Today is Easter and as we reflect on the Risen Christ, some testimonials are worth knowing, especially so that these have happened to people who, despite fame and fortune, have experienced trials and struggles like many of us, ordinary mortals.

One of them is Cielo Macapagal Salgado, sister of no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, whose experience she shared to a group of evangelical Christians in a recent gathering. Salgado is former vice- governor of Pampanga and was awarded Most Outstanding Kapampangan for her 32 years of government service. She is an adviser of Philippine National Bank and is the chairperson of PNB General Insurance.

She relates:

“Sometime in the 1960s, my husband Gene was on the way to the hangar of Acoje Mining to join three others in Zambales as assistant personnel officer of the company. While about to drive his car and leave, our two-year-old daughter Cristina started to cry at the top of her voice “Daddy! Daddy!” My husband stepped out of his car to kiss her goodbye but her tears kept falling. She hugged him tightly and refused to let go.

“After half an hour, she calmed down and my husband left to catch his plane. When he arrived at the hangar, the plane had taken off with a security guard taking his seat. A few hours later, he received a call informing him that the plane had crashed. The pilot and the security guard who took his place died, and the two passengers at the rear were critically wounded.

“On another occasion, my husband was on his way to the office when our daughter Cristina again started to cry and would not let go of her dad. By the time my husband reached his office at Marinduque Mining, he was shocked to see pools of blood all over the place! An employee had run amok and shot people before my husband arrived.

“I believe that God used Cristina to save her father’s life not just once but twice.”

In yet another instance, Manny Dueñas, an entrepreneur and chairman of ACTION, had another experience to share. He relates:

“Riding a JetSki is an exhilarating experience. Cutting through the waves with a JetSki at 35miles per hour was like riding a motorcycle without worrying about a car in sight, and cruising on a road with no lanes. Some of the most relaxing experiences I’ve had had me going out to the middle of the sea, turning off the engine, and feeling the quiet power and the sounds of the waves.

“There were times I’d see a needlefish dart up into the air in front of me, a white sea bird dive into the sea, or a hawk bill turtle surface for a quick breath of air. It is in those moments that one feels God’s presence and the magnificence of the sea He created. It also makes one wonder how, being just a tiny speck in this vast sea. He keeps track of all of us.

“One late afternoon, from my beach house in Matuod in Lian, Batangas, I noticed that the waves were unusually calm. A perfect environment for jet skiing, I thought. Off I went with a plan to catch the colors of the sunset on my way back. To be safe, I followed what fishermen in smaller bancas did. I stayed near the shore to get a nice view of the rock formation and the beaches. But before I knew it I was in Tali Beach, a good 20 kilometers way from Matuod.

“I realized I went too far as it was getting dark, and the sky was covered with dark clouds, hiding the sunset I was hoping to catch. I thought it would be a good idea to take a short cut and go to the middle of the sea, away from the shore, but as I moved towards the center, the waves grew bigger and the sky became darker and the winds blew outwards towards Fortune Island, which was quite a distance away. Suddenly my engine stopped.

“It didn’t make sense as it was a relatively new engine. I checked to see if a spark plug or the battery cable came loose. I checked the gasoline and tried to start the engine, but to no avail. I jumped into the cold water to check if seaweed or plastic got sucked into the engine. I found nothing wrong.

“I realized I was in serious trouble as I was drifting farther and farther away from land. I also knew that in between Nasugbu and Fortune Island is a sea lane where the waves can be really huge and rough enough to sink the JetSki. I looked around and saw absolutely nothing and no one. I began to panic, since I didn’t tell my family where I was going. I worried about my wife and children – what would they do if I disappeared?

“I began to pray, and boy, did I pray! I prayed for help but in the process I found myself closing my eyes, and feeling a calm sweep over me. I praised God and told Him that whatever His plan was, I would accept it and all that I asked was that He take good care of my family.

“Anyway, God answered my prayers because fishermen saw me after a few hours and towed me back home.”

Such stories of faith and courage only show that God is always with us everywhere and at any time in our lives when we most need His presence.