Rejected No More …The Alexis Honrubia Story
Dramatized in Philippine television

Parents, what are your hearts’ desires for your children? Wealth? Honor? Long life? All these were given to king Solomon because Solomon asked for what’s aligned with God’s desire (1 King chapters 12-13) and in so doing, the Lord gave more than what Solomon had asked for. Why do I use this as introduction to my mother’s life story? Because she did not had a penny nor fame to pass on to her children. What she passed on was strong faith. She showed that you can start with next to nothing and turn your life around with the belief and grace of God. From a miserable beginning to a fulfilled life, from rejection to being so loved, from shame to honor, from poverty to enough provision. Actually, from not having provision, with the help of other Christians in U.S., to being able to feed, clothe and give toys to thousands of poor Filipino children. This transformation proved to me that there is a God and that no matter what level you start your life with… God is able to transform that life into a fulfilled, fruitful and prosperous one.

At a very young age, my mother, Alexis Honrubia can barely move her body and has learned to walk using her hands. A few years after, she was able to walk but her head, hands and feet were uncontrollable. Every step resulted to four spontaneous reactions from the rest of her body; her head, hands and one leg would jerk backward. Because of this, children followed her around and teased her. At school, she didn’t have school supplies and food. She was hungry all day long and this made it difficult for her brain to function properly, and at times she couldn’t help but fell asleep. One time, her teacher caught her doing this and threw an eraser on her.

My mother, like the rest of us growing up, needed a mother or a companion that would hold her during difficult times. From the verbal abuse from children, physical abuse from a teacher and her physical handicap, even a strong child like my Mom needed the reassurance that something good will come out of this. In the utter darkness of Bicol, night time seemed to be endless to a child that constantly had nightmares. The grandmother who took care of my mom was alcoholic. The alcoholism caused the poverty and the verbal abuse. My mother received verbal and physical abuse from children, neighbors, her teacher, parents, her own biological brother, grandmother, step mother, half-brothers (the famous Tuason car racers), list goes on and on, that’s why the writer chose the title “ Rejected No More.” The step mother made my mother sleep in the floor and made her climb the stairs and do house hold chores. She also encouraged her sons to trip my mother while walking.

Amidst all the abuse and hardships, my mother’s relationship with the Lord grew stronger and with this came the healing process of her condition. Slowly, Alexis was able to use her feet and hands for walking, and some of her involuntary muscle reactions went away. She loves attending church and bible studies, even if sometime it needed her to crawl on just 2 pieces of bamboo as bridge over the river. Later in life, my mother went up to the Ifugao tribal people to minister there. The tribal people carried her on their shoulders, with the aid of bamboo and blanket, to climb the steep mountains. This inspired so many people to send more provisions to the Philippine mission. This partial healing was a big blessing which enabled her to look decent in her teen age years, and in fact, was chosen as the School’s Queen. She attracted one of their best Varsity basketball players (my dad). My mother never dreamed that she’d ever be a wife.

Fast forward, because of my mother’s faith, my brother and I were born and have witnessed miraculous provisions in life. For example, when we were about to become homeless in a matter of few days, a relative of ours, whom we have not seen for a while suddenly found us and provided not only a free home but also employment for my father. Numerous times, we did not know where to get bus fares, nor food for our next meal, but somehow, a provision came when we needed one. Provision came in the form of a sudden visitor bringing money and food, sometimes through winning a contest.

In her younger youth, my mother was so enthralled with those who are able to dance (because she can’t). She dreamt that someday, her daughter would be a good dancer. The Lord surpassed that dream. He gave me enough dancing skills to win some contests to help with money to buy food. The Lord also put in the heart of a high-ranking official to recommend me to have a full scholarship in a classical ballet, modern ballet, jazz, tap etc. This Dance Co. had never given out scholarships before.

My mother’s dream for her children to finish college needed every ounce of faith. She always said that Jesus never fails. She instilled this belief in us and we believed that someday we will have the education that will change our lives. Just few weeks after my elementary graduation, out of the blue, my aunt visited the Philippines and for some reason, without being asked, promised that she’ll take care of my education expenses moving forward. When it was my brother’s turn to finish his degree, God sent my uncle to visit the Philippines. Again, without being asked, just seeing where and how we lived, broke down in tears and promised to send my brother to take his dream to be an Architecture. As for the rest of the people that brought misery to my mother, they all have changed and seek for a loving relationship with her (parents, step mother, half brothers, neighbors etc). Her brother, who has caused so much pain is now my mother’s joy. He is now assisting in the mission field. The community that was once a memory of sadness and torture is now a place where my mother is planning to set up an Orphanage. She longed to have a place for rejected and underprivileged children where they would be fed, schooled and loved. They will grow up knowing that Jesus loves them. This is the story of my mother, Alexis Honrubia.

In conclusion, I like to borrow the last will of one of the hero of the American Revolution. Patrick Henry said, “ This is all the inheritance I can give to my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.”

P.S. The book “ Rejected No More “ is a lot better, the author was a professional and took time to interview sources other than my mom. If you are interested to read the book, you can borrow my copy ( 916-649-1406 ).