The Link: Bridges For Today and Eternity

Bridges For Today and Eternity

THE L INK T he Off icial Publ icat io n of PU C/AU P—Alumni of Wester n Nor th A mer ic a

Summer-Fall 2015

AWESNA 43RD ANNUAL CONVENTION

Double Tree by Hilton San Jose, 2050 Gateway Place San Jose, California

THE LINK

PUC/AUP Alumni of

Western North America

(AWESNA)

BOARD OF OFFICERS

Elmer Bangloy,DMD- President

Lita Laoyan,- Vice President

Eppie Manalo, - Secretary

Elenita Espiritu, – Asso. Sec.

Ella Alcaide, - Treasurer

Rene Donato,- Auditor

Edwin Araba,- PRO

SPIRITUAL ADVISERS

Pastor VicLouis Arreola,III,PhD

Pastor Jose Manalo, Ed.D

Pastor Simeon Rosete, Jr.,DBS

CHAPTER PRESIDENTS

Roger Rodriguez– Alberta,Canada

Rachel Pedernal– Cascadia,BC

Ardina Wang– Pacific Northwest

Emily N. Garcia-Greater Northern CA

Noli Poblacion-Greater Central CA

Loida Miguel-Greater Los Angeles

Letty Banaag- Glendale,CA

Marjorie R. Huynh – Loma Linda,CA

Miguelito Fernando, MD – La Sierra

Teddy Malagar- IAPAA

Cristuto Genobaga-Las Vegas, Nevada

Ric Calla-Hawaii

Cris Anunciado,- San Diego,CA

Liberty Olive Macias-Young Alumni

AWESNA PAST PRESIDENTS

George Atiga, DMin. +

Celedonio Fernando,M.D. +

Romulo Valdez,M.D.

Eliseo Bautista,M.D. +

John Tulio, Esq.

Honesto Pascual,Jr., M.D.

Ulysses M. Carbajal,M.D.

Alfonso Miguel,Jr., M.D.,D.Hum

Alberto Bagingito, CPA,D.Hum

+ Deceased

Volume 46 Issue 2 Summer-Fall 2015

AWESNA

TABLE of CONTENTS

Service: As I See It. “As alumni, we all come from different places and work different jobs. However, we all share one commonality – we graduated from a unique university, one that trained students in a certain, specific, special kind of way. It doesn’t matter what year you graduated, because AUP’s purpose has been one and the same, unchanged, since it opened in 1917 – to train people for service. Whether you graduated in 1921 or in 2015, all of us were sent forth from its gates with the same commission, the same challenge – to serve.” 5

The School That Trains For Service. “Yes, the demands of a growing and complicated society is varied, the interest of our youth are just as varied and unconventional. And that is good, because our target fields have to be met where they are. They have to be trained to be the best in their field of vocation and profession, so they would be listened to, so they can become effective movers of focus and direction.” 31

Waiting For The Promise “ The coming of the Holy Spirit would mean power to witness. The key word is “WAIT”, a very difficult activity. Waiting can get into nerve of people; it can drive people crazy sometimes. To wait is a test of faith. So after He returned to heaven, the disciples waited and prayed for the gift.” 17

In Retrospect: AWESNA At a Glance “The AWESNA Convention theme: Bridges For Today and Eternity conveys a dramatic view on what each one of us has to be for now until we reach our heavenly home. We are bridges in bringing peace and goodwill to our fellowmen. Over the past year we started a journey to reach our goals and objectives. The road is sometimes tough, long and tiring but its worth the trip as we cross the bridge to eternal glory. ” 10

AUP College of Medicine: A Fulfilled Vision. “The Adventist University of the Philippines is indeed wonderfully blessed! Having the College of Medicine to gear to the advancement of Christ’s healing ministry, the world-wide church of the Seventh-day Adventists are encouraged to continually support in prayers and encouragements.” 26

Bridges For Today and Eternity. “The time to start building bridges to others is now. The salvation will be our working together for common ends, not bursting off into insisting, “I am right.” One of the most significant discoveries in the last few years is that I don't have to be right all the time. Isn’t that nice? We can be both right. Hundreds of us can be right. Dichotomies are distancing phenomena.” 7

AWESNA : A Partner of AUP in Building Bridges Today and For Eternity. “Our university will always be grateful to AWESNA. Your constant support has encouraged us to move forward in faith. You helped us achieved challenging aspirations like the recently inaugu-rated College of Medicine program which we believe is a powerful medium of bridging people to eternity.” 4

THE LINK / Summer-Fall 2015 3

Message From the President:

My Fellow Alumni, Today, I am overwhelmed with joy that our dear Alma Mater will be the site of a new College of Medicine. I cannot express my gratitude enough; that these glad-tidings have come into being. The AUP College of Medicine will be the sixth medical school erected by the worldwide Adventist community, and the first in Asia. This is truly an historic accomplishment.

It has been an arduous journey, 35 years in the making, when the College of Medicine was merely a faithful idea and an idealistic hope. Back then, there were still many challenges to be conquered, and many setbacks to be endured. But through the hard struggles, there were even harder men and women who persevered, and who knew that God’s delay was not a denial. They saw God’s Provision; that He would provide in our greatest need, and that He alone could make it happen. We waited patiently, and waited faithfully. And now, our faith has been rewarded.

I am excited for the future of AUP, and what this new college represents: God’s love put into action. He has provided, and now we must provide for others. We must become the embodiment of his love. And we will do this by training the best physicians that we can. Physicians that understand that it is through service to others that we become our best selves.

Congratulations, AUP! May His light continue to shine in each and every one of us!

Elmer E. Bangloy, D.M.D., D.Hum

President, AUP-Alumni of Western North America (AWESNA, 2013-2016)

“Be Blessed. Be a blessing!”

AUP College of Medicine:

God’s Love Put Into Action

“I am excited for the future of AUP, and what this new college represents: God’s love put into

action. He has provided, and now we must provide for others. We

must become the embodiment of his

love. “

4 THE LINK / Summer-Fall 2015


ervice. Growing up in the Adventist University of the Philippines, you get exposed to that word more than you bargain for. After all, our school motto is: the school that trains for service. Service was something my parents, both

denominational workers, always emphasized at family worships and household lectures. It was the required word to incorporate when choosing themes for capping ceremonies, commitment programs, or graduation exercises. Service was just something all AUPians knew and all AUPians said – it was our trademark, something our teachers said would supposedly set us apart from everyone else.

Hence, it was practically a given when I graduated from AUP with a superhero service mindset, ready to go out and save the world with my oh-so benevolent heart and willing, charitable hands. I thought it was going to be easy - after all, that was what I had been taught, nay, trained to do. AUP alumna kaya ako! When people asked me why I chose nursing, I would say without missing a beat, “Siyempre po… Service!”

And then I tried actually working as a staff nurse in the country… and found out that nope, keeping that mindset was way easier said than done.

Oh at first everything went great. I was smiling at patients, giving great nursing care, and changing the world one bed bath at a time. My clinical instructors would’ve been so proud of me! But then came the straight shifts, the toxic doctors, the cranky, suplado patients, and the lowly, lowly pay, and I soon found myself complaining about my job more and more.

“Service nalang ba palagi?” I posted on my Twitter page.

My discontent became more especially pronounced after one particularly busy morning shift. I had to change bed linens left and right, assist in dressing an infected wound, give a patient a complete bed bath, bring two patients down for lab tests, and check vital signs every hour. In my busyness, I forgot to eat my lunch. To rub more salt to the proverbial wound, a handicapped patient suddenly decided to

have a late lunch at three in the afternoon – mere minutes before my shift was supposed to end. Because she was an invalid who had no watcher, I was duty-bound to stay and help her feed herself.

So there I was, the starving nurse who’s had nothing by mouth for 20 straight hours, spooning delicious-smelling vegetarian food to my patient’s mouth. Oh, the irony of it all! It was all I could do not to direct the spoonful of her food to my mouth instead. All the while, I was thinking, “This is what I studied four years for?” You see, I wanted to serve, but I also wanted to be paid appropriately for it. I wanted to serve, but I also wanted to be acknowledged for my saintliness. And then one night, I was called in for a night shift duty on my day off. I wasn’t that pleased about working on what was sup-posed to be my rest day, so I was a very cranky nurse that evening. I kept praying that the patients would just sleep quietly all night so that I too, could take a nap. But alas, with my luck, they didn’t. One patient in particular grated on my nerves because he kept hitting the call light nonstop every few minutes. My endorsement notes told me that this patient was in the end stages of nasopharyngeal cancer and was therefore not allowed to eat or drink anything. As a result, his mouth and throat were very dry, scratchy, and uncomfortable. His lips were cracked and he couldn’t even swallow because his dry throat was just so painful, which is why he kept hitting the call light. Every time this patient called, I would sigh, stand up, go to his room, put on gloves, and moisten his oral cavity with a damp cotton ball. This happened so many times throughout the shift, that by the third time I could practically do it with my eyes closed. At around four AM, the patient’s call bell rang for the umpteenth time. Grudgingly, I went to his room and prepared to do my whole routine again. For some reason, something told me to really look at the patient this time. As I dabbed the cotton balls to his mouth, I couldn’t help but notice how, in the middle >>

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Service: As I See It By Weanne Myrrh Estrada, BSN, RN


of his heaving breaths, he eagerly lapped up the little bit of moisture they contained and then closed his eyes tightly like he was holding on to those five seconds of relief. A different image suddenly entered my mind. I suddenly thought of Jesus crucified on the cross, dehydrated and in pain. I thought of how in the last few moments of His life, His lips parched and dry, He whispered, “I thirst.” I thought of how the legionnaires offered Him a sponge on a hyssop branch soaked in sour wine, how they dabbed that sponge to Jesus’ lips, and how in the midst of all the pain and agony on the cross, it was the only physical relief offered to my suffering Savior as He died for me. And then I thought of Matthew 25:40:“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.” I looked at my patient again. Thin and frail, thirsty and in pain, in the last stages of his life, he was looking at me ever so gratefully as I dabbed the sponge on his lips. I almost broke into tears right there and then. In that moment, I wasn’t in a hospital room at four in the morning hydrating a dying patient anymore. Instead, I was at the cross serving my thirsty, dying Savior. Suddenly I didn’t care that I was only making P60 an hour. Suddenly, serving didn’t seem so hard. ------------------------- As alumni, we all come from different places and work different jobs. However, we all share one commonality – we graduated from a unique university, one that trained students in a certain, specific, special kind of way. It doesn’t matter what year you graduated, because AUP’s purpose has been one and the same, unchanged, since it opened in 1917 – to train people for service. Whether you graduated in 1921 or in 2015, all of us were sent forth from its gates with the same commission, the same challenge – to serve. I was so sure I could keep up that spirit, but eventually I needed to be reminded. Maybe you feel the same way. Maybe at one point you were so eager to share your talents, go beyond the call of duty, give time, talent and treasures to AUP, or go out of your way to help someone but have, somewhere along the way, lost your motivation because you never receive anything in return, you felt you were taken advantage of, or you never got recognized. In those moments of burnout and resignation, remind yourself again of who your hands are ultimately touching, comforting, helping, serving – not just the least of your brethren, but Christ Himself. "Christ gave no stinted service. He did not measure His work by hours. His time, His heart, His soul and strength, were given to labor for the benefit of humanity. Through weary days He toiled, and through long nights He bent in prayer for grace and endurance that He might do a larger work. To His workers He says, "I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done (John 13:15).” – Ellen G. White, Ministry of Healing ……………………...

Weanne Myrrh Razon Estrada, BSN, RN, graduated summa cum laude from the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) School of Nursing. She was a Nursing Licensure Exam (NLE) 2010 board topnotcher (number one) and currently taking graduate studies, Masters in Public Health (MPH) Global Health at Loma Linda University School of Public Health. She is the daughter of Drs. Wealthy and Miriam Estrada, both are alumni of AUP. Her mother, Dr. Miriam Estrada, is the dean of AUP College of Health.

AWESNA Vancouver BC By Rachel Pedernal

Our AUP alumni has supported few main events this year. We newly planted a church last February at New Westminster, BC, a church project of Vancouver, Filipino SDA church. Farewell party for Rudy & Wilma Racasa last April 18th, who will be relocating to Alberta to join their 2 children's families, Don & Iva. The youth mission trip to Iloilo, Philippines last April 30 to June 12th had a baptism of 192 precious souls. Another reaping event held last May at Vancouver, BC by Pastor Luis Bon Jr. from Philippines, South Central Conference and did a repeat seminar at Surrey, BC last month with about 7 baptism at our annual Filipino camp meeting at Hope, BC last June 26-28th. Culminating our support of events with the wedding of our young alumni, both BSN graduates Geoffrey Basilio and Micah Bacaba last July 5th, at the Bayshore of West Point Grey, Vancouver, BC. Canada.

Alberta, Canada, August 28-29, 2015 – AWESNA Rally at Calgary, Alberta, Canada will be held during the Fil-Can 13th Annual Camp meeting at the Foothills Main Auditorium , from Thursday night, August 27 to Sunday morning, August 30. AWESNA delegates are led by Dr. and Mrs. Elmer Bangloy, with Lita Laoyan and Fe Asuncion. Chapter officers are: Presi-dent, Roger Rodriguez; Coordinator, Ben Barboza . The main speaker is Pastor Ramon Baldovino, senior pastor of Fil-Am Capital Church, Potomac Conference and the Youth speaker is Pastor Glenn Sta Ana, assistant to the president, Arizona Conference and also serve as Asian/Pacific Family Ministries.

AWESNA Calgary, Alberta,Canada

have been fascinated by bridges. A bridge is something that fills a gap ; a pathway over a depression or an obstacle. The Golden Gate Bridge is perhaps the most beautiful suspension

bridge in the world. Why is it called the Golden Gate Bridge? On July 1, 1846, two years before the discovery of gold in California US Army Captain John C. Fremont gazed upon the narrow strait that separate the Bay from the Pacific Ocean, and said, “it is a golden gate to trade with the Orient.” The Golden Gate Bridge was designed by Joseph Strauss, Irving Morrow and Charles Ellis. Construction started on January 5, 1933. Just over four years later the Golden Gate Bridge opened on May 27, 1937; that was 78 years ago. Joseph Strauss , a 5-foot 3 inches tall, graduate of University of Cincinnati, notoriously masterminded the project. He placed a brick from his alma mater’s demolished McMicken Hall in the south anchor-age before the concrete was poured. The color of the bridge was selected by consulting architech Irving Morrow because it complements the natural surroundings and enhances the bridge’s visibility in fog. Charles Ellis was a Greek scholar and mathematician. He earned a degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois prior to designing the Golden Gate Bridge. Ellis did much of the technical work but he received none of the credit in his lifetime. He was actually fired by Strauss for wasting too much money sending telegram to Moisseife. However, in 2007 Ellis was formally given major credit for the design of the bridge. Another famous bridge is the Brooklyn Bridge. It is not just another bridge. “It is the most famous bridge in the world,” according to David

McCullough, the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, John Adams. McCullough wrote a book, The Great Bridge, which is an epic story of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. One interesting nugget in his book forecasts the longevity and resiliency of the Brook-lyn Bridge. He said, “ ...with normal maintenance, say the engineers, the bridge will last for another one hundred years. If parts are replaced from time to time—even entire cables if necessary, which would perfectly possible—then, as far as we are concerned, it will last forever. Perhaps it will.” Bridge Not Barrier Wouldn’t be nice to dedicate yourself to filling gaps, to building path over depressions and making life simpler for people? A bridge is a structure that connects us. Wouldn’t it be marvelous if we could get into the spirit of bridging to tomorrow , to connect people, to building bridges, to surmounting obstacles? But before we start with some-thing, my feeling is that the first bridge you have to build is the bridge to you. It starts with you, and the bridge that leads to everybody is your bridge. The time to start building bridges to others is now. The salvation will be our working together for common ends, not bursting off into insisting, “I am right.” One of the most significant discoveries in the last few years is that I don't have to be right all the time. Isn’t that nice? We can be both right. Hundreds of us can be right. Dichotomies are distancing phenomena. Let’s find first what we have in common. There are no two of us alike, still we have much in common. My teacher used

Continued on page 35

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Bridges For Today and Eternity By Edwin Lardizabal Araba

“The time to start building bridges to others is now. The salvation will be our working together for

common ends, not bursting off into insisting, “I am right.” One of the most significant discoveries in the last few years is that I don't have to be right all the time. Isn’t that nice? We can be both right. Hundreds of us can be right. Dichotomies are distancing phenomena.”



a Sierra Chapter's 2015 first quarterly meeting was held on Sunday, 15 February 2015, at Lucy and Mike Fernandos' La Sierra hilltop home as usual. Attendees were: Linda & Nap Alinsod, Leni Espiritu, Lucy & Mike Fernando, Mario & Yolanda Manalo, Kathy & Delio Pascual, Ching & Onie Pascual, Tessie

Sajid, Betty & Ralph Tigno. Unfortunately, several members were unable to attended due either to prior commitments or sickness. The meeting opened with a prayer by La Sierra Chapter president, Mike Fernando, and a devotional based on Mark 5:25-30 by Mario Manalo, who pointed out how faith in God's healing power cures and how God bestows His blessing and favor even before one asks as in the case of the woman, who after years of hemor-rhage and failed costly treatment by several healers & practitioners, was instantly healed by her strong belief and faith that a simple touch of the hem of Jesus' garment would heal her, and without her asking, she indeed was healed of her longstanding problem. The devotional was concluded by Mario's prayer, and a discussion of the Chapter's business ensued. The agenda were as follows: The Annual Membership Fee. It was brought to the body's attention that in 2014, only 21 of the 50 or so Chapter members paid their annual membership dues. It is hoped that in 2015, all members would pay their membership fee. The AWESNA Endowment Fund. It was reported that to date, the total amount contributed to the AWESNA Endowment Fund has been about $250,000.00 which is $750,000.00 short of the $1 million goal set during the Eliseo Bautista administration in the 1990s. It is the aim of the current AWESNA administration's under Elmer Bangloy to reach the $1 million goal within the next 1 to 2 years under Annie Madigan who was designated to lead in the Endowment Fund campaign during the recent AWESNA Officers' Weekend Retreat in January 2015 at the Queen Mary Hotel in Long Beach. During the retreat, the La Sierra Chapter was commended for being the only AWESNA chapter that has an active ongoing Endowment Fund collection, and the other chapters were encouraged to follow La Sierra's example. And as for the La Sierrans, who have not yet given their $1,250 per family/household, [i.e.,$250 per year x 5 years], this year, 2015 is the final year of the Chapter's 5-year Endowment Fund Donation Plan; please make sure to turn in your “fair share” for the Endowment Fund to Lucy Fernando, the Chapter treasurer.

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La Sierra e-Linkette Reported by Lucy Fernando, Tessie Sajid & Ralph Tigno.


The 2015 AWESNA Alumni Convention. This year's annual AWESNA Labor Day Weekend Alumni Convention will be co-hosted by the Central Valley & Northern California Chapters at the Double Tree [Hilton] Hotel in San Jose. It is hoped that every-one in the La Sierra Chapter will attend the event. Flyers containing all the pertinent information about the convention will be available soon. [Incidentally, the 2016 AWESNA Convention will be hosted by the Hawaii Chapter at the Turtle Bay (Hilton) Re-sort in Oahu. Everyone is also encouraged to start saving for that event.] The La Sierra Worthy Working Student Scholarship (WWSS). According to Lucy Fernando, the Chapter treasurer, La Sierra has been sponsoring 5 to 6 working students per year since the inception of the Chapter's WWSS project. Also, $5.00 from each membership fee paid reverts to La Sierra and is applied to the project. Recently, a cheque for $3,500.00 [which consists of a combination of accrued AWESNA refund to La Sierra of chapter members' dues and the donation of several La Sierra members] was sent to AUP Student Finance Director, Mr. Mervyn Olarte, to cover the 2015-2016 school year. Mr. Olarte has administered the Chapter's Scholarship project and has sent regular reports to Lucy regarding the project. All members are encouraged to donate regularly to the fund, i.e., “give whatever your heart desires and what is comfortable for you”. As more funds are collected, La Sierra can increase its number of scholarship awards and help to worthy AUP working students. Chapter Social Activities. Members have been encouraged to suggest possible group activities for the Chapter, e.g., picnic, block party, etc. There being no further business, the meeting ended and was followed by the customary potluck, socializing, and exchange of jokes & “memories” of PUC/AUP days. There being no further business, the meeting ended and was followed by the customary potluck, socializing, and exchange of jokes & “memories” of PUC/AUP days.

pril 7-9, 2015 marks a milestone of the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP), College of Medicine (COM): A Fulfilled Vision. It is the first Adventist College of

Medicine in Asia and the sixth in the world, what a remarkable celebration of God’s goodness!

The 3-day weekend inaugural program started with a devotional by Pastor Moises de Ocampo at 5:30 A.M. on Friday, August 7, 2015 held at the University Gymnasium, followed by Fun Run/Walk around the AUP campus. Vespers Service was at 7:00 P.M. in the Philippine International Church (PIC), a panel interview “Celebration on God’s Guidance” with Pastor Abel Vergara, Director of AUP Spiritual Life Development as moderator. The panelists were Dr. Francisco Gayoba, AUP President, Dr. Miriam Narbarte, VP Academics, Dr. Robert Borromeo, VP Finance, and Dr. Doris Mendoza, founding Dean AUP COM. Guest speaker for the Sabbath Hour of Worship was Dr. Peter Landless, Director of Health Ministries of the General Conference on “The Healing Ministry in the Last Days”. An afternoon special thanksgiving service was held at the COM building with testimo-nies from several guests and donors. Among the participants were Dr. Elmer Bangloy, AWESNA President, Dr. Alfonso Miguel, Dr. Alberto Bagingito, Dr. Wilson Lao, Dr. Charles David, and

Dr. Edmund Bagingito. On Sunday, August 9, 2015 at 8:00 A.M. was the COM inauguration and white coat ceremony for the 18 pioneering medical students. Dr. Lisa Beardsley-Hardy, Director of Education Department of the General Conference gave the inauguration message. Church leaders, government officials, other guests and AWESNA president Dr. Elmer Bangloy gave felicitations. Following the inspirational message of Dr. Roger Hadley, Dean School of Medicine Loma Linda University was the introduction of the COM faculty and the pioneering class. Following the white coating and dedicatory prayer were the ribbon cutting and unveiling of the COM room markers.

The AWESNA room donors of the COM building: Gross Anatomy Laboratory- Dr. Alfonso and Loida Miguel; COM faculty room, administrative offices, dean’s conference room- Dr. Alberto and Violeta Bagingito, Dr. Edmund Bagingito, and Dr. Alwin Bagingito; classroom #207A- Drs. Wilson and Mariclem Lao; classroom #206- Drs. Charles and Amelita David; Food Service Area- Greater LA chapter; Histology Labo-ratory- Loma Linda chapter.

Other AWESNA members and friends who attended the COM inaugural program: Fe Asuncion, Mrs. Julia Bagingito with daughter, Katie, Mrs. Lorie Bangloy, Dr.& Mrs. Serafin Garcia, Dr. Mariclem Lao, Lita Laoyan, Annielie Madigan, Mrs. Loida Miguel, Minnie Tamayo and Meldie Ward.

- Reported by Lita Laoyan, AWESNA Vice President

AWESNA Joins AUP College of Medicine Inaugural Program

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romoting AWESNA’s theme, UNITE and IGNITE, the organi-zation has endeavored to plan and has resolved to commit to imple-

ment programs aimed at achieving its goals. Within the TEN (10) MONTHS after the new set of AWESNA Officers assumed office, the organization has witnessed posi-tive signs indicating renewed and continued interest in AWESNA affairs.

CHAPTER RALLIES: AWESNA Leader-ship has likewise been responding to invita-tions to rallies from different chapters, which aim at reviving interest of members and encouraging active participation in the organization’s programs and projects.

MY SINCERE APPRECIATION and “THANK YOU” TO ALL AWESNA OFFICERS AND CHAPTER OFFICERS FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND UN-CONDITIONAL GIVING OF THEIR TIME, ENERGY, TALENTS AND RE-S O U R C E S T O A C C O M P L I S H AWESNA’S GOAL AND OBJECTIVES.

1) October 5, 2013, Saturday, 5:45 p.m., Loma Linda Filipino SDA Church

INDUCTION OF NEW SET OF LOMA LINDA CHAPTER OFFICERS

Devotional and Prayer by Pastor Nepthali Manez, AUP Board Chair Remarks and Induction of Officers by Dr. Elmer Bangloy.

OFFICERS:

President – Majorie Reyno

Vice President –Armand Zabala Secretary – Clarita Siapco Treasurer – Fenina Garaza

Auditor – Mar Velasco 2) November 9, 2013 Saturday , San Jose Fil-am SDA Church Service/Young Alumni Rally/Socials Morning Service Speaker: Pastor Jym Tayag Afternoon Service Speaker: Dr. Elmer Bangloy Coordinated by Gladys Roman and Liberty Olive Bautista (Young Alumni Chapter President)

AWESNA OFFICERS AND CHAPTER MEMBERS PRESENT:

President Elmer and Lorie Bangloy Fil and Ella Alcaide, Treasurer Edwin Araba, PRO Odette and Oscar Pablo, Chair Finance & Projects (members, Northern CA Chapter) Pete and Cherry Dela Cruz (LA Chapter) Ernie and Emily Garcia, President Northern CA Chapter, Jose and Carol Esposo (members, Central CA Chapter) and San Jose SDA Church’s Pastor Daniel Bo-tabara .3) NOVEMBER 16, 2013 SATURDAY, LAS VEGAS FIL-AM SDA CHURCH

CHURCH SERVICE/AFTERNOON RALLY /ELECTION AND INDUC-TION OF OFFICERS

Morning Service Speaker – Dr. Vic Louis Arreola Afternoon Service Speaker– Dr. Elmer Bangloy

Induction of Officers – Dr. Elmer Bangloy-Las Vegas Chapter, led by Cris Genobaga , began the series of chapter gatherings on November 16, 2013. The AWESNA leadership team participated in the church services. It was also during this time that a new choral group was born: the AWESNA Officers Choir, which had their “debut” performance during the afternoon service.

Elected Las Vegas Chapter officers are: Cris Genobaga, President; Johnny Acang-Vice President; Edie Sandro-Secretary; Susan Acang- Treasurer; Arlene Gayares-PRO; Oscar Fauni- Auditor; Pastor Villamor-Meriales, Advisor.

AWESNA OFFICERS AND MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Elmer and Lorie Bangloy, Alfonso and Loida Miguel, Rene and Imelda Donato, Octavius and Cely Quijada, Bert and Violy Bagingito, Annie Madigan, Meldie Ward, Lita Laoyan, Eppie Manalo, Edwin Araba, Fern Kintanar, Fe Asuncion—making a total of 16 from Los Angeles and Loma Linda. Emphasizing AWESNA’s theme, “Unite and Ignite,” the President encouraged the alumni to unite and volunteer for His service and for our alma mater .

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In Retrospect : AWESNA at a Glance,Year 1 (2013-2014) By Dr. Elmer Bangloy, D.M.D., D.HUM

President, AWESNA


4) NOVEMBER 24, 2013, SUNDAY, RAN-CHO MIRAGE, PALM SPRINGS, CALIFOR-NIA. INVITATION OF MARILYN VILLANUEVA-BARTOLOMEW ( HOSTED BY TED AND BETH MALAGAR). PLAN TO REORGANIZE THE CHAPTER. OFFICERS IN ATTENDANCE: 1)ELMER (PRESIDENT) AND LORIE BANGLOY 2) LITA (VICE PRESI-DENT) AND RALPH LAOYAN

5) JANUARY 5, 2014, SUNDAY, LOMA LINDA FILIPINO SDA CHURCH MEETING OF THE COM-MISSION ON CONSTITUTION ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE AWESNA CONSTITUTION This meeting was led by Roy Mananquil, Chair , Commission on Constitution. Proposed amendments were discussed and voted on by the Commission on Constitu-tion to be presented to the House of Delegates for approval and ratification.

6) FEBRUARY 21-23, 2014 RESI-DENCE INN-MARRIOTT AT RIVER RIDGE, OXNARD, CALIFORNIA

SPIRITUAL RETREAT/BOARD OF O F F I C E R S / H O D M E E T I N G An overwhelming positive response from members translated into more than SRO (standing room only) attendance from Ves-pers to the afternoon service. About 250 attended the weekend event. Also noteworthy is the participation of all age groups—Young Alumni to Seniors, in both spiritual and social activities. Above all, attendees were treated to a feast of God’s Word from all four (4) of the organization’s spiritual advisers. Sabbath School Promo-tion – Dr. Elmer Bangloy presented the AWESNA LOGO which encapsulates the organization theme “UNITE and IGNITE” Speakers: Friday Vesper – P a s t o r Vic Arreola ,Sabbath School Lesson Study – Pastor Jose Manalo our of Wor-

ship – Pastor Dale Barizo Afternoon Devotional – Pastor Simeon Rosete, Jr. Proposed Amendments to the AWESNA Constitution from the January 5 COMCON were voted on and ratified on February 23, 2014 by 56 House of Delegates representa-tives. Such amendments will enable the organization to function efficiently and ensure better interaction and participation among the members. Commendation goes to the Chair of the Commission of Constitu-t i o n , R o y M a n a n q u i l . 7) AWESNA PRESIDENT’S PARTICI-PATION AS SPEAKER AT THE AUP ACADEMY GRADUATION ON MARCH 23, 2014, PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH, PUTING KAHOY, SILANG, CAVITE CLASS P H L O S O P H Y : “SUI GENERIS”- WITH UNIQUE C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S 8) MARCH, RP 2014 MISSION OUT-REACH -CME/MEDICAL- DENTAL MISSION MARCH 19, MANILA ADVENTIST MEDICAL CENTER: “Dental-Medical-Nursing Symposium”. This year’s outreach program to the Philippines reeled off with a symposium led by Several members of the outreach team served as resource persons: Elmer Bangloy, Eduardo Gonzaga, Edna Domingo, Lita Laoyan, Bella Litvin and a guest lecturer, Dr. Tota Shimizu, a Japanese endodontist specializing in microscopic Endodontics at Glendale, California. Speakers shared their expertise to the doctors, nurses, dentists and medical professionals at the Adventist Medical Center-Manila (AMCM), formerly Manila Adventist Medical Center (MAMC). The team then proceeded to the following venues and served about 4,000

patients: ITOGON, BEN-GUET, BAGUIO (March 19-21) BANGAR, LA UNION M a r c h 2 6 - 2 8 ) 9) AWESNA PRESIDENT’S P A R T I C I P A T I O N A S SPEAKER DURING THE N A T I O N A L A L U M N I CHAPTER BANQUET,

MARCH 24, 2014; 3:00 p.m. AUP, S i l a n g , C a v i t e THEME: “HANDS FOR SERVICE” 10) APRIL 26, 2014 CENTRAL VAL-LEY CHAPTER CENTRAL VALLEY CHURCH ANNIVERSARY/ AWESNA RALLY/ CHAPTER ELECTION OF OFFICERS Central Valley Chapter, led by Noli Poblacion held their Chapter Rally in the afternoon during their church anniver-sary celebration. In his devotional message, AWESNA President Elmer Ban-gloy, commended the Chapter for active involvement and underscored the value of volunteerism and unity towards achieving the goals of the organization and even-tually contributing significantly to God’s work through the training ministry of AUP. Election was held and the Chapter Officers are: President- Noli Poblacion Vice Presidents: Fresno-Joe Esposo; Hanford-LettyLachica Bakersfield- Juvy Gaje; Visalia-Clarita Dalida Sec re ta ry – Mer i lyn P imente l Asso. Secretary- Andy Tuazon Treasurer – G e m i n i a n o S u l i t Asso. Treasurer- E d g a r F e d e r i c o PRO – J u d y O s e n a Auditor – J u l i t h B a t u l a y a n Advisors: Pastor Abel Pangan M i k e M a r i a n o AWESNA OFFICERS PRESENT: 1) Elmer and Lorie Bangloy; 2) Alfonso and Loida Miguel; 3) Rene and Imelda Donato; 4) Bert Bagingito; 5) Lita and Ralph Lao-yan; 6) Ed and Alma Gonzaga; 7) Ernesto and Miriam Banaag; 8) Fern Kintanar; 9) Fe Asuncion, (10) Eppie Manalo. Total AWESNA Attendees from Los Angeles,Glendale, and Loma Linda-16.


11) MAY 2 - 3 , 2014 HAWAII Honolulu Fil-Am SDA Church WORSHIP HOUR SPEAKER- Dr. Elmer Bangloy “Fulfilling Life of Service” AFTERNOON CHAPTER RALLY Speaker- Dr. Elmer Bangloy “Volunteerism, Unite and Ignite” HEALTH LECTURE – Lita Laoyan ELECTION OF OFFICERS: President Ric Calla Vice President Melba Arreola Manzano Secretary Brenda Cababa Dolormente Treasurer Moises Medrano PRO Elmy Ann Cordova Peralta Auditor Romy Villoso Advisors Vic Arreola David Madrid Alfred Reyno Gilbert Agir AWESNA OFFICERS IN ATTENDANCE: Elmer and Lorie Bangloy; Lita and Raffy Laoyan 12) MAY 18, 2014 Rose Bowl Park, Pasadena, CA 10 a.m.-5 p.m. LOS ANGELES CHAPTER PICNIC-GAMES, FOOD and FUN! Hosted by LA Chapter President, Loida Miguel, attended by about 50-75 members and officers including surrounding Glendale, Temple City, White Memorial and Pasadena SDA church members. 13) MAY 24, 2014 Bakersfield, CA- YOUNG ALUMNI RALLY and WORSHIP HOUR SERVICE IN ATTENDANCE: Lita and Raffy Laoyan MAY 24, 2014 -Reche Canyon, Colton, California

MEETING OF PHYSICIANS WITH COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

FOUNDING DEAN, DR. DORIS MENDOZA

Organized and coordinated by Dr. Alfonso Miguel,Jr. the meeting was held at Drs. Wilson and Mariclen Lao’s residence. Present at the meeting were: Dr. and Mrs. Alfonso Miguel, Dr. and Mrs. Elmer Bangloy, Dr. and Mrs. Felcar Morada, Dr. and Mrs. Tavy Quijada, Drs. Ed and Alma Gonzaga, Dr. Benny Banaag, Dr. and Mrs. Miguelito Fernando, Dr. and Mrs. RomuloTabo, Don and Gladys Roman, Fe Asuncion and two other doctors from the Philippines. A sumptuous dinner was served,

and a sundown devotional preceded the two- hour meeting on updates on the AUP proposed COM. 14) MAY 31, 2014 SAN DIEGO FIL-AM SDA CHURCH SAN DIEGO CHAPTER WORSHIP HOUR/CHAPTER RALLY Organized by Crisamar Anunciado, SD Chapter President Hour of Worship Speaker Pastor Limuel Liwanag Afternoon Rally Speaker- Dr. Elmer Bangloy Topic: Unite and Ignite Present were: Elmer and Lorie Bangloy, Lita and Raffy Laoyan, Ella and Fil Alcaide, Rene and Imelda Donato, Bert and Violy Bagingito, Annie Madigan, Ruth and Danny Ranchez, Fern Kintanar, and Fe Asuncion.

15) JUNE 7, 2014 GREATER NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WORSHIP HOUR / CHAPTER RALLY - Emily Garcia, Chapter President Hour Of Worship Speaker – Dr. Ed Gonzaga “Walk Across The Room” Greetings on behalf of AWESNA – Dr. Elmer Bangloy Afternoon Rally Speaker – Dr. Elmer Bangloy “Volunteerism-- Unite and Ignite” AWESNA Mission Report – Lita Laoyan Emily Garcia pointed out that the Chapter’s main focus is helping the working students of AUP, especially the majority who are financially-challenged, and made an emotional appeal for help. AWESNA officers present were: Elmer and Lorie Bangloy, Lita and Raffy Laoyan, Ed Gonzaga – Special Projects committee member, Oscar Pablo, Edwin Araba and all Greater Northern California Chapter officers.

16) JUNE 27-29, 2014– CAMP HOPE, VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA CASCADIA CAMP MEETING/CHAPTER RALLY (Rachel “Ching” Pedernal, Chapter President) Present were: Elmer and Lorie Bangloy, Alfonso and Loida Miguel, Marjorie Reyno, Fe Asuncion, Fern Kintanar, Richard and Wilma Dauglash. Morning Manna Speaker – Dr. Alfonso Miguel “Reaching Together in His Service” Afternoon Health Lecture – Dr. Alfonso Miguel, “Osteoporosis” Afternoon AWESNA Promotion– Dr. Elmer Bangloy “4th Joint Convention; Volunteerism, Unite and Ignite” Sunday Afternoon Dinner given by the Cascadia Chapter. It was not only a treat to meet with the Cascadia Chapter; extra treat was eating very rare fruits: lanzones, jackfruit, atis, guyabano, santol, etc. As chapter President Rachel (Ching) Pedernal summed it up, “Our togetherness may seem quick and hasty, but the memories created has rekindled in us the desire to “unite and ignite”. 17) August 29-31, 2014—Hilton Lake Las Vegas, Henderson ,Nevada The 4th Joint AWESNA-EASNAC-ACCNA-ST Convention This convention culminates the first year of this term and ushers in future, challenging years of productive service for AWESNA, Alma Mater, and our Leader—GOD!

he AWESNA Convention theme: “Bridges For Today and Eternity” conveys a dramatic view on what each one of us has

to be for now until we reach our heavenly home. We are bridges in bringing peace and goodwill to our fellowmen. Over the past year we started a journey to reach our goals and objectives. The road is sometimes tough, long and tiring but its worth the trip as we cross the bridge to eternal glory. My sincere appreciation and thanks to all AWESNA officers and chapter officers for their dedication, unselfish service, their time, and resources to accomplish goal and objectives. 18) January 23-25, AWESNA Spiritual Retreat, Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA Theme: Service Before Self Retreat Guest Speaker: Pastor Benjamin Del Pozo 19) March 22-24,2015 Northern Luzon Adventist College Hospital, Artacho, Sison, Pangasinan Medical/Dental/Optometry Mission Loma Linda Chapter – President Marjorie Reyno Loma Linda Filipino Church – Pastor and Mrs.Jose Manalo Evangelistic Outreach- Pastor VicLouis Arreola, III, Speaker 20) March 18, 2015 Adventist University of the Philippines Constituency/AUP Board Meeting Dr. Elmer E. Bangloy: AWESNA President, Member- AUP Board 21) March 29, 2015 AUP Graduation Commencement Exercises Alberto Bagingito – AWESNA immediate past President – Awarded Honoris Causa – Doctor of humanities AWESNA Officers present: 1. Dr. and Mrs. Elmer Bangloy 2. Pastor and Mrs. Jose Manalo 3. Lita and Raffy Laoyan 22) April 4,2015 Glendale Filipino Church Glendale Chapter President - Letty Banaag Greater Los Angeles Chapter President - Loida Miguel, Guest Speaker – Dr. Francisco Gayoba, AUP President AWESNA Officers present – 1. Dr. and Mrs. Elmer Bangloy, 2. Fe Asuncion, 3. Fern Kintanar 23) April 17-19 Young Alumni Retreat and Picnic by the beach , Dana Point

Marina Inn, Dana Point, CA Coordinators: 1. Liberty Olive Bautista- President 2. Don and Gladys Roman 3.Armand Fabella – Moderator AWESNA Officers present: Dr. and Mrs. Elmer Bangloy, Lita and Raffy Laoyan, Marjorie Reyno 24) May 16, 2015 – San Diego Fil-Am Church, San Diego Chapter Rally, San Diego ,CA Hour of Worship Speaker: Pastor Jose Manalo Coordinator: Cris Anunciado, President AWESNA Officers present: Pastor and Mrs. Jose Manalo,Sr. 25) May 16, 2015 Greater Northern California Chapter, San Jose Fil-Am SDA Church, San Jose, CA Theme: Jesus Living in Us Hour of Worship Speaker: Pastor Dan Botabara Afternoon Rally Speaker: Dr. Elmer E. Bangloy Coordinator: Emily Garcia, GNCC President, AWESNA Officers present: Dr. and Mrs. Elmer Bangloy, Lita and Raffy Laoyan, Annie Madigan, Fe Asuncion, Oscar and Odith Pablo , Edwin Araba. 26) June 20, 2015 Central Filipino Church Greater Los Angeles Chapter officers Induction, CFC Church, Los Angeles, CA President: Loida Miguel, Vice President: Ruth Ranchez, Secretary: Mayflor Mallari, Associate secretary: Fern Kintanar, Treasurer: Josie Santa Ana, PRO: Esther Arafiles, Immediate Past President and Adviser: Juanito Afenir,III Standing Committee, Membership: Fe Asuncion, Cely Quijada, Tuition Aid: Esther Bautista, Needy Students: Ceres Durango and Esther Villanueva, Honors and Awards: Minnie Tamayo, COMELEC: Philip Trilles and Deomie Zenith, Sports and recreation: Don

Roman, History and Archives: Celso Caagbay, Hospitality: Helen Rivero, Luz Ulanday. 27) June 28, 2015 – Pacific Northwest Chapter Rally, Portland ,Oregon President and Coordinator: Ardina Wang AWESNA Officers present: Dr. and Mrs. Elmer Bangloy, Lita and Raffy Laoyan 28) July 18, 2015 – Hawaii Chapter – Honolulu Fil-Am SDA Church, Honolulu, Hawaii Hour of Worship Speaker: Dr. Elmer E. Bangloy AWESNA Mission Report: Lita Laoyan AWESNA Officers present: Dr. and Mrs. Elmer Bangloy, Lita and Raffy Laoyan 29) August 7-9, 2015 – AUP College of Medicine -Inaugural Program and White Coat Ceremony AWESNA Officers in attendance: Dr. and Mrs. Elmer Bangloy, Dr. and Mrs. Alfonso Miguel,Jr., Lita Laoyan, Fe Asuncion, Annie Madigan, Meldy Ward, Dr. Alberto Bagingito, Dr. Edmund and Mrs. Julia Bagingito , with daughter Katie. 30) August 29, 2015 – Alberta Canada Chapter Rally, Calgary, Alberta, Canada President : Roger Rodriguez, Coordinator: Ben Barboza , AWESNA Officers present: Dr. and Mrs. Elmer Bangloy, Lita Laoyan, and Fe Asuncion. 31) September 4-6, 2015 – AWESNA 43rd Convention, San Jose, CA Double Tree By Hilton Hotel and Suites, 2050 Gateway Place, San Jose, CA 95110 Guest Speaker: Dr. Larry Blackmer. This convention culminates the second year of this term and ushers in future challenging years of productive service for AWESNA, alma mater, and our Lord God!

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In Retrospect: AWESNA at a Glance,Year 2 (2015)

THE LINK / Summer-Fall 2015

By Dr. Elmer Bangloy, D.M.D., D.HUM, President, AWESNA


he year 2015 reeled off with wonderful, twin opportunities for the joint Loma Linda Filipino Church-Loma Linda AWESNA to serve underprivi-leged territories in Northern Philippines—one in

Sison, Pangasinan, on March 22, 23, 25; and the other in Tum-baga, Ilocos Sur on April 7-8.

Responding to invitations from NLAC, about 70 medical-dental-surgical team members from Southern California, the Adventist Medical Center (AMC-Manila led by Dr. Archie La Madrid), and local medical–dental practitioners shared their expertise/expertise in their respective fields. This year’s out-reach to NLAC coincided with the college’s international alumni homecoming—hence, drawing many alumni from all over the globe.

Northern Luzon Adventist College (NLAC), the school that prepares for life, is located at Artacho, Sison, Pangasinan, Philippines on 11.5 hectares of land adjacent to the McArthur Highway, about 210 km north from Manila and 40 km south from Baguio City. It is centrally located to the Adventist mem-bership in Northern Luzon.

Before heading for Pangasinan on March 20, the group was treated to sumptuous breakfast at the North Philippine Union Conference, Pasay City.

The group then headed for Artacho, Sison, Pangasinan. Initial series of activities for the team included attendance and partici-pation in the college’s graduation exercises and alumni event. Several team members served as speakers: Dr. Jose Manalo-consecration; Dr. VicLouis Arreola III-baccalareate, Dr. Felcar Morada-Tribute program, Dr. Alfonso Miguel, Jr.-commencement, and Dr. Elmer Bangloy-NLAC International Alumni reunion opening ceremonies.

A special imported group of singers, the Brown Brothers, USA with conductor-Orlando Palitang, provided music during the baccalaureate service and treated the congregation and guests to an afternoon concert.

As expected, March 22, Sunday, began with a hectic note with simultaneous alumni events. General medical (including optical) services were provided at the Balinao Hall One could not but be touched by the eager look on the faces of the patients who dared standing in long lines—some even outside the Balinao Hall, waiting for their turn to be called and seen by the doctors and their assistants. You wished you could attend to all of them, but you knew the limitations. Services continued at the Balinao Hall on March 23 averaging about 500 patients per day. Through the hospitality and service commitment of NLAH medical director,

Dr. Tony Carino, dental and surgical services were performed

MEDICAL MISSION 2015: SISON and ILOCOS SUR CONNECTION

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atthe Northern Adventist Hospital.. This was the first time that major surgeries were provided. This year’s medical services have been blessed by the services of surgeons—Dr. Alfonso Miguel, Jr., Dr. Archie La Madrid, and Dr. Dan Siapco. For several years, Dr. Siapco, who has performed surgeries in other third world countries, but was prevented by Philippine regulations, was able to do cataract surgeries on Philippine soil for the first time. Thanks to Dr. Archie La Madrid and the NLAH hospital administration who paved the way for his services.

March 25- the last day of the medical-dental-surgical outreach was held at the town plaza of Sison, Pangasinan. This was a fitting prelude to the opening night of the 10-day evangelistic series (sponsored by Loma Linda Filipino Church and the NAD/Pacific Conference office of Asian Pacific Ministries) from March 25-April 4, dubbed, “Our Great Hope,” with speaker, Dr. VicLouis Arreola III. Well-attended and covered by Hope Channel Philippines, the crusade reaped 111 precious

souls—for both the first and follow-up baptisms. Believing in a balanced lifestyle, the team had a bit of rest and relaxation as members headed to several tourist spots on separate schedules—Baguio, Hundred Islands, and Pagudpud.

Those were indeed warm days of extending the healing ministry of Christ and 10 days of sharing God’s precious

promises in the Bible, but what a joy and satisfaction it has brought into the hearts of the team members, who despite some seeming obstacles and inconveniences, reaped the blessings of committed service: (Total: 1,393 patients served—93 of which were major surgery cases).

Remy Abaro, Esther Acob, Evan Acob, Marcelo Acob

Megan Acob, Ernie Andres, Fely Andres, Yoly Bagwell Dr. Tito Atiga,,Rose Atiga, Dr. Elmer Bangloy Lorie Bangloy, Bernie Begonia,,Yoly Begonia Roger Bitanga, Anavel Bitanga ,Fely Dawson ,

Dr. Federico Fernandez, Minda Fernando, Tante Garaza Fenina Garaza, Edna Ilacas, Perigrine Ilacas

Lita Laoyan, RaffyLaoyan, Rudy Lazo, LitaLazo, Dr. NemyLegaspi,Pearl Legaspi, Erlinda Lodevico,

Orlando Lodevico, Eppie Manalo, Jose Manalo, Dr. Alfonso Miguel,Jr. Loida Miguel, Romy Miguel Louella Miguel, Dr. Felcar Morada, Mely Morada,

Dr. McRay Ojano, Ruth Osio, Lando Palitang, Belen Palitang, Ric Peralta, Rhoy Querol,

Araceli Quijada, Dr. Tavy Quijada Pastor Albert Regoso, Mrs. Angelina Regoso,

Marjorie Reyno, Dr. Simeon Romua, Fran Santos, Ben Siapco, Clarita Siapco, Christian (CJ) Siapco, Dr. Dan Siapco, Wendy Siapco, Dr. Romulo Tabo,

ArlegieTabo, PeridaTongpo THANK YOU and GLORY TO GOD !

Reported by Dr. Eppie Manalo,PhD , AWESNA Secretary

1, 300- medical-dental-optical patients (2) 93 major surgeries, including 11-laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 8-thyroidectomy,7-herniorrhaphy,3-cheiloplasty,1-palate repair,2- pelvic lap,2- parotidectomy,8 – excisions, 51-cataract cases.

Acknowledgments to this mission trip’s sponsors—Atty./Dr. and Mrs. Bill LaTour, Dr. VicLouis Arreola III, and the following 2015 medical-dental-optical-surgical team for sharing their time, talents, skills, and financial resources for this worthy cause, despite the inconveniences and limitations related to this mission trip:


AWESNA in Action, Medical Mission 2015


nce upon a time, three horsemen were riding in the darkness across the desert. As they crossed a dry riverbed about midnight, a commanding voice called, “Halt!” they obeyed. They were told to dismount, pick up a handful of pebbles, put

them in their pockets, and remount. Again they obeyed. As they were about to continue their journey, they heard the voice again: “You have done as I commanded. At sunrise tomorrow you will be both glad and sorry. At sunrise the men took the pebbles out of their pockets, and to their amazement saw diamonds, rubies, and other precious gems glinting in the morning sun. And they were both glad and sorry. GLAD- they had taken some, SORRY-they hadn’t taken more!

Almost two thousand years ago, Jesus told his disciples to stop their activities. He told them to wait to receive the precious power that the father wanted to give them. They obeyed and waited, and were amazed. Those who emptied their lives were glad they had. Those who could not receive the full measure of the Holy Spirit because of self in their lives were very sorry. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:18). The promise of the Holy Spirit was given to the disciples and it is also for us today. We may not fully understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit but we would be wise to pause at the beginning of each day and pray that He will fill us with His power. This is the very reason why we come to a quiet, to hear the small voice of God through the Holy Spirit. Jesus said reassuringly, “It is much better for you that I go. I will send the Holy Spirit.” Jesus disciples tasted the loneliness without Him. No longer did they waste precious time arguing among them-selves about who will be great and powerful. Instead they cherished the advice of Jesus gave them. “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promise.” (verse 4.)

Who is this gift Promised? “And I ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever the Spirit of Truth” (John 14:16). “But the Counselor the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind of everything I have said to you.” (verse 26.) If we read the book of John and the book of Acts, between the two books we will find: Jesus was crucified and died, buried, and have been resurrected from the dead. Now, forty days after His resurrection he was ready to ascend to his Father. Asked again what would happen to his disciples, he said to “wait for the fulfillment of my Father’s promise, of which you have heard me speak.” (Acts 1:4). The coming of the Holy Spirit would mean power to witness. The key word is “WAIT”, a very difficult activity. Waiting can get into nerve of people; it can drive people crazy sometimes. To wait is a test of faith. So after He returned to heaven, the disciples waited and prayed for the gift.

While waiting, the disciples did many things to teach us a lesson to day: They gave up all selfish hope for their own personal power. They devoted themselves to constant prayer. They did not wait in idleness. The record says that they were continually in the temple, praising, and blessing God. They humbled their hearts in true repentance and confessed their unbeliefs. They put away all their difference, all desires of supremacy, they came losed together as alumni of Jesus inner circle. These days of preparation were days of deep heat searching, and ask God to cleanse all sins to be fitted in receiving the gift. As a result of the waiting, the Spirit came upon the praying disciples with fullness that reached every heart. Suddenly with the rushing sound of a strong wind came in their upper room, and little tongues of Fire rested on each head filled with power! The coming of the Holy Spirit meant new courage and new power for the disciples. We can experience and have that power today!

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WAITING FOR THE PROMISE By VicLouis Arreola III, PhD

A MINUTE DEVOTION WITH GOD


o some of our older and most of the younger generation of PUC/AUP alumni, the AWESNA Endowment Fund continues to be an enigma. Understandably so because not

all alumni are well informed about the exis-tence and purpose of it. A real reason could be also the result of the failure of the AWESNA leadership in maintaining an on-going promotion in its various events and functions like Board of Officers meetings, Chapter rallies, Retreats, Social functions, and Annual Conventions. Be that as it may from henceforth forward, the present AWESNA leadership will share the informa-tion related to the Endowment Fund- that it is an ongoing project of the Association until we are fully endowed to the targeted goal of $1million or more. The thrust of this article is to give you my fellow alumni some informa-tion that will educate you to gain a working knowledge of this project and hopefully enlighten your perception about it and subsequently give your much needed support to reach our goal.

History of the Endowment Fund:

The AWESNA Endowment Fund is not an after thought based on prior write-ups and communications since its inception dating back in the mid 90’s to the present time. It was a brilliant idea spawned by a strong desire of AWESNA leadership to provide yearly income while protecting long term growth for the sole benefit of our alma mater-AUP. The concept and implementation of it has evolved over seven (7) AWESNA administrations including this present one. Additionally, interest to it has waxed and waned over the years and from a lowly $7 K it has now reached the present amount of $261 K, still significantly short of the tar-geted of $1 million.

Concept and Implementation:

The concept of the Endowment Fund (EF) is best described by Tony Poderis and I quote, “An endowment campaign is a fundraising campaign that raises money for an organiza-tion to invest rather than to spend. The pro-ceeds from an Endowment campaign are

placed in an endowment fund, the income from which is used by the organization to … fund special projects and programs.”

The AWESNA EF is a critical ingredient in maintaining financial stability in support of Christian education to AUP- the beneficiary of the annual interest yield of the principal. The AUP President receives this fund during the Saturday evening Banquet at the Annual Convention of AWESNA 75% of which is used for the upgrade of AUP faculty and 25% of which for continued research. So far there are 15 AUP faculties who benefited from it. Total amount disbursed since 2006 is $40 K, the latest beneficiary is a faculty from AUP doing her upgrade at Loma Linda University School of Allied Health Professions.

Status of the Endowment Fund:

At present, the EF is managed by the AWESNA Endowment Fund Committee consists of six (6) appointed alumni members with its set of officers namely the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer and the remaining three as members. Three are changed or reappointed every three years. They meet annually or as needed. Their foremost duty is to safeguard the fund principal and its secondary duty is income generation. We are glad to state that most of the Endowment funds were invested in low risk firms with better yields than regular CD. Plan and Direction for the Endowment Fund:

The AWESNA EF is under the prevue of the

Board of Officers of AWESNA and its functions and proceedings are mandated by Provisions of the AWESNA Constitution and By-laws Article 4 Section 4.1- 4.11

An amendment to the EF bylaw to delete Arti-cle 4 Section 4.2 is in the offing during the Board of Officers meeting this June 7, 2015. (Will get the membership of AWESNA updated of the result).

The present administration is promoting this Endowment Project as a priority. To jump start in a high gear for it, a major campaign to swell the EF is planned for a Fund-raising event tentatively scheduled on the first Sunday of May 2016 pending Board approval. (Will give you enough time and be informed).

Just to let you know that AWESNA can not rest until we reach our long-term goal of reaching the $1 million. We continue to solicit your generosity and fervently appeal for your commitment and liberality. Please make a conscious effort to include the AWESNA Endowment Fund in your giving as you are blessed.

The AWESNA Endowment Fund

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By Dr. Alfonso Miguel, Jr. MD, D.Hum, with Dr. Elmer Bangloy, DMD,D.Hum

THE LINK / Summer–Fall 2015 19

Dr. Doris Mendoza: Mother of the AUP

College of Medicine "Be prepared to do whatever it takes to be a good medical school applicant. Meaning, study well and with purpose, focus on studying not only your textbooks, but firstly, the Word of God.” -Dr. Doris Mendoza

Dr. Doris Adsuara Mendoza, MD, FPPS is the founding Dean of Adventist University of the Philippines College of Medicine. For 36 years and 3 months, she served West Visayan State University (WVSU) College of Medicine as a Professor of Medicine. She is also a practicing pediatrician with specialty in pediatric cardiology and a fellow in Philippine Pediatric Society. AUP College of Medicine (COM) is the first Adventist medical school in Asia, and the sixth in the world. After 30 years from its conceptualization, the dream has come into reality. On August 7-9, 2015 the college had its Inaugural Program which highlighted the celebration of the Great Physician’s goodness through the White Coat Ceremony. Dr. Mendoza’s curriculum vitae manifests exceptional experience in medicine program. She’s got diverse intensive Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship trainings in Israel (1994), in Japan (1984-85), USA (2007) and Emergency Medicine training in Israel (1994-95). Dr. Mendoza is a very dedicated Seventh-day Adventist. She upholds the Adventist Health Message and has received certificate of attendance in Bioethics, Wellness and Spirituality from Loma Linda University, and Lifestyle Medicine from Uchee Pines Lifestyle Center in Alabama USA. Among her numerous achieve-ments and recognitions, her prominent awards are the following: Most Outstanding Tutor of the WVSU College of Medicine: awarded by WVSU College of Medicine, on June 5, 2009 Outstanding Leadership Award as President of Iloilo Medical Society 2009-2010, awarded by the Philippine Medical Association, during PMA National Annual Convention, May 20, 2010 It has been a humbling experience to have known her as a friend. It’s an honor to have given precious time for the interview. Q: What has been the key motivation that led you to accept the call to serve AUP College of Medicine? A: I knew this was a call from God and not from man. It was an answer to a prayer that I made years before I was used by God. Q: As the Founding Dean, Mother of the College of Medicine pioneering batch, what has been your greatest inspiration and greatest challenge? A: I always get Inspiration from the Word of God and Jesus’ teaching & healing ministry; and the writings of Ellen G. White on the Ministry of Healing. My role models are the pioneers of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine, who themselves underwent obstacles. The greatest challenge was getting the Doctor of Medicine program approved by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) – Technical Committee on Medical Education (TCME) despite its stringent requirements. Q: What have been the hurdles and challenges which you and the AUP Administration encountered during the previous years of preparation and processing?

A: As I’ve said the requirements were very rigorous, such as a COM building with needed facilities, qualified faculty with medical school teaching experience, and a DOH – Accredited Level III teaching hospital in the same province, among so many others. Q: How do you envision the College of Medicine in the next 5 years? A: By the end of 4 years, the first batch of medical students would be graduating as the 5-star plus physicians that the COM purposed for them to become: clinician, educator, researcher, manager-administrator, and social mobilizer. But over and above that, they have been trained to become missionary physicians. They would then be proceeding on their fifth year as post-graduate interns who will put into clinical practice all that they have learned. Q: What is your appeal and advise to the students (also to their parents) who are contemplating to take medical course? A: I would like to encourage anyone who dreams or desires to be a physician, especially one who chooses to study at AUP COM. Be prepared to do whatever it takes to be a good medical school applicant. Meaning, study well and with purpose, focus on studying not only your textbooks, but firstly, the Word of God. True education cannot be attained without knowledge of God’s Word. Another important requirement to get through the first step of the admissions process is to prepare for the National Medical Admissions Test. And very importantly, ask God’s guidance through constant earnest prayer. - By Lailanie A. Fronda, www.wanderfulwordsmith.com www.thailandprofessionals.com

Oath-taking of the pioneer medical students during AUP College of Medicine white coat ceremony.

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HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

The Adventist University of the Philippines

began as the Philippine Seventh-day Adventist

Academy in June 1917. American missionaries

A.G. Daniels, L.V. Finster, I.A. Steinel, and O.F.

Sevrens laid the way marks on a five acre land

on Calle Luna, Pasay City. The mission of

these leaders in opening an academy was to

give young men and women training in

usefulness in life, more specifically to prepare

workers for efficient service in some branch of

Christian service. he lone school building

turned into a classroom accommodated 36

students, 12 of whom were girls. The first

teachers were Professors I.A Steinel, O.F.

Sevrens and Marciano Roxas.

The Marciano A. Roxas Family Seated front row l-r; Priscila Roxas-de Perio, Dr. Fortunato

Roxas,Lydia Roxas and Uriel Roxas. Second row: Engr. Eleazar Roxas, Elisa Roxas-Medina, Marciano A.

Roxas, Cirila N. Roxas, Virginia Roxas-Santos, Engr. Benjamin Roxas (Ephraim’s father). Standing at back:

Dr. Vicente Roxas (PUCA ‘24) and Dr. Maximiano Roxas (PUCA ’26). Photo was taken circa 1925.

Marciano A. Roxas First Filipino Teacher, June 12, 1917

Submitted by Ephraim S. Roxas, BSC, Accounting ‘62 and Elma Lou Roda, MD, Pre-Med, ‘60


Right from the start, the

students and teachers had the

work program alongside the

academic studies...

In 1908, Elder & Mrs. L. V. Finster arrived in Manila. Elder Finster . . . studied the peoples’ language and published little tracts in Tagalog. A providential opening came when he was invited by two students (Leon Roda and Bibiano Panis) to visit them in their home in Santa Ana, a district of Manila. The students wanted to practice their English on him while he, on the other hand, wanted to reach them with the gospel. These visits resulted in a cottage meeting being held at the home of a well-to-do Method-ist family – the Camilo Panises. In March of 1911, the first Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Philippines was established in Santa Ana, the majority of the 22 members were former Method-ists. It was Marciano Roxas who I introduced Finster to Emilio Manalaysay (father of Dr. Reuben Manalaysay). The two were not only friends, co-teachers, province mates, but were also fellow Methodists. Long before Emilio met Finster, he felt a strange eagerness to meet him. It was well-known in Methodist circles that Finster stole many prominent members of the Santa Ana Methodist church and many of them were his friends. Finster’s warm and outgoing personality made a favorable impression on the Manalaysays. They learned that Finster was a

former teacher too. The latter told the couple that when he was a missionary in Australia prior to his coming to the Philippines he was able to plant three churches and start a school. (That school later grew to be a college). Finster, then tactfully led the visit to matters spiritual. Regular Bible studies soon followed. There were three in the class – Emilio, Elisea, and Marciano. Finster brought along several of his new converts to the class. At that time, Finster had begun a crash course in ministe-rial training – patterned after Jesus’ apprenticeship method. He had three students – Leon Roda, a new high school graduate, Bibiano Panis, a law student, and Felix Manalo, a former minister of Mission Cristiana (Christian Mission). At the end of the Bible studies, Emilio and Roxas accepted baptism into the Adventist Church, Elisea however, did not. . .Before the end of 1911, the membership of Santa Ana Adventist church grew to 35. 1

PHILIPPINE UNION COLLEGE (PUC)

Plans to establish a training school in the Philippines were laid as early as 1915, when Arthur G. Daniels visited there. In 1917 L. V. Finster reported that I. A. Steinel and O. F. Sevrens had arrived to supervise the building of an academy to cost 6,500 pesos (approximately U.S. 00), near the outskirts of Manila, in Pasay, Rizal Province, on a five-acre plot of land, on which were situated also the publishing house and

three homes. The school called the Philippine SDA Academy, aimed to offer a symmetrical general education and to prepare workers for some branch of Christian service. The school was opened on June 12, 1917, with 36 students, 12 of whom were girls. On the first floor of the only school building were the classrooms, the chapel, the dining room the and the library; the boys lived on the second floor. An old house on the land became the first dormi-tory for girls. Its basement was used for the kitchen and dining room. The first teachers were I. A, Steinel, O. F. Sevrens, and Marciano A. Roxas. In 1918, Mrs. I. A. Steinel, Macario C. Pascual, and Mrs. Merced C. de Pascual joined the staff. By this time the enrollment had increased to 80. The students engaged in various work programs, such as helping to build the homes, making desks, chairs, and other furniture for classroom use, and working in the gardens and the school kitchen. . . .2

References 1.Dr. Man, the Man, pp5-6 by Herman L. Reyes

2 Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, pp. 985-986

Left –right: Ephraim S. Roxas and Dr. Elma Lou Roda .

UNDER THE MANGO TREE

Pastor Dale Barizo, the Man I knew

An Interim Pastor of White Churches

astor Dale Barizo died on Nov. 11, 2014. The Memorial Service for him was held at the large El Cajon SDA Church which he pastored after South-Eastern California Conference

(SECC) accepted his retirement request. He was so valuable and popular as a pastor that made SECC to request him to be an interim pastor of seven churches (one after the other) during his retirement. All these churches were Caucasian/White churches except one – an Indonesian church. The latter was so appreciative of his service that it gave Dale and his wife Reby an expense-free trip to Indonesia.

Unusually Large Crowds

The Memorial service was held on Nov. 23, a Sunday. The service started at 10 o’clock in the morning and lasted at past 2 o’clock in the afternoon. The large church was full not only to standing room but to overflowing. Representatives from churches and organizations he served eulogized him. The former president and the present president of SECC were the main speakers. I saw nobody left the building during the four-hour service.

The next day, Monday, the first part of the internment program was held at Paradise Valley Church where Dale had served as an associate pastor. I did not expect a large crowd again. I thought that many of the crows of Sunday would not come back. Besides, Monday was a work day. But I needed to go half-a-mile away to find a parking place. My driver was not an Adventist. He met Dale only once. But he was so impressed with his kindness that he said: “He was a good man; I want to pay my respect to him”.

The Programs Were Televised

Vincent Bangloy of Toronto called his brother, Elmer of AWESNA – “Brod, I saw you speak at the Memorial Service of Pastor Dale”. Two weeks later, guests of the 50th Wedding Anniversary of the Rudy Zafras, told me that they saw me officiate at the Graveside Service of Dale.

Who was this man who evoked so much affection and admi-ration from so many? What do I know of him?

A Tempting Offer

South Hall (PUC’s men’s dormitory) was in chaos. The saying – “When the cat is away, the rats will play”, proved true. Dem Hechanova, the men’s dormitory dean, had resigned to go to

medical school. Dr. Man, the PUC president, went to Pasay with a truck and several boys to pick me up. (I was then teaching all the Bible and Pilipino subjects at Pasay City Academy as well being pastor of Pasay English Church. Its two pastors had left for studies in the U.S.)

Dr. Man said that if I accept the deanship of South Hall and teach in PUC’s School of Religion, I would be the next to be upgraded at the seminary at Andrews University. How could I refuse such a tempting offer?

Dale, a Man of Wisdom

Dale, a resident of South Hall, greeted me with his signature smile. He appraised me that without an authority figure, there really was chaos in the dormitory. Without asking for suggestions from him, he volunteered one.

“Rainy season has begun. Many of my dormitory mates are catching colds. I hear them coughing at night. May I suggest two things: purchase several jars of VapoRub and prepare wraps for our would-be patients. I would raise a corps of helpers among our ministerial students.”

My wife pitched in. She cut strips from an old flannel blanket measuring 3”x 3’ and dyed them red in atswete. The first night of my deanship of South Hall, we were ready to set in operation Dale’s idea. He, too, had taught his corps of helpers the following approach:

If you hear somebody coughing, go to him and say: “Friend”, or “Johnny”, or “Pepe”…I hear you coughing. I want to rub your back, your chest, and your neck with VapoRub. Then I will wrap your neck with flannel strips.”

The next day, Dale and I, had fun watching about a third of South Hallers with their red wraps. They even wore them in their classes, much to the amusement of their teachers and classmates. In the early 60s, PUC had only about 800 college students. Everybody heard of what was happening at South Hall.

In a matter of a day or two the chaos in South Hall was solved. Thanks to the brilliant idea of Dale. This was just a sample of the man I knew, whose passing I still grieve at the present.

By Dr. Herman Reyes

P


AWESNA Greater Los Angeles Chapter Announces New Officers

for Year 2015-2018 e are very proud to announce the newly elected officers of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter(2015-2018) who gladly accepted the big challenge and responsibilities upon their shoulders to

continue to attain the vision and future plans of AWESNA and Alumni. They are: Loida M. Miguel, president; Ruth D. Ranchez, vice president; Mayflor R. Mallari, secretary; Josefina N. Sta. Ana; treasurer; Esther N. Arafiles, public relation officer; and Juanito Afenir III, adviser.

Other standing committee and additional officers are: Fe Asuncion and Cely C. Quijada, membership; Fernaline Kintanar, associate secretary; Esther Bautista and Miriam S. Oconer, tuition aid; Ceres A. Gurango and Esther C Villanueva, needy students (formerly Rice Program); Minnie M. Tamayo, honors and awards; Philip Trilles and Deomie Zenth, comelec; Helen B. Rivero and Luz B. Ulanday, hospitality; Don Roman, social and recreation; Celso Caagby, history and archives.

Loida Miguel had emphasized the coming of 43rd Annual Convention of AWESNA, which will be hosted by the Greater Northern California and the Central Valley Chapters. The convention will be held at the Double Tree Hotel in San Jose, CA on September 4-6, 2015. She outlined her future plans to support AWESNA projects both locally and abroad in the Philippines, namely, 1. Annual Medical/Dental mission 2. The annual scholarship fund 3. The AWESNA Endowment Fund 4. The AUP College of Medicine, and 5. The Alumni Community Center. She is appealing to everyone to help carry her vision/projects to be materialized into reality through God's help.

-By Esther Nicolas Arafiles, MD, PRO

GREATER LOS ANGELES RICE PROGRAM Reported by Ceres Arevalo Gurango

After participating in the AWESNA Medical-Dental Mission in Northern Luzon Mission, Philippines, several alumni members of Greater Los

AWESNA Greater Los Angeles Chapter News

Angeles Chapter embarked on another mission. They went to Advent-ist University of the Philippines to meet with the needy working stu-dents on March 17, 2015.

Along with the Brown Brothers USA they served a hearty vegetarian lunch to nearly 500 working students. T-shirts and toiletries were also distributed. A check of $1500 and an additional $3500 worth of meal tickets to students enrolled for 6 units or less were presented by Loida Miguel-Chapter President and Ceres Gurango-Coordinator of the Rice Program to Dr. Francisco Gayoba- AUP President and to Pastor Max Cadalig, AUP Director of Development and Philanthropic services.

Esther Cucueco Villanueva, Co-Chair of the Rice Program donated $700 for the purchase of 15 mattresses for students who were sleeping on cold bare ground. We encourage everyone to support this organiza-tion as a token of our appreciation to our beloved Alma mater who gave us this great achievement where we are now. We should not forget those less fortunate who are striving to have a brighter future. Any donation is accepted as long as it comes from the heart.


W

Loida Miguel, Chapter President

The Greater Los Angeles Chapter donated the Food Service Area at the newly inaugurated AUP College of Medicine building.

ervice takes many forms. One cannot find a more dedicated team of officers and members dedicated to serve. 2015 highlights:

Participation in the AWESNA Retreat at the historic Queen Mary. Two chapter meetings were held this year focusing on the need for replacing treasurer and associate treasurer. New interim treasurer elected and bank account updated. Membership campaign under way lead by nelly Alamo and Josie Apilado. Hosting the Meistersingers on May 8-17. Officers and members involved in housing, hosting dinner, driving and touring the 29-member chorale group lead by Gemma and Chester Banaag. Organized and successful SD Chapter rally on May 16 coordinated by the officers. Rally

held at the new building on the San Diego Fil-Am Church. Special speakers and guests – Drs. Jose and Eppie Manalo. Lina Quesada, a devoted alumna, passed away on May 15, 2015. Lina has tirelessly served. The chapter for over 30 years in many capacities, and most recently, as associate treasurer. Lina was known to be tenacious in her pursuit to collect membership dues. Her service was exemplary and she will be sorely missed. Projects for the alma mater include scholarships, uniforms, nursing books for the AUP CON, and health ministries activities (spreading the gospel of health through lectures, health reports and walking groups).


e had our chapter rally on May 16, 2015 at San Jose Fil-Am SDA Church with Pastor Dan Botabara, senior pastor of San Jose Fil-Am Church, as speaker for the

Divine Worship. In the afternoon program, James Kirtley, a medical missionary to the Philippines since 1993, did a lectureon how to live a healthy lifestyle. This was well-received by the attendees that they requested James and his wife Daryl to go back to San Jose on July 26, 2015 to do food demo on how to prepare dishes, smoothies, salads, salad dressings, ice cream, truffles and other recipes. All recipes were vegan. We continue to give tuition financial assistance to 12 working students at AUP. Five of them graduated last April and they will

be replaced with fivejunior and senior working students who will receive help from GNCC. Oscar Pablo and I will be in the Philippines in March 2016 and we will have time to interview working students that GNCC will provide with tuition assistance. We continue to raise funds for scholarships for AUP working students. I send solicitation letters to friends and businesses. I also bake breads and sell them to friends to raise more funds. This year, in partnership with Greater Central Valley chapter we are hosting the program for the 43rd annual AWESNA convention. We solicited ads and greetings to be included in our souvenir program. We continue to look for AUP alumni and encourage them to join our chapter and get involved with our activities so that they, too will experience the joy of serving others and having fellowship with fellow alumni and renew friendship. We treated AUP’s 700 working students last December to free lunch. We had a short program where the students displayed their talents in singing. I plan to raise funds to treat them to free lunch next year.

GREATER NORTHERN

CALIFORNIA CHAPTER

(GNCC) REPORT

By Emily Nimo Garcia, GNCC President

AWESNA

SAN DIEGO

Chapter Report By Crisamar J. Anunciado, PhD, FNP-BC,

BC-ADMWESNA, President SD Chapter

W

S

Activities from last quarter Participation in the Medical-Dental Mission in NLAC on March 2015. Members participated in the graduation services in NLAC as speakers, musicians, et cetera. We attended the Young Alumni Spiritual Retreat in Dana Point in April 2015 and fund-raising campaign for scholar, Weanne Myrrh Estrada.

Projects: Sponsorship in the College of Medicine Histology Room, with a current donation of $26,000.00.

Future Plans: Planning a fund-raising campaign for College of Medicine before the year ends. Follow- up on suggestions from members to collect books, journals for the COM and School of Medical Laboratory Sciences. To co-host with Hawaii (Aloha) Chapter the AWESNA 44th Annual Convention on September 2-4, 2016 in Honolulu, Hawaii. And to support the Meistersinger’s concert sponsored by the Loma Linda Filipino Church.

Medical Dental Mission March 22,23, 2015 The Mission Trip was composed of volunteers from AWESNA- Loma Linda Chapter and other chapters, Loma Linda Filipino Church, MAMC Surgical Team, NLAC Hospital Doctors and Staff, NLAC students, alumni and Cataract Surgery Team from

Washington, USA. It was held at the Northern Luzon Academy/College on March 22 & 23, 2015 . The First Day started with a Thanksgiving Service with Dr. Elmer Bangloy, AWESNA President as Speaker. The team was dedicated as the first day of the Medical Dental Mission began. There was also an alumni motorcade that happened in campus to start the International Grand Alumni Homecoming. - By Marjorie Reyno-Huynh, LLC President


AWESNA Loma Linda Chapter Report


t’s a very humbling and uplifting experience to have wi tnessed the inaugura l programs of the Adventist University of the Philippines – College of Medicine during the

weekend. God’s timing is indeed perfect and His will is always the best! I first met Dr. Doris Mendoza on March 2, 2014. It was providential that I was invited to sing before she spoke at the Health Professionals Convention, held in Heritage Center, Ortigas. I was indeed very grateful for the privilege to render a song with my friend, Weanne Myrrh Estrada the pianist. I was elated and was astonished with Dr. Doris’ miraculous conversion and restora-tion. It was an encounter with a literal wounded healer. I used to address Jesus Christ as my Wounded Healer, especially during the three consecutive years of the most challenging and painful family crucibles (three of my family members died each year due to complicated health cases). It’s just fascinating to be comforted through her testimony of God’s transforming love. Beauty in Brokenness “Dear Lord, break me into a thousand pieces and put me back together again. Mold me into the image you want me to become.” Dr. Doris’ prayer that forever transformed

her. Our next unexpected meeting was on March 30, 2015 at the Ninoy Aquino Interna-tional Airport (PAL). Our flight was so delayed, and when I went to charge my laptop, I saw her again! I seldom see her in AUP, and it was a delightful surprise, she even gave me the first brochure of AUP-College of Medicine fresh from the printing press. To support the remarkable milestone of AUP, I cancelled all my appointments and invitations this weekend. I couldn’t miss this for the world! It’s just great to be a part of this most-awaited event, a history and a HIStory in progress. It’s all about God and His great faithfulness! After 30 years, the dream has come into reality. Praise the name of the Great Physician,

the Wounded Healer! “A Fulfilled Vision”

AUP-College of Medicine

The Dream Lives On According to Dr. Doris Mendoza, the Founding Dean, among 16 applicants for medical schools nationwide in 2014, AUP was one among the only three schools chosen by CHED (Commission on Higher Educa-tion). But among the three, AUP was the last. The technical committee made it a very hard process, with a query: “why start another one when the country has more than 40 medical schools already?” Two rejections from the technical committee had been very discouraging and frustrating. And yet, God made it possible when every-thing seemed impossible! The key people advised them how to improve everything that needed to be improved, to be ready for the approval and its opening. What made AUP College of Medicine set-apart is its mission and vision, to train, to produce, and to empower medical mission-aries that would help hasten the advance-ment of God’s work. Lifestyle Medicine is the highlight of Preventive Medicine. The health message is indeed the right arm of the gospel and this dream of estab-lishing a medical school sparked 30 years ago, during the administrative leadership

I

AUP College of Medicine: A Fulfilled Vision By Lailanie Antonio Fronda

http://wanderfulwordsmith.com/2015/08/09/aup-college-of-medicine-a-fulfilled-vision/�



of the late Dr. Alfonso Panis Roda, Presi-dent of Philippine Union College (now AUP) 1965-1987. During the immediate past President of AUP, Dr. Gladden Flores, the Southern Asia-Pacific Division finally said “yes”, supporting the establishment of COM.

Finally, the dream became a reality earlier today, the White Coat Ceremony of the first Seventh-day Adventist medical school took at the portals of the Alumni Hall (COM building). AUP-COM is the 6th SDA medical school around the world! It’s during the incumbent President, Dr. Francisco Gayoba that it was approved by CHED, built and inaugurated. Isn’t our Lord wonderful?

According to Ellen G. White, a true con-verted physician is ten times more effec-tive than any minister in winning souls for Christ. Dr. Doris Mendoza reiter-ated: “Our trust as God’s people is to rescue souls, not only the body, but mind and spirit…” Quoting her favorite verse, she shared the highlight of her con-version story: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

Dr. Doris Mendoza had been a very active and faithful Christian leader for many years before she became an Adventist (learn more about her conversion and restoration story in a special feature article soon). For 36 years and 3 months, she taught in the previous medical school were she has a lucrative work and position. She’s been world-renowned physician for her medical contributions, leadership both in the hospital and in her previous churches, teaching prowess and advocacy. “I can’t thank God enough for my SDA students (former medical students) who lighted my path through their lifestyle practice, especially keeping the Sab-bath.” She emphasized that those former students had been instrumental for her to know the truth about Sabbath and healthy lifestyle, for they live up to the truth they embraced. Being inspired, she wants to pay forward the goodness of God. “This is main reason I want to pay forward by accepting the call to teach and serve the students of AUP – College of Medicine.”

COM: a new monument of answered prayers. Of Peculiarity and Providence “Jehovah-jireh!” From the God’s providential workings in miraculously transforming and restoring Dr. Dor is Mendoza (cancer survivor) to tremendously blessing AUP-COM with fi-nancial needs and dedicated workforce, it’s no doubt that this project is a fulfilled vision. The generous supporters and prayer warriors who’ve caught the vision and have joined forces to advance this cause are empowered by compassion and spirit of sacrifice. Even before the construction of the College of Medicine building started, the Lord had provided unimag-inably. The three prominent alumni associa-tions: EASNAC (Eastern North America Chap-ter), AACNA (Alumni Association of Central North America) and AWESNA (Alumni of Western North America) have been very sup-portive in channeling financial help and offer-ing fervent prayers. Aside from the major supporters, local and international non-SDA institutions, organiza-tions and corporations (AUP’s friends) have been benevolent as well. Even with the special appeal for support yesterday during the Sabbath worship, more than P70, 000 (cash) was raised, and more than P900,000 was raised as pledges from generous brethren. Millions of dollars and a single peso has the same value in the sight of God, and it’s the generous heart that matters most. Both huge and small amounts contributed to the accomplishment of the progressive College of Medicine. We can’t thank God enough for the unfathomable blessings endowed. Despite the hurdles, unfavorable circumstances and hardships AUP faced in the past years, today marked another milestone of His faithfulness. Imagine having 18 pioneering students who are very talented and gifted, and 126 pioneering faculty who are dedicated and determined to share their expertise through teaching and mentoring. The Adventist University of the Philippines is indeed wonderfully blessed! Having the College of Medicine to gear to the advancement of Christ’s healing ministry, the world-wide church of the Seventh-day Adventists are encouraged to continually support in prayers and encouragements. The presence of the distin-guished guests, leaders from the General Con-ference, Dr. Peter Landless (GC Health Minis-tries Director) and Dr. Lisa Beardsley–Hardy, (GC Education Department Director) and the support of the flagship and sister medical school (pioneer) Loma Linda University through Dr. Roger Hadley (Dean, School of Medicine); the presence of the government leaders and alumni from far and near has been a clear manifestation of a unified support to carry on the call to academic excellence and exquisite service among the medical students, faculty and

staff. “Serve God where you are planted. …Spend and be spent for the ministry. …The mission of the gospel and health ministry should never be separated.” ~ Dr. Peter Land-less (Spoken Word, Philippine International Church) “Over the past 100 years, Loma Linda has refined a process to select mission-focused graduates who have carried out the healing ministry of Christ and the commission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and their men-toring of AUP and our other new medical schools has been vital.” ~ Dr. Lisa Beardsley–Hardy (ANN news article) “Our Lord Jesus Christ came to this world as the unwearied servant of man’s necessity. He “took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses,” that He might minister to every need of human-ity. Matthew 8:17. The burden of disease and wretchedness and sin He came to remove. It was His mission to bring to men complete restoration; He came to give them health and peace and perfection of character.” ~ Ellen White, Ministry of Healing, p. 18 Lailanie A. Fronda , Contributing Writer at North Philippine Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Writer, Blogger, Wanderful Wordsmith Writer, Thailand Professionals

WWW.lailaniefronda.weebly.com WWW.thailandprofessionals.com/





ur class has a rich reunion history that started in 1985. Over the years, we have enjoyed reunion weekends at campgrounds, hotels, beach house, as well as “mini reun-

ions” at each other’s homes. At the conclusion of our 2013 event held in Virginia Beach, a Philippines reunion got the most votes for the upcoming 2015 golden anniversary celebration. While not my first choice, I started thinking about all the plans that would need to come together in order for this to happen. At first, it seemed like a lot to take on. But then I thought: 50 years is a remarkable milestone, shouldn’t we make our celebration extra special? This is a significant time in our lives which deserves unprecedented festivities in our native country, where this group first came together as a class.

Rey Villanueva couldn’t agree more. He was propelled by his desire to share with us the Philippines of today, including world renowned resorts, hidden local spots, and of course visiting the AUP campus. Rey was the perfect person to spearhead the plan-ning process! He listened to our suggestions and incorporated them as much as possible into the itinerary. The result was a very ambitious plan for a class of senior citizens.

Florendo Umali was our class coordinator in the Philippines and was given the complicated task of organizing many of the plans from the opposite side of the Pacific. He also contributed his own creative ideas that added to the richness of the events. As a veteran pilot, Florendo was the excellent point man we needed to navigate the logistics of a two-week reunion halfway around the

world. He proceeded with enthusiasm, thoroughness, and caution, especially to ensure our safety throughout the trip.

As I look back now, it seems almost unbelievable but we did it! From February 3 to 15, 2015, we spent each day together enjoying each other’s company and renewing friendship bonds, made even stronger by sharing memories and updating each other about our current lives. This was truly a sentimental journey, reminiscing on our academy days while immersed in our own culture, cuisine (including all the tropical fruits I had so missed), and warm hospitality… what a treat!

A FULL ITINERARY

Feb. 2-3 Tuesday to Wednesday: Most classmates started departing for the Philippines (including 14 of us on one flight from Los Angeles to Manila!)

Feb. 5 Thursday: Everyone had arrived and our class was joined together again! Breakfast at Pilar SDA Church, Las Pinas. (Florendo is head deacon.) Welcome dinner at 7:00 PM at Conti’s Restaurant in Alabang. Feb. 6 Friday: Van tour to AUP, Southern Asia Pacific Division, and nearby Caleruega gardens. Feb. 7 Sabbath: Pilar SDA Church, where many class members were some of the main participants. Sabbath after-noon, we had a recollection slide show, dedication, personal testimony, and community outreach. Feb. 8 Sunday: Trip to Corregidor Feb. 9-11 Monday to Wednesday: Trip to Coron Palawan

Feb. 12 Thursday:Trip to Pampanga. Feb. 13 Friday: Trip to Anvaya Cove resort in Bataan. Feb. 14 Sabbath: Natividad SDA Church, in Natividad Pampanga. Sabbath afternoon, we visited an orphanage Inter-


By Herminia Quion-Verde

O

REUNION SPOTLIGHT: PUCA GOLDEN

CLASS OF ’65 IN THE PHILIPPINES

national Children’s Care Philippines). Saturday evening,we held a Valentine’s Gala at Widus Hotel at Clark Air Base. Feb. 15 Sunday: Our last day together. Extended side trips: A group went to Bicol and Moun-tain Province, giving aid to schools there. Another group visited Laguna(Villa Escudero), Lucena, Batangas, and Manila suburbs (including Manila Adventist Medical Center). Another group traveled to nearby Asian countries. A couple reunited with their family members in El Nido Palawan and another classmate visited Ilocos region. Feb. 24 Tuesday: Most classmates returned to the United States.

REUNION HIGHLIGHTS

ARRIVAL : Flying together as classmates headed for their reunion was the start of heightened anticipatory emotions. The joy of seeing class-mates we rarely see let alone classmates we have not seen for 50 years was indescribable. Florendo and Dominador Gonzales met us at the airport. Dominador, who traveled long hours from Bicol was a big help to Florendo on those few days before our arrival. There were countless last minute preparations to take care of: beautiful and portable welcome banners (which made us feel at home at the church, hotel, and at AUP), a welcome breakfast, Sabbath programs, welcome dinner, and many other loose ends. Needless to say, Florendo was quite exhausted after all this; he later told us he was rejuvenated just seeing us at the airport. Imagine those first meetings at the airport, or at breakfast or dinner that day of 26 classmates (eight of which are based in the Philippines) and eight spouses. These are our peers who remember us as children and knew us as we grew up. A few were classmates even from elementary grades. The aging process can be funny: we struggle to recognize a few but for some we will always look like we did five decades ago or even better!While a few are still engaged in careers, most of us have retired. It is by God’s grace that we had a tremendous turnout considering the inherent hurdles this kind of reunion entails.

ROAD TRIP TO AUP: Jackson-Sevrens Memorial Hall, the single building that encompassed all the sentiments of our high school days no longer stands, but the trip to AUP gave us a flood of memories. Our forest green golden jubilee T-shirt has a sketch of the building with the bell tower in golden yellow. In this building we had all classes, chapel, and Sabbath School together. The space around this hall was a place of growth, a spiritual home, and a place we felt safe. Moreover, it was the ground where seed for future destiny was sown. We were fortunate to have Ms. Thelma Pallasa-Torio, English teacher during our senior year, in attendance. She continued to mentor us with her passion for Christian education and service as we travelled along memory lane.

PAMPANGA STINT: From the beginning of the vision, Rey set his mind for the valentine week-end here. Because this is a popular event and place for the local people, he reserved four houses at Lakeshore Villas in Mexico Pampanga one year in advance. This housing is in a quiet vicinity of a lake and in close proximity to their home. Rey and Esther with her siblings took care of us. Prior to leaving the United States, they carefully planned to make sure we had the comforts we

needed. From the moment we arrived the long table is set with a Pampanga cuisine of your dreams. There was abundance of fruits we ate to our hearts content. When was the last time you ate camachile, mabolo, chico, ,star apple, tamarind and different varie-ties of bananas? Our appetite was blessed throughout our stay. Their hospitality and generosity went above and beyond our expectations.

ANVAYA COVE BEACH IN Bataan: We spent the day peacefully in this exclusive place to feast on the scenery of sea and mountains. Some cannot resist and swam in the ocean and swimming pool.

VALENTINE GALA: This final night is a precious gift given to the class by Rey and Esther. Our semi-formal red attire seemed to elevate the festive mood. The food was superb as well as the music provided. Doming displayed his multiple talents in magic and com-position of a poem that portrayed our class history and reunion events with humor and special touch. Meanwhile, I was starting to reflect on the daily events that transpired already. I was in awe of what we as a class had accomplished. But the evening had plenty of snapshots, smiles and words of gratitude.

SPECIAL THANKS: To Rey and Florendo, and spouses, Esther and Carol, who gave of themselves to make this golden reunion a reality and a resounding success. To class ’65 who rallied together in the planning process and participating in the Sabbath worship services. They also gave much needed assistance to cover additional expenses, facilitate money transfer to the Philippines and to take care of many money matters. Above all we give God the glory, praise and gratitude.

REUNION ON EARTH, REUNION IN HEAVEN

A reunion story will not be complete without this one perspective leading to the grand reunion in the sea of glass. We hear it in most of the sermons preached during reunions. Jesus, our in-trepid leader and Savior is doing all the preparations. What a time and what a place with Him forever! The foregoing account of our reunion story is full of sacred moments of togetherness. That’s re-union on earth because of the rich legacy handed to us by God-fearing parents and teachers..But what about reunion in heaven? “No eyes have seen nor ears heard”.


t has been a wonderful privilege for the Glendale Chapter to be able to host on two occasions the President of AUP, Dr. Francisco Gayoba, at the request of our AWESNA President, Dr. Elmer Bangloy. Both of these meetings were

held at Glendale Filipino SDA Church. Attended by some of the officers of the Mother Chapter, officers and members of the local chapters, together with family and friends, the first gathering was held in October 2014. Dr. Gayoba reported on the progress of the University, specifically of the College of Medicine. Photos were shown of the College of Medicine under construction in preparation for its opening. Dr. Gayoba shared news about the working students, the increase in enrollment plus the blessed honor of having some of the graduates garner the top places in their respective State Board exams. He expressed praise to God and congratulations to the top placers, the graduates and to the Officers and Faculty. A reception followed the meeting. The second Rally on April 4, 2015 was a joint effort of the Greater Los Angeles and Glendale Chapters. Before listening to Dr. Gayoba's reports, Dida Ferrolino shared her experiences and the joy of being a teacher at PUC. Noel Frias spoke about being a student at PUC, though for a short period of time and how it impacted his life, first for finding his lovely life-time wife Betty Decena and to do God's com-mission of spreading the Gospel by holding "tent efforts" in Canada in order to share God's love. Those who attended the Rally were also blessed by the message in song by Eugene Tito and the Shepherd's Voice. This joint effort by the officers and members of these two chapters reflected "joy in serving" through the happy and beautiful cooperation by the chapter members. Thank you very much to Ruth Decena-Ranches, Fernaline Kintanar-Carbajal, Fe Buenaobra, Rachel Santos-Khoe, Cora Delos Reyes-Arguelles, Diolinda Dalida-Jose and others, who brought food for the occasion. Appreciation is also in order for the presence of Dr. Elmer Bangloy, Dr. & Mrs. Alberto Bagingito and Dr. & Mrs Nemy Legaspi who, just a few hours before the Rally, arrived from the Philippines and in spite of their tired bodies still came, attended and supported the Rally. Dr. Gayoba announced that Albert Bagingito, past President of AWESNA, was awarded Doctor of Humanities (honoris causa) at the recent AUP 2015 graduation ceremonies. Dr. Gayoba also announced

that the much awaited and prayed for opening of AUP's College of Medicine was granted starting School Year 2015. He expressed appreciation to all those who helped in prayers, financial gifts and support. He also made everyone aware that continues prayer and financial support towards this endeavor are greatly needed and requested. He shared pictures and documents to support his reports about the University and the new College of Medicine. Most recently, the Glendale Chapter hosted the Philippine Meistersingers (formerly the AUP Ambassadors), who are on their 2015 US Tour. They arrived at LAX on May 8 and have been sharing their God-given vocal talents and blessing churches in various areas including San Diego, Los Angeles, Glendale, Loma Linda, Chicago, New York and New Jersey. They will return to the Philippines at the end of July. Dana Parks, a member of the Hollywood Presbyterian Church who heard the Meistersingers sing at her church last Sunday, 6/3/15, expressed how much the Meistersingers blessed their services. The joy and happiness the congregation received through their message in singing has been similarly felt wherever this world class choral group has performed. Thank you to Don and Arlene Ferrolino, and their family for their efforts and work in hosting, housing, transporting and feeding the Meistersingers. A big thank, too, to the Young Alumni, under the leadership of Gladys Roman for their valuable assistance, and to some of the Glendale chapter members, alumni and friends who also helped in whatever way they can. Though Glendale Chapter may not be able to do projects, fund raising or medical mission work like some of the big chapters, with God's help, in one way or another, we put our words into action through simple and mean-ingful ways in order to help the Mother Chapter, dear AUP, and most of all - God's mission to "seek and to save" souls for His Kingdom.


AWESNA Glendale Chapter News Letty Banaag, Chapter President

I


By Ernesto B. Banaag ,MD , [email protected]

THE SCHOOL THAT TRAINS FOR SERVICE (The Uniqueness of Our School Slogan)

COMMENTARY

f you really think about it, our school slogan is unique in the sense that most school slogans promote excellence in achievement. But ours is almost a revelation of its purpose, almost like a mission statement. And in the context of Christian

education, we begin to narrow down its focus and direction. Right away, when you sit down and meditate on our slogan, the Spirit of the Author of true Christian education, comes into play, and you are somehow profoundly enlightened, a certain glow appears in your countenance, and you are deeply moved. So let's try to imagine how our early missionary pioneers were moved by the spirit's direction, then they started to plan in opening up the first Seventh-day Adventist educational facility. They were missionaries, intent on sharing with the natives, the good news of salvation that they have personally experienced. They were dedicated, they were passionate and they were loving, because they knew that what they brought are precious truths with an everlasting life benefits or consequences. What have they really experienced by having a vibrant meaningful assurance of salvation? They had unmovable peace, unquench-able joy and an inner strength that enabled them to go thru the difficulties of life, fully trusting in the Lord. There were no personal agendas, they moved only as the Lord revealed His will, received thru prayerful opening of one’s heart in honest search of His will and direction. What the early Adventist missionaries had was really the Good News of John 3:16. And that was all they wanted to share. It was never about domination and ording it over another person. Then came the time, when they had to think about the future of God's work in the Philippines. Will it all be done by foreign missionaries, can it only be done that way? The answer was “No” for discipling is more effective by utilizing local instrumentalities. But how do you choose, and how do you train the next younger generation of missionaries, the messengers of good

news? The concept of organized Christian education and the early stages of a school development came into play. At present this is now known as Adventist University of the Philippines (and during our time, my beloved alma mater was better known as Philippine Union College). And so if you trace it, our school was established with the main purpose of training their students to be messengers of the Gospel, in other words, it was to train our young people in the art of saving souls. Yes, the demands of a growing and complicated society is varied, the interest of our youth are just as varied and unconventional. And that is good, because our target fields have to be met where they are. They have to be trained to be the best in their field of vocation and profession, so they would be listened to, so they can become effective movers of focus and direction.

They have to be equipped and trained to be effective communicators, bringing clearness and simplicity to their total message. They have to be trained in social skills so they can interact with respect and dignity with all kinds of people. And most of all, they have to be trained to develop loving Christian character, for the environment they will be working in, is enemy territory. "For we wrestle not with flesh and blood.... My personal observation is that a loving person somehow is very effective even when not fully equipped. So now I hope, the answer is clear when the question is asked...TRAINED FOR WHAT? And so an appeal at this time, to all those presently involved in the education of our youth at AUP, from kindergarten to graduate level, please continue to add on and inculcate in the students heart and mind, that they are also missionaries, messengers of the gospel. You know, they will truly find joy and fulfillment when they do. And you will be remembered. Just as I remember, Miss Maria Tumangday, my Grade six teacher and Miss Esther Manalaysay, my major professor who helped me learn Jesus’ love with others.

Now the question I pose, and the personal challenge I hope it creates is..."How about us, those who are still alive and kicking, those who are still socially interactive, those who are still practicing their vocations and profession, those who have gone thru the halls of PUC/AUP, are we still consciously and intentionally acting as messengers of the Gospel???" I propose to all, be messengers of the gospel and you will find your feeling of fulfillment, your sense of completeness, your truest joy and peace. May God bring us all there.

I

BOOKS FOR AUP COLLEGE OF MEDICINE LIBRARY

Dear Fellow Alumni around the world, Here’s the latest list of friends and alumni who expressed interest in donating books and references for the AUP College of Medicine Library: Annie Laurie Murgatroyd—United Kingdom Dr. and Mrs. Miguelito Fernando—Las Sierra, Riverside, CA, USA Dr. Elma Lou Roda—Tappahannock, Virginia, USA Dr. Paul Barash—Yale university, CT, USA Sam Villanueva—Yale University, CT, USA Diana and Thomas Quinn—Loma Linda, CA, USA Dr. Romulo Valdez—San Diego, CA , USA Thank you and God bless! Editor, The Link …………………. August 4, 2015 Edwin, I hope I Am not bothering you in your busy schedule. Sometime ago I read in the Cyberlink/The Link the desire of the Medical School in the Adventist University of the Philippines Medical Library for

AWESNA Treasurer, Ella N. Alcaide AWESNA, Inc. P.O. Box 11053 Glendale, CA 91226 1712 Orchard Avenue, Glendale, CA 91206 Tel. 818-240-2086 , Email: [email protected]

Pastor Max Cadalig Adventist University of the Philippines [email protected] / mobile#: 916-339-0125

EASNAC Treasurer, Jeremias T. Felipe email: [email protected] The AUPian (Sam Villanueva, Editor) 1751 Mill Plain Road Fairfield, CT 06824

August 24, 2015 Thank you Brother Edwin for your kind and encouraging words. Please continue praying for the success of the AUP Doctor of Medicine program and the financial viability of the same, with the generous help and continued support of our friends and prayer warriors in AWESNA and other alumni organizations in the USA and elsewhere in the world. TO GOD BE THE GLORY! In Christ’s love, Dean Doris DORIS A. MENDOZA, MD, FPPS Founding Dean, AUP College of Medicine "Through Christ, Healing and Wholeness" Smart: 0928-5541133; Globe: 0917-8781950. …………………...

Where to send your reference

medical books and donations for

AUP College of Medicine / Library:


medical books. When I was in active medical practice I have medical books on surgery and other specialty medical books. If the University is still needing Medical Books I would like to donate them. The books are well kept and are new. Some of them I have not open. Please tell me how to send them and the easiest way it could be sent. Before I close I want to tell you my honest opinion about your generous love in the Educational Work of God. I am a regular Cyberlink /The Link reader and I see your good work. More power to you. Your co- worker for Christ, Romulo C. Valdez, MD

PUC/AUP Alumni of Western North America

(AWESNA)

CHAIRS & STANDING COMMITTEES

Bangele Alsaybar Jr.,PhD History and Archives

Eppie Manalo,PhD Leni Espiritu

Honors and Awards

Oscar Pablo Finance & Projects

Wilma Dauglash Membership

Elmer Bangloy,DMD,D.Hum Annielie Enalen-Madigan

Convention

Carmelita Laoyan Harley Orzame DDS

Community Affairs

Gladys Araba-Roman Social Events

Roy Mananquil Constitution & By-Laws

Commission on Constitution

Pastor Vic Arreola,III,PhD Pastor Jose Manalo ,Ed.D

Pastor Simeon Rosete,Jr. DBS Spiritual Advisers

Ernie Banaag,MD COMELEC

Annielie Enalen Madigan Fund Raising

Ben Cuizon,MD Elfrida Cuizon

Scholarship and Aid Program

Alfonso Miguel,Jr.MD ,D.Hum Endowment Fund,

Administrative Adviser

Crisamar Anunciado,PhD Edna Domingo, PhD

Gemma Banaag Continuing Education

Jethrone Prince Rolle, Benjamin Francisco, MD

Sports and Recreation

Fe Asuncion Fern Kintanar

Administrative Assistants

Immeldo Afenir, M. Bartolomew,

N. Poblacion Honor Classes

Ruth Ranche z Cres Pimentel Guest Relations

Eppie Manalo ,PhD Lita Laoyan

Spiritual Retreat


AUP COLLEGE OF MEDICINE INAUGURAL PROGRAM/ WHITE COAT CEREMONY

AUGUST 7-9,2015

ALUMNI FAMILYNEWS

Edwin Dale Villoso Araba received the Student of the Year Award, 2014-2015 at Sacramento Adventist Academy and also a recipient of the Thomas Jefferson Award for AP class in history, and the Math Award for the highest potential in pre-calculus. He also plays first violin with the Sacramento Youth Symphony (Premier) Orchestra along with his younger brother violist, Stanley. We praise God and give Him the glory for these blessings!

Dr. Don Leo Pepito, recipient of the University of Arizona College of Medicine at South Campus Department of Medicine, Award For Excellence in Internal Medicine Education, 2014-2015. He is a graduate of AUP and UERM and also a Philippine national board topnotcher. He was raised up in a family of excellent medical doctors.

Mirielle Anne Enriquez, for her performance at the Carnegie Hall in New York with the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra. She also went with the group for a tour with three concerts in Austria and the Czech Republic during the Summer 2015.

Welcome to the world! Baby boy Serafin Alexander Lalas,III, born to happy parents, Dr. Serafin Lalas and Angela Manalo Lalas. We celebrate God’s goodness for another blessing added to the Lalas family. Angela is the Senior Vice President for Finance at Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center (LLUAHSC); Dr. Serafin Lalas is a physician at the LLUMC Neuro-Psychiatry Department.

Weddings of the Year

We are truly blessed to have you

in our lives. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for sharing our special day with us. We love

you and God bless.

- Jena and Travis Young

Thank you to all our family and friends who traveled the distance

to join us in our marriage celebration. We have been

blessed by your gracious love, support and friendship over the years, and look forward to its presence in the years ahead.

- Donald and Marjorie Huynh


Congratulations!


AUP Doctor of Humanities Recipient, former AWESNA president,

Dr. Alberto Bagingito

THE LINK The Link is published by the

Adventist University of the Philippines Alumni of Western North America. Please send news articles, photos

and comments to: The Editor, 9600 Flame Tokay Way, Elk Grove, CA 95624.

EDTORIAL BOARD Ella Alcaide

Elmer Bangloy, DMD,D.Hum Edwin Araba,MD

Copyright 2015

All rights reserved

THE LINK STAFF

Editor in Chief Edwin Araba

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Writers/Reporters All Chapter PROs Arlene Ferrolino

Fem Ramirez Myrna Dial

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Layout & Design

E.Dale Araba

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Publisher

Rene Donato

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Alfonso Miguel, Jr. MD,D.Hum

Email: [email protected]

Bridges...from page 7. to say to me that most of us live in an illusion. We live in yesterday. You have never grown up if you keep blaming anyone or anything that happened yester-day. Let yesterday go, for if you don’t it will keep hunting you for the rest of your life! Bridges for Today and Eternity AWESNA is one big family. We’ve got to work together and being together is so beautiful. Life is in your hands. You can either select joy if you want, or you can find despair everywhere you look, it is all yours. The final bridge must be built in love. God is love and the greatest bridge in the world is the ONE that connects us to God. Jesus is the Greatest Bridge of all time. He said, “I am the way, the truth , and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” John 14:6, King James Version (KJV). I pray that we will allow Jesus to be our Bridge for eternity. By allowing ourselves to enter into Him,and by walking through that Bridge we can finally be with Him for eternity. - Edwin Lardizabal Araba

This year’s conferring of honoris causa (honorary degree) went to three of the men who have contributed and have shown unwavering support to the university in their respective capacities. The recipients are Pastor Alberto Gulfan, Jr., president of Southern Asia-Pacific Division, who was awarded Doctor of Divinity; Mr. Alberto Bagingito , public accountant (CPA) practitioner, who was awarded Doctor of Humanities; and Dr. Tan Hian-Tsin, chairman of Crocodile Holdings Pte Ltd, who received the Doctor of Humanities. The awarding of honorary degrees was part of the 131st Commencement Exercises, March 29, 2015 at the Philippine International Church. – AUP Highlights, March 2015

Citation scroll for Dr. Alberto Bagingito

L-R photo, Dr. Belen Pantangco-Rajagukguk, Dr. Alberto Bagingito, Dr. Abdul Rajagukguk; and seated in front, Mrs. Violy Bagingito.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank the following contributors, including photographers who made this edition possible: Dr. Francisco Gayoba, Dr. Elmer Bangloy, Dr. Ernesto Banaag, Dr. VicLouis Arreola, Dr. Doris Mendoza, Dr. Valdez, Dr. and Mrs Miguelito Fernando, Dr. Alfonso Miguel, Jr., Dr. Alberto Bagingito, Lailanie A. Fronda, Weanne Myrrh Estrada, Dr. Romy Barrios, Mrs. Sheryll Ann Castillo, Rene Donato, Herminia Verde, Irene Asiddao, Pastor Max Cadalig, Mr.Ephraim Roxas, Dr. Elma Lou Roda, Dr. Herman Reyes, Dr. Eppie Manalo, Lita Laoyan , Emily Nimo Garcia, Leticia Banaag and to all chapter presidents. Above all, to God for heavenly wisdom .

- Editor, The Link

AWESNA “ ...to Serve and Shine!”

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The Adventist University of the Philippines—

Alumni of Western North America (AWESNA)

The Link

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AWESNA 44th Annual Convention

Honolulu, Hawaii, September 2-4, 2016

Co-hosted by the Loma Linda and Hawaii (Aloha) Chapters

COMING SOON!

Please support our next AWESNA Medical Mission 2016 at Borongan, Eastern Samar, sponsored by AWESNA Young Alumni. Send your donations to AWESNA Treasurer, see p. 32.

The Link: Bridges For Today and Eternity

Documents

Transcript of The Link: Bridges For Today and Eternity