Tuesday, October 16, 2007 Adaza: Reconciliation of brothers By Guerrero A. Adaza My Viewpoints
MANY years ago, it was then in the early 90s, when unexpectedly I was to become a go between two brothers, who have not spoken to each other for so long a time, despite their closeness in the past.
These two are political giants in the province of Agusan del Sur and Butuan City.
The two are the late D.O. Plaza of Agusan del Sur and his brother Figurado Plaza of Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.
D.O. was the political kingpin in his area. While his brother Figurado was the undefeated Mayor of Butuan City. Both proud men are achievers in their own right.
One day, the powerful D.O. was sick of a life threatening disease. He was operated on successfully but his days were numbered.
A few months after he was brought again to Manila and was confined in the Makati Medical Center. And his specialists were certain that he will not last long.
How did I become a go between for the two brothers to be reconciled, even if one was already on the brink of death? It was on a very rainy day in our City when my sister in law Victoria called me up by phone and informed me that God has a message for me, which is to be the bridge between two brothers for them to forgive each other and be reconciled.
It was very hesitant, for I thought that why all people me, when there are common friends of the two brothers in the Agusan provinces, who can serve well the tasks for their reconciliation.
I ignored the request of my sister-in-law, thinking that it was but a product of her imagination.
But she persisted the day after that I must do something fast for D.O. Plaza is dying and his days are simply numbered.
The whole D.O. Plaza clan was all billeted, in the suites of the Makati Medical Center waiting for the day when he will expire.
Valentina Plaza, D.O's wife was depressed, for they are close to each other as husband and wife and she could not bear to see him go away forever.
Despite that at such time she is a Catholic Charismatic already. And it is through this movement, that she knew my wife Kits and sister in law Vicky.
So with my wife bombarding me with her urgings to answer God's call, begrudgingly I called up long distance the residence of former Butuan City Mayor Figurado Plaza, despite my not knowing him personally.
My wife was beside me when I made the call and was answered by Figurado's wife Ching the former Congresswoman of Butuan City.
She then called out her husband and I talked to him and I identified myself. He replied that he knew me. I did not anymore ask him how he knew me.
I informed Figurado about the situation of his brother who is critically ill, who may go anytime and suggested to him to visit his brother in Makati Medical and reconcile with him even at his late stage.
I did not tell him that it was what God wanted. He thanked me for the call and added that he will find out if his tight schedule will allow it.
The day after upon my wife's insistence we flew to Manila with my sister in law for they wanted to be with Valentina Plaza at her most trying moment.
I did not want to come for, aside from the inclement weather, I thought that the Plazas being rich and powerful will know how to console themselves.
I was wrong. God had another plan for us, for when we arrived in the Makati Med and proceeded to the suite of the Plaza's, D. O. was already brought to the intensive care unit for he suffered a massive attack.
So my wife and Vicky proceeded to the intensive care unit where all the children of D.O. were in and they instructed the children to ask for forgiveness from their father and whisper it in his ear. One by one they did it.
I watched this very touching drama unfold through the glass window. Afterwards I was told by my wife to go back to the suite where Mrs. Plaza was in together with her sisters, so I could read appropriate biblical readings to ease her pain.
When I proceeded to the elevator's place, I met Figurado Plaza along the passageway and he was a very forlorn man and I directed him to where the ICU was.
I was later on told by my wife that it was a very heart rending spectacle that she and her sister saw when the children of D.O. hugged their uncle and Figurado afterwards hugged his dying brother and in a few minutes he passed away with a smile on his face.
He simply waited for his brother to come, so he can start his journey to eternity peacefully.
The day after, we left for home, thankful to God that He made us instruments for the reconciliation of two brothers, who loved each other dearly but only due to pride never went out of their way to reconcile.
This is one lesson in life I will never forget that when God will call upon you to do a mission for love and unity, do it for God has a purpose for it all.
I only see former Governor Valentina Plaza very infrequently and that's during Divine Mercy assemblies, but one thing is definite, it is only when we serve our fellow beings regardless of financial status that we see why God wants us to love our neighbor as our self.
Our God is indeed Loving and Merciful and His ways are mysterious.
