Science & Faith

Faith does not deny reality.

I was given a 2nd chance to be a baby to my mom and to take care of her in return as a daughter, thank you to the people who saved me!

Thanks for reading The Modern Maria Co’s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Cheska and Chris (team-no-sleep in Intensive Care Unit) told me I was mumbling “Mama” as I fought hard for my life on the hospital bed.

My mom and I would always argue about science and faith among other things. For the most part, I would conclude these family discussions with “Let’s agree to disagree” so everyone will have peace.

A few days after getting discharged from the hospital, I called her to say I’m more than ok! I was telling her with joy and pride that I got saved by science- the right medications, good doctor, strong heart & brain from doing a lot of cardio and surfing, no drinking or smoking so I got clean liver & lungs. The doctor who saved me in St. Paul Hospital confirmed that if those organs were already damaged, death would be easy.

My mom responded with conviction, “Alam mo kung anong nagsave sayo? Yung dasal namin.” [You know what really saved you? Our prayers and faith!”. I felt like she was dismissing the work I’ve done for years in taking care of my body. And it really annoyed me.

A day after that call, I became aware on the overwhelming amount of people who prayed for me during my three-day trip in between life & death where I was unconscious.

People told me countless stories on how they prayed to God, The Higher Being, or Creator, visiting the churches close to them. Friends talked to their own churches to pray for me regardless of religion or belief, and passed it on to their families. Mothers who offered their prayers through rosaries or novena, regardless if they know me or not. My mom sent a message to all our relatives to pray for my healing. Friends who don’t believe in God but just thought it would be nice if I’d live.

I woke up early in the morning of November 22, 2025, from what felt like an hour-long, vivid dream. In it, I found myself looking at crystal-clear seawater at sunrise, the most comforting ending after dreaming of winding through a dirty flood that led nowhere.

Learning about these stories, I can only tell people this: There was a quiet sense that I had been protected the entire time, as if I had been gently carried through those nights.

On my first personal visit to my doctor in Surigao after the whole near-death experience, he greeted me “Hello Miracle Girl!” as I entered his clinic. I was still groggy and confused about what happened. I thought a man of science could validate better how I survived this whole ordeal.

He said, a blood acidity pH of 6.6 is no longer compatible with life. He told Chris back then that he’s not sure whether I’d live or not based on the ABG (Arterial Blood Gas) results. But when he saw me, he believed I will live.

I was dead according to science.

But I made it.

At this point, I was already crying. I guess from all the restlessness and gratefulness both overwhelming me at the same time.

Before leaving, I thanked him for saving my life.

He told me, “I wish I was the one who saved you, but it’s God. I’m just a tool.”

This is a man of science and faith.

As if answering the quiet question in my head, I left the clinic not with certainty, but with relief.

My mom flew to Siargao on the first week of December to take care of me. One morning, to her surprise, I prayed out loud with her and for her. She just cried and listened. She didn’t judge how I prayed. I just simply spoke as if I’ve known and kept those words the whole time. I thought how liberating and cool it is to be reconnected with God and pray for people I love.

In the words of my doctor, “It’s the best experience that came out of it.”