Daughter Jonna and Grandson Kyle's Natal Days Remembered @ Home

Despite of their absence at home in Nueva Ecija, our family celebrated the birthdays of Jonna (May 17) and Kyle (May 19) in a simple dinner/salu-salo, attended by kins from Butuan City Susan and 2 daughters, and the Bulacso clan. Jonna turns 33 while Kyle is 9 years old. Jonna is with her husband Dominic in Japan for a military assignment, while Kyle stays with his father in Bulacan.

May the Good Lord bless and keep them giving more happy days ahead. Happy birthday! (Dad/Lolo Blogs)

Gallery of Selected Photos During CAAMS 2011 International Course on Agri-Mechanization

For reason/s I don't know, I could not open my blogsite while in China, thus, I used my yahoogroups to post some travelogues during that sojourn. Here are some photographs taken during my recent trip to China to participate in an international course while renewing acquaintances with Chinese friends and colleagues. Ni hao! (JSFalla Blogs)

CCNE Key Leaders Encouraged By Cornerstone Team

Central Luzon State University, Munoz, Nueva Ecija. 2 April 2011 - Over 50 "high-profile" and committed Christian leaders (ministers and elders mostly) of the newly SEC-registered Church of Christ in Nueva Ecija, Inc. (CCNE) were encouraged and challenged to do more with their respective ministries after a team of American missionaries conducted a day-long seminar in this University campus on April 2, 2011.

The Church leaders in attendance were: I. Cluster 1 Church (Cabanatuan, Jaen and Vega, with Mantile Outreach) - Michael Flores, Dennis Masuli, Eulogio Austria, Pepito Sareno, Lorenzo Canado and Samuel Navarro. II. Cluster 2 (Ricarte, Luna, Ganduz and Cambitala) - Lex Posadas, Joseph Peneyra and Irene Peneyra. III. Cluster 3 (Visoria, Saguingan, Licab, Talavera and Aliaga) - Raquel Aguilar, Nilo Dela Cruz, Ace Wendell Maghunong, Christian Prejillana, Celso Pelayo, Melchor Pelayo, Sheila Mae Arelllano, Eva F. Arellano, and Melanie Pascua. IV. Cluster 4 (Munoz Poblacion, Rang-ayan, Palusapis, Linglingay, Culiat, Mangandingay and Calisitan) - Aradani Bago, Sonny Arandilla, R-Jean Miguel, Jimmy Nilo, Jr., Roger Miguel, Bon Miguel, Ian Anog, Bong Canoy, Ogin Miguel, Mariz Hernandez and Denmar Daquel. V. Cluster 5 (San Jose, Caridad, Sto.Tomas/CLSU, Maligaya, San Francisco, Malayantoc and Bakal II) - Melchor Gervacio, Josue Falla, Arlene Aguilar, Jemmalyne Aguilar, Miguel Nad, Jr., Saul Fulgencio, Anita Lacamento, Imelda Salazar, Mario Salazar, Roberto Valdez, Catherine Valdez, Rose Falla, Decenia Cabutaje, Abel Cabutaje, Norma Sagun, Andrea Caibio and Ramon Caibio. VI. Cluster 6 (Guimba, Cinense and Balbalino) - Bernard Dayag, Leonardo Aquino, Rudy Galdones and Romeo Capinding)

Guests from America and Manila were Regina Hamilton, Cathy Wright, Scott Adkins, Cheryl Wissmann, Julmar Ayuno and Ramon Doneza.

The day-long program includes Praise and Worship hour; Presentation of Updates about the CCNE and Her para-Churches, namely, the CLEAN/KKK (Church Leaders' Association of Nueva Ecija/Kapisanan ng mga Kalalakihang Kristiano - Nueva Ecija), SPKKNE-Kababaihan (Christian Women's Association) and the SPKKNE-Kabataan (Christian Youth Fellowship); simultaneous seminars on Strategic Planning for Church Growth (Men's Sector) and Conducting Bible Studies and Practical Nursing (Women's Sector).

The forum also served as the venue for promoting the National Leaders' Convention (by CACD members Bro. Julmar Ayuno and Bro. Monching Doneza), and the ICCM ministry (by Dr. Cheryl Wissmann). Such was also an avenue for donating goods to the ICCM ministry like a cavan of rice from Ricarte Church, 2 bags of onions from Vega Church and Ms. Gisel, a friend of Sis. Rose Falla from Rizal town, and a few kilograms of rice from the Falla couple.

This visit to the country's rice granary, of brethren-missionaries from the Cornerstone Christian Church (Chicago, Illinois) was hosted by the CCNE, the Sto. Tomas Church of Christ in particular, the Anog's, Miguel's, Falla's and Juliano's families. Praises be to the Father. (JSF Blogs)

Rice Czar Vouches for the Immediate Implementation of PhilSCAT 2

The Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology (PhilSCAT), a bilateral program between the Philippines and the PROChina, is set to resume its Phase 2 operations very soon. Both governments, through the Phil. Dept. of Agriculture and PROC Ministry of Agriculture, have recently approved the sequel program aimed among others, at alleviating rural poverty by increasing farm productivity.

On March 3-4, 2011, the implementing details of the sequel program had been finalized in a workshop participated actively by DA rice program head and the acknowledged rice czar of the country Dr. Santiago R. Obien. Dr. Obien expresses strong support for the immediate continuation of the program as the country under Agri-Pinoy flagship of Pres. Noynoy is cramming for the 2013 self-sufficiency target. Mechanized hybrid rice farming system remains the banner program of PhilSCAT plus rural energy generation project adapting China's household and farm level biogas system.

In the original Phase 2 proposal of PhilSCAT, three more important commodities (as program scope) were added like Shaded Vegetable (Greenhousing system), Freshwater Aquaculture and Rice-Duck Culture. These were, however, deferred mainly because of budget slash on the part of the PROC government. PhilSCAT 2 proponents are keen on working on these added commodities using the local resources. They are currently looking for a mechanism by which these important rural poverty-alleviating strategies be introduced among the Filipino farmers.

Meanwhile, this blogger has signified his interest to work with PhilSCAT 2 after having been involved during the entire Phase 1 in 2003 - 2009 till he retired from his mother unit (PHilMech) last May 2010. (JSF Blogs)

11 Complete Bachelor of Theology Course @ ICCM

It's 11 for 2011. Yes, brethren, eleven Bachelor of Theology candidates graduated on March 19, 2011 from the CHED-accredited bible college the International Christian College of Manila (ICCM). They are: 1. Aringo, Vivian C. (major in Education), 2. Baysa, Peter John B. (Education), 3. Castillone, Lanie T. (Education), 4. Ebora, Maricris B. (Education), 5. Fernadez, Crispulo C. (Outreach), 6. Mendoza, Rolando V B. (Education), 7. Ranola, Ronald D. (Worship), 8. Silagan, Louie D. (Outreach), 9. Tablate, Ullysis C. (Worship), 10. Tamonde, Jay Lloyd E. (Education), and 11. Zamora, Franz Josef P. (Ministry).

The commencement exercises, which is the 3rd under post-CHED accreditation but 11th including the pre-CHED program, was held at the chapel of ICCM on March 19, with this year's theme Every tongue and tribe, a line from the class theme song "Halleluia to the Lamb", a classical Christian song inspired by the book of Revelation where on the final day, everyone and every tongue and tribe will glorify the Lamb of God.

Around 200-member audience witnessed the graduation representing the cross-section of ICCM family and friends from the neighboring churches.

An international choir (mostly Americans) from Faith Academy with Mr. Todd Eichenaver as Director, Mrs. Claire Miller, Accompanist and ICCM dean's son Andrew Wissmann as soloist, provided an intermission number during the graduation ceremonies. Prof. William Fierbaugh was the Guest Speaker, while Ms. Vivian Aringo provided the graduation message on behalf of their class.

The graduation ceremonies seem unique to ICCM as it follows a typical chapel program including an offertory challenge by the college president Prof. Arthur M. Santiago. The program was capped through picture-taking and a graduation lunch. (JSF Blogs)