“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
— Matthew 5:6–8
Looking back on the life of my sister Petra — whom I affectionately called Maivee — many questions stir within my heart, a few of which I share here:
- How could a baby in the womb be an object of attack, her mother violently pushed down in the market?
- Why should an eight-year-old child be kicked into a gutter for telling the truth, only to show up the next day at the Independence Day parade, unshaken in spirit though hurt in body?
- What gave my sister strength and cheer when our father, who had promised her a celebration for her thirteenth birthday, fell ill just days before it and passed away a few days after?
- How did she come first in class only to suffer an accident that left her hospitalized, and yet awake to find her teacher and mother praying the rosary by her bedside?
- And finally, did we all fail to recognize God’s peace angel who walked humbly among us?
Petra never complained. She was cheerful, full of life, and always eager to help others. She was truly a gift from God — and having often misunderstood and mistreated her, I believe God has now taken back His precious gift.
We celebrate a woman whose life was unique — one who consistently chose life over death, joy over sorrow, good over evil, and strength over weakness.