Seven (7) more days before the Alumni Reunion! Remember to be at the Loma Linda Filipino Church on November 7 & 8, 2008.

EDITOR’S THOUGHTS

Very often unexplained experiences occur towards this time of the year, the Halloween season. Today is Halloween in the U.S., and many other countries. People go to great extents and expense to create weird and scary things. In Long Beach, California for example, a couple spent more than $5,000 to make their property a real scary place. It must have been really scary because the lady news anchor would not look at the displays in her desktop monitor. She said she might need therapy if she saw the images.

The next experiences I will below have nothing to do with the season. In fact they are not scary at all, they may be heart-warming. They were related by to our Bible study group by Vida, Angel Boloico’s wife.

First Experience:
Angel Boloico went back to the Philippines, to General Santos specifically, to help families that were severely affected by the turmoil of the political situation in that area. Before he left he told our small group that he wants to give rice to these families, even just 5 kilos each (about 10 lbs) to 500 families. It should be able to give a small relief to them.

Upon his arrival he had the church members in his hometown make a list of 500 needy families. Then he bought 50 sacks of rice, each sack weighing 50 kilos. From each sack they measured out 10 portions weighing 5 kilos each and placed these into smaller bags.

On the appointed day, Angel and the church members gathered the 500 recipients at the church, but to their dismay more than 500 showed up. People who heard of the coming rice distribution also had come to the church perchance they would receive something. Because the church members foresaw that they would run short of the rice, Angel told them that the people on the list would be given their share first. Then if there is some person in the list did not show up, and there was left-over rice, then they may distribute that to the others.

Names from the list were called one by one, and a bag of rice was given to the person called, then his name was checked off. All 500 recipients where present so Angel told the brethren that they had to tell the crowd that there was no more rice to give out. But the church members told him that there was still some more rice for distribution. This they gave out to about 200 more people, and when everyone had received his bag of rice there were still some bags of rice left. Angel still does know how this happened. He knew how many sacks he bought–he had receipts for that. But to have more than 200 bags beyond the initial 500, he and the brethren had no explanation. In the back of their minds they knew of the story in the Bible–the feeding of the people with five loaves and two fishes. Could a similar miracle take place in modern times?

Second Experience
Angel decided to reward the people who were part of the “Adopt-a-Minister.” They were graduates of the ministry program who could not be employed by the mission. They are paid by brethren in the U.S. so they could help evangelize local people. This was not part of Angel’s original plan, but seeing these brethren who have helped in the preaching of the gospel in the region and also in the rice distribution, he felt they should be given something. So he planned a beach picnic. The “ministers” were invited to this picnic so they could enjoy the beach and have a good lunch, too.

Since funds were a bit limited Angel instructed the church members to buy rice and some fresh fish. They were to cook the rice at the beach, then some brethren would broil the fish. They had a basin full of fish to broil before they started lunch. Angel watched with fascination as the “ministers” ate. He said they seemed to be really hungry and came back for seconds. Apprehensive that the fish might not be enough he decides not to eat his share. The church members noticed him not eating and asked why. He told them he was worried they may not have enough fish for the seemingly hungry brethren. They told him not to worry, there was still a lot of fish. Sure enough when Angel looked at the basin, it looked like only half of the original amount of fish had been cooked and served.

But he had seen the people eating with gusto and coming back for seconds, maybe thirds. How did they have that much fish still to be broiled? He also recalled the rice distribution. Could this be another modern time miracle? Does God still perform miracles today?

Let us wait when Angel comes. Maybe he could explain this to us. But I believe that nothing is impossible with God. If our intentions are good, He may be more than willing to help us out. There are still many wonderful things happening today, many could not be explained by logical means. But we know that no matter what, God still exists and controls everything in His universe.

Eddie Zamora, Riverside, California

OBITUARY FOR DR. VIRGIL L. BARTLETT
From the Chattanooga Times Free Press–for Hamilton County
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/

Dr. Virgil L. Bartlett, 92 of Ooltewah, died peacefully with family at his side on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008 at his home.

Born in Roswell, N.M., he lived most of his life in Michigan before moving to the Ooltewah/Collegedale area nine years ago. He was a member of the McDonald Road Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Dr. Bartlett received his Masters degree from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas and his Doctorate degree from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. He served as a high school Principal in New York, North Dakota and Indiana and also served as Professor of Education at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich., for nearly 20 years. He was inspirational in supporting higher education to all who knew him, working diligently with the Michigan Department of Education for many years.

While serving as missionaries, he and his wife founded Mountain View College in the Philippines. He was a member of the Collegedale Kiwanis Club, where he served as club historian. He also was a member of the Berrien Springs Lions Club in Berrien Springs.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances May Bartlett; and a brother, William Bartlett.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Verlyne and Wayne Starr, Ooltewah and Sandra and Ken Colburn, Cookeville, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Chad Starr, Geoff Starr, Dwight Colburn and Tanya Colburn; four great-grandchildren; brother, Alvin Bartlett, Yuma, Ariz.; two sisters, Frances Craw, St. Helena, Calif., and Louise Wolcott, Lyles, Tenn.; beloved caregiver, Marilyn Schneller.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Carlson, Pastor Don Gettys and Mr. Dan Agnetta officiating.

Interment was in the Collegedale Memorial Park.

The family received friends on Tuesday at the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 7414 Old Lee Highway.

Memorial contributions may be made to the V.L. Bartlett Memorial Fund, Donations, General Conference of SDA, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904.

(Sent by Jessie Colegado)

VINCE F. FERROLINO SERVICES

Following is the schedule of services for the late Vince F. Ferrolino:

Viewing
Thursday, October 30, 2008, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Forest Lawn Glendale
1712 S. Glendale Avenue
Glendale, CA

Memorial Service
Friday, October 31, 2008, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Glendale Filipino Church
Corner Chestnut and Louise, Glendale

Funeral Service
Sabbath, November 1, 2008, 1:30 PM
Glendale Filipino Church
Corner Chestnut and Louise, Glendale

Graveside Service will follow the Funeral Service
Forest Lawn Glendale
1712 S. Glendale Avenue
Glendale, CA

Contact Persons:

Dida: (323) 550-8821; (323) 767-7022
Karl: (323) 562-9427
Don: (818) 378-2298
Arlene, daughter-in-law: arleneferrolino@yahoo.com

(Sent by Ben Rafanan)

FUTURE EVENTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO:

This Weekend, October 31 to November 2, 2008: Sulads International Reunion at Covina International SDA Church, 2003 Cienega Avenue, Covina, California 91730.

November 1, 2008: Mountain View College alumni rally in Lancaster, CA. Mark your calendar now! For further information, please contact Zee Valendez-Postrero.

November 7 - 8, 2008: MVC Alumni Association and Friends (MVCAA) Reunion at the Loma Linda Filipino Seventh-day Adventist Church located on 11180 New Jersey St., Redlands, CA 92373… Telephone: (909) 798 – 3822.

(Reprinted from previous issue)

LETTERS

I was saddened to learn of Vince Ferralino’s death. I have fond memories of him as one of the pioneers. On our first Sat. night at MVC in Feb. 1953 he was the Emcee of our welcome ceremony in the old bamboo chapel. Later he worked some for us and was always cheerful and good with our children . I will always remember his smile. My condolences to his family.

(Mrs.) Gerry Hill

To the family of Nonoy Ferolino,
In behalf of the MVC Alumni Association of Florida, I would like to express our feelings of sympathy for the death of nonoy Ferolino. I am aware that he was one of those pioneers during those frontier days of MVC. I consider myself close to the Fadri family due to Pastor Nocotades my adopted “father” and mentor and the late Fin Fadri my co missionary to Papua New Guinea with whom my family shares a lot of happy memories in the mission field. Because of these, the death of nonoy whom I just knew occasionally here in California whenever I come to attend MVC alumni function but behaves like a long time friend, has meant a loss of somebody close to the family.

And to Mrs. Ferolino in particular, may God bless you in this most difficult times. Our Association here in Florida thinks of you and share your grief. May God bless you and sustain you as we look forward to that grand reunion with Nonoy and those others who have gone before us.

Sincerely yours,
Fred Loriezo, President
MVC Alumni Association, Florida

In behalf of our family, I would like to say thank you to those who expressed their sympathy on the death of our father Nicolas Loriezo on October 7, 2008. In a special way I want to say thank you very much to the doctors and nurses at Valencia Sanitarium and Hospital for their compassionate care during my father’s last days of admission. From what my sister told me you were all super and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. To Mountain View College Administration and Dr. Danny Dial, I cannot thank you enough for all your help and support. I am sure opportunities will open so I can even just in a small way make it up to you. It’s amazing how much our grief is lightened when those we love share our sorrows. Your e-mails, phone calls and cards of sympathy made all the difference and it means a lot to us. Again thank you.

Fred Loriezo

An Open Letter

Dear Friends,

A month ago, an acquaintance who had (rrecently) lost her husband confided to me that her nights are so long and lonely. Having worn the same shoes myself, I wrote some lyrics which is the first stanza of the set (of verses) below.

Just recently, my intentions were not really good and because of my wrong decisions and actions, winds of conflict blew my way. I cried a few times, then I got to my knees and prayed, “Thank you, Lord for being my refuge and my anchor in the ‘Time of Storm’. Give me the strength to face the world again. Help me to remember that ‘This, too, will pass away’.” Hence, the second stanza.

I am hoping that these verses would become a song. Is there someone out there who can help me make a tune for this? It’s all right if you may want to revise some parts. I am not even sure if my punctuations right. You can help me with that, too. Sorry I cannot promise any fee. All I can offer is a prayer that God would bless you so that this song (or verses) will help cheer those who are having the same struggles as me.

Someone Up There

Sometimes your paths are rough and thorny
Sometimes your nights are long and lonely
You’re not alone as you struggle on
Someone up there even left His throne.

When winds are lashing from every direction
Creating whirlpools that could pull you down
Remember Peter, sinking down below
He called on Jesus; He was saved, so will you.

Chorus:
Hold out your hand, Lift up your chin
Someone up there can see what’s within
Hold out your hand, Lift up your chin
Someone up there understands your pain.

Coda:
Reach out and touch Him
Talk to Him in prayer.
Reach out and touch Him
He is always near.

Thank you so much.

Sing-cerely.

Lily Claveria-Escara-Lare

With the U.S. elections coming next week, and all the opinions we hear about the candidates circulating both in the media and the internet, here is a take offered by someone, and maybe we could take heart with the thoughts given. Ed.

Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election
.
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of his people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

And GOD approves this message!
ISN’T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CHARGE?!!

From www.OmegaProjectMinistries.org
Sent by Rollie Donato

A GIRL WITH AN APPLE
August 1942. Piotrkow, Poland.

The sky was gloomy that morning as we waited anxiously. All the men, women and children of Piotrkow’s Jewish ghetto had been herded into a square. Word had gotten around that we were being moved. My father had only recently died from typhus, which had run rampant through the crowded ghetto. My greatest fear was that our family would be separated.

“Whatever you do,” Isidore, my eldest brother, whispered to me, “don’t tell them your age. Say you’re sixteen.” I was tall for a boy of 11, so I could pull it off. That way I might be deemed valuable as a worker.

An SS man approached me, boots clicking against the cobblestones. He looked me up and down, and then asked my age. “Sixteen,” I said. He directed me to the left, where my three brothers and other healthy young men already stood.

My mother was motioned to the right with the other women, children, sick and elderly people. I whispered to Isidore, “Why?” He didn’t answer. I ran to Mama’s side and said I wanted to stay with her.

“No,” she said sternly. “Get away. Don’t be a nuisance. Go with your brothers.” She had never spoken so harshly before. But I understood: She was protecting me. She loved me so much that, just this once, she pretended not to. It was the last I ever saw of her. My brothers and I were transported in a cattle car to Germany. We arrived at the Buchenwald concentration camp one night weeks later and were led into a crowded barrack. The next day, we were issued uniforms and identification numbers.

“Don’t call me Herman anymore.” I said to my brothers. “Call me 94983.”

I was put to work in the camp’s crematorium, loading the dead into a hand-cranked elevator.
I, too, felt dead. Hardened, I had become a number. Soon, my brothers and I were sent to Schlieben, one of Buchenwald’s sub-camps near Berlin.

One morning I thought I heard my mother’s voice. “Son,” she said softly but clearly, “I am going to send you an angel.”

Then I woke up. Just a dream. A beautiful dream.

But in this place there could be no angels. There was only work. And hunger. And fear.

A couple of days later, I was walking around the camp, around the barracks, near the barbed-wire fence where the guards could not easily see. I was alone. On the other side of the fence, I spotted someone: a little girl with light, almost luminous curls. She was half-hidden behind a birch tree.

I glanced around to make sure no one saw me. I called to her softly in German. “Do you have something to eat?”

She didn’t understand.

I inched closer to the fence and repeated the question in Polish. She stepped forward. I was thin and gaunt, with rags wrapped around my feet, but the girl looked unafraid. In her eyes, I saw life. She pulled an apple from her woolen jacket and threw it over the fence. I grabbed the fruit and, as I started to run away, I heard her say faintly, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” I returned to the same spot by the fence at the same time every day. She was always there with something for me to eat - a hunk of bread or, better yet, an apple.

We didn’t dare speak or linger. To be caught would mean death for us both.

I didn’t know anything about her, just a kind farm girl, except that she understood Polish. What was her name? Why was she risking her life for me?

Hope was in such short supply, and this girl on the other side of the fence gave me some, as nourishing in its way as the bread and apples.

Nearly seven months later, my brothers and I were crammed into a coal car and shipped to Theresienstadt camp in Czechoslovakia.

“Don’t return,” I told the girl that day. “We’re leaving.” I turned toward the barracks and didn’t look back, didn’t even say good-bye to the little girl whose name I’d never learned, the girl with the apples.

We were in Theresienstadt for three months. The war was winding down and Allied forces were closing in, yet my fate seemed sealed.

On May 10, 1945, I was scheduled to die in the gas chamber at 10:00 AM.

In the quiet of dawn, I tried to prepare myself. So many times death seemed ready to claim me, but somehow I’d survived. Now, it was over.

I thought of my parents. At least, I thought, we will be reunited.

But at 8 A.M. there was a commotion. I heard shouts, and saw people running every which way through camp. I caught up with my brothers.

Russian troops had liberated the camp! The gates swung open. Everyone was running, so I did too. Amazingly, all of my brothers had survived;

I’m not sure how. But I knew that the girl with the apples had been the key to my survival.

In a place where evil seemed triumphant, one person’s goodness had saved my life, had given me hope in a place where there was none.

My mother had promised to send me an angel, and the angel had come.

Eventually I made my way to England where I was sponsored by a Jewish charity, put up in a hostel with other boys who had survived the Holocaust and trained in electronics. Then I came to America, where my brother Sam had already moved. I served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War, and returned to New York City after two years.

By August 1957 I’d opened my own electronics repair shop. I was starting to settle in.

One day, my friend Sid who I knew from England called me.

“I’ve got a date. She’s got a Polish friend. Let’s double date.”

A blind date? Nah, that wasn’t for me.

But Sid kept pestering me, and a few days later we headed up to the Bronx to pick up his date and her friend Roma.

I had to admit, for a blind date this wasn’t so bad. Roma was a nurse at a Bronx hospital. She was kind and smart. Beautiful, too, with swirling brown curls and green, almond-shaped eyes that sparkled with life.

The four of us drove out to Coney Island. Roma was easy to talk to, easy to be with.

Turned out she was wary of blind dates too!

We were both just doing our friends a favor. We took a stroll on the boardwalk, enjoying the salty Atlantic breeze, and then had dinner by the shore. I couldn’t remember having a better time.

We piled back into Sid’s car, Roma and I sharing the backseat.

As European Jews who had survived the war, we were aware that much had been left unsaid between us. She broached the subject, “Where were you,” she asked softly, “during the war?”

“The camps,” I said. The terrible memories still vivid, the irreparable loss. I had tried to forget. But you can never forget.

She nodded. “My family was hiding on a farm in Germany, not far from Berlin,” she told me. “My father knew a priest, and he got us Aryan papers.”

I imagined how she must have suffered too, fear, a constant companion. And yet here we were both survivors, in a new world.

“There was a camp next to the farm.” Roma continued. “I saw a boy there and I would throw him apples every day.”

What an amazing coincidence that she had helped some other boy. “What did he look like?” I asked.

“He was tall, skinny, and hungry. I must have seen him every day for six months.”

My heart was racing. I couldn’t believe it.

This couldn’t be.

“Did he tell you one day not to come back because he was leaving Schlieben?”

Roma looked at me in amazement. “Yes!”

“That was me!”

I was ready to burst with joy and awe, flooded with emotions. I couldn’t believe it! My angel.

“I’m not letting you go.” I said to Roma. And in the back of the car on that blind date, I proposed to her. I didn’t want to wait.

“You’re crazy!” she said. But she invited me to meet her parents for Shabbat dinner the following week.

There was so much I looked forward to learning about Roma, but the most important things I always knew: her steadfastness, her goodness. For many months, in the worst of circumstances, she had come to the fence and given me hope. Now that I’d found her again, I could never let her go.

That day, she said yes. And I kept my word. After nearly 50 years of marriage, two children and three grandchildren, I have never let her go.

Herman Rosenblat of Miami Beach, Florida

This story is being made into a movie called “The Fence.”

(The Story forwarded to me by Zelle Zamora)

A LONG FLIGHT

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat.
It was going to be a long flight. ‘I’m glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I
will get a short nap,’ I thought. I fly frequently, and I always look for an opportunity
to share Jesus with someone. I wondered who it might be this time because there
were empty seats around me. Not much of a chance to talk to anyone.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant
seats, completely surrounding me. This is more like it! OK, Lord, which one will it be?
Who needs to hear about you?’

I decided to start a conversation. ‘Where are you headed?’ I asked the soldier seated
nearest to me. ‘Chicago–to GreatLakes Base. We’ll be there for two weeks for special
training, and then we’re being deployed to Iraq.’

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were
available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I
quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time. As I reached for my wallet, I
overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. ‘No, that seems like a
lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn’t be worth five bucks. I’ll wait till
we get to Chicago.’ His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None of them were buying lunch. I was hungry,
but could not bring myself to eat in front of them. I walked to the back of the plane
and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. ‘Take a lunch to all those soldiers,’
I said. She grabbed my arms and squeezed them tightly. Her eyes wet with tears,
she thanked me, saying, ‘My son was a soldier in Iraq. It’s almost like you are doing
this for him.’ Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers
were seated. I forgot about me!

Overwhelmed by her emotional response, I returned to my seat. She asked, ‘Which
do you like best–beef or chicken? ‘Chicken,’ I replied, wondering why she asked.
She turned and went to the front of the plane, returning a minute later with a dinner
from first class. ‘This is your Thanks!’ she said.

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room.
A man stopped me. ‘I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.’ He
handed me twenty five dollars. Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain
coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked. I hoped he was not
looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane.
When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, and said, ‘I want to
shake your hand.’

Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain’s hand. With a booming
voice he said, ‘I was a soldier and I was a pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch.
It was an act of kindness I never forgot.’ Applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated
about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another
twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting
just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket,
turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked
over to them and handed them the seventy-five dollars. It will take you a while to reach the
base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.’

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I
walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers
were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals.

Submitted by Raylene Rodrigo-Baumgart

FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN!

It was 5:30 that Friday evening when the last member of our Ecology Class (composed of Bebot Selidio, Nonoy Ombiga, Lucas Adde, Genie Bofetiado, Gay Batiller, Amie Bocala, Jeannette Cuizon, Rebecca Lazarito, Suzette Trocio, and some that may have been forgotten) reached the summit of Mt. Kitanglad (This happened when El Nino was at its peak). I had just poured our noodles into a bowl and called my friend, Rebecca to join me when all of a sudden someone called out, “Fire! Fire!”

Pandemonium followed. We didn’t know what to do and where to go. I noticed Sir Eddie Zamora, our sponsor, Bebot and Nonoy slip outside our sleeping quarters and started setting fires on the dry grass that was near the building. I thought, Why on earth are they doing that? Don’t they know that the mountain is already on fire? While I was still questioning their action, a strong gust of wind blew up the slope towards them. The fire they had set had already burned the grass close to the building and the blaze did not reach the it and left it untouched.

Sir Ed and Bebot ran towards the powerhouse, where drums full of diesel fuel were stacked, in order to build another fire break but the fiery monster driven by the angry wind beat them there. At first, we enjoyed the display of glowing embers that fell like a shower but then fear pricked our insides when we realized that we might be trapped there on top of the mountain and it would take a miracle for us to even survive.

We tried running from the burning inferno but as soon as the wind changed its direction, the fire accompanied it, too. We scampered like frightened squirrels in a burning forest. Radios began humming messages and we were assured that help was coming. In the meantime, we recited memory verses including Psalm 23 and sang songs to cheer and encourage ourselves. A short time later, we were looking up with hope as an army helicopter began circling above us. Soon we saw the rescue ladder lowered. “We’re being rescued!” was our triumphant cry but our hopes were swallowed by the flames. We saw the chopper fly away without saving even a single person.

“Why are you leaving us?” the radioman near us inquired of the man in the helicopter. “Sorry, we cannot stay long. The blaze is too high and we are afraid our craft might catch fire!” our would-be-rescuer shouted back.” Don’t worry, we will send rescuers on foot as soon as it is light!” assured the voice over the radio. “Roger! Over and out!”

At last, we accepted the fact there was nothing else we can do but hide in the foxhole despite its uneven ground. At this time, the smoke hung very heavy and it felt like the supply of oxygen was rapidly disappearing. We knew that if no help came, we may not be burned to death but we would die due to oxygen depletion.

Our gallant gentlemen brought gallons of water to the group and one by one, we wet our towels or handkerchiefs and covered our noses and mouths so we won’t suffocate (the wet cloth would trap the smoke particles so they don’t enter the lungs). Bebot took pity on us and he volunteered to be in charge. Every now and then, someone would hand him the cloth and he would wet it and return it to the owner. That went on for some time till the monster had nothing to devour, and it turned its dragon-like fangs to the next victim, the mountain peak next to where we were, and there lashed out its fury once more.

Later, we were gently awakened from a fitful sleep and were told to move back to our still standing sleeping quarters (thanks to our heroes, Sir Ed, Nonoy and Bebot!) We were too scared to sleep again but Nonoy assured us that the men would stand watch on a rotation basis and awaken us just in case the fire would come back.

Sabbath morning came and with it the promise of rescue. Night came again but no rescuers came. We were later told that they couldn’t penetrate the fire along the way. We then thought of the wooden ladders that served as limbing aids in steep places. If they would be burned, then we would have to resort to Tarzan-like swinging in order to descend the mountain. With that in mind, we played games and amused ourselves with funny stories. It was only then that I discovered that Sir Eddie was not all chemical formulae (he let me pass his classes on the wings of C) but full of fun, too.

Our one-day-and-two-night plan of staying there became two days and three nights. The different castes of hikers that went up on Friday had blended into one just before we descended that smoky mountain. Our compact (or agreement) was sealed when we combined all our cooked rice and different brands of noodles into one big basin which we ceremoniously mixed and shared equally. It was our last and meager meal there but it was the tastiest rice and noodle breakfast.
The homeward trek involved ducking under smoldering branches, jumping over live coals, blazing new trails. But the best part of all was enjoying the luxury of climbing down the wooden ladders that were still miraculously intact while on either side was the black telltale signs that the fire had been there
.
“When thou walkest through the fire,” God assures us, “thou shalt not be burned.” (Isaiah 43:2) Why are we still anxious when fiery trials come our way?

Lily Escara-Lare

(The class instructor was Dr. Neil Rowland, but because he was unable make the climb, he asked Eddie Zamora, another science teacher, to act as chaperon for the group. Two other lady chaperons that endured the smokey ordeal with them were Ellen Zamora and Zeny Aba. Dr. Cornelio Aba, who did not join the hike, was so worried and helpless as he awaited our return. Ed.)

LIGHTER MOMENTS

Filipino Jokes
Translated to English from the Vernacular
The jokes may not sound funny to non-Filipinos.

A mother from the province writes her son in the U.S.:

Dear Dodong,
Next time you send milk for your father just send the regular Nido milk.
His stomach could not take the milk you sent, the Nivea Moisturizing Milk.

Love, Nanay

********************************
Wife: That bag contains the our cat. I hate it so take it far into the forest and
release it so it cannot come back.
Husband: Okay.
After several hours:
Wife: It’s very late, what happened? Were you able to lose the cat?
Husband: Well, if I did not follow the cat I would not have found my way home.

************************************
At a funeral…
Father: Come on son, let’s go, I don’t like it here.
Son: But Dad, we just got here!
Father: Can’t you read the sign? ‘THE REMAINS WILL BE CREMATED.’

*****************************

Moron 1: Why do you keep on peering into that bag of coffee?
Moron 2: I’m looking for the free sugar. The box says “Sugar Free.”

****************************
Moron 1: I finished completed this puzzle in record time!
Moron 2: Really? How long did it take you to do it?
Moron 1: 5 Months. Isn’t that good?
Moron 2: That’s too long.
Moron 1: But the box says “For 3 years and up.”

Vernacular version sent by Bella-beb

PRAYER REQUESTS

Let us pray for:

* The bereaved families of Vince Ferrolino, Gloria Richardson, and Dr. Virgil Bartlett, first president of Mountain View College in 1953

* God’s comforting presence to be with the other bereaved families: the De Angels, the Loriezos, the Sabellanos, the Erecres, the Moscatels, and the Marianos, whose loved ones recently passed away. May the comfort of God’s loving arms surround them in their times of sorrow.

* MVC alumni and friends who are undergoing treatment: Jonathan Catolico, Ann Jordan, Cheryl Macote-Rosa, Gerry Hill in Oregon; Susan Varona-Sardar; Nen Carpena; that the life-giving powers of the Great Physician touch them according to His will.

* Our missionaries and their families who serve in different parts of the globe, especially those whose lives may be constantly exposed to danger. Pray for their health and safety.

*Angel Boloico and friends, as they help families and people displaced by political turmoil in the General Santos area of Mindanao.

* Members of the Adventist and Christian families who are undergoing severe persecution in Orissa, India.

* The small group of Adventist believers in the Middle East who are working on establishing and building churches in their places.

* The leaders, faculty, and staff of MVC. May the school continue to “Shine On Till Jesus Comes”.

* MVC alumni who are leaders at different levels of the Adventist denomination from the General Conference down to the local churches, as well as those who support MVC in various ways.

* The work of the SULADS and the Gospel Outreach.

* Each other as we look forward to heaven’s portals.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This week’s contributors include: Raylene Baumgart, Vida Boloico, Rollie Donato, Asher Himbing, Lily Escara-Lare, Fred Loriezo, Ben Rafanan, Zelle Zamora. Thank you all.

This issue is edited and coordinated by Eddie Zamora. Next week’s editor/coordinator will be Bien Nebres. Please direct all entries and contributions to her at her e-mail address. You may also contact the other editors/coordinators at their addresses below who compose:

THE EDITORIAL STAFF

Eddie Babao ebabao2 at cox dot net
Jessie Colegado jesscole at filipinoadventist dot org
Evelyn Tabingo etabingo at comcast dot net
Bienvisa Nebres bnebres at missioncollege dot edu
Eddie Zamora ezamora594 at aol dot com

Please check these other websites:

1. http://www.MVC.edu.ph/
2. http://www.mvcollege.info/
3. http://www.MVCollege.org
4. http://www.virtualMVC.com
5. http://www.filipinoadventist.org
6. http://datutigas.googlepages.com/home

If you wish to subscribe or change your subscribed address to the CyberFlashes, please send an e-mail to any of the editors listed above or to CyberFlashes at sda dot net. We spell out the @ and dot signs in the e-mail addresses to prevent worms and viruses, including robots from harvesting them. If you would like to correspond, please substitute the correct symbols.

Thank you.

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CLOSING THOUGHTS
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“Quit your preoccupation on getting (your needs and wants) and refocus on God’s giving” - Stuart Tyner, Pastor at La Sierra University Church

“”Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” - Matthew 6:26, New American Standard Bible

This shot was taken at the Fuji Hawk Walk in Jurong BirdPark while waiting for the show. ’twas quite warm and thought it was going to rain, but nah!!! good thing, it didn’t! Well, you can also visit the gallery of our recent visit to this place, HERE!

And, guys! Please don’t forget to check out other skywatchers’ pages and entries HERE!

Special Announcements about the passing of Vince Ferrolino and Gloria Layon- Richardson

Vince Ferrolino, a student during MVC’s Pioneering days passed away Sunday morning. The following is a letter from Jil Fadri, his brother-in-law:

Very early this morning I was awakened by a telephone call from my nephew Carl Ferrolino to tell me the sad news that his Dad Vince Ferrolino, my brother-in-law passed away this morning at their home in Glendale, California. He was one of the early pioneers of Mountain View College during the early fifties with his wife Dida Fadri-Ferrolino. He had a stroke in year 2000 and has been hospitalized several times after that then bedridden a number of years, until this morning Oct. 26. Please include the family of Dida Ferrolino and her family in your prayers.. Thank you very much Ed for informing our M V C family about the sad news.

Your friend,
Jil Fadri

VINCE F. FERROLINO SERVICES

Following is the schedule of services for the late Vince F. Ferrolino:

Viewing
Thursday, October 30, 2008, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Forest Lawn Glendale
1712 S. Glendale Avenue
Glendale, CA

Memorial Service
Friday, October 31, 2008, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Glendale Filipino Church
Corner Chestnut and Louise, Glendale

Funeral Service
Sabbath, November 1, 2008, 1:30 PM
Glendale Filipino Church
Corner Chestnut and Louise, Glendale

Graveside Service will follow the Funeral Service
Forest Lawn Glendale
1712 S. Glendale Avenue
Glendale, CA

Contact Persons:

Dida: (323) 550-8821; (323) 767-7022
Karl: (323) 562-9427
Don: (818) 378-2298
Arlene, daughter-in-law: arleneferrolino@yahoo.com

CONDOLENCE FROM A FRIEND

“NONOY” as we know him is a very appropriate namesake for Vince Ferrolino. It is an affectionate term that is commonly used in the Illongo dialect. This term of endearment says it all! It deserves respect as well as personal affection. Vince Ferrolino is bigger than life as we “grew” up with him during the pioneering stages of Mountain View College. He was a real “big” brother for all of us who happened to “live” with him at the old sawmill site in the logging area.

It is with great sadness and sorrow as we realize the loss of this man. He was a true asset for MVC. Even here in the USA, when Dida was Secretary of the alumni association, Vince would accompany his wife at every meeting of the alumni wherever it was held. The same was true with West Visayan Academy meetings. He was always there ready to give a helping hand. To Dida and the children, please accept our deepest sympathy.

Ed & Jonathan Babao

GLORIA LAYON-RICHARDSON

I also received the sad news that Gloria Layon-Richardson passed away early Sunday morning.
She had been battling cancer the past few weeks. I have not received information
on the funeral services.

In behalf of the alumni association and the editors of the CyberFlashes, we all send our sincere condolence to the families of Vince Ferrolino and Gloria Richardson. Let us remember them in our prayers. Let us also give them words of comfort during these difficult times.

We’ve just added a new album called, BirdPark, at OurGallery. I don’t know if our friends have visited this link before, but, just in case, visit us at this link.

Our visit to Jurong Bird Park was our first, as a family in almost 4 years of stay here in Singapore! Wutkind! Anyways, Friends sometimes come and spend 3 or 7 days to visit these places….and mind you! We haven’t even visited all the tourist destinations for almost 4 years now! Whew!

Anyways, just sharing with you guys some of the snapshots!

Jurong Bird Park Images

I have been trying out this Yahoo Messenger (YM) for Vista (Beta) since it was made available to Vista users. Well, I got some really difficult time, at first, making it work!

However, after sending out a support ticket to the makers of YM Vista, I was able to do it.

What I like about it?

• Interface. It was cool!

• Threaded message. It gives you the option on how you want your messages in the box would look like.

• Login window. It wasn’t the usual type of YM login window.

• Audio. Hmmmm…I don’t think it was far different with the version 8 but, at least, it was something new and sometimes you feel as if the audio’s also better…just because it is a new version! hahahaaha!

Missing was the video feature. This was the very reason that I went back installing version 9 instead.

Anyways, to you guys at the YM Vista…it was a good app! I know something better is in store for us!

Paalam (goodbye), Yahoo Messenger Vista!

Reaching the place was still OK but few minutes after…man! Everything was flooded by people from all walks of life!

We tried to book a taxi and we were told that the taxi would arrive in 5 minutes time. After 30 minutes, we spotted the taxi number 2112 but it wasn’t sporting the ON CALL sign. Fortunately, it stopped right in front of us and 2 persons got in. My wife came to the driver and told him that we were waiting for him to come.

“Your number didn’t register in here!” He retorted.

And after some arguing with my pregnant wife…(be careful with pregnant women, guys!), the cab driver finally told those people who were already inside to get out and he also apologized to my wife.

Anyways, things like this happens so, how?

Here’s a phone shot of Serangoon Road, infront of Serangoon Plaza…Happy Deepavali!

Been using Gmail since I got my E71. However, few minutes back, I upgraded my mobile email app, GMAIL to v2.0! This app’s pretty cool if you’re always on the go! Although, my Nokia E71 has its prebuilt email app, but when you are managing some few web domain and email accounts, nothing beats this web app…at least, for me!

Accessing multiple accounts in one application is indeed a cool treat for Google-fanatics out there!

Just point your mobile browser to http://m.google.com/mail.

(Using a Blackberry phone?)

EDITORIAL

Life’s Only Guarantee

In California, the fall season is the most terrifying period of the year. As the month of October approaches, everybody trembles at the thought of Santa Ana winds and the possibility of wildfires. Past experiences play havoc in the minds of those who live in the area; especially the southern part of the state. There are so many ways whereby a fire can be started. From human occasional sluggishness to thunder and lightning; even wild animals can generate a spark that can become an inferno. The lush order of vegetation and untouched bushes are “accidents waiting to happen.” As a result of last year’s fires, many residents are still in the process of rebuilding their homes while others have not.

In spite of the countless preparations, advance training and use or availability of proper equipment, local authorities are in dismay containing the idea. They have no absolute solutions to each case. One supporting reason is that each contingency does not occur in the same manner as in the past. Therefore, lacking track records add difficulty to combat the eventuality on hand. In addition to the uniqueness of the situation, some equipment might be readily available but deterrent factors prohibit the use of the same. For example, strong wind currents would not allow the deployment of some machinery as it is deemed very hazardous to do so.

This year, not only did the fire season start early but the stock market dipped rapidly as well. The financial debacle attracted the richest nations of the world to decide on viable ways and means of preventing a global dilemma. It is unfortunate for a rich country like the United States of America to be involved in a case like this. This only proves to show that there is nothing solid and concrete as far as our worldly relations are concerned. There is no sure fire in life! The only guarantee is to look unto Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith”. He is the only one who can save us from this mess. One of our best loved songs found in the church hymnal that was written and popularized by F. E. Belden (c. 1899) sums the whole thing up.

“Look upon Jesus, sinless is He;
Father, impute His life unto me.
My life of scarlet, my sin and woe,
Cover with His life, whiter than snow”.

Yes, my fellow alumni and alumnae; friends and supporters, in this time of uncertainty, Jesus is the only surefire guarantee.

Have a nice day!

Ed Consejo Babao
1474 Ava Street
San Diego, CA 92114-6603

MVC BRIEFS

Enrollment during the second semester at Mountain View College shows a big decrease. This would not have been unusual because this pattern has been observed for the past few years every second semester at MVC. But the global economic meltdown which has also affected the financial health in the Philippines aggravated the situation.

The enrollment figures below are tentative since we still see lines in the offices for admission.

School of Arts and Sciences - 81
School of Agriculture - 129
School of Theology - 123
School of Business - 223
School of Nursing - 1080
School of Education - 227

TOTAL 1863

High School 132
Elementary 114

GRAND TOTAL 2109

The total number may rise to 2,600 but still lower than the 2700 we had second semester of last school year. In spite of this, we still are grateful to God that we have this big group of students who are supported by parents and scholarship donors.

Danny Dial, President

SULADS WINS 2008 OUTSTANDING LITERACY PROGRAM; FAMISARAN IS OUTSTANDING LITERACY WORKER

The SULADS and Mr. Daryl Famisaran, director, have been named Regional Winners of the 2008 Outstanding Literacy Program and Outstanding Literacy Worker contests, respectively.

In a letter addressed to Mr. Famisaran, Dr. Gloria D. Benigno, School Division Superintendent of the Department of Education, Division of Bukidnon, invited him to attend the October 17 Regional Literacy Conference and Awarding Ceremonies of the 2007-2008 Regional Search for Outstanding Field/Division Alternative Learning System (ALS) Implementors and Mobile Teachers and Outstanding Local Government Units, Literacy Program and Literacy Worker at the Regional Educational Learning Center, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City.

“This activity,” the letter further said, “aims to give due credit to ALS Implementors, stakeholders and Local Government Units in acknowledgment of the effective implementation of ALS programs and projects.”

A few years ago, the SULADS program and Mr. Famisaran won the National Awards for Outstanding Literacy Program and Outstanding Literacy Worker. These recent awards show that the government recognizes the good work that Mr. Famisaran and his dedicated SULADS are doing for the cultural minorities.

Congratulations to Daryl and the SULADS!

CABALLERO PLACES 2ND IN CERTIFIED PLANT MECHANIC EXAM

Engr. Edwin Bacacao Caballero, college engineer who heads the construction of many MVC building projects, placed second in the Certified Plant Mechanic Licensure Examination held recently.

The October 16, 2008 Philippine Daily Inquirer revealed that Engr. Caballero, a civil engineering graduate of the University of Mindanao, Davao City, scored 80.05%.

Congratulations, Engr. Caballero!

ADIL ATTENDS MALAYSIA SEMINAR-WORKSHOP

Dr. Jim Jiamah Adil Jr., associate professor of the Schools of Theology and Education and MVC Academy church pastor/guidance counselor, attended a seminar-workshop on Building Positive Human Relations held in Sabah, Malaysia, September 5-17, 2008.

The seminar aimed to educate pastors and lay workers on how to build bridges of understanding with different groups.

Dr. Adil says: “The two-week seminar was really educative especially on missiological concepts and principles. It led me to a paradigm shift in relating with cultures and belief systems that are quite different from my own. The seminar activities also gave me learning opportunities through associating with various nationalities.

After the seminar, I climbed (alone with my guide) Mt. Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. At the peak I saw the beautiful view, but the wind was so strong and dangerous. This made me realize that life at our peak moments can be beautiful, but the wind can be so strong, and pride may be harder to manage. We may soon forget our hardships and humbling experiences on the way to the top.”

Nelson Madriaga

ADVENTIST TO DIRECT U. S. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM PANEL

A Seventh-day Adventist who spent the last seven years advocating for the religious freedom of 16 million church members now has a wider constituency: the whole world.

James Standish, a veteran advocate who served the world church as until recently director of Legislative Affairs at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, now will serve as executive director of United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent, bipartisan federal agency advising the Administration and Congress.

Standish succeeds Joseph R. Capra, who served as executive director of the Commission from 2003 – 2007, until Capra’s death last October.

“The Commission warmly welcomes James Standish,” stated Commission chair Felice D. Gaer. She said his “academic and professional background in human rights and religious freedom advocacy has made him a respected leader, both on Capitol Hill and among the widely varying constituencies whose causes he has represented.”

“It is an honor to join the Commission, particularly as we approach the tenth anniversary of the creation of the International Religious Freedom Act, legislation that affirmed the importance of religious freedom promotion U.S. foreign policy,“ Standish said. “The magnitude and severity of violations of the universal right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion worldwide cannot be overstated.”

Standish is widely published, has discussed religious freedom issues on nationally broadcast television and radio, and has testified on religious freedom matters before the United States House of Representatives, most recently in February, when he spoke in support of the Workplace Religious Freedom Act, or WRFA, before the House of Representatives Health, Employment, Labor, and Pension Subcommittee.

“Mr. Standish brings to the Commission critical experience in both grassroots advocacy and a publication history that speaks to his impressive, nonpartisan ability to approach issues of religious freedom from political, legal, and theoretical perspectives,” Ms. Gaer noted.

Standish received his undergraduate from Adventist-owned Newbold College in England, a M.B.A. from University of Virginia, and a J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University.

The Commission, established by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA), monitors violations of the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in IRFA and set fort5h in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments.

AR/Adventist News Network (September 18, 2008)

MANILA, PHILIPPINES IS SITE OF GC FALL COUNCIL

Under the theme “Mission of Hope,” some 300 Seventh-day Adventist world church delegates convened in Manila, the Philippines on October 10-15, 2008 for the global Protestant denomination’s fall business session, otherwise known as the Annual Council.

Attended by the church’s full Executive Committee voting body, Annual Council is the only meeting in which church policy is voted. Up for discussion are topics ranging from the church’s structure to the appropriation of its funds, as well as progress made in the church’s mission efforts and its global AIDS ministry.

Once every five years, the Adventist church holds Annual Council in a location outside North America. The church’s united front for mission is expected to steer policy decisions and appointments during the meetings. “It serves the unity of the world church when its decision-making body gains first-hand exposure to the diversity of the Adventist community,’ world church President Jan Paulsen said of the international location. “We look forward to conducting business and rejoicing in the Lord’s leading and participating in the life of the local church in the Philippines.”

Paulsen has visited the Philippines several times. In 2005, during the church’s centennial celebration in the Philippines, Paulsen met with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who commended the church’s commitment to social service and advocacy for good government.
Adventist Church officials have applauded the Philippine government for its strong support of religious liberty. In 2002, Arroyo met with delegates of the International Religious Liberty Association, the largest worldwide forum on freedom of religion.

Paulsen said the Adventist has long committed to raising awareness of health issues and establishing educational infrastructure in the Philippines. The church operates 4,222 churches, two universities, six colleges, 22 high schools, one publishing house, two clinics and nine hospitals in the Philippines, including Manila Adventist Hospital.

Worldwide, the Adventist Church manages one of the largest global networks of integrated private schools – second only to the Roman Catholic Church, the most prominent faith in the Philippines.

More than half a million Seventh-day Adventists live in the nation of some 90 million people.

In addition to voting on policy issues, Annual Council delegates are also slated to elect several church officers. A world church pro¬gram promoting the importance of regular Bible study, “Follow the Bible,” was also launched at Annual Council.

Source: Adventist News Network

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Has the world gone bankrupt? Where did all the money go? From the latest poll and issue of the National Geographic Magazine, seven (7) continents of the world share the loot. The wealth of the world is distributed as evidenced by the number of millionaires in their respective areas. They are:

North America — 3,300,000 millionaires (includes Canada)
Europe ————- 3,100,000 millionaires
Asia —————– 2,606,000 millionaires
Middle East ——- 400,000 millionaires
Latin America —- 400,000 millionaires
Oceania ———– 194,000 millionaires (incl. Australia and New Zealand)
Africa ————— 100,000 millionaires

In 2007 the world’s 10.1 million millionaires were worth $40.7 trillion. These are the nations with the most millionaires per capita.

1. Switzerland (2.7% of population)
2. United Arab Emirates (1.8%)
3. Singapore (1.7%)
4. Norway (1.3%)
5. Japan (1.2%)
6. U. S. and Germany (1%)

Note: According to an annual report on world wealth, the population of those with a million U.S. dollars in assets rose strongly in the following order: India (23%), China (20%), Brazil (19%) and Russia (14%). A million dollars today is only worth a mere $455,000.00 in 1983 dollars. Thanks to global inflation.

(Compiled by Jeremy Berlin, NGM November 2008)

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***DEVOTIONAL***
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WHO IS NOT YOUR NEIGHBOR?

(by Kerry Doyal - www.getgraced.org)

Though we likely do not know each other, we share a mutual love. It is a sentiment that is tough to admit but harder to deny - the evidence is overwhelming. Not only can I “marshal verses” to prove we possess this passion, but our family and closest friends would gladly testify against us confirming this trait.

This is pervasive passion! We love ourselves in bunches. No doubt, we all do some serious self-loathing at times - some far more than others. However, on the whole, most of us feed and care for ourselves pretty doggone well. If you are in some measure sitting upright, clothed and in your right mind (see Mark 5:15), you show evidence of healthy, God-given self-love.

Here is a twist for you to consider: even some of our low self-esteem is evidence of self-love. If I did not love me, it would not matter that I thought badly of me at times. Let that soak in. It is my deep concern for me that alerts me to my needs, be they physical, social or emotional.

Good news. This is not meant as a guilt trip, but a sweet hook-setter. When Jesus set the standard of love for us to show towards others, He meant the second greatest commandment. He chose our love for “little old us.” It’s not 10% tithe here. This is an all-out, deep, spare-no-expense love.

When asked which commandment was most important, Jesus answered: “Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” As a bonus, He added that the second greatest commandment was to love your neighbor as you love yourself. There are no other commandments greater than these, said He (see Mark 12:28-31).

If I would love others as much as I love me, and if you would do the same - whoa! Our self-partiality is an incredibly high standard to set for our practical care for others. It is not simply “do others no harm” as lofty as that would be. No, it is do good unto others the way you want them to treat you.

“Yes” we say, “but who is my neighbor? That is a big, broad command.” Great question! A Jewish Law expert already asked it of Jesus. Hearing Jesus’ summary of the Law, he got defensive and felt a need to justify his lack of love for others, especially non-Jews (Luke 10:25-37).

Jesus answered this question with the story of “The Good Samaritan.” Your neighbor is the person in your life that has a need, not just your family, friends and favorites. Jesus did not narrow the scope, but kicked out our safe parameters.

Our neighborhoods are much bigger than we think (or like). It includes many we would rather exclude, be they the wrong - I mean different - race, nationality, economic or educational strata or people pursuing lifestyle choices we find offensive.

The Second Commandment is much simpler than we may like. When God puts someone in your life, tell them “welcome to the ‘hood!” and then love them, just like you love you. We do not want to be like murderous Cain, who smugly asked God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 4:9). Abel’s blood answers, “Yes,” as do the unmet needs of many we encounter, but ignore. Here is a dare: Read James 2 and 1 John 3:11-24.

A fully developed neighbor-love-to-the-max includes not just the lovable. It is a love in “3 - D” that includes Distant People (Matt. 28:18-20; Rom. 10:12-17), Different People (Acts 1:8; Rom. 16; Rev. 5:9-13) and Difficult People (Matt. 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-38; John 13:1-17).

Whom do you find it hard to love: the poor, the rich, minorities, majorities, Muslims, homosexuals, men, women, family, next door neighbors? God controls who is part of your neighborhood. He brings people across our paths for a purpose. Remember Ephesians 2:8-10? (See also Romans 12:9-13; Hebrews 6:10-12; 1 Peter 1:22; 2 Peter 1:3-9.)

The Christians in Rome were exhorted: “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:8-10 - NIV). See also 1 Samuel 15:22; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8; Matt. 9:13; 12:7.

To a church that was already great at loving people - something churches strive for and many pride themselves in - Paul wrote: “And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more” (1 Thess. 4:10 - NIV).

Ironically, it is your love for yourselves that gets in the way of your love for others, as mine does me. In a sentence, Jesus made it clear that if I love me and you love you - and we do - then we are to also love each other in like manner.

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***HERE’S THE LATEST***
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CALLING ALL MVCAA-WESTERN USA MEMBERS, FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS

We are almost there! In a couple of weeks we will be celebrating our 2008 MVCAA-Western USA Annual Reunion. This weekend retreat of spiritual uplift and social opportunities among former college instructors, classmates, roommates, friends and supporters will commence on November 7and 8, 2008 at the beautiful Loma Linda Filipino SDA Church Multi-purpose Center. It will be held in the world-wide mecca of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Loma Linda, California, USA. You can expect to hear inspirational news, enhancing music and spiritually uplifting messages as part of this celebration.

Mr. Don Christensen, former MVC Business Consultant and College pilot, will be our special guest speaker during these two days of worship and “fun and frolic” week-end affair. He has spent many years at the hilltop, and certainly, his experiences will inspire and encourage us to serve the Lord meaningfully. So, don’t miss this opportunity to listen to him. Please come!

Our main theme for this year’s occasion is: “A Beacon In A Time of Change.”

Local personalities and different musical groups will grace our reunion with live music to inspire us. Yes, we will be thrilled as we listen to the sermons, devotional talks and a variety of musical renditions. This event will allow the beacon light of MVC continue to shine even in a world full of changes. The Friday’s Vesper Program and all-day Sabbath activities, together with the Saturday Night’s- Banquet Party will give us some reminders of the good old school days on that beautiful mountain top. So, remember to keep these dates in your appointment book.

Don’t miss this great privilege of spiritual refreshing and a time for renewing friendships. The following is a preview of the weekend activities.

November 7, 2008 (Friday):

VESPER SERVICE: (7:00 PM-8:30 PM)- (LLFC GYM)

Music and Meditation……………………………………………………Rene Donato
Songs of Praise…………………………………………………………..Abundio Abao, Jr. -Family singers
MVC School Song………………………………………………………..Joy Abao
Welcome…………………………………………………………………..Rollie Donato
Opening Song………”Marching To Zion”………………………………SDA Hymn # 422
Opening Prayer……………………………………………………………Ernie Andres
Special Song………………………………………………………………Michelle Frasco
Introduction of Guest…………………………………………………….Rene Donato
Message……………………………………………………………………Don Christensen
Appeal for Offering………………………………………………………..Gerry Macaya
Offertory………………………………………………………………….. Michelle Frasco
Closing Prayer……………………………………………………………..Eddie Zamora

Chorister: Joy Abao
Pianist: Susan Cuizon-Halder

November 8, 2008 (Sabbath):

SABBATH SCHOOL PROGRAM: (9:00 AM-10:30 AM)- (LLFC GYM)

Music and Meditation……………………………………………………..Rollie Donato
Songs of Praise…………………………………………………………….LLFC Ripples
Opening Song…….”Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus”……………………SDA Hymn # 618
Opening Prayer……………………………………………………………..Pastor Charles Aguilar
Welcome & Opening Remark……………………………………………….Chanda Castaneda
Report-1-……………………………………………………………………”Finish The Work” Ministry
Special Song………………………………………………………………..HOPE Singers
Report-2-……………………………………………………………………SULADS
Call for Offering……………………………………………………………..David Patrona
Offertory ……………………………………………………………………HOPE Singers
Lesson Study Summary….”Atonement in Symbols: Part I”…………..Dominador Tamares, Jr.
MVC Roll Call………………………………………………………………..Ruth Montano / Rollie Donato
MVC School Song…………………………………………………………..Rollie Donato
Closing Prayer……………………………………………………………….Joe Carbunco

Chorister: Delia Bantigue
Pianist: Eppie Manalo

ALUMNI-AT-WORSHIP: (10:40 AM-12:30 PM)-(LLFC GYM)

Welcome: (in behalf of LLFC)…………………………………………..Jose Manalo (LLFC Senior Pastor)
Greetings: (in behalf of MVCAA)……………………………………….Rollie Donato (MVCAA Interim President)
Alumni Awards / Recognition……………………………………………Eddie Zamora, Jewelyn Gallego &
Amy Rafanan
Prelude…………………………………………………………………….Medeon Maraon / Angela Lalas
Introit……………………………………………………………………..Eppie Manalo
Songs of Praise…………………………………………………………..Praise Unlimited
Opening Song……….”The Lord Is My Light”………………………….SDA Hymn # 515
Invocation…………………………………………………………………Don Christensen
Call for Offering…………………………………………………………..Jerry Gallego
Offertory…………………………………………………………………..Ray Zamora & Co.
Scripture Reading/Prayer………………………………………………..Pastor Isachar Garsula
Prayer Response………………………………………………………….Reunion Choir
Introduction of Guest……………………………………………………Eddie Zamora
Message-in-Song………………………………………………………..Reunion Choir
Sermon………”Every Common Bush Afire” …………………Don Christensen
Music Response…………………………………………………………..Advent Philomels
Gift Appreciation………………………………………………………….Chanda Castaneda
Closing Prayer/Announcement…………………………………………..Zee Postrero

Chorister: Orlando Palitang
Organist: Medeon Maraon
Pianist: Angela Lalas
Choir Directress: Eppie Manalo

************************************************************************************
POTLUCK (FELLOWSHIP LUNCH)- (12:45 PM-2:15 PM)……………Chanda Castaneda, Noemi Martinez
Teresita Gucilatar & Ching Amurao
LLFC Potluck Team / Young Professionals
Club

***********************************************************************************

SABBATH AFTERNOON PROGRAM: (2:30 PM-4:30 PM)-(LLFC GYM)

Welcome………………………………………………………………..Rollie Donato & Amy Rafanan
Opening Prayer………………………………………………………..Amy Rafanan
Musical Numbers…………………………………………………..(sequence to be determined)
Abundio Abao Family
Ray Zamora & Company
HOPE Singers
MVC Report & Recollection ( in slide pictures)…………….Don Christensen
Call for Offering …………………………………………………Rene Donato
Offertory ……………………………………………………..LLFC Ripples
Special Song………………………………………………………….New Generation
MVC Reflections………………………………………………………Myrna Dial
Closing Prayer……………………………………………………….Ely Sacay
Announcement………………………………………………………Rollie Donato

BANQUET: (7:00 PM-10:30 PM)- (LLU CAFETERIA)

Music and Meditation………………………………………………Asing Camato
Opening Prayer……………………………………………………..Eddie Babao
Welcome & Project Promotion…………………………………….Zee Postrero
MVC Updates on Project…………………………………………..Danny Dial
Special Election…………………………………………………….Eddie Babao/Rollie Donato/Ruth Montano
Dinner Blessing………………………………………………………Pastor Romeo Canales
Dinner Time………………………………………………………….all members
Video……………”a Night of Memories”…………………………..Rene Donato
Musical Entertainment……………………………………………..(Selected Performers)
MVC School Song…………………………………………………. Everyone
Closing Prayer………………………………………………………..Eddie Zamora
Announcement………………………………………………………..Zee Postrero
—————————————————————————–

Vital information you need to know:

(1) Registration starts at 6:00 pm (FYI: please come early).
(2) Alumni Fee- $25.00 for singles; $35.00 for a couples.
(3) For an extra donation of $15.00, a 2008 Reunion T-Shirt will be given to you during the affair. (Courtesy of Teody Ray Donato-Llasos of Edinburg, TX and 50% of the proceeds will go to the MVCAA-WUSA Fund and Savings Account).
(4) Free Potluck Fellowship Lunch will be served at the LLFC’s Bayanihan Park right after the Divine Worship Service at noon. We would like to encourage our alumni to bring any dish/dishes and desserts. Don’t bring rice any more. Rice will be cooked, in two-big Rice Cookers at the LLFC Kitchenette. (Courtesy of the LLFC Potluck Team)
(5) Banquet Party ticket- $40.00 per person. A bargain has been decided, if you attend the party in a group. Please look closely for the payment information or see the front desk attendants during check-in for details.
(6) The deadline for the souvenir program was October 19, 2008. If you have not sent your solicitation papers, they are already late.

Here are the direction to LLFC SDA Multi-purpose Center

From Palm Springs take I-10 West and from Los Angeles take I-10 East, exit at California Street and go down South towards Redlands Blvd. Make a Left on Redlands, Blvd. then Right on New Jersey Street. Stay on New Jersey Street and before you reach Barton Road you will see the Church on the right side. There is a large sign isdentifying the Church. The Gymnasium is located at the rear of the Sanctuary.

The Church address and information is listed below.
Loma Linda Filipino SDA Church
11180 New Jersey Street
Redlands, CA 92373
tel.# (909) 798-3822
website: www.lomalindafilipinochurch.org

(For GPS users: Enter for the destination 11180 New Jersey Street, Redlands, CA, and your GPS will direct you to the right location.)

Watch for some more news and developments as the reunion draws near. Stay current with the weekly Cyberflashes! I solicit your prayers for the success of this reunion. Any inquiries, please call me or send me an e-mail thru’ my personal information below:

Rollie Boy Donato
986 Oak Leaf Drive
Colton, CA 92324

Cell# (951) 347-3258
E-mail: rollliedonato@hotmail.com

——————————————-
For your convenience, here’s a list of Hotels and Motels with their addresses and telephone numbers within the Loma Linda and San Bernardino areas:

Loma Linda Inn
24522 University Avenue
Loma Linda, CA
tel. # (909) 796-8636

Motel-6
111 East Redlands Blvd.
Colton, CA
tel. # (909) 825-6666

La Quinta Inn
2058 E. Hospitality Lane
San Bernardino, CA
tel. # (800) 531-5900

Good Nite Inn
1675 Industrial Park Avenue
Redlands, CA
tel. # (909) 793-3723

San Bernardino Hilton
285 E. Hospitality Lane
San Bernardino, CA
tel. # (909) 889-0133
(Or you can log-in to Google and type “Hotels and Motels in San Bernardino” then select which place you want to stay)

On behalf of the 2008 Alumni Officers,

Rollie Boy Donato
Reunion Chairman and acting President
MVCAA-WUSA Chapter
Loma Linda, California USA

—————————————
ANNOUNCEMENTS
—————————–
To CBI Alumni - please be aware that the venue for Central Bukidnon Institute retreat has changed to the Covina International SDA Church. Direction to the place is provided in this issue.

We are looking for MVCAA-WUSA alumni and alumnae who want to sing and participate in our “2008 Reunion Choir” for the Divine Worship Service. Dr. Eppie Manalo, wife of LLFC Senior Pastor Joe Manalo, will be directing this company of singers.

The first choir practice will be on the Friday night (November 7th) right after the Vesper Program. Dr. Manalo has selected a song to be sung. It’s very simple. Just come to the practice as scheduled. (Assemble in the LLFC Gym Choir room after the program.)

Thanks,

Rollie Boy Donato

Here are future events you can look forward to:

October 24 - 26, 2008: Central Bukidnon Institute weekend retreat to be held at the Covina International SDA Church located in 2003 Cienega Avenue, Covina, CA 91724. The original plan was at the Pine Springs Ranch camp in Idyllwild, CA.

October 31 to November 2, 2008: Sulads International Reunion at Covina International SDA Church, 2003 Cienega Avenue, Covina, California 91730.

November 1, 2008: Mountain View College alumni rally in Lancaster, CA. Mark your calendar now! For further information, please contact Zee Valendez-Postrero.

November 7 - 8, 2008: MVC Alumni Association and Friends (MVCAA) Reunion at the Loma Linda Filipino Seventh-day Adventist Church located on 11180 New Jersey St., Redlands, CA 92373… Telephone: (909) 798 – 3822.

(Reprinted from previous issue)

————————-
***REFLECTIONS***
————————-
The Heart of God

(by Gail Stratton)

The heart of God loves…
He calls out, “I love you, spend time with me!”
But ever so busy, we turn away and say,
“I have other things to do today.”

The heart of God sees the lonely…
He calls out, “I care about you, come to me!”
But pretending not to hear, we turn away and say,
“No one cares, get out of my way.”

The heart of God sees the suffering…
He calls out, “I know the way, I will heal!”
But instead of drawing closer, we turn away and say,
“I will do it myself, there’s no need to pray.”

The heart of God sees the dying…
He holds out his hand and He says, “I will give you life!”
But rather than accept the gift, we cover our ears and we say,
“I don’t need to be saved,” and we turn away…again

—————————————————-
***PERSPECTIVES IN CHRISTIANITY***
—————————————————-
Tangled Hair

(Author Unknown)
(Based on a story told by Beth Moore, Houston, TX)

Beth was sitting at an airport terminal, waiting to board a plane. She sat there with several other people who were also waiting, whom she did not know. As she waited, she pulled out her Bible and started reading. All of a sudden she felt as if the people sitting there around her were looking at her.

She looked up, but realized that they were looking just over her head, in the direction right behind her. She turned around to see what everyone was looking at, and when she did, she saw a stewardess pushing a wheelchair, with the ugliest old man sitting in it, that she had ever seen before. She said he had this long white hair that was all tangled and such a mess. His face was really, really wrinkled, and he didn’t look friendly at all. She said she didn’t know why, but she felt drawn to the man, and thought at first that God wanted her to witness to him. In her mind she said she was thinking, “Oh, God, please, not now, not here.”

No matter what she did, she couldn’t get the man off of her mind, and all of a sudden she knew what God wanted her to do. She was supposed to brush this old man’s hair. She went and knelt down in front of the old man, and said “Sir may I have the honor of brushing your hair for you?” He said “What?” She thought, “Oh great, he’s hard of hearing.” Again, a little louder, she said, “Sir, may I have the honor of brushing your hair for you?” He answered, “If you are going to talk to me, you are going to have to speak up, I am practically deaf.” So this time, she was almost yelling, “Sir may I please have the honor of brushing your hair for you?” Everyone was watching to see what his response would be. The old man just looked at her confused, and said “Well, I guess if you really want to.” She said, “I don’t even have a brush, but I thought I would ask anyway.” He said, “Look in the bag hanging on the back of my chair, there is a brush in there.” So she got the brush out and started brushing his hair. (She has a little girl with long hair, so she has had lots of practice getting tangles out, and knew how to be gentle with him.) She worked for a long time, until every last tangle was out.

Just as she was finishing up, she heard the old man crying, and she went and put her hands on his knees, kneeling in front of him again looking directly into his eyes, and said “Sir, do you know Jesus?” He answered, “Yes, of course I know Jesus. You see, my bride told me she couldn’t marry me unless I knew Jesus, so I learned all about Jesus, and asked Him to come into my heart many years ago, before I married my bride.” He continued, “You know, I am on my way home to go and see my wife. I have been in the hospital for a long time, and had to have a special surgery in this town far from my home. My wife couldn’t come with me, because she is so frail herself.” He said, “I was so worried about how terrible my hair looked, and I didn’t want her to see me looking so awful, but I couldn’t brush my hair, all by myself.” Tears were rolling down his cheeks, as he thanked Beth for brushing his hair. He thanked her over and over again.

She was crying, people all around witnessing this were crying, and as they were all boarding the plane, the stewardess, who was also crying, stopped her, and asked, “Why did you do that?” And right there was the opportunity, the door that had been opened to share with someone else, the love of God. We don’t always understand God’s ways, but be ready, He may use us to meet the need of someone else, like He met the need of this old man, and in that moment, also calling out to a lost soul who needed to know about His love.

——————————————
***LETTERS TO THE EDITORS***
——————————————–
Hi Sir Eddie,
Can you do CBI a favor? Please circulate around MVC Alumni and readers of the CF that the CBI Reunion on October 24-26, 2008 (this coming weekend) due to some major reasons will no longer be held at the Pines Springs Ranch in Riverside County, California but rather at the Covina International SDA Church along 2003 Cienega Avenue, Covina, CA 91724.
Please circulate this information before the weekend as well through the coming weekend issue of the CF. Thank you so much for your help and God be praised for you CF editors.
In behalf of the CBI Alumni USA officers and members,
Asher Himbing

—————————————-
Fellow Sulads and friends:

What - SULADS International Reunion
When - October 31-November 2, 2008
Where- Covina International Seventh-day Adventist Church
2003 Cienega Avenue, CA 91724

Contingents:
Philippines
Canada
U.S.A.
Thailand

Who are attending: Sponsors, missionaries, adopted SULADS, SULADS field directors, mission presidents.

Special Features: Theme-TRIBUTE
Spiritual enrichment
Business meeting
Sports

Thanks. God bless.

Pastor Romeo Canales

——————————–
Our annual reunion is just around the corner, matter of fact, it is only a week to go. If you missed last year’s reunion, you should have a reason to attend this year’s reunion. There will be more sulads from the Philippines, Thailand, Canada, the American Samoa and the USA who confirmed their attendance to the reunion this year.

With what is going on around us in all levels of the world’s affairs, we will never know, this might be the last Sulads reunion we will have in the USA.

Come and be blest by the fresh reports of our fellow Sulads from all over. Meet in person and listen to the report of our Sulads from Canada who have just started the Sulads program in the paved jungles of Vancouver, B.C. and Edmonton, Calgary. Sulads in Thailand who have been working among the Mien tribe will be attending to abreast us with the progress of the Sulads program in Thailand. Get a first hand updates of the Sulads effort in the Philippines, how they entered very challenging areas and how they stayed apolitical while promoting the mission of the Sulads program consistent with what and how Jesus modeled to us. Reinforce the MVC missionary zeal and spirit you and I have been a part. Please join come.

The reunion will be a week before the MVC Alumni Association reunion in Loma Linda. To those of you who are coming in from distant places, you can avail of two important MVC Alumni events by attending the Sulads Reunion in the first weekend of November, and the MVC Alumni Association Reunion in the second weekend of November.

The venue of our reunion is at the Covina International SDA Church along 2003 Cienega St., Covina, CA 91724 with telephone number (626)833-5304. It is about 45 minutes drive away from Loma Linda, California going west towards Los Angeles.

Driving Direction:

If you are coming EAST- Take I-10 west towards Los Angeles, EXIT at Grand Avenue, then take a LEFT at Grand Avenue and go all the way to Cienega Avenue. Then take a RIGHT at Cienega Avenue. After two stops, take note of the Pine Trees on your left where the church’s landmark is, take a LEFT on the church’s entrance.

If you are coming WEST - you can either take I-10 or I-210.
If taking I-10 - Take I-10 EAST towards San Bernardino, EXIT at Grand Avenue, then take a LEFT at Grand Avenue and go all the way to Cienega Avenue. Then take a RIGHT at Cienega Avenue. After two stops, take note of the Pine Trees on your left where the church’s landmark is, take a LEFT to the church’s entrance.

If taking I-210 - Take I-210 EAST towards San Bernardino, EXIT at Sunflower Avenue, then take a RIGHT at Sunflower Avenue, then take a RIGHT at Cienega Avenue. After a few houses at your right, you will see Pine Trees and the church’s landmark, take a RIGHT on the church’s entrance.

If you are taking I-15 WEST from the High Desert/Las Vegas, EXIT at I-210 WEST then merge. Then EXIT at Sunflower Avenue, then take a LEFT at Sunflower Avenue, then take a RIGHT at Cienega Avenue. After a few houses at your right, you will see Pine Trees and the church;s landmark, take a RIGHT on the church’s entrance.

If coming SOUTH - Take I-605 North, Exit at I-405 EAST then merge, EXIT at Sunflower Avenue, then take a RIGHT at Sunflower Avenue, then take a RIGHT at Cienega Avenue. after a few houses at your right, you see Pine Trees and the church’s landmark, take a RIGHT on the church’s entrance.

God bless you as you finalize your plan in coming. Should you have some further inquiry, please let me know.

Asher Himbing

———————-
Dear Sir Eddie and the rest of the editorial staff,

I just want to let you know that you are doing a great job providing us with the latest news about our alumni. I look forward to each “flash”. Keep up the good work, it’s “perfect” just as it is. No need to change your editing style; some seem to forget that much of the information is from contributors and should not be edited, and after all, this is a free service thanks to your hard work. Please don’t stop, I would really miss the connection with all of you. Since I am so far away from you here in Pennsylvania, it really makes me feel closer to my friends and classmates.

Best wishes,

Maggie Martinez Gross
MVC SN Class of 76

—————————————-
Dear Editors,

This is just to inform you that we are blessed with the Cyberflashes news. Please keep them up. You are assured of our prayers. We are encouraged to organize the Middleast (Gulf) Chapter too.

Judith B. Aguillon-Selgas & family
Muscat SDA Church
Sultanate of Oman, Middle East

———————————–
My dear family members,

I praise God for good friends and family members like you. I also praise Him for giving me the opportunity to be home after six days at the hospital. Even if the pains are still there, I need to communicate with fellow members of the faith who made me strong when I went through difficult times. My surgery was successful. Twenty-five lymph nodes were excised. Of this number seven were positive to have still the papillary cancer. This may lead to another ‘dreaded’ round of iodine radiation (RAI) but I am praying this will be the last.

I may stay at home for sometime as the wounds need time to heal. My mobility is very much limited as I experience pain whenever I do it. Anyway, I will manage office work from my room especially as we prepare for Hope Channel production and press releases during the Autumn Council.

Thanks for your expression of love, care, and prayers.

Sincerely your friend,

Jon C. Catolico

———————————-
In behalf of our family, I would like to say thank you to those who expressed their sympathy on the death of our father Nicolas Loriezo on October 7, 2008. In a special way I want to say thank you very much to the doctors and nurses at Valencia Sanitarium and Hospital for their compassionate care during my father’s last days of admission. From what my sister told me you were all super and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

To Mountain View College Administration and Dr. Danny Dial, I cannot thank you enough for all your help and support. I am sure opportunities will open so I can even just in a small way make it up to you. It’s amazing how much our grief is lightened when those we love share our sorrows. Your e-mails, phone calls and cards of sympathy made all the difference and it means a lot to us. Again thank you.

Fred Loriezo

———————————-
Gwen, Nonoy, and Ching,

We may not have known each other personally but I knew your Mom when I was in Grade Three. She and my Mom used to visit churches together, giving lectures on the Secrets of a Man/Woman and How to have a Happy Marriage. I could still vividly recall how they would whisper and giggle together, just like teenagers, as they recall their funny experiences in their travels. Later, they were also together in visiting schools. During her visits, our home was her own and in a little girl’s eyes, she’s a real angel in human form. In her memory, I made this…

A –Auntie Aldine, she was fondly called
U –Unrelated we may be, yet
N- No one ever
T - Treated her as a stranger when
I – Into our house she
E – Entered.

A - Always smiling, always gay
L – Loving me as her own, in her simple way
D – During her visits to West Visayan Mission
I – In her quiet ways she gained my attention.
N – Never did she need to preach out loud
E – Eternal values in me, she had instilled.

I cried with you in your loss,
Lily Escara-Lare

———————————-
Dear brothers and sisters

It seems like the days are getting harder and harder. It is evident that all over the world the economy is suffering, wars are being fought and there are rumors of wars, storms and natural disasters. We believe that now is the time to join hands and build the Body of Jesus.

Please pray with us that the Lord will use us to the building and edification of His Body and to the glory of His name. We look up to you and ask that together we shall join forces to glorify the name of the Lord.

You are invited to build and edify the Body of Christ in the Holy Land – the Land of Israel. Together, by the grace of God, we can bring about a change.

With the love of Jeshua (Jesus).

Danny and Tammy Meyuseff
Israel

—————————————
To all alumni and friends,

Please include in your prayers, Peter Ford, our son in-law. He is sick of lung cancer. He is in the Philippines with his wife Arnie teaching at Brent International School in Binian, Laguna, close to AUP. They have a daughter who is in kindergarten. We will appreciate your efforts in bringing together the alumni in the love and service to Jesus until His coming. We are looking forward to a reunion where we will never say goodbye.

Archie and AnitaTupas
Los Angeles, CA

—————————–
I am in Baguio City (at this time) and was shocked to to read (of) the passing away of Prof. V. L. Bartlett. My memory of him starts on the night of January 1, 1952 during the fledgling years of MVC. This will remain in my mind until the Lord shall determine (that) my work is done.

My heartfelt condolences to Verlyn and Sandra with their families.

Job (Tanamal)

—————————–
HUMOR KORNER****
—————————–
Go To School

Early one morning, a mother went in to wake up her son.
“Wake up, son. It’s time to go to school!”
“But why, Mom? I don’t want to go.”
“Give me two reasons why you don’t want to go.”
“Well, the kids hate me for one, and the teachers hate me, too!”
“Oh, that’s no reason not to go to school. Come on now and get ready.”
“Give me two reasons why I *should* go to school.”

“Well, for one, you’re 52 years old. And for another, you’re the PRINCIPAL!”
—————————————————————-
Baby Boomers: The 60’s and revisited in 2008

Then: Long Hair.
Now : Longing for hair.

Then: The perfect high.
Now : The perfect high yield mutual fund.

Then: Keg.
Now : EKG.

Then: Acid Rock.
Now : Acid Reflux.

Then: Moving to California because it’s cool.
Now : Moving to California because it’s warm.

Then: Watching John Glenn’s historic flight with your parents.
Now : Watching John Glenn’s historic flight with your children.

Then: Trying to look like Marlon Brando or Elizabeth Taylor.
Now : Trying not to look like Marlon Brando or Elizabeth Taylor.

Then: Paar.
Now : AARP.

Then: The Grateful Dead.
Now : Dr. Kevorkian.

Then: Getting out to a new, hip joint.
Now : Getting a new hip joint.

Then: Rolling Stones.
Now : Kidney stones.

Then: Being called into the principal’s office.
Now : Calling the principal’s office.

Then: Parents begging you to get your hair cut.
Now : Children begging you to get their heads shaved.

Then: Passing the driver’s test.
Now : Passing the vision test.

Then: “Whatever”
Now : “Depends”
————————————
Even More Bumper Stickers

- What if the hokey pokey is what it’s all about?
- Back up my hard drive? How do I put it in reverse?
- He’s not dead, he’s electroencephalographically challenged.
- Honk if anything falls off.
- How do I set my laser printer to stun?
- Dare to keep cops off donuts.
- I do whatever my rice krispies tell me to.
- I fought the lawn and the lawn won.
- Seen it all, done it all, can’t remember most of it.
- She’s always late. Her ancestors arrived on the Juneflower.

——————————–
***PRAYER REQUESTS***
——————————–
Let us pray for:

* The bereaved family of Dr. Virgil Bartlett, first president of Mountain View College in 1953. Dr. Bartlett passed away from a lingering illness this week in Collegedale, TN.

* God’s comforting presence to be with the bereaved families of the Bartletts, the De Angels, the Loriezos, the Sabellanos, the Erecres, the Moscatels, and the Marianos, whose loved ones recently passed away. May the comfort of God’s loving arms surround them in their times of sorrow.

* MVC alumni and friends who are undergoing treatment: Jonathan Catolico, Ann Jordan, Cheryl Macote-Rosa, Gerry Hill in Oregon; Susan Varona-Sardar; Nen Carpena, Cosme Pasco, and Vermie Dicen; that the life-giving powers of the Great Physician touch them according to His will.

* Our missionaries and their families who serve in different parts of the globe, especially those whose lives may be constantly exposed to danger. Pray for their health and safety.

*Angel Boloico, as he helps families and people displaced by political disturbances in the General Santos area of Mindanao.

* Members of the Adventist and Christian families who are undergoing severe persecution in Orissa, India.

* The small group of Adventist believers in the Middle East who are working on establishing and building churches in their places.

* The leaders, faculty, and staff of MVC. May the school continue to “Shine On Till Jesus Comes”.

* MVC alumni who are leaders at different levels of the Adventist denomination from the General Conference down to the local churches, as well as those who support MVC in various ways.

* The work of the SULADS and the Gospel Outreach.

* Each other as we look forward to heaven’s portals.

————————————
***ACKNOWLEDGMENTS***
————————————
This week’s contributors include: AR/Adventist News Network, Jeremy Berlin, Romeo Canales, Jon Catolico, Danny Dial, Rollie Donato, Kerry Doyal, Maggie Martinez- Gross, Asher Himbing, Lily Escara-Lare, Christopher Long, Fred Loriezo, Nelson Madriaga, Danny & Tammy Meyuseff, Beth Moore, Judith B. Aguillon-Selgas , Gail Stratton, Job Tanamal, Archie & Anita Tupas, and Eddie Zamora. Thank you all.

This issue is edited and coordinated by Ed Babao. Next week’s editor/coordinator will be Eddie Zamora. Please direct all entries and contributions to him at his e-mail address. You may also contact the other editors/coordinators at their addresses below who compose:

————————————
***THE EDITORIAL STAFF***
————————————
Eddie Babao ebabao2 at cox dot net
Jessie Colegado jesscole at filipinoadventist dot org
Evelyn Tabingo etabingo at comcast dot net
Bienvisa Nebres bnebres at missioncollege dot edu
Eddie Zamora ezamora594 at aol dot com

Please check these other websites:

1. http://www.MVC.edu.ph/
2. http://www.mvcollege.info/
3. http://www.MVCollege.org
4. http://www.virtualMVC.com
5. http://www.filipinoadventist.org
6. http://datutigas.googlepages.com/home

If you wish to subscribe or change your subscribed address to the CyberFlashes, please send an e-mail to any of the editors listed above or to CyberFlashes at sda dot net. We spell out the @ and dot signs in the e-mail addresses to prevent worms and viruses, including robots from harvesting them. If you would like to correspond, please substitute the correct symbols.

Thank you.

———————————-
***CLOSING THOUGHTS***
———————————-
“The human understanding is like a false mirror, which, receiving rays irregularly, distorts and discolors the nature of things by mingling its own nature with it.” -Sir Philip Sidney

~~~(-:)><(-:)<>~~HAVE A VERY PLEASANT SABBATH~~<>(-:)><(-:)~~~