by Jeanne Marie O. Bernardo

Ask me about the things I’d rather not do, and waiting tops my list.

In this hurried world where almost everything can be done in an instant, where people are always pressed for time, where everyone is trying to get ahead of everyone else, it is quite uncommon to find people who take their time, do things slowly, and wait. No wonder modern day life is also known as “the rat race.”

We think life is a race so we don’t want to waste our time. We turn ballistic when stuck in traffic. We bark at the waiter when our meal doesn’t get served on time. We are annoyed at people who come late for an appointment. We hate it when our flight is delayed. We grumble while in line at the supermarket. We complain at the doctor’s office when the queue is too long. I could go on and on, still not run out of examples, and you’d probably skip over this paragraph because you can’t wait for me to get to the point. We could be anywhere, doing anything, be with anyone, and we would still have alarm bells going off the second we are made to wait.

And these are only minor instances of waiting. How about those times when you need to wait for an answer to a prayer, for the perfect partner in life, for healing, for the right career or business opportunity? How do we fair then? If a few minutes of waiting already annoy us, how can we even try to be patient during more difficult times?

The Bible tells us that there is a reason for all our troubles (yes, that includes those long hours, or even just minutes of waiting that we hate so much).

“There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!” (Romans 5:3-5, The Message Bible, emphasis mine)

We all have to pass through difficult periods of waiting at least once in our lives. Sometimes, it becomes so difficult to bear that we just want to throw our hands up and give up. But GOD knows what we go through. HE knows what we are waiting for. HE knows how hard we have worked. HE knows how much we have sacrificed. But our waiting is never in vain, if we have faith in GOD and HIS promises, and if we allow the HOLY SPIRIT to empower us and give us strength.

Remember Abraham in the Bible? He was 99 when GOD promised him a son. And he and his wife Sarah had to wait 25 years for GOD to fulfill HIS promise. But Abraham never complained. HE held on to that promise because he knew that GOD would deliver.

“And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.” (Hebrews 6: 15, NIV, emphasis mine)

GOD did not disappoint Abraham, and neither will HE disappoint us. During those times when all we can do is wait, let us take that as an opportunity to seek GOD, and HE will deliver us because we ask. HE wants us to make productive use of our time. What could be more productive than taking the time to wait on HIM?

“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.” (Psalm 130: 5, NIV)

Waiting on GOD is an art. The more you immerse yourself in it, the more enjoyable it becomes. And true appreciation comes only when we realize the beauty and purpose in it.

by Jeanne Marie O. Bernardo

People always seem to be obsessed with the truth.

Last July 30, 2010, Philippine President Noynoy Aquino signed his first Executive Order establishing a Truth Commission to “seek and find the truth” on graft and corruption committed during the previous administration. So when this Truth Commission comes out with its report after two years, we expect people to accept the results to be “the truth”, right?

Well, not necessarily. Sometimes people believe only what they want to believe, they hear only what they want to hear. Surely most have already decided in their minds what the truth of the matter is, and need only a validation of that belief. So if things turn out the opposite of what they expect, what next?

Today, some distinguish between absolute truth and relative truth. One view is that absolute truth implies that whatever is true at one time and in one place is true at all times and in all places, and whatever is true for one person is true for all people. On the other hand, relative truth implies that all truth is relative to time and space (true now but not then), and all truth is relative to people (true for me but not for you).

A survey conducted in 1994 revealed that 66% of American adults agreed to the statement: “There is no such thing as absolute truth.” In 1999, another study showed that 70% of American youth believed the same thing. In other words, two people could define “truth” in conflicting ways and still both be right.

But it gets more interesting. When a study was conducted among American churchgoers in 1998, it was found that 53% of adults and 57% of youth do not believe that there is an absolute truth. This is surprising considering that the Church is supposed to be the guardian of truth.

In John 14:6, JESUS HIMSELF said that HE is “the way, the truth, and the life.” Why then would most people, all of whom profess their faith in JESUS, not believe in an absolute truth?

Although the popular view today is that truth is relative, Christianity is built on the premise that truth is absolute and that the teachings of the Bible are universal. The idea that truth is relative is perhaps one of the most difficult challenges facing the Church today.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

This verse probably means more these days than it ever did before.

One can look at the world in either a biblical way or a non-biblical way. But the world does not want us to look at it in the former. Why? Because this will require a belief in absolute truth, which will force us to accept that some of our actions are wrong. The world does not want that because most people do what seems right to them, and are not guided by any standards except their own. Compromising with the world has become the norm.

Today, access to knowledge is unprecedented, what with technology and the internet giving us information at the push of a button or a click of a mouse. But knowledge is certainly not synonymous with wisdom. For Christians, only the Bible can provide wisdom. One of its purposes is to be a manual for living. It is a clear guide about what is right and what is wrong.

The truth is in the Bible. But many laugh at the idea of absolute truth and believe that we are free to do as we please as long as we do not hurt anybody else. Some people live their lives as best as they can. Some even say that they try to do what they think is right. Therein lies the danger because that is in direct contradiction to the will of GOD. GOD clearly defines right and wrong in HIS WORD. It is not for us to decide what is true or not. GOD is truth and the truth comes from HIM.

The reason why this world is in such chaos now is that we have compromised all truth. We have gone our own way, ignoring the guidelines given to us by GOD to live a peaceful, healthy and prosperous life. If we want order in this world, if we want harmony and peace, we need to go back to the basics, to GOD’s original design for man, to GOD’s Law, to GOD’s Word, to GOD’s truth.

Only GOD’s truth, HIS absolute truth, will set us free.

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

by Jeanne Marie O. Bernardo

Twenty years ago, I would have reacted violently to that statement. But the number 40, or 40 years, to be exact, has since found new meaning in my life.

Even in Scripture, the number 40 seems to carry much significance.

. . . When GOD wanted to cleanse the world and start over, HE let it rain for 40 days and 40 nights.
. . . Moses was on the mountain with GOD for 40 days… twice.
. . . The Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness. It took the spies 40 days to search out the Promised Land and bring back news.
. . . Elijah spent 40 days on Mount Horeb to hear the voice of GOD sustained only by a single angelic meal.
. . . Jonah warned Niniveh that they had 40 days before GOD would overthrow the city, so the people repented for 40 days and GOD spared them.
. . . JESUS fasted for 40 days in the wilderness. JESUS stayed with HIS disciples for 40 days after HIS resurrection.

And the list goes on.

Bible scholars say that the number 40 signifies a period of testing, trial or probation, after which comes a reward or time of blessing. In Scripture, when GOD wants to prepare people for a truly great destiny, HE takes a period of 40 days or years and sends them through an unpleasant yet unforgettable experience.

It was on my 40th year when I hit a blank wall. It came to a point when I asked “Is there nothing more to life than this?” I had spent 40 years in the wilderness virtually going around in circles. I had witnessed GOD’s power and received HIS blessing, yet I never seemed content with what I had. I had everything, yet I had nothing.

My life has never been unpleasant, at least not by worldly standards. But as I look back, I realize I was certainly on probation, a testing of sorts. Much like a new employee put on probation to test if he had the skills and attitudes necessary for his job, GOD had also put me through probation for 40 years, to see if I was ready to respond to HIS call. HE let me experience the world and have everything I could possibly want in it, and then HE led me to a dead end, where I would find HIM and HIM alone. And nothing has since been the same.

It’s amazing how things turn out. Now I have less of what the world can offer yet I feel I have more than I could possibly desire to have. I’m a completely new person with a completely new life.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
(2 Corinthians 5:17)

It’s not so ridiculous after all. Life can really begin at 40.

by Jeanne Marie O. Bernardo

A great many opposites are separated only by the proverbial thin line – love and hate, genius and insanity, passion and obsession, success and failure, greatness and mediocrity, even life and death. True enough, even a joke can cross over that thin line and become an insult, if the joker is not careful.

But what exactly distinguishes the left from the right, the good from the bad in this equation? How do we know that we have crossed the line? More importantly, can we prevent it?

During his first State-of-the-Nation Address, Philippine President Noynoy Aquino disclosed a barrage of statistics that bared anomalies during his predecessor’s Administration. Surely, it was the bombshell he promised it would be. The absence of the former President, now Representative of the Province of Pampanga, during this Joint Session of Congress was certainly justified and appropriate, at least for her.

What was the purpose of that barrage? Was it to inform the people of the real state of the nation? Or was it to discredit the previous government, making good a promise to expose all that needs to be exposed? Was it to give justice to the oppressed? Or was it to bring vengeance upon the oppressors?

I am certainly disgusted by the disclosures that were made, how the previous government seemingly enriched itself at the expense of the ordinary Filipino. Who wouldn’t be? It is definitely something that should not be condoned. Justice does need to be served.

However, there is a very thin line that separates real justice that allows fairness and equal opportunity for all, and the kind of justice (which is injustice, really) that brings judgment to a select few for anger and vengeance’s sake. It is crucial for all in government, especially those in advisory capacity to the President, to examine their motivations behind every word, behind every fact, behind every proposal they put forward.

I do not doubt the sincerity of the President. He’s values are obviously put together and entrenched in his character. Unfortunately, he is not the whole government. There are others with him – individuals whose values we know nothing of, whose motivations may be hidden just as well as the previous government officials hid theirs.

The Filipino’s eyes should not only be watching and guarding the President’s moves, but everybody around him as well. We all have to see that very thin line, know when it has been crossed, or avert a tendency to cross it – by watching words and attitudes, perspectives and mindsets, and personal values seen in family life and the workplace.

There is also a very thin line that separates trust and apathy.  Recent social surveys show a very high level of trust in the President. But we have a tendency to leave the destiny of our nation to just one man, and not care what we can do to help. A very dangerous thing, if I should say so myself.

It is a line we should never, ever cross.

by Jeanne Marie O. Bernardo

We all have our own set of values, our own set of standards that determine which things in life we consider important to us. These values determine our tastes or preferences, our way of life, our entertainment choices, our social, political, and religious interactions, to name a few.

Our values change as we grow older, as we get to experience different things in life. Some of these values may be purely circumstantial, applicable only to a situation in which we find ourselves. But some values are what we call “core values” – standards or ideals that are more permanent and that stay with us our whole lives.

Where do our values come from? Well, our parents are a key influence. Our church or religious background is another one. Our teachers or schooling is yet another one. Our society, neighbors, friends and colleagues can also have a direct influence.

Whether we know it or not, all of us have come to adopt a certain set of values. As a matter of fact, our values determine who we are. And who we are, in turn, determines what we do. It is therefore important to ask what the source of our values is. Are our standards based on what is truly right or are they dictated by what society deems acceptable? Were our values simply dictated to us or did we actually contemplate on the things that we find are most important in our lives? Why is it that if you ask most people what their values are, many would not be able to give you a straight answer?

Many people lead lives unconnected with their core values. Some people live a life according to the values of the company or organization they work for, the church or religious institution they are involved with, their friends or colleagues or even their partner, rather than according to their own.

Let us take as an example the Filipino international singing sensation Charice Pempengco, who, at the “ripe old age” of 18, decides to have botox injections on her face at the advice of her dermatologist because she looked “fat.” Whose values guided her decision? Was it her own, or those of her doctor and a society too concerned with outward appearances that mere teenagers would resort to cosmetic procedures reserved only for their more mature counterparts?

Contrast that with Atty. Ferdinand Rafanan, the head of the Commission on Elections’ legal department, who submitted a report to the Ombudsman citing certain “executives of the Commission as having committed illegal acts in their attempts to help complete a fraudulent transaction” related to the last automated national elections. This despite the possibility that the Commission’s Chairman and Commissioners might be charged for gross negligence, which is an impeachable offense. Atty. Rafanan stood his ground and upheld the truth because that to him was the most important.

In our society today, there are a lot more Charices than there are Atty. Rafanans. It becomes very easy to let external demands and society’s conditionings determine our lives. So it is far more difficult to find a person who stands by his/her own set of values rather than those who bow down to the norms society has laid out for all of us.

It is a choice we all have to make. It is thus important that we sit down and think deeply about what our values are, what in life is really important to us, and then decide to abide by them no matter what.  There is value in our values.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”  – Philippines 4:8 (emphasis mine)

by Jeanne Marie O. Bernardo

Twenty years ago, I would have reacted violently to that statement. But the number 40, or 40 years, to be exact, has since found new meaning in my life.

Even in Scripture, the number 40 seems to carry much significance.

. . . When GOD wanted to cleanse the world and start over, HE let it rain for 40 days and 40 nights.

. . . Moses was on the mountain with GOD for 40 days… twice.

. . . The Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness. It took the spies 40 days to search out the Promised Land and bring back news.

. . . Elijah spent 40 days on Mount Horeb to hear the voice of GOD sustained only by a single angelic meal.

. . . Jonah warned Niniveh that they had 40 days before GOD would overthrow the city, so the people repented for 40 days and GOD spared them.

. . . JESUS fasted for 40 days in the wilderness. JESUS stayed with HIS disciples for 40 days after HIS resurrection.

And the list goes on.

Bible scholars say that the number 40 signifies a period of testing, trial or probation, after which comes a reward or time of blessing. In Scripture, when GOD wants to prepare people for a truly great destiny, HE takes a period of 40 days or years and sends them through an unpleasant yet unforgettable experience.

It was on my 40^th year when I hit a blank wall. It came to a point when I asked “Is there nothing more to life than this?” I had spent 40 years in the wilderness virtually going around in circles. I had witnessed GOD’s power and received HIS blessing, yet I never seemed content with what I had. I had everything, yet I had nothing.

My life has never been unpleasant, at least not by worldly standards. But as I look back, I realize I was certainly on probation, a testing of sorts. Much like a new employee put on probation to test if he had the skills and attitudes necessary for his job, GOD had also put me through probation for 40 years, to see if I was ready to respond to HIS call. HE let me experience the world and have everything I could possibly want in it, and then HE led me to a dead end, where I would find HIM and HIM alone. And nothing has since been the same.

It’s amazing how things turn out. Now I have less of what the world can offer yet I feel I have more than I could possibly desire to have. I’m a completely new person with a completely new life.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

It’s not so ridiculous after all. Life can really begin at 40.

by Jeanne Marie O. Bernardo

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, NIV)

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24, NIV)

A few months ago, I slipped and fell nine steps down a flight of stairs at home… twice. Needless to say, on both occasions, I was bruised, hurt and could barely walk. While trying to recover from that incident, I spent most of my time in bed, where I could be still and not have to bear too much pain.

I have never been a sickly person. Neither am I accident-prone. So being bed-ridden for days was an entirely new experience for me. There is not much one can do in such a situation but reflect. Of course, it was automatic for me to meditate on the verses above, as I was in desperate need of healing.

Reflecting on these passages, it became clear to me that the primary concern in these Scripture is not merely physical, but also spiritual healing.  GOD has provided healing for the disease of the soul, the affliction we know as “sin.”

I suppose we should also accept that not all sickness comes from devil, nor are they all contrary to the will of GOD. If this were so then how would divine punishment look like? GOD disciplines those HE loves, as a loving father would discipline his children. My own father had always been very strict, but never did I question the extent of his love for me as his daughter. Would I, then, question my Heavenly Father’s love for me in the midst of physical ailments?

It is GOD who either directly or indirectly allows punishment, sickness and even death for HIS children, but not for evil, because HIS intention and goal is always for good. HE allows it to happen in order to work good in our life.

However, GOD’s ability to heal cannot be questioned and extends to all of us. Every true believer can receive divine healing. Today, GOD does heal in answer to prayer according to HIS sovereign will, but HE is not obligated to do so. Physical healing in this life is not guaranteed by faith, but is a blessing and a provision. It is only by GOD’s mercy that HE heals.

And so, I now see Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24 in a new light. It is not so important to me whether GOD heals my physical body or not. I hang on to the promise of my spiritual healing, the forgiveness of my sins, and my salvation through the death of JESUS on the cross.

It is amazing how GOD calls our attention sometimes. When I fell down the stairs and had to be bed-ridden for days, I knew that GOD allowed it to happen in order to discipline me. Perhaps HE was reminding me that my busyness had taken me away from my close fellowship with HIM. Perhaps HE wanted me all to HIMSELF and the only way for that to happen was for me to be still and realize that it was my spirit that needed healing, and that I could only get that from HIM.

As it turned out, my body healed once my spirit found restoration in HIM.

That, to me, was priceless.

by Jeanne Marie O. Bernardo

I find it amusing that the most applauded and most quoted statement in President Noynoy Aquino’s Inaugural Address was: “walang wangwang (no sirens).” More than any other marching order, this one had the Land Transportation Office scrambling to its feet and monitoring major thoroughfares on the very first day after the pronouncement was made.

Think of it. Amidst problems of extreme poverty and hunger, rising unemployment, skyrocketing power rates, and unbridled graft and corruption, to name a few, why give this much attention to trivialities? Some would surmise that this is really just a waste of time.  Shouldn’t the new government be focusing on “bigger problems” instead of running after “bad boys” on the road?

Trivial, perhaps, but it gives us a glimpse of what goes on in the Filipino psyche. After all, a crowd that grows more exuberant with a declaration of “no sirens” more than the promise of jobs, homes or food for their stomachs, must really be up to its neck in disgust.

Well, I know I am.  Question is, why?

Much of Philippine history has depicted the ordinary Filipino as subservient – to his colonizers, to his government, to society’s ruling class, even to other races he deems superior to his own. We have gotten so used to being lorded over as a nation and as individuals that some of us have come to accept it as a fact of life.

As the first Christian nation in Asia, we have been taught that to lead means to serve others. But servant leadership is so uncommon that it has become the exception rather than the rule. Our society is fraught with people pushing their weight around like kings, and most of them are government officials who like to call themselves “public servants.” What an irony! The only time they actually seem to be in “serving mode” is during campaign period before elections. It is sad the ordinary Filipino still falls prey to the empty promises and lies of these unscrupulous politicians.

But I believe that times have changed. Filipinos wanted change and that is exactly what they got. Leadership that starts on the right track by responding to the longing of the Filipino. Leadership by example, with conviction, humility and the desire to serve. Leadership with a heart.

It takes a true leader to tear down the age-old mindset that leadership traditionally equates to fame, fortune and power. It takes a true leader to exhibit humility, self-sacrifice and a heart for the people he serves. It takes a true leader to recognize and admit that the people are his “boss” and not the other way around. It takes a true leader to acknowledge that he cannot do anything on his own, but rather depend on GOD, the Ultimate Leader of all, to guide him on the path towards true, righteous, and servant leadership.  Let us continue to pray for the current leadership. May GOD do mighty things for the Philippines through him.

Everything still remains to be seen, but this could be the start of something good.

This Nation of Davids might just win over its first Goliath.

by Ben Quinones

I would like to thank Bishop Dan Balais (Chairman, Intercessors for the Philippines) for his circular of encouragement. This is needed at this time when many of our spiritual warriors are disappointed by the May 10 elections turn out, believing in their hearts that our Bangon Pilipinas votes could not have languished at a measly 1 Million + had there truly been an honest and accountable election.

Let not our grief becloud our understanding of the political situation that’s unfolding before our eyes. Even now the Noynoy Aquino camp is gearing for a nasty battle against the GMA (Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) camp for control of Congress. With only about 50 LP (Liberal Party) members joining the 15^th Congress, LP will have to coalesce with other parties to arrive at a majority and beat GMA to the lower house speakership. Noynoy reportedly will use the pork barrel to win over more “balimbing”(turncoat) congressmen to his camp, and ensure that former Quezon city Mayor Belmonte is elected as House Speaker. He says he will devolve to the House Speaker the function of dispensing the pork barrel, perhaps in an attempt to distance himself from the trapo (traditional politician) practice of horse trading in Congress and the Senate as well.

One big casualty in this brewing battle in Congress will be Noynoy’s anti-corruption agenda, capitalized to the hilt by his campaign managers if only to deflect attention from his lackluster performance. But one thing is sure: this battle will expose the pettiness of Noynoy’s anti-corruption agenda as no more than a sheer plot to end GMA’s political ambitions. And GMA et al will use all resources in their command to resist all attempts to thwart her political ambitions.

This emerging battle reminds me of the fight to the finish between the Moabites and the Ammonites when their main thrust was to defeat King Jehoshaphat of Judah. As King Jehoshaphat’s army set out for the Desert of Tekoa, the King told his men: “Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld, have faith in his prophets and you will be successful. After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.’ As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.” (2 Chron. 20: 20-23)

“When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value – more than they could take away. There was so much to plunder that it took three days to collect it.” (2 Chron. 20: 24-25)

The camps of Noynoy and GMA will be so spent in a bitter battle, they will have no space to mind the needs of the masses of the people. Corruption and scandals will consume them all, no one will be spared from it. Bangon, the Lord’s army of Davids, will see only “dead bodies” among both camps lying in the battleground against corruption. They will have no more interest in the true welfare of the people, they will abandon them. Bangon, the Lord’s army of Davids, must be prepared to carry off the plunder, articles of utmost value – the souls and lives of the Filipino people!

Having seen this scenario, once more I rise up to heed Bishop Dan Balais’ call: “THIS IS THE TIME TO RESTORE AND BUILD”. We must not rest, lest the plague of self-pity overtakes us.

When we were campaigning, the Lord’s army of Davids made a successful breakthrough in mobilizing great numbers of people, penetrating communities, engaging people in meaningful dialogue about concrete programs for their socio-economic upliftment, giving them hope for the future. Never before have we seen such a great multitude of people from all walks of life coming out in the open to hear Bangon’s message of hope, believing in it, and rallying in unity for God and country.

Come now, let us continue the great work we have done during the campaign. Our campaign was not premised solely on the goal of capturing government office. Ours is the eternal campaign for the souls and lives of our beloved countrymen.

By Jade Angelo Gascon

Among the problems that confront the Philippines today are economic insufficiency, lack of opportunities, increasing criminality, political unrest and environmental injustice. Many Christian churches and organizations recognize that they should play a role in mitigating the causes and effects of these problems. However, they often fall short in producing ideas and conjuring practicable solutions that would make them efficient agents of change on a social level. A lot of Christian churches and organizations usually lack mechanisms and manpower to come up with potent and concrete solutions that would address these problems mainly because of their inclination to spiritualize issues at the expense of “works” without which faith is dead.

CSRSME Chairman Mr. Ben Quiñones Jr. discusses bayanihan economy principles to a diverse group of people's organizations

The On Eagle’s Wings Foundation (OEWF) Christian in its values and foundation, held a consultation meeting on March 13, 2010 in cooperation with CSRSME Asia (Coalition of Socially Responsible Small and Medium Enterprises in Asia), and KAMMMPI (Kapisanan ng Magsasaka, Manggagawa at Magsasaka Inc. – Association of Farmers, Workers and Fishermen of the Philippines Inc.), in order to elaborate on the Foodbank project which aims to strengthen food security for the benefit of farmers and urban poor families.

The 313 participants (89 males, 224 females) came from various cities in MetroManila such as Caloocan, Makati, Manila, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City and San Juan, and nearby provinces such as Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.

Over 300 delegates participated in the consultation. Here they join the community singing.

They also represented 61 people’s organizations coming from diverse backgrounds: from transport groups to churches, microfinance groups, cooperatives, vendors’ associations and urban poor organizations.

Ptr. Ed De Guzman, Chairman of On Eagle’s Wings Development Foundation (Philippines) and Board Member of CSRSME Asia, exhorted delegates and organizers to pursue the Philippines’s prophetic destiny to be a blessed nation of God that will bless other nations as well by consecrating themselves to the purposes of God.

He also added that the diverse body of Christ in the Philippines must unite toward the fulfillment of this vision. And socially responsible organizations and cooperatives can also be used by the Lord to advance his Kingdom dominion.

Part of the program gave participants the opportunity to interact with panelists who are knowledgable on solidarity economy practices and CSRSME's advocacies. Among the panelists were Ptr. Ed De Guzman, Mr. Ben Quiñones Jr., entrepreneur Myrna Villanueva, and community leaders Ptr. Jun Pasagui and Ptr. Mike Cabahug

OEWF and CSRSME Asia, both socially responsible organizations, can be used by God to end poverty in the Philippines. A significant, concrete solution that the group offers are paradigm-shifting training courses that transform people’s mindsets into entrepreneurial and innovative ones. This kind of worldview empowers societies to end poverty.

In addition, OEWF offers sustained discipleship under its Social Entrepreneurship and Discipleship Program (SEDP) and the mentorship of socially responsible individuals. The Foodbank project is one of the avenues for entrepreneurial discipleship.

The Foodbank will seek to revolutionize the distribution of agricultural produce into urban communities by eliminating exploitative cartels and oppressive economic practices that have been salient features of Philippine agricultural economy.

With the help of another collaborating organization, the Shared Vision Cooperative (SVC), the Foodbank project shall form area coordination clusters that will strategize for and organize subsidiary Foodshops. The Foodshop Coordinators shall be trained in handling and managing the program, and in mobilizing communities that will unite to secure access to affordable agricultural products.

SVC’s Bayanihan Cash Card (BaCC) shall be instrumental in facilitating the Foodbank financial transactions and in mentoring both farmer producers and urban consumers to be wise financial stewards.

Microfinance groups OK (Opportunity Kauswagan) Bank, a founding member of the largest Christian social development network in the country, and ASKI (Alalay sa Kaunlaran sa Gitnang Luzon) have pledged support to the program by providing services such as deposits and loans and other personality improvement training.

Should the Foodbank project find success in the hands of socially responsible united communities, the world shall witness in the Philippines an unprecedented economic revolution initiated by Christians who are in loving pursuit of the cause of God for the Philippines.

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite