03 May 2009

Health Expo offers Hope in times of crises

While many people want a better life, such quality does not come easily. The Seventh-day Adventist Church, taking the commission to help people enjoy life, has lined up various events and activities. The “Hope in Times of Crises” held at the Dusit Thani Hotel in the business hub of Metro Manila, in Makati, on May 3-8 and 10-15, was one envisioned for such purpose.

Hundreds came to the health exposition displays, presentations and lectures. They came with much longing to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

After an hour or so of introduction to different booths every night, visitors were feted to health lectures by church world health leaders, Drs. Allan Handysides and Kathleen Kuntaraf, while the inspirational messages from God’s word were presented by Pastor Ted N C Wilson, vice president for the world Seventh-day Adventist Church.

While the health expo was primarily intended for the elite in the city of Makati, several persons and groups from surrounding cities and urban centers came to listen to the nightly presentations that centered on CELEBRATIONS, an acronym that stands for Choices, Exercise, Liquid, Environment, Belief, Rest, Air, Temperance, Integrity, Optimism, Nutrition, and Social Support.

Healthy Lifestyle booths were propped on all corners of the ballroom, and those who came early availed of free body check-up, health lectures and consultations. Volunteers attended to every need of the visitors and media practitioners including well-known TV personalities like Korina Sanchez, who made a 10- minute video clip on the advantage of vegetarian diet to longevity on her weekend Rated K program. Cory Quirino, another well-known TV personality, who deals mostly on healthy lifestyle on her television programs, spent a day at the booths to record clips for her TV shows. Rated K on Sunday, May 17, featured the Adventist lifestyle providing proof of longevity resulting from vegetarian diet and healthy lifestyle.

Nightly live interviews were also held for Internet viewers. As indicated, there were more than 8,000 visitors to the site who listened to the nightly presentations.

During the last night of the event, the Andrews University ensemble from the United States which was in the country for a music festival filled the ballroom of the hotel with heavenly music.

The Sabbath services culminating the 12-day Hope in Times for Crises event were held at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. At this event, 147 accepted the Adventist lifestyle through the rites of baptism. [RTDeles | Photos by Adventist Photography Club]