‘Red hankie from healer saved us’

ILIGAN CITY—Belen Enoy says a dark red handkerchief that a faith healer had given her and her 9-year-old son, along with fervent prayers to God, saved them from Tropical Storm “Sendong’s” fury last week.

Enoy, who runs errands at a hotel filled with news people covering the storm disaster, recounted to the Inquirer how she, her son and a brother survived the horrors of Dec. 16.

As floodwaters began rising in the low-lying portion of Barangay Santa Felomina, the three scampered to the roof of their house.

And as their house was swept in the torrent, the three swam to a nearby coconut tree and held it tightly for six hours until the water subsided.

Belen tied her handkerchief to her T-shirt, and wound the other around her son’s neck.

The woman said the pieces of red cloth were given by the faith healer—a school teacher known as Linda whom she had consulted when her son was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

After regular visits to the faith healer, Belen observed that her son’s condition was improving.

According to many others who have turned to Linda for treatment of “seemingly incurable” diseases, the faith healer encouraged them not to forego the prescribed medication of doctors.

Upon the advice of friends, Belen asked Linda for something to protect her when the need arose.

She got the handkerchiefs which bore hand-printed Latin “oracion,” and was told they should have them in their possession all the time and not to brag about them.

Today, Belen is awaiting the opportunity to go to church and thank Senior San Miguel, the patron saint of this city, for saving her life.