Warmth and Love in Isabela

 Isabela is known to be one of the hottest place in the Philippines. But it is also home to the warmest welcome of the Filipino people.

Joined the fellowship of the Emmaus Retreat Group of NEPAC here in Santiago City, Isabela.

The church in Sinsayon UMC was the venue for the fellowship. What a very warm welcome and fellowship we experienced that day. 

We shared in the Lord's Table and had a feast afterwards. 

The Sinsayon UMC is on Barangay Sinsayon, Santiago City. Worship service is at 9am Sunday morning.

Ride the 'Rela in de Oro

 A visit in Cagayan de Oro is never without experiencing to ride the 'Rela (Motorela).

The 'Rela is the primary means of transport within the city although the jeepney is slowly taking its role as king of the road. 

The 'Rela is designed to seat 8 people. The best seat is beside the driver as it gives you a front view of everything you pass-by. Go around the city riding the 'Rela. The fare is at minimum.

Whenever you are in the city, take the 'Rela and go to church in the First United Methodist Church in Cagayan de Oro along Mortola St., Cagayan de Oro City near Oro Rama Center. 

Worship on Sunday morning is at 10 am.

Convention Destination Sugbu

Cebu has been the favorite destination place for many conventions.

Attending this month the Weekend Leadership Convention in the new SM Mall. This place offers many places to visit. Cebu is known for it's religious historical significance. The cross of Magellan is famously located in the heart of the City. The Cathedral of the Sto. Nino is also in Cebu.   

This Sunday was also the celebration of Father's Day. It was great to celebrate Father's Day together with my wife here in Cebu. 

On Father's Day, we went to worship at the First United Methodist Church in A. Lopez St., Labangon, Cebu. There is only one worship service that morning. Sunday school at 9:30 am followed by the Worship Service at 10:30 am.  It was a blessing to see the worship service being led by the youth. Most of the members here are youth and young professionals. 

When in Cebu, never miss to visit this church.

Davao Life is Here

Coming home.

Came to attend the PMA National Convention but it was also a homecoming experience. 

There are new places to visit in Davao but a visitor should never miss these three things:

1. The Philippine Eagle Foundation in Malagos and visit "Pag-asa". The PEF is world renowned because of the endangered species that was succesfully conserved by the PEF. Pag-asa was the first Philippine Eagle bred in captivity. I volunteered here when I was student.

2. Torres St. Fruit Stand and get a taste of native Davao Durian. Look for the variety of "Arancillo" being the most famous local variety named after a local farmer. If the Chanee variety is available, try is too.

3. Visit the religious places and give thanks. On a Sunday, there are places of worship you can go to. The San Pedro Cathedral is in downtown Davao and there are also four United Methodist Churches in the city. The Cathedral The United Methodist Church is along CM Recto Ave at the heart of the city. 

I grew up in this church. The church is known for the warm welcome of the members. There are two services in the morning. Starts at 8:30 am and 10:30 am. 

I was surprised that some of my colleagues missed their opportunity to experience the life in Davao.

Five Tips for a Family Trip in Boracay

“Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father, the creator of the heavenly lights, in whose character there is no change at all.” — James 1:17

I always believed that birthdays should be clebrated because they are gifts from God. So, I celebrated by 40th birthday in Boracay with my family. To make it more interesting, my birthday was designed to be a family friendly getaway. We looked for a United Methodist Church in Boracay Island but there was none. The closest is in Ibajay, Aklan. There is a Roman Catholic Church in the island and it is accessible by their e-trike and you can always consider it attending an ecumenical worship. Never miss a worship on a Sunday. So my family made sure we went to a worship service on a Sunday morning. Family matters and so does family worship. 

Here are 5 tips for a family friendly trip to Boracay:

Tip #1: Go on a landtrip or take the ferry. 

Tip #2: Book ahead on your hotel before you travel. You can do it online.

Tip#3: Choose a hotel in Station 2. It's closer to everything "relatively."

Tip#4: Go "island hopping." There are other beach activities, but this one is a must.

Tip#5: Eat in an all you can restaurant at least once. Especially on your 40th birthday. 

If you are coming from Iloilo or just want to visit the nearest UMC in the area, the UMC in Ibajay is just a little less than an hour away. It is just along the highway and a walking distance from the town market. You may even stay there for a night as most churchworkers and visitors drop by at the church and its multipurpose building. 

Five things to do when you visit Tuguegarao City Central UMC

I usually visit Tuguegarao City because it is the homeplace of my wife. My family usually spends the summer here. The city has still that old city feel whenever you go to the downtown area. But the landscape is changing with new buildings and large malls in the new busy districts of the busy. Even the landmark Tuguegarao Central United Methodist Church along Bonifacio St. is having a facelift. But never miss the other things that make your Tuguegarao visit memorable.

Here are five things you should try in Tuguegarao City:

1. Try the Pansit Batil Patong. There are pansiteria offering this speciality in almost every corner of the City. But I would recommend the one near the airport. 
2. Try the Kalesa. Unlike in Manila, the kalesa is still available as a common mode of transport. Each kalesa can seat 2 to 3 individuals. Maybe 4 if there are kids.
3. This is tricylce city. Avoid the word "Capacity" though. The word means you pay for the whole cost of fare if the tricycle was full capacity of passengers. 
4. Chicharabao. Visit the Lighthouse cooperative in downtown Tuguegarao for the best tasting and quality products of carabeef and chicharon carabao. 
5. Worship at Tuguegarao Central UMC, one of the landmark of the city. This church has been home to several weddings, baptisms and other memorable events for many Cagayanons. There are four worship services in this church. The first is at 6:30 AM with the Ibanag Service followed by the 8:30 Service of the Ilocano then followed by the 10:30 English Service. There is a Vesper Service at 5:30 PM. 

Photo Credit: Google Maps

While the church is building a new sanctuary, the services are currently held a few blocks away at the Methodist Christian School of Tuguegarao located along del Rosario St. near Univesity of Cagayan Valley in College Avenue. Parking space is available at John Wesley College which is a few blocks away from the church. 

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."