Immanuel's Kids

New Creationists

2010-07-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, Eric & Ruth Angeles hosted a breakfast buffet at Something fishy in Eastwood. Good chance to meet fellow New Creationists, Willie Abbott and Mary Ann Balbuena. It was also good to see Sir Julito and Ma'am Lolita Balista.

Fred the School Friend

2010-04-06T18:47:00.000-07:00

Happy to meet Fred Borja (married to Cathy Taboclaon) last April 2009. It's been quite sometime since I last saw this guy. Heard of his great exploits in this part of Mindanao. Thanks Fred for taking me around.

Oh yeah, Fred is Jerry Balbuena's classmate, also Emman Soabas, Daniel Cubing, Johnny Raterta, Bevin Bernales (Hello Bong!), Eric Somera, Ailyn Paranpan, among others.

Seeing Nening

2009-12-14T01:38:00.000-08:00

Totally unexpected, I bumped into Marietta "Nening" Jarabe (Batch '81). I was in CDO giving support to the Intentional Moves Discipleship Program Workshop when I met her again after so many years. I think she was in her senior year when I enrolled at IBC. Seeing Nening again brings a lot of memories - when we were just students . . .

I'm really sorry I can't remember her married name (apologies!). But anyway, I count it a real blessing to meet old friends again.

Liaison with Leah

2009-02-17T20:16:00.000-08:00

It was totally unexpected that I met again for so many years a dear classmate from CdO now a New Yorker! I was in IBC recently and was really pleased to see Leah T. who is now married to a Mississippian, they now reside in NY. Wow, you've come a long way Leah, both distance and what you've achieved in your life and ministry. Hope to see you again in the future.

Mini Moment

2009-02-03T01:37:00.000-08:00

Had a "mini-moment" with fellow new creationist Herminia Fernandez (oops, I forgot her married name!) in Hong Kong in January. She's been working in HK for sometime and it was a happy occasion to have met an old classmate after a loong time.

Friends from the Sugar Capital

2008-12-29T05:25:00.000-08:00

I was invited to speak at the Negros Occidental District Council convention last Dec. 16-18, 2008 and got reunited with old friends. With me in the top picture are Nermon Orcena and Edgar Gatumbato. But then there were also others in attendance who you might still recognize (Gaspar Maghari, Merlyn Padilla-Butcon, Bong Rojo, Alma Morta, et.al.). And you know what, we also got to sing our school song during the service!

My Pastor

2008-10-07T04:43:00.000-07:00

Fil-Am Convention at Sta. Maria, CA, July 2, 2008. Great to see my pastor, Rev. Eddie (Chua), class '79? Actually he invited me to speak at his church's (HGFF of America) family camp and anniversary. Thank you Pas! I also stayed in his home in Fresno with his wife - cousin Arlyn Cruzado (class '79?). We also went to the famous Yosemite, and when we had the chance, we stopped at a historic chapel and sang the Great Immanuel's song! Wow, what a treat that was. The Balistas were also with us on this unforgettable trip (sorry, Gunder's not in pic for obvious reason).

Dean Jerry

2008-10-07T04:22:00.000-07:00

Kidapawan City, Oct. 4, 2008. Yes, I did get to see an old pal, Jerry Erojo (Class '86) dean of Mindanao Regional Bible College. It was really good! Of course, the good times really rolled - even for a short period of time. Besides his academic job, he's also one of the presbyters of Southern Mindanao District Council - cool eh? Jerry has three children (forgot about their names, sorry) and one wife of course. Well, see you again in Cebu next year!

The Bishop

2008-08-28T15:28:00.000-07:00

On Aug. 8, 2008, GS Rey and I took the historic (almost) trip from Roxas to Iloilo to visit our Tatay (in faith). It was really good seeing him again in the same office, just like the good ol' days. He's still senior pastor (minister/president) of Assemblies of God Bethel Temple, Inc. We gave him an official invitation to our OneJob triennial convention in Cebu next year. He said he'll be there!

My old friend Harvin

2008-06-21T16:03:00.000-07:00

Harvin Alorro is pastoring a church in Cebu City. He is happily married (thank God!) to a fine lady. Both of them attended a module of IIS in APTS this summer. I stumbled onto him while I attended an important IBC graduation last March (2008). It was really great to see another New Creationist - and in good shape! I hope to see him again next year in Cebu during our Triennial Convention on May 12-15, 2009.

Ailyn 'd Officer

2008-05-25T20:09:00.000-07:00

Ailyn Paranpan, newly elected ass't district sup't of Lanao District Council is a member of batch '85. It was good to see her after soooo many years! It's exciting to see friends like her really making it in the ministry - by His grace of course.

Pilgrim's Progress

2008-05-25T19:46:00.000-07:00

May 21, 2008 right after the Lanao District Council convention held in Pala-o, Iligan City, I finally met up again with this great guy (another new creationist) Pilgrim Torres! This man is still sharp - was able to trade "punches" with me, even offering to make me a walking stick (as a response to my comment to him that he has indeed aged after all these years). Thanks to GS Rey who took this photo from his N70 fonecam.

Reunion 2008

2008-05-12T16:38:00.001-07:00

May 1-2, 2008. There were some of us who came from all over - kids of the great Immanuel. We heard from each other on the first day - testimonies of God's faithfulness and walking down memory lane. Not too disappointing from the "New Creation" - class of 1984, there were three of us who showed up: Perla Cajilog (who invited me to see the land of Tarsiers again) and Terry Beladas. Now I must count Willie Abbott who's really a certified new creationist though he finished his BA from FEAST, he's very much part of the great bunch!

In the picture are familiar faces, of course! The legendary Cagas couple who are pioneer graduates of IBI (Sogod, Leyte). Son Larry and daughter Mayme (there are others too like Jun et. al.). Willie and Susan Abbott - still singing beautiful songs together - tingin diretso Willie!).

KODAKS

Dr. Jordan Abellano, newly elected president of the alumni.

Here's the revitalized "Ketchup Gang!" - actually props lahat 'yan.

Action Items . . .

Band of Tarsiers

2008-03-04T20:03:00.000-08:00

Bohol! It's been years since I last visited this beautiful province. Last Feb. 29th, all world missions directors from 13 districts of PGCAG met in Tagbilaran so I had the chance to meet up with the other siblings of Immanuel. Bong Bernales has moved from Iligan to Tagbilaran while Bong Llorna (married to another new creationist Marissa Bongato) and Bryant Ampong have been ministering in Bohol for some years now.

Long Beach Boys

2008-01-13T06:37:00.000-08:00

Aaah, the joys of meeting old friends. This was taken back in '05 in Long Beach. The spirit of the good ol' IBC days is here to stay. Keywords for this evening include "Ferris Wheel" and of course with apologies to Gunder Balista!

Coffendo Mate

2007-12-15T06:58:00.000-08:00

I was on my way to Phnom Penh via Singapore and so it was great to get reunited with a coffendo mate back in Banawa days. This photo was taken at Rey's "new" office. Hey this guy got promoted recently - he's now in-charge of pastoral care in his church.

Thanks, mate, for the "goodies!" - We've never imagined such coffendo operations in IBC back then would result into something international eh? (with apologies to our Canadian friends). We're proud of your accomplishments (and generosity).

GS Rey & Familiar Friends

2007-06-30T05:51:00.000-07:00

June 27, 2007 at Mr. A's on one of Cebu City's highest points. It was good to see another New Creationist again, Tony I., (of the Deutschland fame) again after some years. Of course our own Jerbal made a perfect "rejoinder." Thanks GCab for that nice evening!

Kobe Bryant

2007-06-23T17:58:00.000-07:00

I was in IBC last April 2007 as speaker of CVLL's convention and there I met a fellow New Creationist, Bryant Ampong!

Fresno Folks

2007-06-23T17:54:00.000-07:00

Last night (June 20, 2007) Eric & Cherrie Somera and their family visited us (courtesy of Jerry Balbuena who drove them all the way from MNL). They also brought with them an old classmate, Adel Timario. Later we were joined by the Engcoy family.

IBCians in APTS

2007-06-23T17:42:00.000-07:00

GJ Engcoy, Adeline Ladera, Hazel Engcoy, Rose & Lem Engcoy and on my left, Nick Basco (also representing Marjorie). This was taken in 2006.

In Bellflower

2007-06-23T17:39:00.001-07:00

Nil & Nida Fernandez and Eric Angeles at Maple St., Bellflower!

LA groovin'

2007-06-23T17:27:00.000-07:00

Is the guy with bluetooth really serious? It's just great to meet this wonderful couple again - good friends and co-laborers. This was taken last year (2006).

"Hometown" Reunion

2007-06-23T17:03:00.000-07:00

Sometime in August 2006 I met these folks again - some of them after quite sometime. Do you recognize them? Arlyn Cruzado-Chua, Eddie Chua, Leo Munoz, and Luz Sepulveda.