MY PERSONAL CRUSADE AND SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TO SACRO CUORE

The months prior to our European tour for the promotion of my book "Be Your Own Boss! The Puka King Story" was filled with much preparation and prayers for its success.

On September 2, 2007, my son Howard and I embarked on a 43-day European journey that took us to 11 countries and 18 cities aimed with a positive purpose and mission; which was to inspire our OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) and their dependents, especially the youth with my own true to life story of hard work.

With the kind help and assistance of many of our Philippine Ambassadors, Consul Generals, OWWA Officers, Labor Attaches in London, Rome, Geneva, Milan, Madrid and Barcelona, we were able to talk directly to the community leaders and the OFW groups themselves. Even the managers of Bank of Philippine Islands in Rome and Milan facilitated our meeting with several OFW groups in their respective areas, for which I sincerely acknowledge with thanks.

Likewise, my sincerest thanks to H.E. Ambassador Edgardo Espiritu who kindly arranged my meetings and conferences with leaders of the Filipino Community in London and the Batangas Association in England.

In most of my discussions with our countrymen, I emphasized the importance of sustaining traditional Filipino values like courage, determination, good character, discipline, hard work, ambition, persistence, honesty, frugality, and unwavering faith in God. Combined with proper budgeting and prudent savings from their incomes, their sacrifices and long struggles will eventually bear fruit and not be wasted.

These are self-help traits I culminated from my own valuable experiences; that is to start by adopting the can-do attitude of helping one to help ourselves, strengthened by faith and the firm decision to just do it.

Along the way in Zurich, we visited our family friend, Mr. and Mrs. Reto and Rachel Braun. Mr. Reto Braun is the Chairman and CEO of Earth Council Geneva Switzerland with a global presence in more than 70 countries promoting and teaching people to preserve and protect the environment while actively supporting the education of the youth.

Apart from the inspirational purpose of promoting positive working values, our trip was likewise a resounding spiritual success. I'm almost certain that the Sacred Heart of Jesus was always present to spiritually guide us to wherever He wanted us to go.

Our hectic schedule in France didn't allow us time and an opportunity to visit Paray-le-Monial, the Holy Site where the Visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus were revealed to St. Mary Alacoque.

Instead, we met with our dear friend, the internationally famous Filipino Healer priest, Father Fernando Suarez in Milan and Rome. On October 6, Fr. Suarez graciously celebrated a special Mass at St. Peter's Basilica inside the Vatican for me, my son Howard, Norma Macalindong, a Filipino councilor in Rome and 3 other Filipino couples from California.

He likewise accommodated us with a guided Royal Tour inside the splendidly huge Vatican Church. It was here, where I saw the beautiful and moving portrait of the Visions of the Sacred Heart to St. Mary Alacoque.

After that, we had a breakfast meeting with our amiable and kind Ambassador H.E. Philippe Lhuillier at his residence where we and Fr. Suarez discussed lengthily the many problems besetting our OFW particularly, the effects of culture shock, psychological depression, and family-separation related issues and how they can be addressed soonest.

I feel very fortunate and thank the Sacred Heart of Jesus for that special opportunity of having obtained a special blessing from His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on the last day of his vacation on September 30, directly from the balcony of his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo.

Definitely, our journey to the International Temple of the Sacred Heart (Sacro Cuore) was the most memorable and spiritually fulfilling part of our European trip. This is one special place I'll never forget for the rest of my life.

Never in my wildest dream did I ever imagine that when I started to sell statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to sustain myself when I was a student, I would on this very day set foot on this most beautiful and majestic Sacro Cuore Temple built by St. Giovanni John Bosco to personally honor and thank His Most Sacred Heart.

Upon entering, I was deeply moved at the sight of a life size image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which seemed to smile and look upon me as I prayed before Him. The Sacred Heart knew what was in my heart as I joyfully give thanks and praise for all the many blessings He continuously provide for my family.

There is also a special Altar for the Blessed Mother, Mary Help of Christians. It is but a fitting tribute to the humility and great love our Blessed Mother has for us Her Children in union with Her Son Jesus.

I now understood what my Filipino guides were telling me that Sacro Cuore is a special place of worship and fellowship for Filipino workers stationed in Rome. This Church is so special that it even holds a Mass in Philippine language once daily for Filipino devotees. It was in this special Church, where we attended several Masses including the First Friday Mass of 5th October.

Truly, I can say that if you consecrate your life, give your love and total devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart will be fulfilled in your life as it was fulfilled in my own. The true secret of my success in life is none other than the Sacred Heart of Jesus. If you prioritize Him in all your endeavors, He will bless all your undertakings and assure you of His immense blessings.

My inspirational visit to Sacro Cuore Temple has all the more strengthened my resolve to continue in our collective efforts to erect a suitably imposing image of the Sacred Heart set on top of the highest point in Batangas City, Philippines.

Through the kind assistance of His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, and with the full cooperation of Fr. Fernando Suarez, an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is planned to be installed within the proposed Montemaria Shrine project in Batangas City.

By Divine Providence and with your continued prayers, these projects will be accomplished in His time in accordance with God's Will just as the construction of Sacro Cuore was fully completed in 7 difficult but fruitful years by St. John Bosco.

Whatever difficult trials and unbearable hardships one may encounter in life, the final destination of our journey is to be united with God. Let the Sacred Heart of Jesus be your guide into your spiritual journey to God.


HERNANDO M. VITAS
Chairman and CEO
The Providence-Vitas Foundation, Inc.
Author, BE YOUR OWN BOSS! THE PUKA KING STORY
Website: www.pukaking.com

MY PROVIDENTIAL PROVIDER: SACRED HEART OF JESUS

In 1959 or thereabout, I was studying as a self-supporting student , third year in high school at Feati University in Sta. Cruz, Manila. As I was a working student, I attended classes at night since I had to sustain my daily expenses with a modest income from selling.

During daytime, I persistently went from house to house, door to door, offering to them the statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus or Christ The King for their altar and enthronement in their homes especially the big new ones.

My very first personal encounter with the Devotion of the Sacred Heart was during my third year high school in around 1959 at Feati University. Every First Friday of the month then, the owners of Feati, Don Salvador and Dona Victoria Araneta offered an irresistible incentive to all who would attend First Friday Mass, confess and receive Holy Communion; a free snack of sandwich and a bottle of soft drink thereafter.

I've almost always availed of it because as a Catholic and Christian, I firmly believe in God. At the same time, it was a big deal to have a good meal, which was hard to come by and not easily affordable for me that time. Little did I know that it was the beginning of a lifelong devotion to the Sacred Heart.

After a long while, I realized that I became closer, more inspired, intimately devoted to the Sacred Heart and have started the faithful practice of passionately attending First Friday Masses, Confession, and Holy Communion, as much as humanly possible.

The Sacred Heart is faithfully true to His Promise of sustaining me in my daily necessities, as I was able to finish my high school in Feati, despite tremendous difficulties and unbearable hardships; which I eventually survived by selling the statues of the Sacred Heart and Christ The King.

In January 1967, my girlfriend, Tita Campos who was then working in Citizens Bank in Juan Luna St. near Sta. Cruz Church in Manila and I started to pray the Novena almost every First Friday and even ordinary Fridays at the Sta. Cruz Church during her lunch break. We continued such practice for several months.

Sometime in April 1967, during our Novena prayer with Tita beside me, in front of His statue, I most sincerely and humbly petitioned my urgent request as I told Him, "All throughout my life, I've always been working and fervently praying that my struggles, sufferings, hardships, poverty, hard works and endeavors be rewarded but until that time, He has yet to grant it."

To the Sacred Heart I pleaded, "I fervently and urgently ask you my Lord that You please grant us now the immediate approval of my contract with the Department of Public Works and Communications for the supply of asphalt, which was long pending in Malacanang Palace; since Tita and I would like to get married soon." I was so intense, passionate, emotional and sincere in that desperate moment that tears streamed down from my eyes, I cried openly inside the Church.

Shocking and to my pleasant surprise, on May 23, 1967, the long awaited contract was finally approved by the Office of the President, and thereafter I immediately started implementing my first million peso contract and business. I told Tita, this was indeed a miracle, and an answered prayer.

With the help and grace of the Sacred Heart, Tita and I had a beautiful grand wedding on December 16, 1967 at the Santuario de San Antonio Church in Forbes Park, Makati City. Thereafter, we had our reception at the plush new and swank fine dining restaurant, The Plaza, likewise in Makati.

To show my sincerest appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to the good Lord, I proudly wore my Sacred Heart Scapular during our wedding ceremony inside the Church, as officiated and blessed by Archbishop Reyes. It was then and still is a first and unique memorable experience for me to demonstrate and give sincerest thanks to the Sacred Heart for His kindness.

That particular momentous event of the fulfillment of one of the Sacred Heart's Promises was immortalized in a picture on our wedding album. To this very day, this very same Scapular of the Sacred Heart is still with me about 44 years from the time I acquired it, and was recently blessed by no less than His Eminence, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales at the Archbishop's Palace.

After more than a year and upon completion of the aforesaid contract with the government, Tita and I decided to go back into our small private business, which is the retailing and export of costume jewelries and other Philippine handicrafts which we previously started prior to my asphalt business and even before we got married.

I've always acknowledged the great mercy and kindness the Sacred Heart has so generously given to me and my family. This is the reason why since January 1973 and up to the present time, it has been my annual and continuous commitment to donate rice, milk or other items to the Institutions of Hospicio De San Jose, Monasterio De Sta. Clara, The Missionaries of Charity of Blessed Mother Theresa and The Pink Sisters; twice a year during my birthday in July and Christmas time.

In 1974, I discovered, pioneered and started the export of Puka Shell which became a big boom in the USA, Europe, South America, South Africa, and even Asia. That enabled me to travel around the world to sell Puka Shell and other Philippine handicraft, while my wife Tita took care of the supply and shipment of our products to our importers from different countries.

In all my endeavors as a businessman and family man, my wife Tita was always there to provide me with unwavering love, trust and support. Truly, the Sacred Heart was kind enough to bless me with a loving wife and mother in the person of Tita as the fulfillment of two of His 12 Promises; which were to give peace to my growing family and bestow abundant blessings upon all our undertakings. I gratefully thank and consecrate my family to His Most Sacred Heart, as we are about to celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary in December 16 of this year.

When I was in Rio De Janeiro in mid 1980's, I made it a point to visit the 7th Wonder of the World-famous huge Shrine of Jesus The Redeemer, and was enthralled and awed to the point of inspiration. Since then, I've always been thinking of the possibility of erecting a Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Philippines with the help of private individuals or groups particularly the Catholic Church. For this Divine Purpose, I've continuously prayed to the Sacred Heart that if this be His Will, then it shall be done accordingly.

Providentially, I was introduced by Fr. Prex Fajardo about a couple of years ago to His Eminence, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and informed him about my proposed Sacred Heart project after the good Cardinal celebrated the Sacred Heart Feast Day Mass at the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Makati City.

In one of my visits with His Eminence at the Archbishop's Palace in Intramuros, he informed me about the arrival of a world-renowned Filipino priest-healer, Fr. Fernando Suarez, based in Ottawa, Canada who was coming to Manila.

Fr. Suarez' ministerial group of Mary Mother of the Poor Order in Canada was to discuss definite plans to build, construct and develop a huge and sprawling pilgrimage worship and tourism-related project for local and foreign tourists and visitors to be built in a scenic mountain island situated near Batangas City, breathtakingly surrounded by the Pacific Ocean.

In May 2007, after the good Cardinal introduced me to Fr. Fernando Suarez, right then and there, we immediately agreed to consider and study my proposed project for establishing the monumental Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus within the same mountain island vicinity where the aforesaid project was envisioned.

Since the location is only about 14 kilometers from Batangas and can be reached easily by car, it will surely be conveniently accessible to many future local and foreign pilgrims and devotees alike.

On July 18, 2007, as Fr. Fernando Suarez returns to Manila, he and I will meet with His Eminence Cardinal Rosales to discuss details of this project. May the Sacred Heart guide me, as I bring along reputable design and engineering advisers to discuss installation plans of the Image of the Sacred Heart and the possibility of starting it soonest.

We are hopeful and confident that with the grace and blessings of the Lord, and through the kind assistance, invaluable prayers of the benevolent Cardinal Rosales, Fr. Suarez and all others who will join and help us in this endeavor, we will be able to push through with this special and important project into a reality.

In the book I recently wrote and which was launched last December 7, 2006, Be Your Own Boss! The Puka King Story, I mentioned clearly and discussed lengthily many of the blessings, help, assistance and fulfilled promises the Sacred Heart of Jesus lovingly bestowed upon me and my family. I shared these stories to bear witness to His great Magnanimity and Infinite Mercy.

Through the unwavering help and guidance of the good Cardinal, I was recently interviewed twice as a resource person at Radio Veritas station in Mr. Mel Acuna's radio program. I've been passionately committed in promoting my book to inspire the youth, students, the overseas foreign workers (OFWS) and their dependents, among others, so as to strongly encourage them to become independent businessmen and energetic entrepreneurs instead of being lifelong passive employees and migrant workers.

Likewise, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Labor are assisting me to promote my book around the world where there are many OFWs, through their embassies, consulates and labor attaches. They have been most helpful in initial communication efforts with Filipino leaders in several countries through their good offices.

To demonstrate my personal commitment, from September 1 to October 24, 2007, I'm going to embark on a working visit to personally inspire and convince our OFWs and their dependents stationed in Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Rome, Milan, and other European cities as well as Riyadh and Dubai.

My ongoing mission is to persuade our OFWs there with the help of our embassies, consulates and labor attaches, to work hard, save and start a business of their own to become self-made entrepreneurs in their home country and become economically self-reliant; instead of being financially dependent on foreigners, working in foreign lands away from home, their family and loved ones.

Most of all, I'm forever grateful for the numerous and abundant blessings bestowed by the Sacred Heart to my family, as my wife and I were able to provide the best possible education to our children, Cristina, Anthony and Howard.

They had finished with flying colors and graduated in three of the best colleges and universities in the United States; Cristina from Boston University, Economics, Cum Laude; Anthony from Boston College, MBA-Finance; and Howard from Rhode Island of School Design, Architecture and Fine Arts, respectively.

It is by the continued blessings of the Sacred Heart that Tita and I were able to simultaneously build a successful family and a modest prosperous business, which we started from scratch from day one of our marriage when the Lord without fail generously rewarded my fervent and persistent prayers.

Truly and honestly, I believe that I could not thank the Sacred Heart of Jesus enough for what He has generously given us, for we will not be where we are now it not because of Him. As I say this to you, as He has done to me, so He will do for you, if you faithfully ask, seek and knock to His Most Sacred Heart.

With the continuing guidance, enlightenment, and assistance coupled with strong faith, determination, invaluable help and prayers of His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and Fr. Fernando Suarez, our friends, supporters and devotees of the Sacred Heart, there is reasonable ground to believe that this valuable and important project in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, His Will shall be done accordingly in His time.

For more information about the inspirational book, BE YOUR OWN BOSS, The Puka King Story, please link to www.pukaking.com and email theprovidence.vitas@gmail.com

HERNANDO M. VITAS
Chairman and CEO
The Providence-Vitas Foundation, Inc.
Author, BE YOUR OWN BOSS! The Puka King Story
The Providence Tower
2471 Leon Guinto St., corner
Estrada St., Malate, Manila
Tel. (632) 524-4714 / (632) 525-9099
Website: www.pukaking.com
E-Mail: theprovidence.vitas@gmail.com