lvsheepole's Xanga

He Knows His Place

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:34:40 GMT

It was in Canada that I learned that no one can transport infants, toddlers, and children below seven years of age wthout a car seat. It was during that time too that I learned that no one in Canada is allowed to be inside a running vehicle without seat belts. These traffic laws are promulgated to ensure safety to car owners, passengers and children.

Coming home to the Philippines, I have to accept that what is being practiced is reality and safety is already a relative term. How safe one can get? Is safety provided by the vehicle owner? The driver ? Or by the passenger himself?

As I was traveling from Iligan City to Marawi City, a good hour ride, my attention was caught by a sleeping child squeezed between the driver's seat and the back of his father who is driving the passenger jeepney that I took. I could not help myself as ideas poured in but to record that event in a video. http://lvsheepole.xanga.com/videos/402891121732/ . Although sleeping, the child was aware of the curves that the jeepney is going to take. The video showed that he has already taken precautionary measures by placing his tiny hand on the thigh of his father. His father's attention was on driving yet from time to time, as he negotiated the road, he flexed his elbow to ensure that the child remained behind him. As the child woke up, he removed his tiny hand from his father's thigh and maintained his position squeezing himself behind his father http://lvsheepole.xanga.com/videos/83f5b1121740/. In a world that has shrunk, the space for him is that little place beside his father. The child knew that there is no other place safer than that tiny place he shared with his father for an hour. The child knows his place.

One of the Pleasant Memories (June 2008)

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:37:54 GMT

I was still feeling light headed (for not having taken a good night rest) when my hand phone signaled that a message is waiting for me. The current Chairman of the Physics Department knew that I am already home in the Philippines by June 02. True enough it was his message telling me that my former Physics 21 student is waiting to complete the INC grade incurred. I knew that when I left the Philippine a year ago, I had accomplished everything in relation to my students. This should be one of those students who did not verify his status after taking the removal exam.

There are some students who act like that. After taking the removal exam, they would not care whether they passed or not. They simply disappear. This type of student exasperates me. Some of them believe that it is the duty of their teacher to follow them up after they took the removal exam. It should have been the other way around.

I was about to grumble. But I told myself that there is nothing I could do until I get back to the MSU campus. All communication pertaining students should be put on hold. But I could not help thinking about students now that a dam filled with memories is about to overflow….

Talking about dams… I remembered Guelph during the long weekend for Victoria Day (May 17-19, 2008). It was memorable because I came in close contact with one of my former students way back in the 80’s. He was one of the many students I had. He was one of the many students I came to associate in the very church that we both belonged yet still he was one of the many students that I knew superficially! I simply knew how his mind works in relation to Physics. He plays the guitar too but in the 80’s I was surrounded with people whom I can depend on when it comes to music. He was too young then for me to consider dependable!

Reaching Canada, I was thrown into a situation that I knew no one in relation to guitar music. I need someone to accompany me with a guitar. Brother Tirso Dapar told me that Rolito Catingan could accompany me. That put me at ease. I heard Lito play the guitar before and I told myself “pwede na!” than having nothing at all!

But such judgment of “pwede na!” really embarrassed me when Lito started plucking the strings! What a transformation!!! He has grown a lot with his music, yet he remained humble! I was thrown again into a fit of memory recall. I remembered Calixto Inao, Shemei Postrero, Sosthenes Postrero, Lemuel Lecciones, Elson Lecciones, and Dodo Lecciones. The performance that Lito has done made him at par with those that I have known in the past.

Yes, he remained humble! After playing at Guelph Church he was approached by one of the church-goers and was asked whether he got his CDs produced. With the quality he showed in his performance I could say that I would love to have his CDs too. But Lito just responded with a smile.

And yes, he remained humble not only with his music but with his Physics performance too. While traveling to church, he started narrating how the physics students performed in my classes before. He said that no one could beat Marcelo Rara because he topped the Physics 21 classes with a grade of 1.0. “Grabe kadto nga grado! Ang sunod ra ba adto nga grado kay 1.75! Pwerting layo-a!” Yes, I still remembered Marcelo Rara, his performance both in my classes and in the departmental examinations. But my thoughts were disrupted when everybody around me burst into laughing as Lito answered his own question: “Kabalo mo kun kinsa kadtong nakakuhag 1.75 nga grado? Ako to!!!”

Ahh, this guy is indeed something! Who would ever think that he could have that bubbly nature when his demeanor is telling me a different story. He is calm. He is composed! He could be even strict! Yet, he could make people around him burst into laughter.

I am very glad what I have just witnessed in Canada. I have seen the growth taken by one of my students: Rolito Catingan. I love what I have seen in relation to his wife (Chato), his son (Carlo), his daughter (Sarah), his in-laws (the Maghiloms), and his church. What a life! What a man!

As I faced another semester and another set of students, I know something has been added to my own experience. “Thank you, Lito for accompanying me as I give my own brand of music to the world. Most of all, thank you, for accompanying me and guiding me through in making my own realizations! You, too, are a good teacher. Thank you for teaching me!”

Now I am missing the music and the laughter, and one of those people who made me sing and laugh…

THE DELFINA M. SOLIJON ASSISTANCE AND SUBSIDY PROGRAM

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:48:43 GMT

THE DELFINA M. SOLIJON ASSISTANCE AND SUBSIDY PROGRAM

By: Linda Vilma A. Ole

MSU-SDA Church, Marawi City, Philippines

The Delfina M. Solijon Assistance and Subsidy Program (DMSASP) is a program existing with in the MSU-SDA church that I am coordinating. The idea to help the less fortunate was planted when I had the experience of visiting USA and Canada in 2007.

My visit to the USA and Canada were made possible by the help extended by the MEDLIFE Foundation of the USA and the MOVE Foundation in the Philippines. It was an official visit and I was granted a four-months leave from Mindanao State University (MSU), Marawi City, Philippines.

In the US, I met the President of the MEDLIFE Foundation and I was able to attend the board meeting where the board members agreed on the plans to support scholars for Dansalan College of Marawi City and another set of scholars for Mindanao State University. It was this result that pushed some of the board members and encouraged me to get to Canada to find support for scholars at MSU to be supported by the Canadian MOVE members residing and working in Canada. If support can be generated from the SDA-MSUans from Canada then the number of students at MSU that can be supported by the foundation will increase.

The SDA-MSUans at Canada found it hard to register the MOVE Foundation in Canada. Canadian rules and policies regarding registration of foundations are strict. Although pledges were given, no actual support was generated because if the MOVE foundation will not be registered in Canada, then donations from the Canadian supporters will not enjoy tax deduction.

Yet, Filipino Canadians showed me their kind heart and helpful hands. When autumn came, I was a recipient of donations for me to be able to stand the cold. When I decided to stay for several months more so that I would experience winter and spring, I became a recipient of thicker and warmer clothes for winter and lighter clothes for spring! I did not spend a cent with the winter clothing, nor with the spring clothing that the Filipino Canadians (MSUans or not) shared with me.

Living in Canada for about ten months made me see the Filipinos in action. They worked hard, prayed hard, helped a lot and enjoyed a lot! Just as I landed in Canada, in August 2007, the Migrinios in Toronto, Philip Dapar of Scarborough, the Maghiloms and the Catingans in Guelph Ontario pooled four hundred dollars to help me out. I was wondering about the action….”How can they be so helpful? Aren’t they using the amount they are sharing with me?” I kept the money wondering what to do with it. Basically my needs were few and my wants in life were already tamed.

Winter in Canada pierced my soul. My Saturdays were spent with the Filipino Faith Fellowship (FFF) in downtown Toronto. They provided me the warmth of a Filipino Church. Although I was wishing to be home, their fellowship made me to bear the cold bite of winter and somehow their friendship made me feel I was not alone. It was associating with this fellowship that made me see the helping hands of the Filipinos in Canada more.

My birthday in Canada was made more joyful by the surprise that the FFF shared with me. They passed the hat and a birthday-gift-money was pooled. Again I was wondering what to do with that gift. And when FFF knew that I was leaving for home, again they passed the hat and about four hundred dollars were given me….I was wondering why I was given such amount…

Leaving for the Philippines in June 1, 2008, Joy Gamponia, my landlady for ten months , handed me a hundred dollars with the suggestion for me to give that money to someone who is “very in need” as soon as I get home to the Philippines.

Reaching the Philippines, I got so busy with my teaching, especially that I was slated to be back to the states for a month-leave for me to attend the MSU-SDA and Associates Convention in Missouri (July 2008). The request of Joy was put aside. Yet, while I was about to leave for Missouri, news that the house of my friend, Sarah Sarona-Remorosa, (MSU-SDA Alumni) got burned reached me. Sharing the news with fellow MSU-SDAs at Missouri made me to decide to give Joy’s hundred dollar to her. When Esther Rosal of Toronto shared me a fifty dollar before we parted at Missouri, I decided then that the amount will be for Sarah.

Reaching home, I seek for Sarah and I handed her the 200 hundred dollars which I told her from Joy Gamponia, Esther Rosal and the Solijons of Canada. I included the Solijons because it was their generosity that made me reached the USA and Canada. Somehow, sharing what I have in the name of the Solijons is no longer foreign with me because I am indebted to them.

Settling back to teaching and associating with the MSU-SDA church made me see the needs of the church and its members. Even while I was in Canada, I was looking forward to help the members of the Church. I was thinking that the recipients of the MOVE-MEDLIFE Foundation Scholarships would somehow be from the MSU-SDA Church. Thus in December of 2007, the money that the Migrinios, Maghiloms, Catingans and Dapar gave me (C$ 400) was channeled to MOVE USA. I added a hundred to the amount hoping that C$500 would help a student for two years or two students for a year at MSU.

Sad reality struck me when I found that the MOVE Foundation in the Philippines have some problem with the SEC. They registered with a new name and the registration took sometimes. Aside from that the requirements that MSU stipulated for the MEDLIFE-MOVE Foundation to come up with were not met…. Thus, the dream I wove that was hinged on some big organization evaporated to thin air.

Yet reality told me that I must do something….

When the problem of the MSU-SDA graduating students (March 2009) regarding finances to support the Church’s Baccalaureate Service came into the open, I decided to part ways with some of the dollars that FFF in Toronto gave me during Christmas of 2007 and during my departure in June of 2008. The amount made the graduating students very happy! And I know too that that made Jeddu Migrinio (and family), and the rest of the FFF happy! Then I shared the remaining amount of the FFF gifts with the Advent Professional Ministry (APM), to buy some tooth brushes, sachets of toothpaste and bath soaps for the children who attended the Vacation Bible School that was done during the period where an evangelistic effort was conducted by Pastor Goli at Wao, Lanao del Sur in April-May 2008. Looking at the expression of one of the children as he opened his gifts excitedly made me conclude that I made the right move! Seeing a bar of bath soap, the child said, “yes!” and closed the package quickly when their teacher said that they have to open their gifts after the program.

It was also in Wao that I decided to part ways with the birthday gift that a friend gave me “When he suggested for me to buy JOY!” Reaching home, I emailed him asking him if it would be okay for him to be the DONOR #1 of the DELFINA M. SOLIJON ASSISTANCE AND SUBSIDY PROGRAM that I am planning to have with in the MSU-SDA Church. Receiving his “yes” I know I am in the right track.

I choose the name of “Delfina M. Solijon” because Mommie Solijon was instrumental of the growth of the MSU-SDA church. It was her who gave bible studies to the friends of Georgia M. Solijon, when “Ate Gie” (as we fondly call her) comes home to Lagonglong tagging her friends along. The conversion to the SDA faith of Rocaya Macmod, Sonia Cubero, Adriano Salvador, Romeo Milan, and Calixto Inao were made possible by the efforts shared by Mommie Solijon. The pioneering members of the MSU-SDA Church were the fruits of Mommie’s effort. Somehow, the choice of the name of the program was due to the idea “to help”. The church was helped by Mommie before and that “help” could generate more help from the MSU-SDA alumni that could be given to the younger members of the MSU-SDA Church now. The idea that pioneers of MSU-SDA Church reaching out to touch the younger ones with in the church simply thrilled me. A touch of LOVE, so they say.

Personally, my experience in Manila from June 1975-November 1976 made me to decide more on the name. Although Mommie Solijon did not give me money during those times, her presence in my life during those periods (that I was all alone in Manila) is priceless! And I came to Canada due to Mommie’s desire for me to come (so, they say) and I saw how the Filipino SDAs helped each other, and help the ones that has just landed. I was a recipient of their love, warmth and generosity. Now I know why I have to experience those events in Canada. The experience made me to understand that the meaning of being ALONE and being HELPED in Canada and in MSU are basically the same .

As of now, the recipients of the DMSASP include the MSU-SDA Church pastor Dindo Paglinawan, Renato Gonzaga (a student of CPC of MSU), Jonathan Linaza (a BS Physics graduating student of MSU), Reymor Pornea-Aaron (son of Felicitas Pornea or Manang Timnah, who is a first year high school student at Wao, Lanao del Sur), and Betty Nery Gohel who lost her husband last June 4, 2009.

The program was originally planned to be supported by my yearly thirteenth month pay from the University (that could only support two students for a year) but with help from friends and MSU-SDA Alumni, the number of recipients for this academic year is greater than one.

I am thanking the donors and supporters of the “Delfina M. Solijon Assistance and Subsidy Program (DMSASP)” for helping me to help others in my surroundings. I am praying you would be blessed by wealth but more HEALTH. May your tribe increase!

"Waiting on the Lord"

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:56:41 GMT

This week I have some experience that made me think deeply on how it is to wait on the Lord. Here are the details:

Last Sabbath, July 25 I met Renato Gonzaga in Church. I told him, "Please pray harder. There is no reply yet." Renato is a university student who come from the the province of Agusan del Norte. He came to the Mindanao State University with minimal support from his family. He has been working in a plywood factory back home but realized that he needs to go to the university. His family can only send him small amount to help him out. He decided then to look for jobs while in the University. He came to me the last week of June and volunteered to help me in my garden. I declined because my garden is my exercise machine. If I would give him the job that I would work on to keep me fit, then how can I keep myself healthy?

I remembered then my fomer student who is an alumni of the MSU-SDA Church. This former student of mine has emailed me telling me that he is willing to help me in the assistanceship and subsidy program, the Delfina M. Solijon Assistanceship and Subsidy Program, that I am running at the MSU-SDA Church to help SDA students and non-SDAs as well. I refused to give him my account number because he does not want his name to be known. "How can you keep track of the monies that comes to me to help students and the church out if you wouldn't want your name to be divulged?" But with the presence of Renato and the subsequent problem he presented, I decided to send my account number to my former student.

Yet, more than two weeks had passed and no news from my former student. I could not verify because I am the one who refused his help before.... So, last July 25, I told Renato, "Please pray harder!" I was about to give up. I was in a difficult situation. I refused some help and now somebody is asking help from me.... I was very touched when Renato answered: "I will just wait, Ma'am!" How innocent and how trusting!

"Wait on the Lord!" I told myself. BUT I requested him again: "please pray harder! I cannot help you from my own pocket because my hands are already full! We need someone's help. Urgently!"

As I opened my emails this morning, the message telling me "I have sent PhP 10,009.60 in your PNB-Iligan account..." lifted my spirit. The Lord has answered Renato, Jonathan, me and others who prayed for Renato. With the amount sent, Renato's monthly expenses from August 2009 to March 2010 is already answered. A thousand pesos every month on top of his support from home is already a big blessing! I remembered Jonathan Linaza too who accompanied Renato and decided to give him support in his thesis project. Two thousand pesos for his thesis is already a big help!

A week ago, Jonathan came to me at the office asking for suggestions regarding his Physics Thesis Proposal. I told him that my help regarding thesis proposal is limited on Physics Education only. I would have a difficult time thinking about Physics Projects for thesis since my training is on Physics Education. I suggested a name of a colleague who can help him. After a day, Jonathan came back to me telling me that my colleague suggestions entails for him to either construct a new TESLA COIL or repair the OLD ONE because the TESLA coil will be used in their planned study. I suggested for him to look into the budget for repairing the old one or for constructing a new one. He said "Ma'am, it is quite expensive!" I asked him, "How much?"

An amount was qouted and I said, "Now start praying for help! AND DO PRAY HARDER!" I believed they did because I did pray harder too. I was assured by Renato's last Saturday that he is indeed waiting, waiting for the Lord's help and blessings!

There are too many students around me who needed help and helping them to find help outside the Philippines is the role that I am doing now. The amount sent in my account this morning by my former student is for Renato Gonzaga and Jonathan Linaza.

I praise God for the help He showered to our SDA students here at MSU-Marawi. I am also praising God for the kind heart that my former student possess! I praise GOD for the SOLUTION HE PROVIDED.

I praise HIM for His presence in our lives! Big problems or small ones, His presence is always felt! PRAISE BE TO HIM! ALL GLORY WILL BE FOR HIM!

Introducing Pastor Wendell M. Serrano

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 08:20:51 GMT

http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"> name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11">

Introducing Pastor Wendell M. Serrano

Guest Speaker, Baccalaureate Service

44^th Commencement Exercises

Mindanao State University

Marawi City, Philippines

6:00 AM, April 3, 2009

by:

Linda Vilma A. Ole

Department of Physics

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Mindanao State University

Marawi City

We are privilege this morning to have with us, as our Guest Speaker, a man who started from a humble beginning, strove, and rose from the ranks to reach the point where he is now.

We are also having a man who is a product of the combination of the existing educational systems in the Philippines. He finished his elementary education as Valedictorian from a public school in Jabonga, Agusan del Norte in 1960. He graduated high school valedictorian from Harvardian Colleges, a private non-sectarian school, in Davao City in 1967. He graduated AB Theology from Mountain View College (or MVC) in Valencia City, Bukidnon in 1978. Then he finished his graduate studies Master of Arts in Religion, with majors in (1) Systematic Theology, and (2) Pastoral stadies from the Seventh-day Adventists Theological Seminary of the Far East in Silang, Cavite in 1983. Both Mountain View College and the Theological Seminary of the Far East (now named as Adventist Internatinational Institute for Asvanced Studies or AIIAS) are private-sectarian educational institutions belonging to the Seventh-day Adventists.

We are also having a man who went through his high school and college as a self-supporting student yet this did not prevent him from obtaining honors and recognition while at the same time working for the cause of the students. In 1966, in his junior years at the Harvardian Colleges (now called as Harvardian University), aside from obtaining the First Honors, he also received a gold medal for being the most outstanding Junior Student of the Harvardian Colleges. During that year, he was the Student Governor. In 1967, he received a gold medal for being the Most Outstanding Senior Student of the Harvardian Colleges, and he received a Plaque from Davao City Jaycees for being One of the Most Outstanding High School Graduates of Davao City that year. During that academic year was his second stint as a Student Governor. During the academic year (AY) 1967-68, he got two gold medals for the academic honors he received from Southwestern University in Cebu City. The following academic year, 1968-1969, he was voted as one of the senators of the student council of Southwestern University. Financial difficulty, political uncertainties, and some home responsibilities prevented him to finish college at Southwestern University. Yet the desire to work for the students' cause did not diminish as he enrolled at Mountain View College. In 1977 he became the President of the Ministerial Seminar, an MVC Student Outreach. In 1978, he became the President of the Graduating class.

His educational trainings (being a product of different educational systems), and his experiences equipped him for his chosen vocation, the Ministry. Right after graduation from MVC, he became the District Pastor at Northeastern Mindanao Mission in Butuan City, the position he held for four years, from 1978 to 1982. He became a professor at Mountain View College during the academic year 1983-1984, right after he finished his Masters Studies in 1983. He became a Church Pastor at the College Church of Mountain View College during the academic year 1984-1985. This happens right after his Ordination to the Ministry in 1984. He became the Chairman of the Theology Department during the academic years 1985-1986 and 1986-1987 but he left MVC to become the President of the Davao Mission of the Seventh-day Adventists in Davao area; a position he held for two years, from 1988 to 1990. He left Davao in 1991 to become the Director of the Church Ministries of the South Philippine Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists based in Cagayan de Oro City. He left Cagayan de Oro City in 1996 to become the President of the Southern Mindanao Mission of the Seventh-day Adventists (Cotabato Area) based in General Santos City. As he served President of Southern Mindanao Mission in 1996 to 2000, he has done some traveling abroad. In 1999, he was a lecturer in Multi-Church Pastoral at Bombay, India. The following year, from April to May 2000 he was a Speaker of Evangelistic Meetings at Winnipeg, Canada. After serving as President at Southern Mindanao Mission, he came back to CDO in 2001 to become the Executive Secretary of the South Philippine Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists. Just a year ago, in 2008, he became the President of the South Philippine Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists.

Now, being the President of the South Philippine Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists, he is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the different hospitals and colleges labeled as the Seventh-day Adventists Institutions in Mindanao. The hospitals that are his concern are: Mindanao Sanitarium and Hospital in Iligan City, Gingoog Sanitarium and Hospital in Gingoog City, Valencia Sanitarium and Hospital in Valencia City, Bukidnon, and Davao Adventist Hospital in Davao City. The colleges that are his concern are: Mindanao Sanitarium & Hospital College in Iligan City and Mountain View College in Valencia City, Bukidnon. He is also a member of the executive committee (the highest deciding committee) of the World Church Headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventists based in Maryland, USA. He traveled abroad to Europe, Middle East, Asia, Canada and the USA and has given lectures and/or acted as resource person on topics of his specialization.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I hope you understand now why I have said at the opening statement of this introduction that our guest speaker is a man who started from a humble beginning, strove, and rose from the ranks to reach the point where he is now. As a family man, our guest speaker is a grandfather with grandkids Alec Mervyn, Dean Axl and Anika Zen. All of his three children namely: Elma Bella Serrano-Gucilatar; Norkis D. Serrano; and Nee Viole D. Serrano are all married. Our guest speaker shared his life , all his success, pains and challenges with his wife, the former Miss Estrella Dahuya of Zamboanga Sibugay. Mrs. Estrella Dahuya-Serrano is an MSUan having finished the graduate course Masters in Education from Mindanao State University at General Santos City and, if we can make a man an MSUan by marital affinity, then we can say that our guest speaker is also an .MSUan. Most men would say that behind their success is a dutiful and a wonderful wife yet, our Guest Speaker attributed his success to God Almighty. According to him, "To God I give honor and thanks for I am only his vessel and servant"

Ladies and Gentlemen, let us listen to our Guest speaker, a grandfather, a father, a husband, the President of the South Philippine Union of the Seventh-day Adventist, and a Servant of God: Pastor Wendell Mangoya Serrano!

The Growth of a Church

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 08:29:53 GMT

The Growth of the MSU-SDA Church

By:

Linda Vilma A. Ole

Department of Physics

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Mindanao State University

Marawi City

Philippines

I. Introduction

When Sister Lobelle asked me to talk about my experiences after my conversion to the Adventist faith, I decided to talk instead about the experiences of the converts of the MSU-SDA Church during the time when the church was experiencing tremendous growth. It is because I believe that the conversion of the early members of the church has contributed, in one way or another, to the growth of the Church.

At this point in time, I could say that the initial growth of the church was made possible due to: (1) the effort of the outside supporters of the MSU-SDA Church who gave their time, effort, knowledge, finances and even love nurturing these students in the early stages of their Christian life, (2) the effort of the Disciples of Christ who saw the need to spread the Good News in the Morolandia (Muslim lands), (3) the effort of the MSU-SDA Church in nurturing and supporting the talents of each member and utilizing these in work of spreading the Good News.

II. MSU and the MSU-SDA Church

A. Background Information Regarding MSU.

MSU means Mindanao State University. It is a state university created for the purpose of integration. That is, the university is designed to educate the Muslims and other cultural minorities of Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan (MINSUPALA) region so that they will be fully drawn into the mainstream of the Philippine society and would be able to participate in the Philippine body politic.

When it comes to budget given by the national government to state universities and colleges, MSU ranked second to the University of the Philippines (UP).

MSU is situated on top of rolling hills, five kilometers away from Marawi City. The MSU campus is overlooking the second largest lake in the Philippines, Lake Lanao, which is in Lanao del Sur. MSU is found at the center of the Muslim Philippines because Marawi City claims to be a Islamic City.

Initially, the students coming to MSU are: (1) the second fifty of the National Science Development Board (NSDB) scholars since the first fifty is assigned to the University of the Philippines, (2) the full and partial scholars who passed the MSU Scholarship Exam given to the upper 20% of the graduating class from both public and private high schools in the MINSUPALA region, (3) the National Integration (NI) scholars which are given to Muslims and other cultural minorities, (4) the State Scholars who obtained the scholarship by passing an exam given by the government, (5) the College Bound Program (CBP) scholars whose scholarship is obtained by passing a summer course offered to graduated high school Muslims and other cultural minorities, (6) the “Dependents” of the faculty members and staff working in the university.

From the above list, we could see that thorough screening has been done before a student can enter MSU. The different scholarships obtained by the students show that the students are mentally equipped to go through the rigors of the university life.

B. Background Information About the SDAs and Events that

Engulfed MSU Leading to the MSU-SDA Church Formation

It must be said that there is NO MSU-SDA Church before 1970. But there were already SDAs working in the university since its opening in 1961. But these people have not bonded together to form a church.

The formation of the MSU-SDA Church is made possible by the efforts made by the pioneers of the MSU-SDA Church. The pioneers were the SDA students who came to MSU before 1970 and those who came in the early parts of the 70’s.

In the academic year (AY) 1968-1969, Georgia Solijon, from Manila, an NSDB scholar started her Bio Pre Med course at MSU and she attended Sabbath Services at the Nery’s Studio in downtown Marawi if not at the house of the Quirante’s at Camp Keithly, Marawi City.

In 1969-1970, Johnny Postrero, a full scholar from Malangas Zamboanga del Sur started his BS Chemistry course.

In 1971-1972, several SDA students attended MSU. These are: Joandel Solijon (BS Zoo), Sammy Batiancila (Political Science), Guillermo Semorlan (BS Fisheries), Letty Asumen (BS Forestry), Patria Pana and Gloria Caballero (Community Development). It is during this year that the Dagbusans, SDA faculty members, opened their cottage to the SDAs so that they would have a place where to hold Sabbaths Services. The gathering and the Sabbath Services held at the Dagbusan’s place might have provided the seed in the creation and establishment of the MSU-SDA Church.

In 1972-1973, Edwin Pueblos (BS Chem Engineering) and Bethuel Ortaleza (AB Philosophy) joined the SDA group in MSU. But in September 11, 1972 President Marcos declared Martial Law. A month after that, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) staged an uprising that over run the MSU campus. To be able to gain control of the lone radio station in Marawi City, MSU was taken by the rebels. Radio station DXSO was based in MSU. To gain control of the radio station was also the reason why the government forces rescued DXSO and MSU back. The event was scary. The war that rages in the Marawi City and MSU brought more fears to the constituents of MSU and the environs of Marawi City. The uprising sent some scholars scampering away from the university. It is sad to note that when the University opened again in January 1973, the Dagbusans transferred to Jolo Sulu , thus the gathering at the faculty cottage ceased.

The Uprising in October 1972 results to having MSU to enforce mass promotion and subsequent long vacation to give time to the government forces to quell the uprising. Military forces occupied the University campus.

Because of this long vacation, two of the students from Palawan (Maria Vi Pe and Calixto Inao) decided to stay and spend their vacation at the Solijon’s place in Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental. With them were other students Sonia Cubero (from Cagayan de Oro City), Rocaya Macmod (a Maranao, a Muslim from Marawi City). These were the very first students who received Bibles studies handled by Delfina Solijon (Mommie). Take note that Sonia was the roommate of Georgia, Maria Vi Pe was the roommate of Joandel, Rocaya Macmod was the roommate of Patria Pana, while Calixto Inao was the “kababayan” of Maria Vi Pe. The Good News was easily planted by Mommie Solijon to the hearts and minds of these MSU students due to the friendship established by the Solijon children with their roommates and friends.

The Baptism of Calixto Inao, Maria Vi Pe, Sonia Cubero and Rocaya Macmod in May of 1972 provided the MSU-SDA church with people to help in the dissemination of the Good News. Both Sonia Cubero and Maria Vi Pe are gifted with words. They are also good in music and in drama. Rocaya Macmod is good in cooking, in sewing, in “mothering” those who needed attention. Calixto Inao with his talents in playing the guitar provided the necessary accompanist in the sundown, sunrise and other services of the church. That baptism also marked the first Muslim convert of the MSU-SDA church. Rocaya was a Muslim.

The baptism of Adriano Salvador (Guillermo Semorlan’s friend) and Romeo Milan ( Johnny Postrero’s friend and batch-mate), a few months after May 1972, was brought about by the bible studies conducted by Mommie Solijon when Romy and Adriano stayed at Lagonglong for a vacation. Romy Milan’s Baptism is also attributed to the bible studies conducted by George Solijon when Romy stayed in Manila for a vacation. According to Judith Joy Gamponia, Romy Milan’s method in doing bible studies was so patterned after Mommie Solijon’s methodology.

During the Holy Week Summer Camp at the Solijon’s place in Lagonglong in April 1973, seven more souls were converted to the SDA faith. They were Sunnie Noel, Noel Manico, Alfonso Catolin, Fely Pornea, Aleja Plaza, Memong, and yours truly (Linda Vilma Ole). Their baptism was the result of the week long doctrinal bible studies conducted by George Solijon. But the seed of friendship and the seed of the Good News were already planted by the members of the MSU-SDA Church long before the Holy Week Summer Camp. It is best to mention that the Sarona sisters, Sarah and Rebecca, were good at their work of simply inviting people to attend the Sunrise, Sundown, Midweek, Vesper and Sabbath Services. They were always around to invite, wait and cater to the needs of the friends they invited.

III. The Witnessing Procedure

The witnessing procedure done by the early members of the MSU-SDA Church and emulated by the first converts became the reason why bible studies and subsequent baptisms occur a few months after April 1973 and continues on until the early 80’s. An example, in 1973, the invitee of Sarah and Rebecca Sarona, received the bible studies from Romy Milan and Johnny Postrero. The friendship established and the methodology of conducting bible study facilitated the conversion process.

The utilization the talents and skills found among the members of the church made services vibrant. Example: In 1972, Al Inao was the in-charge of the music department. He was joined by Johnny Postrero, Edwin Pueblos, Sosthenes Postrero, Hermes Herbolingo, Lemuel Lecciones, Maria Vi Pe, Patria Pana, Sonia Cubero, Linda Vilma Ole and the rest of the singers who can be asked to sing or perform during sunrise or sundown services, Sabbath School, AY service, Midweek, Vesper, and the Divine Services.

The utilization of new talents found among the member of the church made the bible studies more invigorating. For example: No one would believe that a small boy Hermes Herbolingo who came to the university in 1973-1974 became instrumental in the conversion of Ham Migrinio and Cyril Balmadres.

The nurturing of the talents found within the church and supporting these talents to join university-wide competition made the church more popular. For example: the singing voice of Linda Vilma Ole and Diana Jean Go, the guitar skills of Sosthenes Postrero and Lemuel Lecciones, the beautiful song emanating from the flute of Dodong Pelisco, made them won in the talent shows conducted by the University. The honor was not solely attributed to the talent but to the MSU-SDA church that nurtured these talents.

The nurturing of members with leadership potentials resulted to the emergence of leaders not only within the church but to the student body as a whole in the university. Fenando del Rosario was the best example of this. He joined the MSU-SDA Church in 1973. He became a member of the Student Supreme Government during the closing years of his stay in MSU.

The use of new methods of witnessing as applied by Vigilanda Solijon in the dormitories and cottages brought more souls to Christ. She was the one who initiated in conducting bible studies at the Dormitory living rooms. Bible studies in masse results to conversion and baptism in masse.

The brother-sister relationship, big sis-small sis, big bro-small bro, in short, the buddy system was encouraged among each members to care for those who were new in faith helped in the bringing more souls to Christ.

The establishment of Medical Outreach and Community outreach with the help of outside supporters exposed the MSU-SDA Church members to the rigors of the medical profession and to the current state of affairs in the rural areas and in the hinterlands. Examples of these were the medical outreach and community services initiated by the MOVE. Another example is the formation of the Signet Singing group to be the entertaining arm of the Medical Outreach headed by Pastor and Doctor Donton at Tamparan, Lanao del Sur in 1977-1981.

IV. Conclusion

It is beautiful to reminisce the past. For this reason a reunion of the MSU-SDA was done in Hoyanjog Islet in Surigao during the Holy Week (March 19-22, 2008). In this reunion, the fourth Muslim convert of the MSU-SDA Church in 1973-1974, Pastor Badrudin Magarang graced the occasion. During the reunion Pastor Nelson Paulo, a convert to the MSU-SDA church after 1981-1982, baptized four souls. Both Pastor Paulo and Pastor Magarang took theology classes at Mountain View College in Bukidnon. Pastor Paulo did it after he graduated with a Math course in MSU while Pastor Badrudin has to do it after his baptism at MSU because of persecution from his own family.

Another reunion, a convention is to be held in Missouri on July 8-13 at Concordia, Missouri, USA.

We have taken a look at the past and I hope that the gesture would make us take a good stock of courage to be able to move towards the future. I believe that we can derive inspiration of the things done in the past that made us closer to the Lord and to each other.

New Breed of Pinay Care Givers: Release Upon Arrival

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 15:41:55 GMT

I arrived in Canada in August 21, a Tuesday. At around 4:00 PM, on a Friday after, as we moved about the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), I saw these girls at Toronto Transit Corporation (TTC) pick up points or bus stations. They are very noticeable because they go in groups of two or more. I didn't find them during weekdays. They "swarm" around GTA during weekends. We can find them together busy talking and laughing in a bus or in street cars, or in the subway. You will know if they are new to Canada by the manner they handle themselves. The new ones are always filled with stories about their masters or employers. They talked in Tagalog, Bisaya (Ilonggo and Cebuano), and Ilocano without any reservation since they knew that Canadians and other nationalities would not understand what they are talking about. They talked freely about their family, their children, their boyfriends, their employers! The "older ones" (that is, those who have been in Canada for a while), normally handle themselves like the Canadians do: staring blankly in space, as if no other person exists beside them, yet ready to say sorry if they happen to bump or touch someone as they moved about in a cramped space like the bus, the street car or the fully loaded trains.

I used to observe these girls, the Pinay Care Givers, and I wonder what goes inside their heads. They are not the usual house helpers that we have at home in the Philippines. Most of them are the educated ones (nurses, teachers, and even medical doctors) who took a venture to Canada, and who believe that the easiest way to get accepted into the Canadian society is to serve Canadians in their homes. I understand that because of the opportunity that abounds in Canada, care giver position is the most lowly type of job that no Canadians would ever dare venture into.

The normal care givers would have a two days off or a weekend off. They work for five days in a week in the homes of their employers. They are paid the lowest according to the salary scheme but because Canadian dollars is much higher than the Philippine peso, these care givers earn much, much higher than our University Professors in the Philippines.

Because of this, many girls from the Philippines took risks in coming over. They applied in the Philippines with certain agency that assures them that they can enter Canada for a fee of more than two hundred thousand pesos (PhP 200,000). They knew that as soon as they arrive Canada they would be released by their "employer" that made them come to Canada, and they knew that they might be asked to pay another amount just so they would find a new employer as they set foot in Canada. This is where the danger lies.

Canada is not like the Philippines. It is very difficult to move in a place that you don't know about. It takes a lot of courage and strength to master one's fear about the unknown. Yet, this new breed of Pinay Care Givers who are opting for the "Released Upon Arrival" way of coming to Canada makes me feel awkward and inadequate in mastering my own fears.

I came to Canada not to become a care giver but circumstances forced me to venture into this field. The insecurity that I felt was so intense that I needed a job, or something to hold on to. I was not a care giver that was released upon arrival, but I felt that way upon stepping on Canadian soil.

Having experienced what I had experienced, I have now some first hand knowledge on how it is to be insecure in a foreign land where no blood relations exist. I have also experienced the care and attention of friends who care about my existence. It is the care, the attention, and the help of Filipino friends around Canada that made this new breed of Pinay Care Givers take risks to be released upon arrival.

Filipinos are known to be helpful. I salute those hearts who accepted the new breed of our care givers. I salute those who extended their help to me!

Thank you, folks!

LVsheepOle

I Wish I Could, But I Can't, So, I Won't

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:09:43 GMT

"We take pride being part of a well-functioning system but we can be
partly blamed if the system malfunctions". I had that realizations
last Tuesday as I volunteered to serve the homeless again.

I always evaluate my work with a critical mind. I always take pride in
a job well done because I know that I did not only use my head in
doing the job, but I did it with all my heart inputted in the process.
And I bow my head in embarrassment as defects and negligence would be
noticed. Defects and negligence surfaced last Tuesday
and I am just embarrassed and, I am left wondering why such event must
happen.

It is like this: I am used to work in the kitchen as assistant to
people in charged with the food preparation. I can also work in the
dining hall as server (to serve the clients with food), wash girl (to
wash the tables with soap and water, then disinfect it with
disinfectant), or simply to gather the bowls, spoon and forks, etc.
that the clients used in eating.

Last Tuesday, a request by the in-charge in dish washing section was
forwarded to the Dining Hall Supervisor. He wanted me to be with him.
I have never been to the dish washing section and I took it as an
opportunity to learn. I was assigned to remove the utensils from the
plastic rack right after it has come out of the dish washing machine
and to place it in their proper places in the kitchen. I knew then
where the knives, pans, kettles, glasses, spoons, forks, and etc. were
kept. I was ready for my new experience then but alas, the one who
requested my presence could not be found as the dishes to be washed
came piling up.

What am I going to do? I asked loudly. The clock is ticking and we are
at the gap between the first serving and the second serving. All the
used bowls, cups, plates, trays, spoon, forks that came in to the dish
washing section right after the first serving will be used during the
second serving. We have only barely 30 minutes to wash and set all
these utensils! "Where is this guy?"

I was told to wait for the in-charge. I waited. I have to wait for the
utensils to come out of the dish washing machine before I can do my
part to remove them, and place them in their proper places. The
waiting was an anxiety-filled time because I knew of the need that the
dining hall is to demand from the dish washing section, from us!

The in-charge came from nowhere several minutes late. Rushing, he
placed the soiled utensils on plastic racks, after initially washing
them quickly with running water from the faucet. He instructed another
volunteer on what to do to make the process quicker.

As the soup container came out from the dish washer, I noticed that it
was still dirty. I returned the dirty containers back to the in-charge
telling him of what I noticed. He grumbled! I insisted!

The Dining Hall Supervisor came in to ask why it took us too long to
clean the utensils that they needed in the Dining Hall. I told her
what I observed. As she inspected the plates, cups and bowls, she
returned it to the in-charge after pronouncing them as "dirty"!

I could not believe what I am seeing. My "practicum" with Daya and
Baby Roca in California told me that what the in-charge was doing was
wrong, but I cannot say it openly. My actual practice at George and
Joy's places told me that the in-charge is not using his common sense,
but I cannot say it, for fear that I might be putting my foot in a
wrong place, for the fact that I am just a volunteer, and that I have
no right to change their methods of doing things in that kitchen.

We survived that period but with much grumbling both from the Dish
Washing Section in-charge and from the Dining Hall Supervisor. I hid
my dissatisfaction by simply keeping silent after the outburst of the
Dining Hall Supervisor, and by concentrating on the next job assigned
to me by the chef cook of the day, to be in the food distribution line.

As the dishes to be washed piled up again, the dish washing in-charge
was already in argument with two of the people in the kitchen. One of
them pointed to the fact that he came late after disappearing during
the serving time. The in-charge reasoned out that he was called for
translation. He was told then that he could have said no since he was
assigned in the dish washing section for that day and not in the
translation. I could sense that he did not take the reason of him
being late as one of the factors that caused our failure in dish
washing section. The in-charge insisted that something was wrong with
the machine. He used me as a proof that I noticed the utensils to be
dirty as it came out from the dish washer. As he was saying that I
returned to him dirty utensils, I gave him a set of ladle that I
collected right after coming out from the machine. That set was still
dirty!

The other guy told him that the reason the utensils came out dirty
was: the dishwasher was already very dirty! To solve the problem, the
dish washer must be cleaned first. It must be stopped, to be cleaned
thoroughly before using it again. I agreed silently on what was being
said because I remembered Daya telling me that dishes placed in a
dishwasher must be free from any food particles. According to her and
to Joy, food particles left in the dishwasher can cause smell to
develop as they decayed inside the machine. In our case, the food
particles left on the dishes were scattered to all the other utensils
placed on the rack. He was rushing on the first set, I remembered. The
dirt on one, simply contaminated the rest! But the in-charge refused
to stop the machine and chose to continue with dish washing the next
pile.

As I noticed the same problem of having dirty utensils coming out from
the dish washer again, I told the in-charge that I would be off at
12:15 as somebody, a friend, was already waiting for me outside. It
was an excuse because I told Inday Esther that I would be off at
12:30. I simply could not stand the sight of looking at dirty utensils
coming out from the dishwasher when a solution has been offered by
someone who is knowledgeable enough to solve the problem. The
in-charge reasoned out that "someone is doing things" to make it more
difficult for him to wash the dishes that day! True or not, I noticed
the negligence he got at the start of the session. I also noticed him
being stubborn. Being stubborn is not good especially if the whole
system malfunctions because of the "hardheadedness" of one man!

Being part of that system that day, I ended up dissatisfied. We should
have done it right if he showed up on time, gauge before hand how
thick or thin the soup was, what extra work must be done to get the
food particles out before making the dishwasher dirty!

But that was all gone now. I am left with ideas, processes, and
methods which I could not share because I might be misconstrued as
doing something beyond the capacity given me.

"I wish I could but I can't so I won't!" This was a statement I saw on
a poster of long ago that made me laugh because of the monkey's pause.
Now I am saying this with no laughter in my heart because I did not
know of any position to take, except my escape!

LVsheepOLE

Good Things Bad Things

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 00:27:36 GMT

Many things happened last Sunday, 28 October 2007.
Both good and bad!

The first good thing happened at around 8:39 AM. I saw
the YRT Bus stationary near the passenger pick-up
booth but I was still on the opposite side of the
avenue, the traffic light was showing an "open palm"
which means pedestrians are not allowed to cross yet.
As soon as the image changes to "a walking man", I
ran to cross the avenue, with my hand up in the air to
signal the bus driver for him to wait awhile. He did!
I was on time reaching Finch station and I was in for
the first (9:00 AM)trip of the subway. Without
catching the 8:39 AM trip, I would arrive an hour late
at Finch Subway Station!

The first bad thing is, I was not able to finish doing
the laundry!

The second bad thing happened while I was at the Finch
Subway Station. I was wearing gloves because it was
very cold. The gloves made me clumsy. The coins I was
holding for me to buy the tickets with slipped from my
gloved hand. The coins made sound as they landed on
the floor. A man picked the coins up and gave them to
me. Then an angry lady came up to me demanding the
coins that the man gave me. The lady claimed that the
coins were hers and that I have no right to get them.
I was dumbfounded. When she started swearing, I moved
back. I realized that standing in front of me was a
mentally-challenged person! I've got to be very
careful with this type of people!

The second good thing happened as soon as I reached
the Scott Mission. Ranjie, the chef cook of the day,
came to me and led me to the bulletin board. He
pointed to a cut-out article with a picture from a
Chinese newspaper. He asked me, "Can you see this lady
in the picture?" I said yes! "She looks like you,
isn't she?" I said, "Yes, she looks like me! Who is
she?" I asked. Ranjie, pointed to the the Chinese
characters of the article and said, "According to
these characters here, she is a volunteer named
Linda!" I laughed! Everybody near us laughed because I
was able to play Ranjie's game. Having myself in a
picture from a Chinese newspaper as one of the
volunteers serving at the Scott Mission during Thanks
Giving Day made me happy! I was very new in the group
but somehow I was blessed to be noticed. I praised God
for the attention given me.

The third good thing happen still at Scott Mission
when we were about to end the morning work. While I
was cleaning the food service area, Carmen, a Romanian
volunteer, passed by me and told me, "You know Linda,
you are the best cleaning lady I have ever met. One of
these days I will have to make you clean my house!"
Ranjie, commented right away, "I am thinking the same
way too! We are going to compete with each other for
her services!" I laughed and answered them, "Don't
joke with me like that! I don't have a job and I might
jump into the opportunity if you are to ask me!" I
remember Daya and Baby Roca. When I was having that
"practicum" at the Holstein home, I had a nagging
feeling that I am going to end up in someone's
kitchen! Now, I know that that practicum made me feel
easily at ease at the Scott Mission's kitchen and
Dining Hall!

The third bad thing happened while we were having
lunch at the Scott Mission. Someone was howling. I
asked my companions what's the noise about. They told
me there is a hippie bar nearby and the noise must
come from the bar. But the howling was becoming
intense and just very, very close to us. Pastor Jude
stood up and after looking at the window, told us that
the man howling was just below the window. I stood up
too and I saw a man rolling on the ground, pounding
his head on the cement, with yellowish-colored-fluid
coming out of his mouth. I said that he must be a drug
user! That was the first time that I saw a drug user
on a trip and at a very bad trip, at that! As we saw
the paramedics and the Scott Mission's security guard
attending a very limp/seemingly lifeless man, I said
to myself that there is more to life than being
poisoned by a pill that excites the senses in a wrong
way!

The fourth good thing that happened was when I went
out from the Scott Mission's building. I was wondering
why my umbrella "was having some sound". I stood to
listen and I saw white particles as big as half the
size of a grain of rice falling on the ground. I asked
the people around me what's the white-colored thing.
The security guard answered me "It's hail!" Aha! I was
so happy having experienced hail! The lady guard
looked at me. I told her quickly that I came from the
Philippines and I informed her that there is no hail
in the tropics!

The fourth bad thing? It became very, very, very cold!
Instead of getting the bus to Bathurst, I run to get
the street car to ferry me to Spadina station for me
to get the subway! Subway is a better transport when
it's cold!

Th fifth good thing happened when I arrived at Joy's
place. The Matthews children and grandchildren were
around! Joy's place became a paradise!

The fifth bad thing, one of the Matthews grand
children doesn't like me. He always cries when he
sees me! And he cried again seeing me.

The sixth good thing happened when the Matthews
children played with me.

The sixth bad thing happened when that small lady of
the Matthews grandchildren refused for her picture to
be taken.

The SEVENTH GOOD THING happened when the kids became
friendly and that smallest boy did not cry anymore.

I wonder if there would still be a bad thing when I
would meet this children again. I hope there would be
none! I hope to meet them again in the near future,if
not, when they have grown enough. Just like their
moms. I saw them in 1986 when they were flower girls
in Oyette and Bong Mendoza's wedding. Now I am meeting
them again when they are having wonderful kids of
their own!

Good things and bad things: they seem to be woven on
the same fabric that we are wearing everyday!

LVsheepOLE

I Thank God For....

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 09:51:35 GMT

One morning I realized that Lewis' company was a blessing. I came to
think about this as I stood alone in an early morning fog waiting for
the bus. Today is the second day that no Lewis was beside me to tell
me: "Ate, here's the bus now." "Okay, Ate, let's cross". "Ate, let's
wait for the bus here because it's too far to walk!" Now I feel that I
am strong enough to go alone, mastering the rain, the wind and the
fog! I thank God for Lewis. He was there when I need someone to talk
to me, to tell me directions, to tell me whether it is safe to go or not!

This afternoon, as I took the bus alone, I realized that I have so
much to thank God for. I thank God for Annie and Tara, two Chinese
women who are so friendly with me, who tried to talk to me and to make
me feel at home even if they have difficulty with the English
language. I thank God for BJ, Avaratha, Sandra, Arjie, and the rest of
the Sri Lankans who used to ask me questions regarding Filipino words
and terms that they wanted to use.

I thank God for the presence of other Filipinos (Vera, Elvie, Levy,
Fe, and Daryl)whose laughter and stories made me feel that we are
still in the Philippines. I thank God for the presence of that
Filipina, whose name I didn't even know. Her presence during my early
morning trips made me realize the difficulty all Filipina must hurdle
to be able to live in this highly advanced, rich, and up-beat land
called Canada!

I thank God for Neil, Jay, Jane,Janet, Margaret, Sylvia, Jude, Nixxon,
Chris, Ali, Mark, David, Nathan, Cynthia, Peter, Ruel, Ginia, Zhanna,
Shugo, Ruth, Ms. Daniels, Trevor, and the rest of the staff and
volunteers of the Scott Mission. They made my Sundays a happy one.

I thank God for Inday, Jeddu and family. I felt warm in Canada because
of Inday's understanding heart. When I told her that I am feeling cold
she presented a jacket and several garments that helped me combat the
coldness I am feeling. The eldest daughter shared with me sweaters,
while their youngest daughter shared with me a winter jacket. Jeddu,
with his analysis, had forced my mind to work. He said that "The
greater the opportunity, the greater is the risk!" This statement had
helped me a lot to stop me from worrying.

I thank God for Malou and Edgar, Chato and Lito, Tirso and Manang
Aling, Joy and Steff. Malou's understanding heart and Edgar's jokes
are both needed in this times when the coldness of Canada can
penetrate even one's soul. Lito's concern was shown when he said,
"Basin makatabang ni sa imo, Ate Sheep" as he showed sets of winter
garments that was placed in a bag for me to carry. Chato's embraces
can made Canada warm again! Tirso's laughter and concern, Manang
Aling's questions and short answers made me realize that Canada is
different from the Philippines and that people out here are so busy
that no time is left for dilly-dallying, thus one must be exact and to
the point. Joy, when my decision had been done, has provided me a
place, and Steff, the Starbucks barrista, has provided me a bag of
Starbucks' Coffee to last even through the long winter.

Most of all, I thank God for my host and sponsor. Without his effort
to bring me to Canada, I won't be able to experience what I am
experiencing now. I won't be able to feel the love, the warmth and
concern of these people around me. I won't be able to see Canada. I
won't be able to answer the questions that has been bugging for an
answer. I can see, read and understand through books, emails, letters
and pictures, yes, but the actual setting is more realistic, more
emphatic whenever learning is to be considered.

I have seen a lot. I understood a lot, thus I learned a lot! For all
the understanding and learning, I say thank you.

I thank God for all of you!

LVsheepOLE