Peggy Ongsiaco’s Story: Miracle for a Season, Healed for Eternity
Remember Peggy
In late 2019, Peggy Ongsiaco, CCF’s Technology Group Lead, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer—ten tumors in her brain. Others expected her to ask, “Why me?” But her faith never wavered. In 2020, she contracted COVID while battling lung cancer and a painful brain tumor. With her lungs failing and oxygen at 50%, doctors prepared to intubate. She declined, saying, “My lungs are shot. My life is in God’s hands.”
Peggy was active in church and led Bible study groups that brought many to Christ. She devoted her life to spreading the Gospel. Surely, God would continue to use her in ministry—surely, He would let her stay… right?
However, the few months of physical struggle had brought Peggy to a place of deep surrender. She felt it—her time had come, and she was ready to meet her Maker. But she also knew the church was praying for a miracle and heard God speak: “I hear the prayers of My people… and I will answer them.”
God Answers the Prayers of His Children
She slept for three days. When she awoke, her condition began to improve. Her fever broke. Her oxygen levels rose. Pneumonia cleared! On April 9, she shared her testimony on Facebook: “Even my doctors acknowledge it’s a miracle. Only God can truly heal… He answered the prayers of His people.“
2 Corinthians 4:16–18
We don’t give up. Though our body is wasting away, our inner self is renewed daily. Our light troubles are preparing an eternal glory beyond comparison. We focus not on what is seen and temporary, but on what is unseen and eternal.
From A Miracle to Tragedy?
Just as she was headed to a new lease in life, things turned south, and within three weeks, she passed away on April 27 at 37 due to COVID complications.
Many were confused, silently questioning God. Did He perform a miracle, only to change His mind? Was it all a cruel joke?—No! Miracles of faith don’t work the way we see them. We do not have the mind of God, for His thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are His ways our ways (Isaiah 55:8).
15 Years to 21 Days
In the Bible, King Hezekiah was on the brink of death when he pleaded with God to extend his life. God heard his prayer and gave him 15 more years (Isaiah 38:5). For others like Emily Juson, Joanna Yap, and Agnes Sarthou, who survived cancer for years, it was just 21 days for Peggy. Still, whatever God’s reasons, long or short, the truth is, He answered her prayer. She and her family remain grateful.
In death, we have eternal healing.
God is the Keeper of Our Soul
Peggy knew some days were tougher than most, especially facing illness, but she held firm: “God is teaching me that sorrow need not bring despair.” She believed she had a choice—to look to Him and find comfort or sink into sorrow. “When I choose to praise Him in the midst of my sorrow, He shows up—and peace reigns.”
Even in her final days, her faith never wavered: “My life is in God’s hands… At the end of the day, I know God will sustain me. What can we not conquer together? Nothing.”
God may grant healing for days or years, but for those in Christ, death is not the end—it is “eternal healing,” and those in Christ should not fear death. “This life isn’t it. Heaven is real. God is the Gatekeeper of our souls… to live is Christ, to die is gain.” – Peggy in her last words.
2 Corinthians 5:8
To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”
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