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News Archive
AND News Release
Adventist News Dispatch
Southern Asia-Pacific Division of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Vol. 1, No. 10
March 11, 2005
In this issue:
* Philippines: Paulsen Lauds Church on Centennial, Meets Country’s President
* Adventists laud Pope for concern on world peace, poverty and family
* Adventists Join Dietitians' 50th Anniversary
* Church Holds First Spirit of Prophecy Congress
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Philippines: Paulsen Lauds Church on Centennial, Meets Country's President
Seventh-day Adventists in the Philippines -- numbering more than 1.3 million people -- celebrated the centennial of the church in the 7,100-island republic on March 2 to 5, 2005. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo greeted Pastor Jan Paulsen, Adventist world church president, and commended Adventists for their commitment to social service and advocacy for good government.
"Without the shield of faith, we are vulnerable. As solitary individuals it is terribly difficult, but as a community we are stronger," Paulsen told a crowd of more than 30,000 at Rizal Park. It was at this event, which began with a parade from the oldest Adventist congregation --the Santa Ana church-- where the state president joined him.
Pastor Paulsen commended the local church for having selected a theme of "Celebrating the Goodness of God," which focuses attention on the source of Adventism's strength.
"As a worshipping missionary movement celebrating our life and experience it must never be a 'didn't-we-do-well' celebration, which is self-congratulatory, but [rather as] an act of worship, which celebrates by looking forward, even as we remember how we have been led in the past," he said. "We live, think, plan, set goals and priorities, and make decisions for what we shall do once the celebration is over."
Church member Rose Salazar was among those who responded to Paulsen's remarks.
"[His] message says that we never walk alone. We must continue our walk and be assured that God is always there," Salazar said. Added Don Leo Pepito, "I have set my priorities straight, to do ... what the Lord wants me to do ... that is spreading the Gospel."
And member Myjiley Namoyes summarized the day's message in direct fashion: "We must make a double effort on winning souls for God."
Earlier Paulsen said at a Manila news conference, that Adventists share the concern of Christians worldwide for those who are poor. "I think Christians all over the world should emulate Christ who suffered so much and died for the poor," he said, according to a report in The Manila Bulletin. "Filipinos have the capacity to help the poor and the power to address this plight," he added.
Simultaneous celebration activities were held on the three largest islands of the nation: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Ted N.C. Wilson, a general vice president of the Adventist world church, led celebrations in Cebu City in Central Philippines. There, Wilson lauded the church for continuing to live by the pioneers' selfless sacrifice.
In Mindanao, at Mountain View College, a crowd of 15,000 joined in celebration with Adventist world church vice president, Lowell Cooper, and associate publishing director, Howard Faigao, as special guests.
Pastor Cooper challenged his audience to celebrate God's goodness. He said, "100 years is an undeserved gift from God. Through the pioneers [and] their selfless service, we are now reaping the victory of the message."
The Adventist message was first introduced in the Philippines in 1905 by an Australian, and an American missionary, of whom Robert Caldwell was the first who distributed Adventist literature in Manila and gave home Bible studies.
On March 6, 2005, a centennial banquet was held for church leaders and workers. Filipino evangelists from abroad, who conducted their evangelism meetings here for the centennial, were among honorees and received plaques. Literature evangelists who achieved top sales were also given awards. A banquet capped the three-day event, but centennial celebrations continue.
In its 100 years of work in the Philippines, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has established 4,190 churches, seven hospitals, hundreds of schools, including a university, making it the largest Protestant educational system in the Philippines.
One of its leading medical institutions is the 75-year old Manila Adventist Medical Center, formerly the Manila Sanitarium and Hospital, in Pasay City, which is in the forefront of preventive and alternative medicine. [AND]
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Adventists laud Pope for concern on world peace, poverty and family
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Seventh-day Adventist world president, Jan Paulsen, on Thursday lauded Pope John Paul II for pursuing a sustained advocacy for peace; reduction of poverty levels; and elimination of HIV-AIDS, throughout the world.
In a press conference marking the 100th year of the Seventh-day Adventists’ existence in the Philippines, Paulsen said the Adventists are in complete accord with the Pontiff in his resistance to the use of war as a means to resolve conflicts among nations.
On poverty, Paulsen agreed to the call of Pope John Paul for rich nations and private individuals to share their fortunes with poor nations and poor folks around the world. “I think Christians all over the world should emulate Christ who suffered so much and died for the poor. And Filipinos have the capacity to help the poor and the power to address this plight,” Paulsen declared as he urged every SDA church congregation to face this huge challenge.
He also asked them to “spread everywhere in caring for the poor and share their blessings with the least of their brethren.”
On the call to contain the HIV-AIDS virus, Paulsen asked the faithful not to treat HIV-AIDS carriers as “outcasts” and “morally defiled” persons. He said people should relate to them in a “healing way” and make them feel like human beings through love and care by the community. He added that the Adventist Church has an AIDS-HIV Office in Africa to help address this scourge.
On the issue of divorce, Paulsen said that marriage, being sacred and sanctified, should never be dissolved unless based upon three biblical grounds, namely: infidelity, violence and brutality, threaten it. “Otherwise marriage, being a sacred union and an extraordinary gift from God, must always be salvaged, and that minor causes should not be allowed to endanger the marriage bond,” he added.
Paulsen said he does not favor trial marriage or mere “co-habitation” which is in practice in some European countries. “It is weak because it stands on shaky ground as it offers no firm commitments. It breaks down soon, and is a poor substitute for sacred marriage.”
The Adventists, according to Paulsen, are pro-life and definitely against abortion. However, they favor “planned parenthood.” couples should determine the resources at their disposal for a responsible parenthood, he said.
Part of the Adventist activity yesterday was the formation of the biggest “human cross” ever in the history of the Philippines at the Quirino Grandstand. It was formed by members of the Adventists churches in Northern Philippines. [Edgar J. Tamayo]
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Adventists Join Dietitians' 50th Anniversary
SILANG, CAVITE, PHILIPPINES - The Nutritionist Dietitians Association of the Philippines (NDAP) held its 50th Anniversary celebrations at the Manila Hotel, a historic hotel in the heart of Manila, February 23-25, 2005.
One thousand five hundred happy nutritionists, representing all provinces of the Philippines, listened to papers presented that would help them fulfill their role in the improvement of nutrition in the country. The Seventh-day Adventist Church was represented by delegates sent by the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD); the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS); and the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP).
NDAP Cavite Chapter, under the leadership of Merly Idausos of AUP as President, and Irene Duroe, Secretary from SSD, and Advisor Beth Tan of AIIAS, won the award for the most outstanding club of the year. They had worked hard and deserved the recognition that they received.
Lynn Merklin of AIIAS presented a paper to the group on Obesity entitled "Attitudes of Filipino mothers in regards to the weight of their children," which was well received. The program was informative and all agreed to help the Philippines become a healthier place, where children will be taught how to live a healthy lifestyle, and become examples of happy healthy lifestyles. (Irene Duroe/AND)
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Church Holds First Spirit of Prophecy Congress
BUKIDNON, SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES - One of the highlights of the centennial celebration of Adventism in the Philippines by the South Philippine Union Conference, was the Spirit of Prophecy Congress held at Mountain View College on March 2-4, 2005. More than 5,000 church members attended and received compiled lectures by the two presenters.
Dr. Reuel Almocera, curator for the E.G. White Center of Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, and Dr. Nestor Rilloma, editor of Philippine Publishing House, served as resource persons.
Topics discussed included: E. G. White’s Use of the Bible; Major Themes in E.G. White’s Writings; Authority and Inspiration of E.G. White Writings; Gift of Prophecy in Salvation History; Relevancy of E.G. White’s Writings Today; and Essential Principles in Interpreting E. G. White’s Writings. [Nestor Rilloma/AND]
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AND Staff: Jonathan C Catolico, news director; Jose F Sarsoza Jr and Maxine Bell, editorial consultants; Romhelyn Gay Tuballes, editorial assistant; field communication directors, correspondents; Rhoen Shane P Catolico, website director. AND, Bypass Road, San Miguel II, Silang, Cavite, Philippines. E-mail: jcatolico@ssd.org, and@adventist.org.ph Website: www.ssdcommunication.net
AND (Adventist News Dispatch) is a news and information online newsletter prepared by the Communication Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division. Reprinting of materials from this newsletter does not need special permit, but identification of the source is requested.
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