My Last Days in the Philippines

We arrived back in Manila on the 25^th and everyone was tired.  The doctors flew back, but I had a few more days here meeting some VIP’s, visiting a orphanage, seeing a few sites with Ramon and Donna, including a trip to visit the local volcano and lake and the old city of Taal.  I was especially drawn to the church in Taal that was built in 1575 by the Spanish.  It seemed to have a very magical and peaceful feeling within it’s stone and mortar and I was very much captivated by the building and spirit of the place.

Old City of Taal 

My last night in the Philippines included a guest spot playing electric violin with a top band here in Manila at the Hard Rock Café.  The band was by far was one of the best cover bands I have heard playing the Beatles.  They seemed to make every song they played their own and were the nicest musicians to let me sit in with them.  We rocked the house right off the bat with a little ‘Night Train’ duet with band leader John Lesaca and myself both on electric violins.  John is a well-known musician and celebrity in Manila.  He wants me to record with the band next time I am in the Philippines.

With John Lesaca - dueling electric violins, Live at the Hard Rock, Makati! 

 The next day, Ramon gathered our team back together, including Wayne who came down from Angeles to visit His Eminence Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, Cardinal of Manila.  I was asked to play for the Cardinal, so I played Amazing Grace in Appalachian modal style along with my song 'Salaam Alaykum', which the Bishop enjoyed very much.  He was a very gentle and kind man and it was a honor to be able to share my music with him.

Commander Ramon Moreno, John Zeretzke, Cardinal Rosales, Wayne Johnson and Sir Edward Artis.

Two days prior, at a ceremonial dinner engagement, I was awarded the highest medal of honor by the White Helmets of the United Nations by Commander and now friend Ramon Moreno.  Sir Ed Artis and Ambassador Fredrick Tanner of Geneva also received awards at the honorary dinner.  It was a great honor to be bestowed with such an award at this time in my life. 

This mission to southern Mindanao was a success and I have made many new friends along the way.  The Filipino people are gracious, kind, loving, strong, compassionate and industrious.   It has been a wonderful gift to be able to be part of this experience.

I am tired and I am ready to go home...to be with my loved ones and family.  I will sleep well and soundly on the flight home, thankful for all that I have in my life and the opportunity to do this work.  We share what we have to offer to those in need in the world today.

I  am sure I will have more opportunities to come back to this wonderful country again.