INA reaches out to the victims of the ill-fated Princess of the Stars

When the shipping vessel, Princess of the Stars sank at sea, claiming hundreds of lives, the members of INA (Inang Naulila sa Anak Foundation) led by Manay Gina, were among the firsts who offered moral support to the bereaved family members of the victims.




"Since I lost my dearest daughter KC in a fire, it has become my personal mission to offer solace to the other mothers whose loved ones also perished in a tragedy, for in giving comfort, I am also fortified in return," she said.

HOPE HAS WINGS

These are series of photos taken during the inauguration of the INA Healing Center last December 16, 2006, in commemoration of KC de Venecia’s second anniversary with our Lord.

The first photo showed KC’s parents, former Speaker Joe de Venecia and Mrs. Gina de Venecia, with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in a souvenir shot beside Manay Gina’s painting of the ‘Madonna and Child’ at the Center’s lobby. Manay Gina, did the painting six months before the inauguration, she chose the portrait out of her numerous paintings because it symbolizes her deep affection for her daughter KC. In fact, the INA Healing Center was established as a direct result of her painful effort to recover from the loss of her dearest KC, three years ago. You will observe that in her painting, a butterfly which is predominantly black and yellow in color, is on the Madonna’s right shoulder.

The second photo shows former Speaker JDV during the commemorative mass for his daughter KC. On his right shoulder is a yellow and black butterfly similar to the butterfly on Manay Gina’s painting. The former Speaker and the butterfly also assume an almost identical position as the Madonna and the butterfly. What’s more dramatic is the fact that the butterfly on the painting reflects exactly the same color in the butterfly design on the blouse of KC’s lola, Mama Nene Vera Perez. Apparently, this mysterious butterfly found its way to JDV, when the members of INA Foundation had flown a swarm of butterflies in an earlier ribbon-cutting ceremony. Contrary to its restless nature, this particular butterfly clung tenaciously at the JDV’s shoulder during the entire three-hour affair, despite the strong electric fans and the numerous people who approached the former Speaker.

The third photo shows ghost whisperer Bernie Nepomuceno, a protégé of Father Jaime Bulatao. She claimed that KC, whom she had never seen before, appeared to her in a dream and admonished her to attend the inauguration. In Bernie’s dream, KC convinced her to wear a caftan blouse, which she has not worn for two years. KC said that she would manifest herself as a yellow and black butterfly similar to the color and pattern of Bernie’s blouse. When Bernie saw the butterfly on the Speaker’s shoulder, she instantly recognized it as KC because it reflected the pattern and color of her blouse, as KC had exactly described in her dream. Bernie related her story to KC’s parents and even playfully posed with the former Speaker, mimicking the butterfly settled on his shoulder.

Do souls make an effort to manifest themselves to their loved ones, especially when they had no chance for a last embrace, a final goodbye? Could it be that KC manifested herself as a butterfly and contacted the gifted Bernie to relate this story, to reassure her mom and dad, and the other mothers who lost their beloved children that she and the other kids who have passed on are still very much present in our lives? One thing certain though is that love indeed transcends all boundaries—be it time and space. To see is to believe.

Ina Foundation Inc.

The INA Foundation does not have an easy beginning. However, its gift of optimism to grieving mothers is consolation enough for Mrs. Gina de Venecia, who has learned that even the deepest grief can be transformed into miracles of hope.

In March 15, two months after KC de Venecia’s demise, her mom Gina met with mothers like her who also lost a child in a tragedy, led by radio-TV personality Ali Sotto whose son Miko died in an accidental fall from his condo unit.

“Ali and I felt the need to unite with other mothers who have been deeply wounded by the untimely death of their children,” Gina says. “We find solace in knowing that the other really knows our pain. We want to counsel and be counseled because in this symbiotic relationship, the providers of hope are strengthened in return. “

The first gathering of bereaved mothers enthused the members to share their life testimonies, narrating their challenges and struggles through the difficult period of their mourning. Learning from their brave testimonials, they were encouraged to form a foundation that could serve as a vehicle to help other mothers who are hopeful to rebuild their lives.

Channeling their experiences to create a humanitarian synergy, they were motivated to answer the fervent calling of providing a venue towards the emotional healing of mothers, who have been deeply wounded by the untimely death of their children.

Through the INA Foundation, ‘orphaned’ mothers can transform their traumatic experiences into something affirmative, and in the process, help the other bereaved mothers move on, from a place of grief to a place of hope.

Mrs. de Venecia said that losing a child is the most numbing grief that could happen to any mother. “We have to face the fact that this could happen to anyone because our country is prone to calamity and natural tragedy”.

“In the country’s matriarchal society, the mother is the center of the family. A mother’s morale cannot be disrupted by the devastating loss of a loved one. That’s why it’s important to have a support group for mothers. At present, there is no organization that supports mothers when they lose a child. INA Foundation will answer that need,” explains Gina.

The Foundation will assist the DSWD and local government units to train the barangay health workers to serve as grief counselors in times of disaster. The foundation is also putting up satellite centers in other areas to help the grieving mothers in the provinces.

The INA Foundation’s incorporators are: Gina de Venecia, President and Chairperson; Aloha Sotto, Vice President; Catherine Guballa, Secretary; Roselia Lagdameo, Treasurer; and Lorna Kapunan, Dolores Liwanag, Precy Meneses, Ting Manalac, Irma Santiago, Asuncion Yu, Baby Tiaoqui and Menchie Abalos as Trustees.

The foundation can be reached either by phone (951-7102 or 951- 5288) or e-mail (inafoundation@hotmail.com). Its address is INA Healing Center, DSWD Compound, Batasan Hills, Quezon City