By: Telly Gonzaga-Ocampo
Stella Maris
I was reconnected to a long time friend in the most unusual place. I was in the hospital for two days when my blood pressure is a bit elevated. In moments like this, I immediately go to the hospital to be sure since I have an arrhythmic heart. I had a mild stroke in 2004 and since then, I am being extra careful.
While in the hospital, a priest came in bringing the Eucharist for Communion. To my surprise, the priest was Fr. Eduardo “Jingjong” Rocha, SVD. Seeing him, I was transported back in time to our days in Tacloban when Fr. Jingjong was a very young priest and became vice president for finance. He was not so happy with that position for he would rather be in a small parish in Dapa, Siargao which is a neighbouring town.
Those times were in the late 70’s and early 80’s. We were apartment dwellers then with young families. Divine Word University was just a block away and a leisurely walk from our apartment.
My hospital stay reconnected me to Aida Sarillana, our apartment mate through Fr. Jingjong. Aida Sarillana was our neighbour next door. She was at Divine Word University while I was at the University of the Philippines in Tacloban. Our children were still in the elementary grades, then. When we left in 1992, they might have transferred back to Cebu. Her husband was with Bancom, an investment house, and Union Bank. I have heard from her that he actually retired from Metrobank.
We talked for hours via messenger and learned that she is seriously volunteering for Stella Maris, an international NGO helping the families of seafarers giving spiritual guidance to them and to their wives and children. I’m happy for her with this new task she is doing.
Stella Maris is a Vatican program for the seafarers and she told me our very own Fr. Victor Bompat is the chaplain here at the port of Tagbilaran.
She was widowed in 2013 and she found Stella Maris through the involvement of her children in the youth ministry of her parish. Her children, all girls, have all settled, with just her in the house which she and her husband built. Stella Maris is her life now including her being a member of the “lupon” in her community.
Stella Maris is one of the special ministries of the church, caring for the people of the seas, e.g. seafarers, fishers and porters, and their families. It is found in over 360 ports all over the world. In Cebu, it is located at pier 4 with Fr. John Mission as its chaplain and director at the same time a national chaplain. Stella Maris is also “home away from home” for seafarers not having a place to stay while in Cebu. It can accommodate 150 guests at very reasonable and affordable room rates.
And now my friend Aida is volunteering her life to Stella Maris, the star of the seas.
For her, it’s payback time. She grew up at the Asilo Dela Medalla Milagrosa. And in her sunset years she found Stella Maris.
