“The First Healing Journey of Ubing: A Life of Faith and Service”

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Ubing, the name lovingly given to him by his family, was baptized as Robinson on April 17, 1935, in Melgar by the Aglipayan priest, Monsignor Juan Sales. His early years were shaped by the simplicity of rural life, surrounded by family, faith, and the natural beauty of the islands.

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When the Second World War reached the Philippines in 1942, schools were forced to close. During those uncertain years, Ubing and his older brother and closest companion, Moises, spent much of their time at Puyange shore, where they witnessed the historic Battle of Surigao Strait—the fierce encounter between American and Japanese forces that became one of the major naval battles of the war.

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After liberation in 1946, schools reopened, and Ubing continued his education. He studied Grade I at Wilson School and later pursued learning in different places across Surigao, Leyte, and other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao. Behind his ordinary life as a student, however, was a deeper calling that would eventually reveal itself.

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One day, near a spring beside a river at Kilometer 3 in Surigao, Ubing encountered Lolo Adriano, who handed him a small booklet. This simple gift became a turning point in his life. It marked the beginning of a spiritual journey that would lead him toward a mission of healing, compassion, and service to humanity.

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Unaware of the extraordinary path unfolding before him, Father Jose, Mother Justiniana, and the rest of his family continued to care for Ubing as any family would. They watched over him as he went to school, helped with household responsibilities, and joined in fishing and farming to support their daily needs. They did not yet know that he carried a special purpose beyond the life they saw.

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Ubing’s first healing mission became the beginning of his remarkable journey among the people of the Visayas. With humility and dedication, he traveled from community to community, bringing hope to those who sought relief from illness and suffering. His first acts of healing quickly gained attention, and stories of his unusual gift spread throughout the provinces of Leyte, Samar, Bohol, Cebu, Negros, Siquijor, and Panay Island.

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The people who witnessed his healing called him by different names, each reflecting their amazement and gratitude. In Leyte, he became known as Benancio Singkaw; in Cebu, he was called Batang Misteryoso; in Negros, Batang Kahibulongan; in Bohol, Ben Isay Ngipon; and many others knew him as Dr. Laway. These names were not merely titles—they were expressions of the faith and wonder of those who experienced his healing mission.

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The first healing mission of Ubing became a defining chapter of his life. It transformed him from an ordinary young man into a figure remembered by many communities as a servant of healing and hope. Through his journey, he touched countless lives and carried a message of compassion, faith, and service.

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On April 17, 1947, Father Jose passed away at Puyange under circumstances that remained mysterious to the family. Before his death, he had offered Ubing a sacred object, but Ubing declined to receive it and instead entrusted it to Moises. Left with the responsibility of supporting the family, Mother Justiniana carried the burden of providing for her children while cultivating the promised land of Puyange.

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In 1949, another great trial came when Super Typhoon Dading struck Puyange and devastated areas of Dinagat Islands, Surigao, and parts of Leyte. Yet amid these hardships, the memory of Ubing’s healing mission continued to inspire those who believed in his extraordinary calling.