Summary:
In Part 1, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, my guardian angel handed me a list of 10 blessings to reflect on: My Guardian Angels List of Blessings Part 1 . In Part 2, I shared my narratives about the first six blessings: My Guardian Angel Part 2 . In this Part 3, I recount the last four blessings. Reflecting on all ten, I realize they more than made up for the possessions I never gained and the ambitions I never achieved.
Table of Contents
- Where We Left Off: A Quick Look Back
- The Feather Conversation: What My Wife Said That Morning
- A Sign at Sto. Domingo: When Faith Felt Closer
- The Final Four: Blessings I Almost Missed
- Looking Back — And a Challenge to Carry Forward
1. Where We Left Off: A Quick Look Back
If possible, dear readers, I encourage you to first read Part 1 and then Part 2 . Reading them in sequence gives the best context for this third part of my guardian angel story.
If you prefer to revisit them later, here’s a quick overview. In Part 1, my guardian angel appeared at the onset of COVID-19 in 2020. Feeling quite depressed in my twilight years, I was given a list of 10 blessings — each expressed in just two words.
He urged me to stop whining and instead be grateful, reminding me that I was deeply blessed. He tasked me to: (1) reflect on each blessing, (2) write a narrative for each, and (3) compile them into a full blog article. Before leaving, he promised to return to discuss my work — though without saying when or where.
Part 2 recounts his reappearance in early 2021, when I least expected it. I described our interactive discourses about my narratives. Ironically, he was summoned by his archangel just as I finished the sixth blessing. We parted abruptly, leaving me at the threshold of the seventh blessing.
Now, in this Part 3, I share my accounts of the last four blessings. I begin with his sudden departure and my wife’s unexpected return, then describe his reappearance. Afterward, I narrate Blessings 7 through 10. I shall then end with a reflection on all 10 blessings and his additional assignment.
2. The Feather Conversation: What My Wife Said That Morning
Summoned by his archangel, my guardian angel slipped through the jalousie windows of our apartment. Strangely enough, the glass remained intact. A few feathers from his wings, however, were left behind — mixed with those from my wife’s feather duster and my Venezuelan headgear.
It was one of the most bewildering moments I had ever experienced. Overcome with emotion, I shouted for him to return. As my voice faded, the door suddenly swung open. And an even more familiar being unceremoniously just walked in — my wife, Lita.
“Who are you shouting at?” she asked, clearly annoyed. I was caught off guard, not expecting her to be back so soon from grocery shopping. Instinctively, I claimed I was simply practicing a speech for my blog.
“What kind of speech?” she pressed, unconvinced. Still dazed from my angel encounter, I replied that I was playing the role of Sir Winston Churchill. I instantaneously added that I was passionately addressing the British Parliament as Prime Minister during World War II!
Her sharp eyes quickly noticed the feathers scattered across the floor. “And what about these feathers?” she asked. I hurriedly said I had been dusting my files. She mused, “Mike Pido, you’re starting to have a second childhood. You must have been playing with your Venezuelan headgear again. These feathers aren’t from my duster.” She often addresses me with my combined nick name and surname when she is in an interrogative mode.
Then came the tougher question: “And where did you get these unusually large feathers? They’re not from the duster or your headgear. Did you collect them from fighting cocks?” Speechless, I stood cornered, heart racing and sweat forming.
Unexpectedly, her next words brought relief: “I bought a box of your favorite Hawaiian pizza. Come downstairs before it gets cold. I also picked up half a dozen apple muffins.” Lucky me, I thought. I walked downstairs carefully, muttering about my good fortune —my favorite food and no more interrogation.
Liberally, I sprinkled pepper and salt on the Hawaiian Pizza first. Then, I slowly partook four slices, leisurely savoring the combined taste of pork ham and pineapples. After that, I prepared my flavored coffee and slowly ate not one, but two large apple muffins!
Noticing that I was still lost in simultaneous thoughts, my wife left me alone. Through the corner of my eye, though, I glanced at her watching me intently as I ate. As she washed dishes, she reminded me: “Don’t forget to clean up those feathers upstairs. And stop playing with that Venezuelan headgear — or collecting feathers from our neighbor’s fighting cocks!”
I nodded sheepishly. The rest of the day, and the weeks that followed, passed uneventfully. Slowly, my guardian angel faded from memory as pandemic life pulled me back into my online graduate school classes and remote university work. That was around the second quarter of 2021, more than a year into the pandemic.
Life seemed ordinary again — until one afternoon, out of boredom, I took a long walk. Halfway through, I stopped to rest at a nearby church.
3. A Sign at Sto. Domingo: When Faith Felt Closer
Sto. Domingo Church has always been my favorite in Quezon City, just a walk from the rented apartment where my family lives. Officially named the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of La Naval de Manila, it is the largest church in Metro Manila and among the biggest in Asia. It also serves as the mother church of the Dominican Order in the Philippines.
Inaugurated in 1954, it was declared a National Cultural Treasure on October 4, 2012. I have long admired its architecture, designed by National Artist José María Zaragoza, who blended Spanish influences with Filipino and post–World War II international styles.
What draws me most to Sto. Domingo is its sense of solace and peace. Its vast space frees you from the cramped feeling common in chapels and smaller houses of worship. On weekdays, certain parts are almost deserted .
There are corners of the church where solitude is virtually complete. I often pray there while seated, not kneeling — a habit my guardian angel calls absurd, even foolish. My late father often scolded me for being too lazy with prayers and religious duties.
Trying to clear my restless mind, I closed my eyes and prayed to The Almighty for creative inspiration during the pandemic. Suddenly, I felt the atmosphere shift. I couldn’t exactly describe the feeling of being intruded upon in your private space in a house of worship.
Someone had sat beside me on the right. Annoyed, I wondered why anyone would choose that spot when so many benches were empty. Slowly opening my eyes, I was stunned to see my guardian angel in the flesh!
Without pleasantries, he leaned toward me and uttered these usual half-mocking greetings: “Good noon, ugly professor!” Again, he spoke in his accentuated, guttural Australian accent.
Not in the mood for civility, I shot back with profanity — even inside a sacred place. “It’s been ages since we talked. Where have you been? Still busy watching pornography in cyberspace?”
In one fluid motion, he grabbed both my shoulders with hands as wide as Michael Jordan’s, shaking me forcefully. (Either of Michael Jordan’s hands has an unusually wide span between his thumb and index finger that enables him to grip the ball with just one hand.) “You remain a despicable mortal, you ugly professor Pido!” Our heated exchange went on until I noticed an elderly church passerby staring at me, likely thinking I was mad for talking loudly to no one.
Realizing the quarrel was pointless, I asked, “So what brought you here?”. It was more of a sigh of surrender. “The obvious reason, you idiot,” he snapped. “We need to continue the conversation about your last four blessings.”
I explained I didn’t have my laptop to read Blessings 7 through 10. He replied there was no need — he already knew every word I had written.
“For a change, let’s discuss them amicably side by side,” he said. “You simply narrate your statements and I will just react”. Handing me a hard copy of the list, he commanded: “Start now with Blessing No. 7.”
I then proceed to describe the remaining four blessings below. Largely, he accepted most of my narratives. For a few parts, though, he either provided some additions – or urged me to include either supporting or clarificatory statements. Moreover, both of us went through the entire list, and I qualitatively rated each blessing.
4. The Final Four: Blessings I Almost Missed
Blessing No. 7 - Functionally Healthy
Narrative
Despite being overweight, my seventh blessing is still being functionally healthy. I mean, I could do my daily activities unassisted. At 5 feet 7 inches tall, I weigh 82 kg — about 15 kg above my ideal 67 kg.
At 59, I already take a mix of maintenance medicines for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, heart issues, and uric acid. Some colleagues jokingly call me a botika — a walking drugstore.
Even with these conditions, I can still manage physical activities, though less strenuously than before. Despite a weak right knee, I keep up my daily walks, often at a leisurely pace. At times, I’ve averaged more than 10,000 steps a day, as I shared in my 20th blog: A Positive Health Consequence of Covid-19.
Three decades ago, I tore muscles and ligaments in my right shoulder, specifically the labrum. Since then, I can no longer perform the traditional serve in tennis or swim freestyle and backstroke. Still, I manage controlled basketball games. In short, I remain physically active and able to do most chores on my own.
Discourse with Guardian Angel
“Hold it right there,” he interrupted. “No need for more details. I agree with what you wrote. Let me help you wrap it up.”
“Despite your ailments,” he continued, “you are still reasonably healthy. You’ve had very few sick days and have been hospitalized fewer than five times in your life.”
After a pause, he continued his tirade: “But you are overweight, and many of your problems are your own fault. Your wife is right all along — too many cheat meals! It is your palate – your gluttonic inclination – that you cannot control. You eat as if there’s no tomorrow.”
“Now tick the seventh blessing,” he ordered. I obeyed, glancing again at the printed list.
Progress So Far: Blessings 1 through 6 were covered in Part 2. Now, we add Blessing No. 7 — seven down, three more to go.
| Blessing No. | Description | Rating |
| No. 1 | Supportive Wife | ✓ |
| No. 2 | Wonderful Children | ✓ |
| No. 3 | Intact Family | ✓ |
| No. 4 | Great In-laws | ✓ |
| No. 5 | True Friends | ✓ |
| No. 6 | Organizational Membership | ✓ |
| No. 7 | Functionally Healthy | ✓ |
Progress So Far: Blessings 1 through 6 were covered in Part 2. Now, we add Blessing No. 7 — seven down, three more to go.
Blessing No. 8 - Academic Degrees
Narrative
My eighth blessing is my academic degrees. A colleague recently remarked that I might belong to a rare breed of academics. Why? It is because I earned four degrees instead of the usual three.
Typically, professors complete three degrees in sequence. The first is a bachelor’s degree (BS). This is immediately followed by a master of arts (MA) or a master of science (MSc). The third degree at the apex is the doctor of philosophy degree (PhD) or doctor of science (DSc), which is also called the terminal degree.
I earned my undergraduate degree in Zoology at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in 1981. More details about UPLB appear in my 6th blog: UP Mystique: Is it Real or Just a Bravado? Few believe I graduated at 19, but I started school at 5 after my father enrolled me at such a young age. He feared that I might burn our wooden house with my mischief of playing with matches!
In 1988, I completed a Master in Public Administration (MPA) at Palawan State University (PSU), where I now work. The decision to enrol in MPA in 1982 as a bachelor without any family obligation was made not out of love for study, but to escape nightly drinking and occasional marijuana use. Evening classes seemed a better alternative than being stoned or drunk incessantly!
In 1989, I earned another master’s degree in the United Kingdom (UK). I was a Chevening Scholar — fully funded by the British government. Hence, I had acquired three degrees at the age of 27.
Finally, in 2000, I received my doctorate from James Cook University (JCU) in Queensland, Australia. My wife and three children lived with me in Townsville from September 1997 to March 2000. I was a full scholar under the Australian Agency for International Development. “That’s my narrative,” I nonchalantly described to my guardian angel.
Discourse with Guardian Angel
“The facts are clear,” he said. “I wouldn’t argue about them. But your narrative is bland, just chronological compliance. “Moreover, you have missed a very crucial perspective on your graduate schooling abroad.”
“I don’t understand what you are getting at,” I lazily counteracted.
“Let me explain so your moronic brain may comprehend,” he continued. “Fact 1: Both your studies in England and Australia were full scholarships. Fact 2: You received stipends for 1 year and 3 months in England, and 4 years and 3 months in Australia. Fact 3: Combined, those stipends equal at least US$150,000.”
“You cannot change the facts – but you can change your perspective about these facts,” he emphatically added.
He paused, letting silence hang. I was also frozen in time, as if I were suspended in a time-space warp while waiting for his punch line. Getting impatient, I broke the standstill: “So what? Other scholars receive similar amounts.”
“Since you’re a social gambler, think of it this way,” he said. “Five years of scholarships is like winning US$150,000 in a lottery or hitting a jackpot in a Las Vegas casino den. You then used those ‘winnings’ to finance your graduate studies abroad. Am I making sense to you now?”
“Did you ever offer thanksgiving to The Almighty for such blessings?” he continued his oratory while circling me. Thousands of Filipinos apply yearly for overseas scholarships. Most are rejected. Some 90% percent of applications are given pink slips. Yet you received not one, but two generous academic grants. And yet you remain oblivious — blind as a Kauaʻi cave wolf spider — to such incredibly good fortune.”
I was stunned, realizing I had never seen it that way. “Now tick off your eighth blessing,” he instructed in a rather furious tone. Unable to make any counter-argument, I sheepishly followed in ticking Blessing No. 8 for Academic Degrees.
He ordered. I obeyed, marking Academic Degrees.
| Blessing No. | Description | Rating |
| No. 1 | Supportive Wife | ✓ |
| No. 2 | Wonderful Children | ✓ |
| No. 3 | Intact Family | ✓ |
| No. 4 | Great In-laws | ✓ |
| No. 5 | True Friends | ✓ |
| No. 6 | Organizational Membership | ✓ |
| No. 7 | Functionally Healthy | ✓ |
| No. 8 | Academic Degrees | ✓ |
Blessing No. 8 now counted. Only two more items remain.
Blessing No. 9 - Overseas Travels
Narrative
My ninth blessing is overseas travel, which has allowed me to nearly circle the globe. Writing this article pushed me to inventory my journeys: 33 countries, including my home country, the Philippines. Admittedly, some were only airport transits — Hamburg in Germany; Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates; and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
By major regions, I visited: Asia-Pacific (19), Europe (7), North and South America (5), and Africa/Middle East (2). A few highlights are scribbled below:
I studied for four years in Australia, the land of kangaroos and emus. Two humorous anecdotes from that time while in Queensland appear in my 1st blog: The Wrong Dead Man Movie and my 15th blog: New Year’s Eve Locked in Electronic Mishap in Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
My graduate schooling in England was a dream – I visited Canterbury several times, capturing the tales of Geoffrey Chaucer. I saw Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip up close in Herefordshire. In 1989, I even spoke face-to-face with Princess Anne for ten minutes about my master’s project about computer-based geographical information system, or GIS on Palawan’s Tamlang Catchment. (Yes, she is indeed the elder sister of King Charles, the reigning UK monarch!). She was then Chancellor of the University of London system. We practiced curtsy or ‘royal bow’ before meeting her and shaking her gloved hand.
I’ve had several memorable experiences. I travelled to mainland China thrice and climbed the Great Wall (with a signed certificate!). I visited Denmark and saw the Little Mermaid statue on the coast of Copenhagen. I once attended a conference in Norway where the sun never set for 24 hours.
I visited Bali before the bombings and Aceh after the devastating 2004 Asian tsunami. I marveled at the Angkor Wat complex in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Twice, I traveled to North Korea (officially called the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or DPRK), even being in its coastal city of Nampo during the world-changing 9/11 twin tower attack in New York. More about North Korea in my 31st blog: The Fascinating North Korea – Part 1.
In Africa, I was mesmerized by the dervish dancers in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital city. In Latin America, I visited Costa Rica, Mexico, and Venezuela — where beautiful women are indeed legendary. My 10th blog shares a humorous toilet story from Venezuela: Huescribbler Toilet Humor.
I turned to my guardian angel and asked, “Do you have anything to add to my narrative?” I peered at him through my reading spectacles.
Discourse with Guardian Angel
“There’s nothing more to add,” he said. “But in future blogs, note that The Almighty granted you the chance to visit countries most people only dream of. And remember the most amazing fact — most of those travels were literally free.”
He continued: “Except for family trips, your expenses were covered by sponsoring organizations that invited you to present papers or serve as a resource person. Highlight this blessing — very few Filipinos have traveled to more than 30 countries before reaching senior citizenship.”
I paused while he was talking, as I started to feel the toll of narrating for hours. Then he asked, half-mocking: “So, do you agree that sponsor-paid overseas travels are a blessing?” Unable to deny it, I nodded and ticked the ninth blessing without further prompting.
| Blessing No. | Description | Rating |
| No. 1 | Supportive Wife | ✓ |
| No. 2 | Wonderful Children | ✓ |
| No. 3 | Intact Family | ✓ |
| No. 4 | Great In-laws | ✓ |
| No. 5 | True Friends | ✓ |
| No. 6 | Organizational Membership | ✓ |
| No. 7 | Functionally Healthy | ✓ |
| No. 8 | Academic Degrees | ✓ |
| No. 9 | Overseas Travels | ✓ |
Blessing No. 9 — Another blessing checked, another reminder that my guardian angel wasn’t finished with me yet.
Blessing No. 10 - Respectable Job
Narrative
The tenth blessing, though not the least, is having a respectable job that sustained our family during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, I enjoy my current role at PSU as Professor VI and Dean of the Graduate School, despite the constant pressures of what feels like a 24/7 responsibility.
Beyond teaching and supervising faculty members, I’ve engaged in research projects that are both rewarding and intellectually stimulating. In my own way, I contribute to the academic growth of the province of Palawan.
In the recent past, I was also designated as the Vice President for Research and Extension (2011-2017). “My narrative is simple and straightforward,” I simply said after describing my longest employment at PSU. “Do you have anything to discuss or add?” Having spent several hours solely and continuously with him, I began to feel the mental tiredness – and a little physical exhaustion.
Discourse with Guardian Angel
He simply gave a thumbs-up, agreeing without comment. This was the only blessing without debate. Perhaps he, too, had reached his limit. (I still wonder if angels ever get physically tired like humans.) I checked the tenth and final blessing.
| Blessing No. | Description | Rating |
| No. 1 | Supportive Wife | ✓ |
| No. 2 | Wonderful Children | ✓ |
| No. 3 | Intact Family | ✓ |
| No. 4 | Great In-laws | ✓ |
| No. 5 | True Friends | ✓ |
| No. 6 | Organizational Membership | ✓ |
| No. 7 | Functionally Healthy | ✓ |
| No. 8 | Academic Degrees | ✓ |
| No. 9 | Overseas Travels | ✓ |
| No. 10 | Respectable Job | ✓ |
Blessing No. 10 — the final count. Ten blessings, one angel, and a half-believer who can no longer pretend he doesn’t see the signs.
5. Looking Back — And a Challenge to Carry Forward
As I stared at the old parchment, I felt both exhausted and jubilant. “Since you ticked all ten blessings, you agree with my list, right?” my guardian angel asked. “Yes,” I sheepishly admitted.
He paced back and forth like a character in a slow-motion film. Meanwhile, I wrestled with my own mixed thoughts and feelings. “So how do I close Part 3 of our encounter?,” I asked absent-mindedly. His back was still in front of me.
“There’s no need to wrap-up,” he said gently. “Ticking all ten blessings means you agree. That’s enough — at least for now.”
I replied that I needed to go home; it was getting dark, and my wife might worry. Or worse, get cranky!
“Not yet,” he countered. “You must accept another writing assignment. For Part 4, write about your two gifts from The Almighty.”
“What two gifts are you talking about?” I protested. “I’ve already shared everything. I already wrote a lengthy narrative of your 10 blessings. You’re unfair — a perverted angel!”
Ignoring my tirade, he pressed his right forefinger to his lips. A subtle signal that I needed to keep quiet and listen. “Do an introspection. You’ll discover at least two more blessings. I’ve already given clues in our previous talks.”
Instinctively, I started searching my memory bank, trying to guess. He then whispered: “Write your reflection. Don’t be an imbecile. You’re nothing but a boneheaded cafeteria Catholic.”
“Wait,” I pleaded. “Just tell me what they are so I can write them.” I tried to bargain, trying furiously to find either a compromise or a way out.
But my pleading was of no use. Because right before my very eyes – just like in an old, slow-motion movie – he had gradually vanished into an abyss of nothingness. Once again.
***** END OF BLOG *****
REFLECTION FOR READERS
Dear Readers:
In Judeo-Christian tradition, each person is born with a guardian angel. They are celestial beings with wings as their defining feature.
Have you ever encountered yours? Was he caring and helpful? Or is he more of an annoying and arrogant being who follows you wherever you go?
I’d appreciate your feedback on this Part 3 of the Guardian Angel blog series. Together, we can explore whether these beings truly exist — or whether they are simply products of our evolutionary brains, shaping belief in the supernatural.