KKK Seminar Series for Church of Christ in Nueva Ecija

23 July 2011, Gen. Ricarte Church of Christ, Llanera, Nueva Ecija. The 3rd of a series of seminars on Church development being conducted by KKK was held today in this local Church. This time, the seminar zeroed-in on the "pre-destination of the church of Christ unto heavens" and on the principles of Church growth as well. The speakers were Bro. Jerry Felipe and Bro. Ruben Grande, both KKK top officials. Local coordination was assigned to this reporter, Bro. Josue S. Falla.

Bro. Jerry reviewed the topic during the first seminar about historical development of the New Testament church of Christ and its apostacy (or turning away from the genuine institution established sometime in 33AD in Jerusalem). He expounded on the qualities of the genuine Church focused on its being pre-destined to salvation.

Meanwhile, Bro. Ruben Grande discussed the Church growth as experienced by early churches recorded in the book of Acts. He classified the types of Church growth into Internal, Expansion and Extension types, and the different ways of church growth such as biological, transfer, and conversion growth. Focus of his discussion was on the seven principles of Church growth such as: 1. Prayer or Spiritual Warfare, 2. Clear and Unique Vision, 3. Leadership, 4. Strategic Planning, 5. Life development Groups, 6. Follow-up, and 7. Discipleship.

KKK is the short for Kapisanang Pangkalahatan ng Kalalakihang Kristiano ng mga Iglesia ni Kristo, a national para-Chruch organization of Christian men under the Stone-Campbell restoration movement. Its current president is Bro. J. Felipe himself. The seminar series for Nueva Ecija is being coordinated by the Christian Education committee of the CCNE (Church of Christ in Nueva Ecija) chaired by this reporter. The 3rd of the series was hosted by Ricarte Church led by an elder Bro. Joseph Peneyra, which sponsored food and accommodation of the participants, guests and speakers. (JSF reports)

"Farewell Tia Vacion Bariata and Ate Belen Santiago"

20 July 2011, Masaguisi, Bongabong, Or. Mindoro. Right after my classes at ICCM on July 18 and 19, I proceeded to this homevillage in Mindoro to pay tributes to two of my beloved ones - Salvacion S. Bariata and Evelyn M. Santiago, who both died on July 14 and 17, respectively. The two are very close to my heart, they being my dearest niece-cousin and aunt, respectively.

Salvacion Santiago-Bariata, or Tia Vacion as I fondly called her, is a public figure not only in Masaguisi but also in the entire Philippine churches of Christ, especially among the "Dorcas", the association of Christian women under the Churches of Christ/Christian Churches in the country. She is the better-half of renowned Filipino evangelist Artemio Bariata. She died at 84 leaving behind three grown-up children Raquel, Dina and Artemio, Jr. and six grandchildren.

Tia Vacion is an epitome of a typical wife of a pastor - soft-spoken, always-ready-to-help-others, devoted Church worker, healer-therapist - a talent which the Lord gave her to enrich her ministry, educator and a perfect mother. During her younger years, Tia Vacion was a good horseback-rider, having travelled to and fro Orconuma and Masaguisi due to her work assignment then as school teacher. On a personal level, I've known Tia Vacion as a very loving and fair aunt. She did not play favorites to us, her nephews, nieces and even children. For instance, if I had misunderstanding or quarrel with my cousins Rachel, Dina or Toto, she exercised impartiality in decision-making, meaning if her children erred, they will receive due punishment. I can vividly remember the parting words of Tia Vacion (together with my Fourth Year High School teacher then Mrs. Entera) when I left Masaguisi in 1971 to study in UP Los Banos. Those words of encouragement served as my inspirations to complete my degree in that state university. Indeed, she is an aunt worthy to emulate.

Meanwhile, another beloved relative who passed away was Evelyn Mapacpac-Santiago, who is both a "niece and a cousin". Belen, as I fondly called her, which later became Ate Belen, is a niece by my father's side, having her mother Manang Mina as my cousin. She was married to another cousin by my mother's side Manong Yoyong Santiago. Thus, by consanguinity Belen is junior niece by blood, but by affinity, she is senior to me, thus I have to address her Ate (by local tradition). Having grown in Masaguisi, until later on their family migrated to Orconuma, I have many fond memories with Ate Belen. She was sociable and very friendly. She has a genuine concern for her fellows. She served her community as barangay kagawad and social worker, thus, the entire Brgy. Orconuma gave official tributes to her before she was finally laid to rest in Bongabong Memorial Park.

I was able to join in the interment ceremony of Ate Belen on Thursday, July 21. For Tia Vacion, I had the opportunity to join two-night vigil on Wednesday and Thursday before she was laid to rest on Saturday, June 23, 2011.

To the two beloved ones, have a peaceful and glorious reunion with our Creator. We will certainly see you there sometime, somehow. All praises be to our Creator. (JSF Blogs)

Two Classes @ ICCM are now both Half-Through

12 July 2011, Antipolo City, MM. My teaching assignment at the International Christian College of Manila is now half-completed, as we are set to have our mid-term exams on Monday. On a semi-block course arrangement, I am currently teaching two subjects, the Philippine History and English 2 (Speech Communication), both 3-unit courses required by CHED. I've got 32 students in English 2 and 28 in Phil. History. We are expected to finish both courses by the first week of August 2011.

Pending the opening of PhilSCAT - II, where I am expected to work (after retirement from PHilMech last year), I may spend vacant weeks (after my ICCM classes) in our Farms in Mindoro and enjoy the much-deserved break in my hometown Masaguisi. (JSF)

First CLSU Pi Alumni Reunion: Just Another Bonding Moments With Another Select GEI Brethren

For me, the occasion is just another bonding moments with GE/GLE brethren, as ever since I came to CLSU in 1976, I'd been following the status and developments of the GE chapter in this University. Yet, this occasion, the first ever (?, may be not)reunion?) of GE Pi Chapter alumni is considered historical by some brethren. The truth is, as whisphered to me by GE senior adviser Bro. Marcial Estolano, "how about those previous attempts by Bros. Reyson Raynmundo, Mike de Guzman Raymundo and Mike Mabalay to organize alumni council?".

Anyway, those are just side comments, and we have no bad intension whatsoever of derailing this another attempt to unify GE/GLE@Central Luzon State University alumni and residents alike.

Hence, here's congratulating our new sets of officers of CLSU alumni council, namely, Bros. Gerry Pascua, Charlie Corpuz, Tony Antalan, Froy Reganit, Romy Labios and many more (sorry for not mentioning their names, National Council will report them all completely shortly). Just an initial report from me Bro. Josh (Omega '73).

Philippine Cotton Staff To Converge in Las Vegas

Bulak Pinoy International
This release appears in Asian Journal San Diego
by Ardee Lee

“Former employees of Philippine Cotton Corporation will be holding a reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 21-23, 2011.” This was announced by Jess Gomez who is coordinating the event. Gomez served as Area Manager for Region I covering the Ilocos sphere of the Corporation before he managed the Alacan, Pangasinan Area.

“This is going to be exciting,” remarks Rudy D. Liporada. “Former co-employees gathering from all over the world to share our past endeavor serving farmers in the Philippines in the cotton cash crop business.” Liporada served as Finance and Administrative Manager for the Tarlac Office in Area II.

“Former Technical Division Chief Johnny Capuyan will be our guest speaker during the program,” adds Gomez. “Ben Fonbuena is coordinating those coming from other countries like Canada and Australia while Rosalina Falla is our coordinator for those coming from the Philippines.”

The Philippine Cotton Corporation was a quasi-government company until it was absorbed with the Cotton Research & Development Institute into the Cotton Development Administration (CODA) on February 11, 1998 by virtue of Republic Act
8486.

CODA is the sole agency of the government tasked to undertake initiatives that will spur the growth of the local cotton industry through cotton research, development and extension. As an agency, CODA is attached to the Philippines' agriculture department, but fully autonomous in terms of its organization and management.
For more information on the Bulak Pinoy International Reunion, one can contact: Jess Gomez at 619-948-4726, Ben Fonbuena at 323-317-3005, or Rudy D. Liporada at 858-722-1465.(BPI)

My Facebook Account Floods with Birthday Greetings

4 July 2011, Home@San Jose City, Nueva Ecija. Today's cybertech really made everything easy, as my Facebook account is flooded with greetings from well-wishers here and abroad for my 57th birthday. Similarly, my mobilephone, which is now hooked-up with pc, kept on ringing a day before my actual birthdate on July 4 until evening of such Monday.

My 57th birthday is one of the simpliest celebration ever, and perhaps the least costly. It started on Sunday worship celebration at STCC, where I serve as one of the two elders. This Sunday is memorable as the congregation added another elder, Bro. Mario Salazar, who was also ordained by the Church officers on the same morning service. This brings to three the number of elders at STCC, I, Bro. Rod Nonog and Bro. Mario Salazar.

On my birthday proper, wife Rose prepared pancit as shared together with a few neighbors around as late breakfast. I received calls and SMS from my children abroad (Japan and California). And finally, we had simple dinner with our parents, Mr./Mrs. Calixto Bulacso and son Ian's family, at the nearby mall NE Pacific-San Jose, just a few minute-drive away from our residence. To God be the glory. (JSF)

My 57th Birthday Plan

This 2011, my birthday falls on a Monday (July 4), a regular working, school day, thus, I'm anticipating for a simple celebration such as inclusion in the Prayer Requests' list for STCC Sunday worship. And on Monday, perhaps, wife Rose can prepare sphagetti or pancit and something to drink, for my well-wishers. No invitation whatsoever for my 57th birthday, but walk-in guests shall be warmly welcome and be entertained.

When I was a kid, I remember, my mom cooked a caldero of porridge (lugaw or tutong) for my friends around without them knowing it was my birthday. (30)