UPDATE
from WCG PHILIPPINES 
UPDATE
from WCG PHILIPPINES
The official e-mail weekly newsletter of the Worldwide Church of God in the Philippines
Web site: http://www.wcgmindanao.org December 20, 2002
22 New CWMC Graduates in Bukidnon, Missionaries Going
About
22 Bukidnon brethren graduated last Sunday, December 8 after having successfully
completed the Condensed World Mission Course (CWMC) in Kiara, Don Carlos,
Bukidnon. May I express my thanks to the members of the Cebu pastoral team
namely: Rey Busalla, Jimmy Boone and Ranulfo Suan who devoted much of their
time, money and effort to serve the Bukidnon brethren by conducting and
facilitating the mission course. 
This is their second time to conduct a mission
course in Bukidnon. And this will be the third time that the local church has
gone through a mission course within this year. The first one was conducted in
Davao City. This makes WCG Bukidnon the local church with the most CWMC graduates
(within our denomination) in
Mindanao and maybe even in the Philippines. Congratulations to our pastor
with a missionary heart, Pastor Joel Alisbo!
New OBS for Talaandig Tribe in Bukidnon
Last
September 29, 2002, Rey Balistoy began conducting Bible studies using materials
from Chronological Bible Teaching (CBT) to a group of
Talaandig tribesmen in Taganibong, Dologon, Maramag, Bukidnon. A handful have
begun attending and the Bible Studies continue weekly since then. Here is his report:
"Inter-marriages are common. Animism still prevail. Some tribal leaders have knowledge already about Christianity but they don't have a 'church.' No spiritual leaders, so to speak. Problems about illiteracy is also a problem. Children don't have a pre-school facilities. Cleanliness is also a value that is a must to be incorporated in their lives."
Please pray for this new breakthrough. And please pray for our Bukidnon brethren as they reach out. --Len Joson
Gospel To Be Preached to Kalanguya Tribe of Nueva Viscaya
Last December 15, I was privileged to officiate in the wedding of a daughter of our long-time member, Mr. Ignacio Simeon in Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya. During the wedding festivities, I befriended the mayor of Sta. Fe and our conversation led to what his administration is doing to help the Kalanguya people, an Igorot tribe. Igorots are an indigenous people living in the mountainous northern part of the of Luzon.
There are about 52 families settled in a mountainous portion of Sta. Fe and Mayor Padilla is helping them with livelihood programs which he dubs “Back to the Basics.” He believes that modern technology in agriculture is not suitable for the Kalanguya tribesmen because of the prohibitive costs of farm inputs. He is encouraging them therefore to raise chicken, pigs, vegetables and fruits the natural way. The Kalanguya people has skills in handcrafts, basket weaving and fashioning & sculpting figurines out of newspapers.
Upon
hearing the simple and clear wordings of the wedding ceremony, he asked me if I
would be interested to provide spiritual guidance to this people. He knows that
his job as a mayor is much easier if the people will be taught the ways of the
God, the true God whom they are to worship. The Kalanguyas are
animists. They believe that things in
nature like trees, mountains and the sky have souls or consciousness.
The
mayor invited me to visit the Kalanguya settlement anytime which we plan to do
on January 27-29, 2003. I plan to show as an ice-breaker, the JESUS FILM on
video in the Iluko dialect which the Kalanguyas speak and understand. Please
pray with us that God would give us the wisdom to teach and lead this people to
the true God without offending them. May God use us to be like Paul so we
can win many to Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 9:19-23). --Jerry Ortiguero, Northern
Luzon Area Superintendent
WCG Lanipao Conducts Second Outreach Project
The WCG Lanipao congregation conducted its second outreach program for the year 2002 on December 3, 2002 at a farming community called LA URBANA which is situated in Barangay Lala Proper, Lala, Lanao del Norte. During the first outreach program last June, the Lanipao Church were able to distribute 79 pairs of rubber sandals for tots and children of depressed families. Snacks and fruit juice were also served much to the delight of the children. This time 86 parcels of children's gifts were distributed including used clothing, bags, toys, candies and sandals for adults.
It was pure joy to see happy children and parents queuing to receive their gifts after feasting on sumptuous meals prepared and donated by Pastor Augusto Cernol and wife, Mafalda. Pastor Israel Estrera and wife, Judith prepared the gifts which were bought through the local church fund. The event took on a festive mood as farmers and their wives rejoiced with the children during the gifts distribution. For the first time, farmers and their wives began inquiring who, what and where is the Worldwide Church Of God. Most of them readily recognized Mrs. Judith Estrera because she manages Planters Products, a store that sells farmers needs. --Ian Estrera
WCG Butuan City Goes Visiting Members, Reaches Out
I received this text message from one of our leaders in Butuan: "December 14 church leaders Art Castro, Ed Baulete, Ruby Banas, Ely & Flora Acompanado visited Cabcabon members and gave gifts, rice, groceries and used clothing. Discussed problems and livelihood. Came up with Tilapia fish pond project. Prayed over illness and personal concerns." --Ed Baulete, pastoral team member
Christine
Adelle Rico, a fourth year high shool student of the Integrated Developmental
School (Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology) garnered First
Place in Copyreading and Headline Writing during the Division Schools Press
Conference. She represented the Iligan City delegation in the Regional Schools
Press Conference in Tangub City held last December 1-3, 2002. She will represent
the whole Region 10 during the national competition this coming February in
Lapu-lapu City, Cebu. Adelle is the eldest daughter of our Iligan City Church
pastor and elder, Cristito Rico.
WCG Zamboanga City Youth Excels
Clarisse Anne Ignacio, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Reynaldo Ignacio, won second place in the recent Elementary Level Academic Derby in Journalism in Dipolog City held on November 25-28. She and her mother, Rowena, will be leaving for Cebu City in February to represent her school in this national level contest. Clarisse is a niece of our Zamboanga City Church pastor and elder, Nilo Belarmino.
"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you." (2 Thessalonians 3:1)