This is the first mindanao-wide intensive contextualized leadership & discipleship camp of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship. It was a two-week long training at Camp Moriah, Pal-ing, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

By Edwin Alberto (KC ’75)

"It only takes a spark, to get the fire going..." Edwin Alberto beaming as he leads the heartfelt singing of Pass It On and other oldtime favorites.

The Tamaraw Christian Fellowship, the FEU Chapter of IVCF, has long been in existence since the late 50’s. There were many, many happy days among believers, campers, and friends who all studied at the Far Eastern University and at the same time, attended the TCF daily prayer meetings, lectures from an IV staff, and went to conventions all for the sake of bonding in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

On November 29, 2008, the UE Alumni’s Warriors Christian Fellowship sponsored a long awaited reunion of IVCF Alumni.  It was a great success!  There were only three people from TCF who attended.  Susan Jaro (now Juan), Bong Tamayo, and myself.  Quite casually and in a nonchalant way, the three of us decided that it is about time that we conduct our own reunion, especially since we heard from the IV National Office that TCF has long been dead at FEU.

After many months of not being able to find a common time, since we were all busy with our own schedules, we finally met at the compounds of KBCF in March 2009, courtesy of Sierry Soriano (now Tendero).  The four of us reminisced as much as we can about the good old days of TCF, tried to remember who the former members were, traded questions and answers on how to reach them, and we decided that indeed, it is time to call back the troops and perhaps try to rebuild the ‘Temple’. The reunion day was set on May 30, 2009.

Reunion day…one by one, they began coming in earnest.  Sierry, Nemie Ades, Randy Rapisora, Jun and Espie Dolotallas, Norman Alcantara, Bong Tamayo , Kuya Elmer Lee, Aldwin Fernandez (currently an IV staff), Judith Versoza (owner of Josiah’s Catering and provided all the food), Ate Aleli Velasco (now Tan, and TCF IV staff from 1973 – 1977), and Ate Norma Sanchez (the wife of Kuya Bob who passed away more than two years ago – the two of them being very heavy supporters of the activities of TCF, since we almost always met at The Life Center in Lerma then.  Kuya Del Sta. Ana, the first ever President of TCF, sent word that he could not make it, but invited us all in return to his place for fellowship, fun, and planning sometime in July.

Many of us have not met each other for more than 35 years!  Susan actually cried when she saw Norman coming in! Some have ailment, there are those who went on to the ministry like Jun and Sierry, those who went into business like Randy and Nemie, Judith and Bong, and others who became supporters of politicians like myself.  Susan is heavily involved both with her ministry through the local version of The Life Center in Imus, Cavite and caring for her aging parents and that of his husband Manny.

We started with singing.  ‘Pass It On’, ‘It is Well with My Soul’, ‘New Life in Christ’, and such.  Plenty of smiles and clearing of throats while we were doing that.

from left to right: former Tamaraw IVCF staff Aleli Velasco-Tan, Norman Alcantara, Bong Tamayo, and Edwin Alberto.

Sierry and Susan took over for the sharing time. We now have our own children.  Jun is a pastor and has a son who is also a pastor.  Susan and Sierry are proud grandmothers now and yet, the feeling of youth, vitality, enthusiasm, and the ‘Yes, I could do something!’ attitude are still there. We were so blessed during our heyday with the ministries of Manong Bel Magalit, Ate Lisa Espineli, Ate Aleli Velasco, Ate Melba Maggay, Ate Precy Pelaez, Kuya Romy Pizaña, Kuya Jess Alisbo, Kuya Herman Moldez, Kuya Willie Girao, Kuya Gene Lara, and of course the leadership of our then General Secretary Kuya Harvey Co Chien and benefactor Manong Esdras Martinez.

We asked Erickson to give us a brief backgrounder as to where IVCF is now and where it is headed to. We concluded with a resolve that something must be done about TCF.  Not only immediate solutions but long lasting ones. We will try to send two delegates to  Kawayan Camp every year.  It costs around P10,000 per delegate.  And try to raise enough funds to support one IV staff to look after Christian students studying now at FEU.  The initial love offering during the reunion totaled P6,300.

The challenge remains, and that is – to work together to once again see the proliferation of the Gospel at the FEU campus.  It takes humble dedication to do that. Nothing more, nothing less. I was appointed as the Overall Coordinator of the TCF Alumni with Bong as my Vice and Judith as our Treasurer.  Constant updates will be released for our forthcoming reunions and other TCF sponsored events.

We used to be content with banana cue for lunch and a P3.50 lomi for dinner.  Now we have been blessed with properties and assets. Wouldn’t you agree that it is the perfect time to give back?  To nurture TCF and IV somehow?  To help rebuild the ‘Temple’?

‘It only takes a spark… to keep the fire going’ … so then, would you please…  Pass it on?

"Heto na kami ngayon!" Tamaraw together again after more than 30 years!

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Note: Edwin Alberto, FEU-Tamaraw alumnus, is currently working for a presidential contender in the 2010 elections. If you are an FEU alumnus and you would like to know more about upcoming FEU-TCF events, please contact IVCF office at 02-9317794.

Dear IVCF Family & Friends,

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let me share with what was written about the beginning of IVCF Philippines.
“The work started with early morning prayer meetings. Later, Saturday afternoons were devoted to prayer and discussion and occasional evangelistic meetings.  A small group of students formed the Timothy Club that regularly met for prayer and Bible study and engaged in person-to-person witnessing.”

In each of the sentence above, prayer was mentioned.  This informs us that prayer was very important in pioneering of our movement.  And we acknowledge that prayer is vital in the continuity and growth of IVCF Philippines.  So I invite you again to Intercede for IVCF.  We need your prayer support.  Please use this new prayer bulletin to lift to our God our needs.

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. – Philippians 1:4-6, TNIV.

In Christ,
Erickson M. Velardo
National Director

Northern Mindanao Regional Unit

• Praise the Lord for the successful camps this summer: Kawayan Camp and Mindanao Student Leadership Camp
• Praise the Lord for Vina Bailo, our staff in Cagayan de Oro. She had served for 3 years. May the Lord continue to bless her as she moves on from staffwork.
• Praise the Lord for the meaningful vacation of Jona, our staff, with her family . Please pray for her good transition as she transfers to CDO.
• Pray for Madel as she enters as associate staff in Northern Mindanao. Pray for wisdom and adjustment for her.
• Pray as we meet with the graduates and students as we plan for this new school year.
• Pray, too for the realization of NM Regional Assembly.

Central and EasternVisayas

• Praise God for the successful and productive evaluation and planning retreat of the RAC members, GT’s & staff last May 29-31, 2009. Praise God for His provision.
• We thank the Lord for sustaining us physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and financially last school year. We really thank Him for His provision and for using people to financially support the movement in CEV in many ways. They are such a blessing.
• We praise and thank the Lord for Celgen Aurestila who has been our staffworker here in CEV for the past 8 years. She’s indeed a blessing to us. She will take her sabbatical leave this July. Also, we thank Him too for Kenny Ebo who will be serving as associate staff in Dumaguete City starting this school year.
• Please pray for clear direction, guidance and wisdom as we continue to partner with our new batch of RAC representatives starting this June 2009.
• Pray as well for renewed passion and commitment for the staff, GT’s, graduates and students as we continue to seek, obey and serve the Lord this school year and beyond.

Southern Mindanao Regional Unit

• Praise God for the 30 campers who had completed the first ever Mindanao Student Leadership Camp (MSLC) held last May 17-31, 2009 @ Camp Mt. Moriah, Pal-ing, Malaybalay Bukidnon. Pray that these students will become faithful servant-leaders in the Lord in their campuses and beyond.  Mt. Moriah Camp, which is still under further development, was free of charge courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Dick and Grace Ayala who are very supportive to IVCF work. Praise God too for the all-out support given by the Mindanao IVPM headed by Engr. Sam Hebra backed up by Mr. Dodo Cansino. Indeed, the first MSLC was a success. Pray that it will become a yearly investment in God’s kingdom.
• Thank God for the 36 students who joined our ISCF Camp last May 2-8, 2009. Ms. Mida Dalipe gave four expositions from Galatians and shared her stories as a missionary in Nepal.  Please pray that all the high school students who joined camp will remain faithful to the Lord.
• Good news! The rebuilding of IV Home in Kabacan North Cotabato progresses since it started last mid May 2009.  This is a big step of faith considering that the small seed amount of P150,000 plus few building materials donated by supporters are not enough. This IV Home is a training and fellowship center for Kabacan students and the neighboring areas.  Please pray for an additional P250,000 to finish the first phase of this project.
• Glory to God for the lives of our faithful RAC members whose official terms ended last May 31, 2009.  Mercy de la Cruz, Ptr. Dodong Arcenas, Juvee Pascua have moved on and passed the baton to Dr. Pres Engkong, Ptr. Junjun Hernani and Ms. Mida Dalipe. These new members add force to the current RAC members namely, Gideon Estrella, Grace Alegre, Cheryll Combatir, Joy Aspacio, Estrella de la Cruz, Linda Narciso, Please pray for prayerfulness, unity and obedience to God’s Spirit as they elect their officers and do their work among IVCF constituents in the region.
• SMRU has ended the fiscal year with a positive balance. Praise God! This June, we are happy to welcome Jeremie Probadora, our in-coming collector and staff representative. Please pray for his orientation and adjustment in this new role. Please ask God to rally more intercessors, partners and financial supporters for this region. Thank you.

Western Visayas Regional Unit

• We praise God for how he had worked in the lives of our students during the summer camps.  We praise God for the 9 Kawayan Camp Delegates and 57 ISCF Camp Delegates.
• Praise God for new GTs (Lanily Sagara, Christine Joy Forro, Ruchelle Kay Pototanon, JD Aguas, Caroline Valeriano, Rowell Salulog, Rica Gallaza, Michelle Casiano, Jay, & JR) who committed to help us this school year.
• Pray for our Student Leader’s Retreat this coming June 19-21.  Pray for wisdom and strength as we plan for this.  Pray too, that we can raise P7,000 for our subsidy.
• Pray for renewed spirit and fresh vision as we start the School Year 2009-2010.

Administration Department

• Library/Resource Center – Praise the Lord for MEANS.  They have responded to support the Library Project… and many continue to give their contributions (books and finances).  The 2nd phase of the project started in March. The physical set-up of fixtures and furniture is 95% complete.  Praises for consultants Ruth Orteza and RG Guillermo they gave their time and expertise.  Pray for Ruth, RG, and Aldwin as they finalize the library’s procedures.  Pray for RG as he continues to encode books’ data in the library software.
• Library/Resource Center Work-for-a-cause – Pray for students who are willing to help with the clerical tasks.  Tasks like cleaning, replacing book covers, printing and placement of call numbers for the 3500 plus books.   Pray for graduates, especially here in Metro Manila, to give financially for the work of these students.  Collected money will be for the registration of the participating student or chapter in LCDC (October) or NC (December).
• Pray for Aldwin and Sidro as they make an inventory of all assets here in the National Office.  The goal is to finish the inventory before June ends.  Praise the Lord for his goodness.  He has given us many resources.  Making an inventory reflects the joy in counting God’s blessings and naming it one by one.
• Praise the Lord for giving Aldwin wisdom and enough strength to balance his admin tasks and his involvement with three camps (albeit minor) this summer.  Continue to pray for him as he organizes admin-related procedures. Pray also for wisdom as he continues to study Administration related expenses in preparation for the budget next school year.
• Pray for the National Conference in December.  Pray that delegates will start saving for it at least Php 1000.00 a month.  Pray for the Executive Committee as they lead in the preparations and promotion of the event.
• Praise the Lord for students and graduates who have given their time and resources in helping Aldwin and Sidro in their tasks as Admin staff also in sharing the vision of a more organized resource management.  May the Lord bless them in their careers.

“Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.”

1Thessalonians 5:16-18
The Message

IFES East Asia

Regional Staff Team

We are grateful for the EARC 2011 Program Committee meeting held in Singapore during 2-4 April. Seven delegates from four member movements, the host movement of FES Singapore, and one region attended the meeting and spent time to discuss on important issues such as objectives, theme, the book of Bible expositions with proposed speakers, plenary topics with proposed speakers, and suggested time of EARC 2011. These proposals will be presented to RSG meeting on September for further discussion and confirmation. We also had a good time of fellowship with FES Singapore staff team visiting FES office.

Mr. Ung Seop Shin was thankful to God for his fruitful visit to IVCF Philippines during 16-20 April. He had a wonderful fellowship with Erickson Velardo, general secretary, and visit the national office. He also attended the Kawayan Camp and was inspired to learn from the camp while interacting with student leaders at the camp and experiencing warm hospitality of students and staff.
The region is thankful to God for sending a pioneering staff with his family from IVCF Korea to a restricted country in the region after the family has prayed and prepared for the last one year. The family safely arrived at the country on April and has been settling down to new situation helped by a couple of contact persons who prepared the pioneering work there.

Praise God for Mr. Shin was able attend SLT (Senior Leadership Team of IFES) meeting last May at Dubai where he met other senior leaders for the first time as regional secretary. He got to know the leadership team and participated at meetings and discussed issues related to IFES fellowship.

Mr. Shin was thankful for joining the 50th anniversary meetings of FES Singapore on May. Lecture series by Dr. Alister McGrath, was attended by many students, graduates and supporters, and were inspired with his clear message on the “Full Confidence in Faith” , challenging Christians to reassure the truth, vitality and relevance of the Christian faith.

Please continue to pray for preparation for EAGC 2010. The host committee hopes to finalize a main speaker for Bible exposition soon while waiting final confirmation from a candidate. Pray also for the host committee as it is planning to propose budget for EAGC 2010.
Pray for the pioneering staff in a restricted country as he is applying working visa through a language institute. Pray also for the family, specifically for his three children because they need to study and to find friends at a new school. Pray for Shin as he is planning to visit the family and to discuss how to pioneer student ministry in the country.

Mr. Shin is in need of a personal assistant. His responsibilities are overloaded with frequent travelling engagements in the region, coordinating regional ministries and several administrative works. Pray that God would provide a suitable and competent secretary whom he can share the burden.

Cambodia

Please pray that we will have a good time with FES Singapore Team during their visit us (June 10-14, 2009). May God help them to get very good exposure about Cambodia students, history and culture. As a good preparation for fruitful our partnership in the future. Also pray that our students can get good encouragement and better understanding about IFES through interaction with them.
Please pray for OMF Cambodia Field Conference on June 15-19. Our Student team will join this conference. May this conference will be a good opportunity get a spiritual refreshment and fellowship with other OMFers.

We praise God for our new team member, Dorina Beltran. Please pray, may God help her adjust well in our team. And also keep praying for our team as an international team, is a strength but also a challenge. May God help keep in unity and good understanding as we work together to build and extend His Kingdom in Cambodia.

Mongolia

Praise God for the national conference where students, staffs, and graduates, celebrated 10th anniversary last May 29 to June 2. The theme is “Let’s enter new era together.” We hope that we can revive, be united in the Lord and provided us with the necessary finances.

Pray for English camp during June 15 to 26. We will have the camp with Singapore FES team. Now 18 new students are registered. Pray that we can share the Gospel with them through the effective relationships.

Pray for Mission trip to countryside, “Arkhangai ulziit” on July 20 to 26. We will have mission trip with Korean IVF of North Seoul region. We hope to share the Gospel with people who are living in there. And we could do ministry well with the Korean team.

by Elaine Marasigan

SVCF-UPLB Alumni Association is now conducting a General Assembly for their members to have an avenue for fellowship with fellow alumni and students. It is where alumni of older batches meet the younger batches, aside from other activities of the Alumni Association like prayer fellowship, it is also where students get to know more about their Ate’s and Kuya’s in the ministry. Another purpose of the GA is not only to inform the members of association’s status, accomplishment reports, and other matters on paper but also to present the information personally in which everyone can give their insights, reactions, suggestions, praises, and other immediate concerns.

The first GA was held last May 1, 2009, 1pm onwards at Jesus the Good Shepherd Church of Muntinlupa (JGSCM). Students, fresh graduates, BOT members, new and older members of the Alumni Association are those who are present in the event. Also present is Ging Marabella, SVCF-UPLB visiting staff, fresh from Kawayan Camp.

Accomplishment Report

First part was the run through of what the association has been doing for the past year these includes our SEC Registration, financial reports, and updates from SVCF-UPLB students’ ministry.

Local and International Giving

We have been very blessed for having members who pledge consistently and faithfully. The givings are enough to sustain every association’s activity and other expenses. We are greatly challenged by the faithfulness of the alumni who lives abroad wherein the big percent of givings are coming from.

Camps

April and May are month of camps, we are able to financially support our students in joining LCDC, Kawayan Camp, ECHO and other camps. Not only the association support the students financially as some of our alumni individually joined the students in these camps as co-campers and as co-counselors. It is very good to know that the students which are products of these camps are more enthusiastic and passionate in serving our Lord through the SVCF Ministry.

Graduate Team

During GA, Omar Ofracio, who graduated this April 09, former SVCF-UPLB President, expressed his desire to be a full time GT of SVCF-UPLB for one year. It is such a blessing to us knowing that he wants to serve the ministry and the students in LB. In line to that, the association is sending him to the Graduate Team Conference in Boracay.

New BOT Members

Another part of the recently held GA is the election of New Board of Trustees Members for the 3-year term has already lapsed.  We are proud to announce the newly elected BOT members who will be sitting for the next three years, they are: Dan Michael Sadia (Chairman), Em Perez (Vice-Chairman), Elaine Marasigan (Secretary), Kit Betia (Treasurer), Teddy Presnedi (Board Member), Omar Ofracio (Board Member),and Karis del Castillo (Board Member).

The Lord is truly faithful in this ministry, and it is our to pleasure to share with you how the Lord is moving in each and everyone of us. Indeed, this is another moment of God’s amazing work. To God be all the glory!!!