A Governor Named Grace

I need not introduce Governor Padaca of Isabela, do I? 

She is the famous, gracious lady who walks with a pair of crutches. At age three, she contracted polio which shrunk and weakened both her feet.

     

She is one of the 13 People with Disability (PWD) whose poignant life stories grace the pages of my book, “Flying on Broken Wings.”

I wrote in part:

“Tons of articles have already been written about Ma. Gracia Cielo Magno Padaca or Gov. Grace, here and abroad. Her life story has been dramatized on radio and television, with famous actors in the cast. We all know that she is the modern-day David who—with no campaign money, political pedigree, or logistics—slew the behemoth Goliath in the political arena, dislodging the entrenched dynasty that had ruled Isabela for over three decades. Many more are being written as she continues her odyssey into the road less traveled: good governance.”

More importantly, as she allowed me to peek into her heart, I discovered that she is a woman of God.

She shared her story of transformation to the members of the home church of Bezalie, Executive Director of New Day Publishers. After her talk, the well-loved Governor was mobbed by the congregation, asking her to autograph her chapter in my book.


She gamely obliged. And one special act that touched those who were with her was what she did for one of the ladies. Holding a sheet of paper, the lady asked the Governor to autograph it—she had no money to buy a book. Immediately Governor Grace, who is a walking testimony of her name, bought one, autographed it, and gave it to the lady.

On broken wings, this remarkable PWD has taken flight, and is inspiring others to do the same.

Wish all public servants in this country were made of this.   
 
(Topmost photo from http://philstar.com)