A Gathering of Healing Hands: My Experience at the DOH Consultative Meeting on LINGAPP

Last November 28, 2025, I arrived early at the Park Inn by Radisson along North Avenue, Quezon City, the venue for a very special meeting. The Department of Health –Bureau of Local Health Systems and Development (DOH-BLHSD), under the leadership of Dr. Mar Wynn Bello, had organized a Consultative Meeting on Strengthening Faith-Based Health Initiatives for Lingkod Kalusugan ng Alagad ng Pananampalataya at Pamayanan (LINGAPP).

As the representative of the Davao Episcopal Area (DEA) Health Board of The United Methodist Church, I was excited for the opportunity that the government can acknowledge the role of faith-based organizations in the health of our communities.

I was the first person in the conference room but I was impressed by the diverse assembly they invited including representatives from the Philippine Relief and Development Services (PhilRADS) of PCEC, Caritas Philippines of the Roman Catholic Church, the Islamic Medical Association of the Philippines, and several other faith-rooted organizations. Seeing everyone seated together reminded me that despite our theological differences, we share a deep and abiding commitment to human dignity and compassionate service.

The meeting opened with an ecumenical prayer that I also participated in. Then an opening remarks by Dr. Bello. He emphasized that before the government prescribes policies or action plans, it must first listen to the stories, struggles, and insights of the organizations that have long been embedded in communities. I had to agree with his remarks. For years, faith-based organizations have been the unsung frontliners by providing medical missions in remote barangays, supporting families in times of disaster, and tending to the spiritual and emotional wounds the healthcare system often overlooks.

Again, I was the first speaker to share our experience in the UMC. I introduced myself as PasDoc Neki and spoke about the work of our DEA Health Board, our HIV SAVE approach and desire to build HIV competent churches, our growing mental health programs among youth and women, our peer educators Tigbansay and Manuglaygay, and our Wesleyan heritage of combining faith and medical ministry. I felt grateful to represent a church rooted in holistic care of body, mind, and spirit.

I also realized how unique our perspectives are as faith-based practitioners. We bring compassion shaped by Scripture, ethics informed by community life, and a sense of mission that pushes us beyond what is convenient.

Throughout the meeting, one theme kept echoing back and that is we all want to bring healthcare closer to the people as an expression of love. We also openly discussed challenges like limited funding, lack of coordination, unclear policies and the need for stronger government support. Yet, despite these concerns, there was a hopeful spirit in the room. This was just a beginning of a new partnership.

As the meeting ended, I felt encouraged. It was clear that LINGAPP is a program that will bridge between government and faith communities, between policy and compassion, between systems and souls. Walking out of the meeting venue, I carried a sense of renewed purpose. Our church may have simple programs but it is not alone, for along with our friends from various denominations and faith traditions, the FBOs has a vital role in building healthier, more resilient communities. 

This meeting reminded me that healing is not just a medical act, we are really called to take part in God's ministry. 

Reflections of a Community Doctor in the Palay

Being in the community always gives me that feeling of what it really means to be a missionary doctor. It is not the walls of the hospital or the bustle of outpatient clinics, but the everyday lives of people whose health is shaped long before they ever meet a doctor. Here in the community, health is not just measured in blood pressure readings or BMI charts or other vital signs, but rather it is written in harvest cycles, market stalls, and the weary yet dignified faces of the farmers who feed the community.

As I walked through the barangay road where the palay occupies the road instead of cars, I couldn't help but reflect on the choices farmers have to make with the lack of infra to support them, including problems in the rising cost of fertilizers, the unpredictability of the weather, and the stubbornly low buying price of palay. It was disappointing. The market price of palay, or unmilled rice, stands at only eight pesos per kilo. Yes, eight pesos. A number so small it barely captures the sweat, the aching backs, the hours beneath the sun, and the generations of knowledge poured into every grain.

The eight pesos reflect not the value of palay, but the value we have chosen to assign to the people who grow it.

As a community doctor, I’ve long understood that food security is fundamental to population health. When families do not have stable access to nutritious and affordable food, diseases multiply. Malnutrition, anemia, lifestyle diseases, mental stress, and even intergenerational poverty will just persist. But seeing the farmers’ struggles up close reminds me that the health of our food system is inseparable from the health of the people who cultivate it. When the ones who feed us cannot feed their own families, we actually make the entire nation malnourished physically, socially, and morally.

The Gospel of Luke reminds us, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” This is not just a spiritual teaching but a call for social justice. The price of palay calls us to check where our moral compass is pointing in terms of justice, dignity, and compassion. Honoring those who labor honestly is a reflection of who we are as a society. But in many ways, we have failed to honor our farmers. We have underpriced their produce, overlooked their needs, and taken their labor for granted.

Health may be measured by medical instruments, but the community will really tell us the real status of our health.

Launch of Migrant Mental Health Ministry

 
A New Beacon of Hope: The Launch of the Mental Health Support Initiative for Migrants in Japan

In a momentous occasion, the United Methodist Church (UMC) in partnership with the New Creation Church in Japan (NCC) unveiled the Mental Health Support Initiative for Migrants. This groundbreaking launch took place during an uplifting online worship service that brought together migrant workers, church leaders, and other church and ministry partners.

During the worship service, the warmth heartfelt greetings from leaders representing both the Philippines and Japan enveloped the digital space, reflecting the collaborative spirit that breathes life into this essential new ministry. Rev. Federrico Noble, Administrative Assistant from the DEA Bishop’s Office, welcomed everyone that reminded everyone the feeling of a family gathering rather than just an assembly of individuals.

Prof. Cristy Framer Mella, a leading light from PCC-CORR and Chairperson of the DEA Health Board, passionately spoke about the initiative’s significance. She articulated how it directly addresses the intercultural needs and increasing mental health challenges faced by migrants—a topic that resonates deeply with many in our global community. Rev. Dr. Nezer Soriano, Director of the DEA Health Board, shared insights about the church’s vital role in promoting holistic mental well-being, reminding us that as Wesleyans we provide holistic care for our minds as this is crucial as caring for our bodies and souls.

From the Eastern Visayas District, District Superintendent Rev. Maximino Maregmen expressed unwavering solidarity with those working abroad, reinforcing a unified commitment to uplift migrant communities. Mrs. Mayvelyn Salavia, representing the New Creation Church in Japan, warmly articulated her support for ongoing intercultural ministry efforts, emphasizing the beauty of diversity in a shared mission.

The worship experience led by Ms. Dinah Serrano was a sanctuary of reflection. Through scripture, prayer, and uplifting music, participants were nurtured in a spirit of unity and hope. A particularly moving moment was the Litany of Commitment, led by Pastor Iris Terana, where attendees collectively vowed to walk alongside migrants on their journeys, championing mental health as an essential aspect of comprehensive ministry.

In his powerful sermon, Bishop Israel Painit of the Davao Episcopal Area painted a stark reality: about one in three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) faces significant mental health challenges—anxiety, depression, and burnout are all too common. “The reality is that many OFWs endure immense mental health challenges,” he noted, emphasizing that the Church’s response is a manifestation of God’s unconditional love for all. Bishop Painit also highlighted the importance of intercultural competence, acknowledging the unique struggles Filipino migrants face, from language barriers to the isolation that often accompanies living in a foreign land.

The Mental Health Support Initiative for Migrants is poised to offer essential services that resonate deeply with the needs of this community—counseling, support groups, intercultural training, and advocacy. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between Filipino migrants and the broader Japanese community, fostering connections that can heal and empower.

As the worship service came to a close, leaders and partners extended their blessings, a collective affirmation of this initiative as a significant milestone in enhancing migrant care and promoting holistic health for those in need. Together, they are not just launching a program; they are igniting a movement rooted in compassion, understanding, and the shared belief that everyone deserves mental well-being, no matter where they come from.

29th Visayas Philippines Annual Conference

The 29th Visayas Philippines Annual Conference (VPAC) of the United Methodist Church convened in Cebu City from March 13-16, 2025, under the leadership of Bishop Israel Painit. The theme of the conference is "Pakigduyog", centered on the call “To be one in Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to the world.” The four-day holy conferencing was a sacred time of discernment, worship, and renewal of commitment to the mission of the church.

One of the major highlights of the conference was the organization of new committee chairs and members for the next quadrennium. This ensures the continued growth and responsiveness of the church to the needs of its communities. Another significant moment was the time for the conference to ratify the regionalization structure of the United Methodist Church in the Philippines. The move toward regionalization signifies a step toward greater autonomy and contextualized governance, allowing Filipino United Methodists to shape church policies that best serve their mission and ministries.

Among those actively participating in the conference was Dr. Nezer A. Soriano, a member of the Conference Secretariat, who played a key role in facilitating the smooth flow of sessions and documentation. Dr. Soriano completed two terms as a representative to the Mary Johnston Hospital Corporation and now takes on a new role as a member of the Board of Ordained Ministry (BOOM). This new position shifts the focus toward ministerial formation and clergy development, ensuring that future church leaders are well-equipped for their calling.

Additionally, he continues a special appointment as the Program Director of the DEA Health Board, where mental health remains the flagship program. Recognizing the increasing demand for psychosocial support, there are plans to expand the program’s depth and focus to address stigma, provide more training, and integrate mental health care into various church ministries. The discussions at VPAC reaffirmed the church’s role in promoting holistic well-being.

Beyond the legislative sessions, VPAC 2025 was a time of fellowship, worship, and reaffirmation of callings. Throughout the conference, delegates shared meals, prayers, and testimonies, strengthening their sense of connection within the church.

An inspiring moment during the conference was the affirmation of vocations to ordained clergy, deaconesses and lay ministries. Many clergy and laypersons alike felt renewed in their commitment to serve the church and its mission. The presence of young leaders and new voices injected fresh energy into the gathering, offering hope for the future of the UMC in the Visayas.

The conference concluded on a Sunday afternoon with a closing worship service, where the body was commissioned to continue their ministries with a renewed sense of mission and purpose. As delegates departed for their respective districts, they carried with them the spirit of Pakigduyog—a commitment to walk together in faith, unity, and service.

 The 29th VPAC was a powerful reminder that the United Methodist Church in the Visayas is alive and active, bound by a common calling to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. As the new quadrennium begins, the conference stands ready to embrace challenges, seize new opportunities, and live out the ministry of love, justice, and healing.

 

Spirituality and Medicine

I was invited to speak in the Haligi Congress in Cebu organized by the Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians and AMSA - Cebu. It was my second time to talk about the intersection of Spirituality and Medicine among physicians. But this was more for public health practitioners and the medical students. 

My topic was entitled "Soulful Balance: Embracing Spritual and Mental Wellness Among People in Healthcare."

My talk was focused in highlighting the role of spirituality in addressing the problem of health human resource scarcity in our country. I opened my talk with a review of the six building blocks of health according to WHO and highlighting the importance of the Human Resource for Health block. I then surveyed the current problems leading to the exodus of HRH and the maldistribution of the remaining HRH in the country. Then I introduced the concept of spirituality and related it to the purpose and reason why a person would seek to become a healthcare provider much more a public health practitioner in the countryside. I discussed extensively using examples from my experiences and highlighting published researches that supports my arguments. 

I concluded my talk by emphasizing the importance of including spirituality early in medical school to guide students in the path that they would choose to take. 

A Prayer for those Sick in the Community

 We extend our prayers for those sick and needy especially in far-flung communities.

Our Great Physician,

You are the source of our health

Who have restored us and healed our brokenness

Touch all those who are sick with Your healing hands

Through the doctors, nurses and health care workers you have called. Amen

Faith Response in the Time of Covid19

I work in Southern Isabela Medical Center. I had the privelege of working with several hardworking and dedicated Methodist healthworkers. One of them is the Chief Nurse of our hospital, Ma'am Jennifer Manuel.

Mam Jen is from San Gabriel. She was raised in a United Methodist family. She started working as a nurse in the LGU hospital then moved to work with the DOH retained hospital.

When the Covid19 outbreak began, I was tasked to activate the Incident Command System of the hospital. Mam Jen is one of the key personnel that helped our hospital organize the necessary teams and units that will implement the Covid19 response of our hospital. Even though most of the people were overtaken by fear, she willingly worked. It was evident that he faith was the driving force for her to do her work. On the first week, we had to scramble and work fast to identify the physical resource we had and the complementing human resource to man the Covid19 areas.

Isolation Covid19 rooms had to be convereted from ordinary ward rooms. We also had to pull out our nurses and healthworkers then assign them to each respective isolations rooms. Mam Jen was very patient in planning and organizing the needed restructuring of our hospital services even if we had to work overtime. Her faith is obviously making her calm and composed in this time of crisis. That week, she would come early everyday and did not take any weekend off to make sure the hospital is Covid19 ready. The hospital was able to effeciently use our resources and open our services to help many PUIs and Covid19 patients.

It is very inspiring to see a fellow healthworker work passionately and becoming the hands and feet of Jesus in this world. Healing miracles still do happen. Mam Jen illustrates to us how one's chosen profession can be our ministry as a faithful child of God.

The Health Minister

This new year's blog series will be about the Methodist people whom I have met every month and who have made great contributions to the church and to the society.

Early this month, I was invited to attend a planning activity of the Mary Johnston Hospital. Dr. Glenn Paraso, CEO of MJH, asked me to join this important activty.

I first met Dr. Glenn during the 2016 Central Conference in Pampanga. He had that very contagious smile and I easily felt comfortable with him. Dr. Glenn is a PK and I always had that special bond with PK because we have a common experience that only PKs understand.

Dr. Glenn is known in the civil society world as a climate health expert. His experience working with big CSOs like UN and WHO tells you the caliber of work of Dr. Glenn. But more than that, Dr. Glenn is really a health minister. His work as CEO of Mary Johnston Hospital leaves his mark as truly minister of healing.

Don't miss out these 3 things in Olango Island

I was excited to go to Olango Island in Cebu. I have been there before to see the Bird Sanctuary. But there are more to that that makes me want to go back. We went to visit a small congregation in the island. The church organized a revival worship. Together with us were some Christian friends from Michigan. It was a great experience to be in the island already, it was much more inspiring to meet the people called United Methodists in Olango Island.

Here are the three things that you must do so you will not miss out when you visit Olango Island:

1. Try eating the local seafoods. You may have eaten shells before but you will never forget how the taste of the spider shells from Olango. They are freshly harvested everyday. No, they are not your typical shells sold in the market. It was only here that I tasted those kind of shells and it was delicious. You have to eat it with your bare hands. Then partner that with the healthy seaweeds dipped in vinegar. Yummyyy... Then, partner your sumptous meal with a fresh buko juice picked straight from the coconut tree. You will love it. 

2. Bring your sunglasses. The island feel is awesome. It is February and the weather is unusually cold. It goes as low as 15 degress Celsius if you are in the city. But the island offers a different feel. The warm wind that blows from the sea is a welcome atmosphere. During the boat ride going to the Island, enjoy the seabreeze that is so relaxing especially in the afternoon. We took the tricycle to go inside the island village. Since the church was located inside the village, we had to walk around the houses. The morning heat of the sun is a welcome touch of the tropical paradise. You can never get enough of it.

3. Worship with the locals. The people there are amazing. We know that Filipinos are friendly. But the faith of the people in Olango Island are inspiring. They live in an almost isolated island with few people among them yet their faith is that of a thousand. When we worshiped and gave praised to God in their little church, as if a thousand people were with us. Their zeal and passion to glorify God with all the bounty that they have in the island reminds you the joy in the simplicity of life. It reminds me of the Gospel of Matthew 6, "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.... Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

The Health Board

I traveled in the morning. I traveled at night. But the whole day was a fruitful day.

The Davao Episcopal Area was able to organize the Health Board that will over see the direction and implementation of the Health Ministry of the Church. Last September, the board elected its set of officers. We were also able to set the direction of the ministry with the identification of the priority health concerns in the area.

Freedom was remembered on the day of the declaration of the Martial Law. The DEA Health Board gave me an insight on the boundaries of freedom that we exercise. Freedom does not allow us to do what we do but rather guides us on the good that we need to do that others may benefit from.

Kadayawan sa Laity Congress

I traveled to Davao to attend the National Laity Congress. We were going to introduce to the national leaders of the different laity organizations the health ministry of the United Methodist Church - the Hulapalooza.

It was also Kadayawan Festival in Davao and so it adds up to the celebration in the area. I miss traveling to places but what I miss the most is the excitement that the destination will be a fun place for fellowship and not just any "work. " Our Christian journey in life should always like that. We must always look forward to the joy we will all have when we reach our destination. We must not only look at the destination as a place where we must arrive but a venue for celebration. 

Abundant Health. Abundant Life

Abundant Health Forum in Manila

A reflection shared during the 1st Pan-Asia Methodist Abundant Health Forum held in Manila. 

John 10:10 … “ I came that you may  have life and have it abundantly.”

I am happy to share the good news because often, I bring bad news to the patient.

I always say that, because that is true. The hospital is the darkest and the loneliest place on earth. It is a place where you can see sorrow, anxiety, distress and hopelessness. People are sick and in pain while suffering from cancer, malnourished children dying of preventable death like dehydration or dengue fever. You have stroke patients or heart attack patients in the ICU. You have surgical patient with neoplastic masses if not vehicular accidents. These are just patients, these does not include the family members who are equally worried and hopeless with the condition of their patients.

The parents may be stressed out where to get the finances necessary to pay the bills and to buy the medicines. You have relatives and friends who have lost sleep and tired because they volunteered to watch over their patients. You have loved ones who are worried about the job of their patients. Even their own jobs and business that they need to attend to that was disrupted by this illness. You have children who do not know what to do if their parents will be gone. Then you have the health workers in the facility who are so tired of their work. They not only feel tired but feel abused and unappreciated. They feel like they are overworked but underpaid. They have lost hope because they no other recourse and this is the only option left they have. All they can see probably is darkness. Just like the blind man who was standing in front of the temple. But Jesus did something unexpected. On a Sabbath Day, Jesus healed the blind man. But it did not only bring sight to the blind, it also opened the opportunity for the blind man to believe in the Son of Man and become a follower of Jesus. The blind man was offered a new lease of life… not just life but a life of abundance that only comes from Jesus. Wouldn’t that be nice? If all those who are sick, lonely, hopeless, imprisoned, living in the dark will find a life of abundance in Jesus?

I often see families referred to my service for family counseling. How can I help the parents? I see cases where the father and mother are resigned to the fact that their family is a hopeless case. Some  parents have even contemplated to end their lives because their family was going nowhere and they are dragging their kids with them. They have lost all desires to live because all they have encountered are problems, challenges and all the limitations life can throw at them. They have not seen any signs of abundant grace from God. They need a miracle. Are we expecting that the cloud will open in front of them and a bright white light will come down?

The hospital should be a place of hope because hopeless people go to that place. They need hope. Any place of healing and restoration should be a place of hope and life. Jesus is our hope. Jesus can give us life. And Christians should be able to reflect the hope and the life that comes from Christ. When we minister to the sick and the dying are we just able to address their physical ailments without restoring their mental, spiritual health? We provide holistic healing of the mind, body and spirit just like Jesus did. We offer them life, the life Christ offered. For we are instruments of Christ healing. Simple miracles can happen everyday.

I remember when I was a resident physician in Mary Johnston Hospital. Before we bring the patient to the operating room for a surgical procedure. We talk to the family and the patient and explain what will happen. This helps allay their fears and anxiety. We prepare them mentally. Not only that, together with the nurses, we pray with the patient and the family. The prayer calms their soul. They appreciate that a lot. We do that because we recognize that we are mere instruments of God’s healing ministry – the healing of the body, the mind and the soul.

Jesus promised us life and a life in abundance. That life does not only mean adding more years to it, adding more meaning to it or adding more importance to it. That life becomes abundant because Christ offers us hope, peace and joy. In our healing ministries, we open the door that is Christ for people to see the abundant life. As Christians, we are called to bring this good news that is Jesus Christ to every corners of the world. Let us be faithful in our calling, let us bring healing in this broken world. Let us continue to share the life of abundance that we all have found in Jesus Christ.

9 Things I Learned Getting to a United Methodist Church in Cebu

Lessons I learned after arriving at the Mactan International Airport at 8:05 AM to attend the Order of Elders and Workers Retreat. Here are the top 10 things I need to remember:

1. There is no breakfast meal in Jollibee. I was hungry but the only Jollibee store at the airport does not offer any breakfast meal. I had to find another store outside.

2. You can take the bus going to Cebu. I wanted to commute with the public transport in Cebu. They have a MyBus right outside the airport. It will bring right at SM City Cebu where jeepneys going all over are available.

3. Be ready with coins. The MyBus uses a tap card but if you do not have one, you need to pay the exact amount to the driver (actually you drop it in the box).

4. There is a Traveller's Lounge in SM. This is very convenient for travelers going through Cebu. One can leave their bags there or take a shower for only P50. I took the opportunity to freshen up before I proceeded to my destination.

5. The Mall opens at 10 AM. I had to wait for the Mall to open before I could get to the available restaurants inside to eat my breakfast. I just ordered some cheeseburgers to go.

6. Take the 12 G or 12 I jeepneys to get to Labangon. There is a terminal infront of the Mall where jeepneys plying different routes are waiting. It leaves on time and does not wait for the jeep to be full.

7. Fare is P9. SM Cebu to A. Lopez is a little far but is just 9 pesos, that is 2 more than the regular fare P7.

8. The jeep route passes through a couple of landmarks in Cebu. We passed through Sto. Nino, Pier Uno, the old downtown Colon and the Vicente Sotto Medical Center.

9. The divine worship starts at 10:30 AM. I arrived at the church at 11:02 AM.