Lord, Heal Our Land

Rendering Songs and Prayers to the Filipino Victims of Yolanda Typhoon

By Sr. Melanie Grace D. Illana, mscs

The Philippine Embassy Officers and Staff of Brasília with the special participation of Sr. Melanie Grace Illana, mscs, represented the Centro Scalabriniano de Estudos Migratórios, rendered songs to Filipino Victims of Yolanda (Haiyan) Typhoon on November 28, 2013 during the Memorial Mass at the Nunciature Chapel, Brasília. Thanks to the Office of Bishop Giovanni d’Aniello, Apostolic Nuncio and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Brazil who organized the Memorial Mass in cooperation with the Embassy of East Timor in Brasília. Monsignor Tomasz Krystof Grysa officiated the Mass with the concelebrant Fr. José Carlos Brandi Aleixo.

The warm presence of some diplomats from different countries, Brazilians and members of Filipino Community had touched everybody’s heart during the Mass. It was a memorable moment for the Filipinos in Brasília to be in solidarity with the victims of the Yolanda Typhoon thru prayers and songs. The Philippine Ambassador Eva G. Betita gave her sincere words of thanks to everyone present in the Nunciature chapel, acknowledging their moral and spiritual support to the Filipinos. Likewise, the Philippine Ambassador expressed her gratitude to the government and non-government both national and international organizations, private sectors and individuals for extending their financial and in-kind assistance to the victims.

Sr. Melanie felt grateful to be part of the event and happily contributed her part in solo lines in their songs “Pananagutan” and “Heal Our Land”, popularized by a Filipina singer Jamie Rivera. The momentous songs rendered to the victims had moved some members of the assembly in tears. It was thru God’s grace and the spirit of solidarity, love and hope that made the event successful. Deo Gratias et Mariae!