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Twins are double blessings
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A REUNION of Twins and Multiple Births was held last August 16 at the Good Shepherd Convent. Over twenty-five sets of twins and one set of triplets showed up with their parents. The activity was to organize the families in preparation for the third Festival of Twins in December.
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The idea of holding a Festival of Twins is the brainchild of Natalie Palanca, a Marian devotee and freelance journalist. Natalie has a set of twin-grandchildren who are residing with their parents in the USA. And having attended Festivals of Twins in some States, Natalie dreamed of holding one in our country. Last February 2004, as part of Pro-life Week, and in cooperation with the City of Manila the first Festival of Twins was held at the Tent in Intramuros. Over 80 sets of twins showed up then. In 2005, over 300 sets of Twins and 13 sets of Triplets attended the Second Festival held at Raja Soliman, Baywalk, Manila
People have asked me why Pro-life Philippines is involved in activities for twins and multiple births. Nowadays, when one child in the womb is in danger of abortion because children have begun to be considered as burden, Pro-life wants to insist on the fact that if one child is a blessing, TWINS are DOUBLE BLESSINGS!
The Association of Twins has been gathering families to support each other in raising up their twins according to God’s plan. Although parents claim that it has not been easy to provide for their twins or triplets or quadruplets, they have never regretted that they were blessed by God with these children.
Last Saturday, the daughter of Natalie, Mrs. Milette G. Hammond and her twins, Jaclyne and Mikhaela came to the Philippines just to share their experiences during the reunion. It is hard to imagine that these pretty fourteen year olds were once premature babies struggling to survive, and now excelling in academics and sports, thanks to the loving care of their parents.
Mr. Benjie Santillan, President of Prolife Philippines, gave the Welcome Remarks and proudly showed his own set of twins, ten year old boys looking exactly alike and looking like their dad!
A Message of support was given by Mrs. Menchu Sarmiento, Executive Director of Philippine Airlines Foundation. She was responsible for providing free airfare for the Hammond Twins, and she related how these past years, PAL Foundation has carried three sets of the conjoint (Siamese) twins from the Philippines to the USA for surgical separation. She then called the parents of the Aguirre twins to stand up amid a big round of applause for the successful surgery.
The Inspirational Talk that was to be given by Sec. Lito Atienza, who had been very supportive of the first two Festivals, was given by his Undersecretary Mrs. Tess
Castillo with her own story to tell. She is the widow of a twin–Mr. Castillo and his
twin brother have both passed away.
The families went home with bags of surprises—coloring books, toys, and lots of food given by sponsors solicited by Natalie and the pro-life groups.
Those interested in joining the Association of Twins and Multiple Births can call
the Pro-life office at 911-2911.
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