From Nueva Ecija Via Calapan City On To Masaguisi Village: A Travelogue

12 May 2011 - Right after taking my breakfast, I left my home in Sto. Tomas, San Jose City (Nueva Ecija), boarded the Baliwag Bus passing along the highway (where I am) off to Cubao. Then, I transferred to another bus plying Batangas City on to the pier where fastcraft Supercat sail to and from Batangas-Calapan.

I need to be in Calapan that night for the final vigil of a brother-in-law Ronnie Foja, set to be interred on the following day, which is Friday, the 13th. I’m not quite fatalistic, as they said the date is a bad omen. But yes, the physical separation of loved ones really bring terrible sadness ala bad omen? Ronnie was put to a final rest at 1;30 PM at the panoramic memorial park in Calapan. From the memorial park, we proceeded to my home-village Masaguisi where my roots are.

It was not a very healthy arrival as my sister-in-law Mayet Falla is in the hospital in Roxas town, where she stayed for few days for certain health problem.
Along our way to visit Ate Mayet, we dropped-by at the house of a relative in Dayhagan to pay courtesy to our 79-year old cousin Manang Tinay, who live in their ancestral house with one of her daughter Janet. All of her other children are either in Manila or abroad like Germany and Dubai working. See how economic activities separate people.

Comes Sunday in Masaguisi, the worship time is 6 AM. It was not an ordinary Sunday, as the Church is filled with balik-barrio folks like cousins Raquel and Dina Bariata and family friends, Ate Violy and Kuya Andy Arciaga. I also met in the Church the KFC Team of the ICCM like Peter, Tin-tin, Velinda and Nyoy (spend worship service in Orconuma Church).

In the Church, DVBS pupils gave special numbers featuring the motion songs learned. There was also children’s dedication that time. It was indeed a happy Sunday full of blessings as I met not only God but also His people who had been endeared to me.
And for the rest of my brief visit in Mindoro, I went to old friends and relatives while enjoying the farm breeze and the fine beach Masaguisi.(SUNBEAM Ed)

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)