Like many other Face of Faith awardees, Sis. Ellen is an indistinguishable character until you see her virtues, or, more precisely, until you hear her sing.

     In the assembly of seasoned singers, you’ll hear a voice that soars above the rest. That unmistakably is hers, and you’ll know instantly this is one special person.

     And then she ceases to be just a face in the crowd, even if her silent demeanor hides the greatness in her.     

     Sis. Ellen, a soprano, sings for the Lord. She honed her singing skills early – she was member of a choir since high school. Then she became member of San Sebastian Parish Choir and eventually the FDMC Choir.

     She is also currently a volunteer for a private non-government organization.

Her life, like music, has its low and high notes.

Financial dearth

 

No matter what she does and what she undergoes, life for Sis. Ellen is like a song that she will forever sing. Her faith, like her soprano voice, will forever be in high pitch.

 

     Sis Ellen was born on July 17, 1964, third in a brood of six – three girls and three boys.

     An experience Sis. Ellen could not forget is when two of her younger brothers died of pneumonia due to lack of money to pay for the hospital, the doctor as well as to buy medicines.

     Barely nine years old and so fragile, she and her mom took her dead brother’s body and escaped from the hospital because they didn’t have money to pay for the hospital bills.

     Several days later, her other brother died, in her arms, and she didn’t know what to do.

     So miserable was their life that two bodies were present in a single wake.

But, amidst the scarcity, Sis. Ellen proved stronger than she thought. She was able to finish high school and, by her own perseverance, finished several short courses (i.e. secretarial, dressmaking, baking), giving her credentials to be able to provide for herself and her family.

A failed relationship

      To love and be loved is a great feeling. Sis. Ellen met a man, a fellow member in a parish choir she used to sing with. They got married in a civil ceremony.

     Their relationship lasted for only two years. She discovered he had an affair with another member so she decided to part ways with him.

     She was firm not to give him the annulment he wanted due to the money involved to process it. He, however, provided the money to facilitate the annulment with the condition that she would be the one to follow it up.

     The case remains unresolved to this day.

Community service

      The invitation of the Friends of the Divine Mercy Community for a CLSS came at the appropriate time when her heart was broken and in need of healing.

     Through the community, she learned to forgive and appreciate God’s blessings. She was generous to share her gift of singing, knowing that she is only bringing back to God the glory and praise.

     Almost 10 years in the community now, Sis. Ellen has proven her faithfulness. She barely absents herself from the music ministry practices and engagements.

     The week for her starts with an early evening Wednesday practice before “Jacob’s Well,” the community’s Wednesday prayer meetings.

     Friday is the day for voicing and practice of songs for the TV mass and “Treasures,” the monthly fellowship program.

     Saturday before the TV mass or Treasures is another day of practice for all songs. If there was a CLSS in the chapters and it needed her support, she would also be there.

     She also supports FDMC-Pasig for their first Sunday of the month parish choir mass service.

A generous heart

      Sis. Ellen’s generosity extends beyond her gift of music. A versatile person with also a talent in cooking and baking, the community often gets a taste of the delicious pastries she generously shares.

     She would also volunteer to sew for the community, as well as for her “kumares” in the community. Be it for tapestries, pillow cases, costumes, uniforms, collection bags, etc., at a very friendly price.

     Sis. Ellen who experienced poverty would also generously give her clothes to a member in need.

Multi-talented

     Sis. Ellen, aside from singing, cooking and sewing, has a talent for arts. She won a logo design contest during her days at San Sebastian by painting t-shirts with her own hands.

     She has also enrolled at a caregiver school in her desire to work abroad and uplift the economic condition of her family.

     No matter what she does and what she undergoes, life for Sis. Ellen is like a song that she will forever sing. Her faith, like her soprano voice, will forever be in high pitch.

(Sis. Ellen Cabrera from FDMC-Main is Face of Faith for September.)