience and how you were inspired to pray by Charice. And this is not “pray” in the mechanical sense, but like you put it in so many words, to find meaning in every ounce of your existence and everything around you as it relates to Him. The next time I listen to Charice, I will search for these meanings as well, and if you helped even one person do this, I’d say your article has served its purpose.
Thirdly, I cannot help be amazed and dare I say, amused, by your level of being addicted to Charice – in one paragraph, you go from the ominous description of your condition, and without warning, immediately to the external drive that contains Charice’s songs. That I find this humorous is just to lift up your spirits and help you on your way to recovery.
Thanks for sharing and get well soon. Please update us on your condition.
-ArrVee
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And telling your experience to all Chasters and the “Praying with Charice” Blog is remarkable as well…
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To Rom Remus, nice blog and letting your experience to be shared to all Chasters…
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nice
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I will definitely pray for CHARICE, by praying it is the best way to spend time with God….best way to feel good about oneself.
Let’s us pray for the success of CHARICE in all her endevour!!!
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