Rev. Danny Garcia's walk to eternity

By Ronelo S. Ladiao

“I believe in Jesus Christ, I believe that love overcome all kinds of obstacles… I know I'm not perfect but I believe God is working on me,” utters the man with walking thoughts and awakened heart, Rev. Danny Garcia.

A walk to remember

Rev. Daniel “Danny” Garcia is 59-year-old Christian minister born in Spanish Harlem in New York in 1945. His father was a versatile musician and her mother was a key punch operator in New York . He has one sister named Linda. Due to family problems and vices during his younger years, his grandparents raised Danny. Way back in high school he is very active in sports and academics. In 1962, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served until 1967. After his tour of duty, Danny worked for the Shell Oil Public Relations Department until 1972 when he reentered the Marine Corps and served for another four years. During this time, Danny was attending San Diego City College where he earned his A.A. in 1976. His major was Psychology. For the next twenty years, (1975-1995) Mr. Garcia held different law enforcement positions in the San Diego , California area: Correctional Officer, Metropolitan Correctional Center , federal Prison; Lieutenant at Burns Security; Site Commander at Salk Institute. He has also served as the Drug and Alcohol Counselor at NEPSI Narcotics Treatment Program; Drug and Alcohol Counselor at the Methane Clinic; Peer Group Counselor at Patrick Henry High School. Before entering the righteous and Christian way of life, Danny experienced desperate situations wherein his strength and spirit was tested. He vividly recalls the night he was changed by fate. Danny was with his friend when he suddenly felt something came out of him and unexplainable fear took him unconscious. Deep in his mind he heard a voice saying “Which way do you choose to go… life or death” and he screamed “Jesus save me”. For almost a year, he remained paralyzed mentally and physically but with God's help, he survived the test. Since then he dedicated his life to Jesus Christ and decided his life helping those who are in need.      

From 1978, Danny Garcia has traveled throughout the world and presented people with symbols of peace on behalf of the children of our world. A few of those presentations, either personally or via intermediaries were to: UNICEF at the United Nations during the International Year of the Child; Prime Minister Shamir in Israel; Pope John Paul II in Rome; Princess Anne in England; the President of the Olympic Committee in Seoul, Korea; U. S. Presidents Bill Clinton, Ronald Raegan , and Jimmy Carter; Mother Theresa in San Diego, California; Nobel Peace Prize Winner Ralph Bunch, in New York City; Stevie Wonder; Micheal Jackson; Whitney Houston; Redd Fox; Dr. Jonas Salk; Jackie Kennedy Onassis ; and Mohammad Ali.

In 1996-1997, Danny walked over 3,500 miles from San Francisco to New York on behalf of the children of our world and for peace. He has walked with a noble cause in New Jersey , Washington D.C. , Virginia , Los Angeles , Baja California , and Tijuana , Mexico . In 1998, Danny attended a United Nations meeting in New York City . From 1999-2001 he walked in different countries and global events in Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and Australia that includes 2000 Sydney Olympics, closing of the Holy Door at the Vatican and many others. It was November 11- December 8, 2000 when Danny visited the Philippines for a walk organized jointly by the Red Cross, the National Press Club and the Department of Interior and Local Government. His walk started in Laoag , Ilocos Norte and ended in Manila . In June 2001 he had a walk from Jordan to Israel . Presently, Danny Garcia married a Filipina from Northern Samar who used to be an OFW he met in Jordan few years ago. Right now, he is was once again destined to walk from Iloilo City to Passi City to Estancia on February 8 to 10, 2005 to   raise funds for the operation of Benny Cervas , a 21-year-old resident of Brgy.Salugan , Passi City who was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot . He's hoping that the good-hearted Ilonggos will help for his cause.                 

A talk to remember

Rev. Danny Garcia is a man with great compassion to the less fortunate, optimistic perceptions and great dreams to make his eternal walk a symbol of our faith to Jesus Christ. He's hoping that his effort will save lives, win souls and enlighten this darkened world…

What is it like being you?

“(laughs hard as if he was overjoyed)…There's nobody like me, not one in a million. I'm radical for Jesus and I want to help people”

What are your three greatest dreams for yourself?

“Well, dreaming of helping and loving other people, travel a lot and spend eternity with Jesus”

What are your three wishes for the world?

“I believe we have to unite and accept each other, people should give more consideration to children because they are the future of this world and finally, love is the key… learn to forgive and love other people”

If you will live again in another life what kind of life would you want to have?

“I won't… this is it! I believe God created us in his perfect image and the world is a classroom. He's the teacher and we are his pupils, some won't pass the test and some will be saved”

If ever you could not walk, what would you do to pursue your noble cause?

“Fly! I would fly like an eagle because it's uplifting and it's like walking that if you start to help people you'll hear a lot, see a lot… thus, God's grace makes you feel high”

What are three things you cannot live?

“Well, I can't live without being loved, without food especially spiritual food that we need and Jesus, we need him!”

Whom do you look up to as the three most important people that ever walked this planet?

“Jesus, I've been all over the world and met great leaders but Jesus is within me wherever I go. His love is unconditional while man's love is conditional. Oh, Jackie Kennedy Onassis is a very kind woman and Muhammad Ali knows how to give all his fortune for those who are in need”

How do you find Iloilo and the Ilonggos ?

“ Iloilo is a city of love that's why I keep coming back and Ilonggos are gentle-hearted people”

If your life can be compared to a place you have walked and visited, what would it be?

“ Iloilo reminds me of San Diego , California . It is a beautiful place with friendly people wearing a smile all the time so wherever I go or walk I always bring that memorable experience”

What is your message for those lost and weary souls?

“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! He said he is the way, the truth and the light”

What are the things you want the world to remember you?

“Love, I'm in this world to share and give love for free because I'm very simple man. I travel a lot but I don't own big fortune, a car or a house but Jesus is my sponsor and he keep on touching people's heart”

What is the relevant reality that people failed to realize in living their life?    

“They miss the mark! You know it is like missing the bull's eye. The road is very narrow and you know it's easy to get caught by vices… so walk with Jesus!”