John Gilmore Visits ICCM

30 August 2011, ICCM Campus, Antipolo City - Australian missionary Bro. John Gilmore is in town with his base station at the International Christian College of Manila, this city. But who is Bro. J. Gilmore?

John Gilmore is the director of Australia's GMP (Global Mission Partners), a group which formally representing the Churches of Christ Overseas Missions. These are the COCOA (Church of Christ of Australia) people who have provided typhoon relief during past calamities here in the Philippines.

In these photos, Bro. John is received by ICCM officials, after which the group discussed possible collaborative undertakings between GMP and ICCM. During the meeting, John asked for the priority problems and concerns of the Bible college, where GMP may be of assistance. Some concerns raised include ownership of ICCM facilities, sustainability of the Bible college, continuous faculty training and development, masteral course offerings, expansion of enrollment and strengthening local Church supporting the seminaries, among many others. John also mentioned some GMP ministry interventions such as Church development support and Churchmen's (human) education and development as they did or are doing in nine more developing (poor) countries like Vanuatu, and some countries in Africa.

ICCM, just like other nine Philippines' Bible colleges and seminaries under Stone-Campbell restoration Movement, is currently suffering from financial difficulty resulting from the economic recession in America where many donors are. This "crisis" prompted the College constituents to be more aggressive in sourcing-out funding from the local donors (Filipino Fund) in order to keep this Christian education ministry going. (JSF)

Why I Keep on Coming Back to Masaguisi? Let these Pics Answer

On August 17 - 24, I visited my hometown Masaguisi, this time as sort of self-reward after completing my semi-block courses at ICCM, which I'd been teaching since June to August 16. I guessed I need the much-needed break so off to my roots I go right after finishing my class.

Going back to where you were born is really an exciting experience, much more in the cozy village of Masaguisi where I need to cross the Batangas-Mindoro straight down south of Or. Mindoro.

Who can miss the serenity of Masaguisi sea, with it's newly installed sea-wall a la Manila Baywalk, cross the river bank to see more beautiful scenes including the new community project called Bongabong Fish Sanctuary, hoping to develop more the fish and other marine products in the vicinity? And take a sip of fresh young coco-water (buko)so refreshing.

How can I miss meeting here and there childhood friends and classmates? This time we had a mini-reunion with childhood friends like Mila Isler, Olive Fernandez-Manete, Helna Hernandez-Escarilla, and Mona Fernandez, high school fellow alumnus after a briefing about the status of Masaguisi development. Notably, we were briefed about the Barangay Council project called Masaguisi Aqua Park, which aim is to revive that famous Masaguisi river which is now dying due to environmental abuse. Posted herewith is its perspective view, and all lovers of nature and environment are welcome to support this project.

The Masaguisi Elementary School located just at the back of our ancestral house becomes more than an educational institution, as mini-parks, reading area, sports area were continuously developed for the studying pleasure of Masaguisi pupils and out-of-school alike. It becomes a perfect place for a morning walk or jogging, another motivation for us to preserve and improve our ancestral house, as if the elementary school is but an extension of our residence.

That's Masaguisi now . . . always keeping pace with the development of other similar barangay, or even faster - just one good reason why I keep on coming back to my homeplace. (JSF)

Teaching Assignment@ICCM Ends Today

16 Aug. 2011, ICCM - Antipolo City. This reporter's teaching assignment this semester at the International Christian College of Manila (ICCM) culminates today as the 32 students under English II (Speech Communication) and 28 under Philippine History took their final exams to wrap-up the two courses. Both subjects completed the 50-hour requirement for CHED-required general education courses, offered through semi-block schedule from June through August 2011.

For Philippine History, the course culminated through a group report (Class was divided into 5 groups) on "P-H Timeline", a summary of important events in this country since time immemorial up to present. Selected film clips on Philippine History were likewise shown in an attempt to clearly visualize our pasts. Similarly for English 2, selected film clips produced by selected professors of Public Speaking were shown to the class in a bid to pin-down the important tips in public speaking.

Posted here are the official class pictures for both courses, taken shortly after the final exams. Thus, the smiles you can see there are not voluntary as the students can hardly smile after the tough final evaluation tests. Yet, everyone wore their sweetest smiles as a "requirement" of the course for the class picture, ;-D (JSF Blogs)

GEI Bro. Josh Speaks at CLSU Pi Chapter Seminar on Leadership and Organizational Management

13 August 2011, CLSU College of Arts and Sciences. Gamma Epsilon International (GEI) alumnus from UPLB Omega Chapter, Dr. Josue S. Falla spoke today at the Pi Chapter-organized Leadership and Organizational Management Seminar held in Rm. 226 CLSU-CAS Annex building of the University. His assigned topic was "Moral and Spiritual Development", where he discussed a "Success Model" for total human development focused on the moral and spiritual aspects of life. This topic complemented three other more: 1. Basic Leadership and Management Style (Dr. Renato G. Reyes), 2. Communication Writing and the New GEI-Pi Chapter Constitution and By-Laws (Bro. Michael C. Delos Santos), and 3. Recruitment Process (Bro. Michael C. Mabalay).

In his discussion, Dr. J. Falla presented five human virtues he considered essential for successful living. These are Positive Thoughts, Genuine Joy, Healthy Lifestyle, Think Wealthy and The Unconditional (Agape) Love. He slanted the presentation from the Christian perspective, although there is one Muslim sister in attendance.

According to the current Grand Archon Bro. Benhur L. Basilio, this session is only the start of a continuing education for GEI as one constituent of the CLSU community. It was opined, however, that the succeeding sessions be opened to other allied organizations in the campus, as moral and spiritual development is a continuing societal concern. (JSF)

8 PHilMech Researchers Get Extra Retirement Benefits Under DOST Magna Carta for Scientists

PHilMech Headquarters, Munoz, Nueva Ecija - Eight senior researchers of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) earned additional retirement benefits as provided for in the Dept. of Science and Technology's Magna Carta for Scientists and Researchers (RA 3489). They are Rosendo Rapusas, Gloria Jimenez, Josue Falla, Ruben Manalabe, Raquel Bermundo, Hugo Tolentino, Glory Sabio and Rowena Gutierrez.

The extra benefits were due to the automatic increment of one salary grade level upon retirement. Director II with salary grade of 26 were upgraded to salary grade 27, in which the latest salary grade became the basis of computing the retirement benefits. Thus, the eight retired researchers get such benefits from both their mother unit (PHilMech) and the GSIS, a double-whammy indeed for the deserving government employees.

The eight availed of the early retirement under the government's Rationalization program of the previous administrations. (JSF reports)