Ester’s 90th Birthday Celebration and
the Launching of the Montinola Cumagun Trust Holdings’Care Foundation
Chef Jesse, Rockwell, Makati. Candid Camera Photos by Jaime Cumagun
Looking Back at Serendipity
The Sheraton Palace Garden Court is a 123-year San Francisco landmark since 1875—World-famous for its covered stained-glass dome and its carriage entrance that has been recognized since 1909 as one of the world’s most beautiful lobbies. Jose P. Rizal, Our National Hero, stayed for only one day in the United States San Francisco Sheraton Palace Hotel – the reason WHY my father and I chose it for the venue of my wedding reception.
Song of Ester
Tony is single-handedly and maybe unwittingly bringing about the inevitable canonization of the next Philippine saint, who will be known as Saint Ester Cumagun, because anyone who can live with Tony for as long as she has, anyone who can put up with Tony for as long as she has, without losing her sanity, certainly deserves to be a saint. (Spanky Perez: Tribute to a Friend, April 1, 1977)
If ever two were one, then surely we are. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee. If ever wife was happy in a man, compare with me ye women if you can. (Anne Bradstreet: To My Loving Husband, 1678)
Chef Jessie Rockwell Club. Ground Level Amorsolo Square. Amorsolo Drive, Rockwell Center. Makati, Metro Manila. Candid Camera viberd to Ester & me from Guest Cell Phones Photo Journalism from Official Photographer to follow
Ester & I greeting C. Caedo and Amb. De Villa. Namaste, the God in us sees the God in you.
Thursday. October 29, 2026. Saint Narcissus was born in AD 99. He was 80 years old when he was placed at the head of the church of Jerusalem, making him the 30th bishop of that see. In 195, Bishop Narcissus, in a council of the bishops of Palestine held at Caesarea, decreed that the feast of Easter is to be kept always on a Sunday and not with the Jewish Passover. He performed many miracles; during the Easter Vigil, he changed water into oil to supply all the lamps of the church. Narcissus was the subject of several serious allegations made by members of the Christian community, but these proved to be false. He forgave his accusers, but left Jerusalem and lived in seclusion for several years. He spent several years undiscovered in his retreat, where he enjoyed all the happiness and advantage which a close conversation with God can bestow. After he departed, the neighboring bishops chose a new pastor for Narcissus. Years later, he returned, and the faithful rejoiced and convinced him to once again assume the administration of the diocese. As Narcissus started to reach an extreme old age, he made St. Alexander his coadjutor, a bishop appointed to assist a diocesan bishop, and often also designated as his successor) Narcissus continued to serve his flock, and even other churches, by his diligent prayers and his earnest exhortations to unity and concord. He died in AD 216 while in prayer on his knees. Legend associates him with the miracle of the flies. In 1286 AD, the army of Philip II of Burgundy laid siege to the city of Gerona. When the troops were to desecrate the tomb of St. Narcissus, it broke open, and a cloud of stinging flies emerged, chased the soldiers, and caused havoc that the French troops fled, leaving the city safe. St. Narcissus lived to the old age of 116 years, remaining true to the Lord, and serving those around him for the length of his days. (Maridol: My Morning Prayer)
Lord God, Saint Narcissus became the bishop of Jerusalem when he was already advanced in years.
May his willingness to serve in advanced age be a living example of wisdom to my elders. Teach us to admire and respect our seniors who seek to serve You to ripe old age. Thank you for all the members of the clergy, especially those who do not seek to retire. For their calling to serve is until the last day, when You will call them home to answer to You. Lord God, You made St. Narcissus
an outstanding exemplar of Divine love and the Faith that conquers the world, and add him to the role of saintly pastors. Grant by his intercession that we may persevere in Faith and love and become sharers of his glory.
Mention your petition… Bless the objectives of the Montinola-Cumagun Trust Holdings to be the Primary Donor and pillar of support of the Montinola Cumagun Care Foundation and its Articles of Incorporation Primary & Secondary Purposes, and By-Laws.
“Charity is no substitute for justice withheld.” (St. Augustine of Hippo) Kindness, donations, or charitable acts cannot erase or fix a failure to give someone what they have rightfully earned or deserve. As detailed in discussions on Catholic 365, true love requires fulfilling the obligations of justice before or alongside acts of generosity.
Grace the faith of the Incorporators for its legacy of Gloria Dei. The Good Works are the legacy. Let the legacy speak, not the name! Say 1 Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be…
WORD Today. Luke 13:31-35. Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.”He replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.’
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned. But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Reflection. The words of the Popes. What must I defend myself against? What must I do? “Put on the armour of God”, Paul tells us; that is, what belongs to God defends us, so that we may resist the devil’s wiles. (…) But this generation – and so many others – has been led to believe that the devil is a myth, a figure, an idea, the idea of evil. But the devil exists, and we must fight against him. Paul says so, not me! The Word of God says so. But we are not entirely convinced. And then Paul describes what this armour of God is like, what the various parts are that make up this great armour of God. And he says: “Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth”. This is part of God’s armour: the truth. (…) The Christian life is a struggle, a beautiful struggle, because when the Lord triumphs at every stage of our lives, He gives us joy, great happiness: that joy that the Lord has brought about in us, through His freely-given gift of salvation. But yes, we are all a bit lazy, aren’t we, in the struggle, and we let ourselves be carried away by passion, by certain temptations. It is because we are all sinners! But do not lose heart. Take courage and be strong, for the Lord is with us. (Pope Francis, Homily at Santa Marta, 30 October 2014)
Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of a new day and for the many blessings You continue to pour into my life. May I always welcome You into my heart, my home, and every part of my life. Help me recognize Your presence not only in moments of joy, but also in my struggles. Teach me to walk in Your ways, to speak with kindness, to act with compassion, and to serve others with a humble heart. May I walk in Your peace, knowing that I am always safe in Your loving care. Blessed are You, Lord Jesus, who comes in the name of the Lord. Amen.
The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones. (Shakespeare)
Business Enterprises are not Legacy: the wake you leave, let the Montinola Cumagun Care Foundation’s Good Work speak, not our family name.
Our Lady of the Impossible, grace those late in life but had more in life who tried to be their brothers’ keepers for those who have less in life – “Ester and I pray for your blessings to grace our children, and their children’s children, their children’s children,, to wholeheartedly support The MONTINOLA-CUMAGUN CARE FOUNDATION OBJECTIVES: (1) Special Children SPED, “A child’s mind is the most precious thing to waste.” (The motto of the American Negro College), and the Handicapped Senior Citizens – Physical Therapy. (2) Financial Support for Diocesan priests and Grade School Teachers for the rural areas. (3) Computer Start-up Education Tools for selected public schools and (4) Selected Start-up Management and Financial Support for Small Businesses. “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48. “The sin of the rich man was not that he did wrong things, but that he did nothing.” (William Barclay, in A.G. Cumagun Autobiography Song of Myself Memoirs, Looking Back at Serendipity, 2002) Our Lady of the Impossible, “Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection was left unaided…” Bless the Montinola
Ester’s morning BP was 110/70. HR 76. O2sat 97%. Temp. 36.5
Last Night’s BP NA. Ester’s 90th Birthday Celebration
Tony’s morning BP was 110/70. HR 67. O2sat 98%. Temp. 36.5
Last Night’s BP NA. Ester’s 90th Birthday Celebration
Beata John Paul 1, watch over Amy Ylagan’s PT recovery, Cristina C and Justice Jun’s health, Ester’s stoma adhesion recovery, and our autistic son John Paul’s emotional stability at 57.
Mama Mary walks us through the entire Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious angles of the life of our Savior when we pray with her in the Rosary.
October is the month of Our Lady of the Rosary. For many sinners, she and her Rosary have been the lifeline that pulled them back to Jesus.
Rosary means “garland of roses.” The family that prays together stays together. Daily Rosary trains the whole family in humility and obedience, becoming a cohesive garland of lives linked by strong faith, hope, and love for God and each other. Let us pray the Rosary with Mama Mary.
FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED AND SOULS IN PURGATORY
In Memory of all those who left us. We remember you in the morning and at night. You are always with us. We pray for the souls in Purgatory.
Blessed Mother Mary, I bring to you for your intercession the souls of Amb. Manuel R. and Dolores G. Cumagun, Juana Cumagun, Annette Cumagun, Lina Beltran, Judge and Mrs. Dolores Cumagun, Gov. Primo & Magdalena H. Gaffud, Dr. Trino, Sr. & Angeles Montinola, Betty, Luie, Trino, Jr. Montinola, Bernardino, and Isabel Jalandoni. Dr. Terry Lirio-Montinola, Dr. & Mrs. Tomacruz, Akira Tsusaka, Boy Eugenio, Jesus Ibañez, Sen. Nene Pimentel, Santiago Ranada 111, Patria Manuel, Dr. Mariano Laurel, Rene Datu, (Ateneo ’54 – Jimmy Ongpin, Atty. Ato Gonzales, Buddy Joaquin, Fr. Unson, Msgr. Tantoco, Atty. Art Alafriz, Robert Arevalo Ylagan, Maximo Abesamis, Jr., Jesse Paredes), Atty. C. Platon, Araceli Rivera, Col. Tanseco, Dr. E. Fores, Dr. J. Caedo, Christine Syjuco, Leni Panganiban, Raul Boncan, Atty. Spanky and Dolly Perez, Amb. Albert del Rosario, Nellie Valdez, Toti Herbosa, Tec Syjuco, AL, Umberto (Beck) Gonzales, Rufo Colayco, Dr. Rolando A. Florendo, and Vicente de Villa.. Pray 7 Our Father and The Credo.