Almost 400 graduating seniors 257 of them from the College of Nursing (CON) marched down the center aisle of Philippine International Church (PIC) on November 24. More than 400 however, are expected to graduate but are still in the process of completing their requirements to apply for graduation. A presentation and dedication program was held in their honor during the special Chapel period. Among those who received the longest applause were the four graduating seniors of the College of Dentistry (COD); they will make history as the first graduates of COD. The CON delegation as well who occupied two and a half of the four rows of pews allotted for the seniors were widely applauded even before CON Dean Dinah Galang could present them and request them to stand. It was one of the most joyful, yet organized senior class presentations due to the presence of student marshals composed of juniors from the College of Education (COE) who simultaneously served as placard (bearing the name of the respective Colleges) bearers and ushers/usherettes. Pastor Nelson Castillo, NPUM Education Secretary was guest speaker. Dr. Danilo Poblete, VPAA gave the welcome remarks and the objectives of the presentation; Dr. Robin Saban, AUP president delivered the Charge to the prospective graduates, as Pastor Israel Andoy, AUP Religious Coordinator and who himself is a prospective graduate (Ed.D) said the dedicatory prayer. Deans present were Dr. Edwin Balila, CAST; Dr. Merly Mendoza, COB; Dr. Virgines, COD; Dr. Ceazar Idaoso, COE; Dr. Mirriam Estrada, COH; Prof. Dinah Galang, CON; Pastor Moisee De Ocampo, COT; and representing Dr. Santiago for the Graduate School was Prof. Ruben Carpizo. Right after the program the Seniors proceeded to the Finster Hall for the organization of the Senior Class and election of officers.      » More Pictures

At 5:00 dawn on November 16, Philippine International Church in AUP celebrated Thanksgiving Day. This year’s worship was sponsored and coordinated by the Music Dept. headed by Dr. Heidi Cerna and Mr. Dante Oblimar to culminate Music Week, the Adventist Community Services (ACS) under Mr. Leomer Batulayan ACS director and Reylord Reyes, ACS coordinator and the PIC Master Guide/Pathfinder.Club under Mr. Nimrod Salazar, PIC Pathfinder director. The program was a combination of reports by some of the small groups on campus involved in community service and songs by five of the most active choirs on campus.

The ACS is working in support of PIC’s outreach program to at least 17 target areas and still growing around AUP. These areas are represented in a huge colorful territorial map with light bulbs for each area.. Recipients of the thanksgiving offering this year are the residents of the communities where outreach programs are being held. The love and thank offerings from the brethren were gathered in two long white linen sheets creatively held by the Master Guide and Pathfinder club members in full uniform.

Pastor Jose Orbe, PIC senior pastor and Pastor Brian Tolentino, PIC youth pastor expressed there gratitude to all groups and those who were present for their support to the outreach program of the church as they returned all the glory and praises to God.. Dr. Robin Saban, AUP President offered the dedicatory prayer for all outreach groups and for the success and continuation of the outreach program.

Group activities reported on medical services, child evangelism, health lectures, free music lessons on different musical instruments, and voice, livelihood, Pathfindering, wheel-chair donations, religious services during funerals, and others. Groups that reported were the Lamp, Maranatha, Light Bearers, Barangay Kalinga and AUP Missionaries. At present there are 21 active outreach groups in AUP. The five choirs which sang songs about sharing, reaching out and service were the Regent Square Chorale, the Indonesian Chorale, the Unceasing Cantica, the Canticlaires and the AUP Ambassadors. Mr. Dante Oblimar conducted the mass choir which sang “We Will Serve Him” for the grand finale.

One of the most active clubs on campus this collegiate year is the Trailblazers Pathfinder Club under the leadership of MG Nimrod Salazar, MG Brian Tolentino, MG. Jeruel Ibanez, MG Aser Torres and MG Rez Fortu, Pathfinder club directors and presidents of the different Pathfinder club levels on campus. To date they have held the following programs: Induction ceremony, Pathfinder Week, Week-end lectures on leadership, Pathfinder progressive classes, student ministries, outreach programs, In-campus camping, mountain climbing and hiking. The first Pathfinder paper was issued in November, 2006 with Pat De Vera, a senior BSE-English student as editor-in-chief. More about the Trailblazers can be found in their website: aup.trailblazers.org

Two theology graduates were deputized by the Philippine International Church, in AUP to conduct revival meetings in the five ladies dormitories and thee men’s dormitories on campus for the second semester. The ministers are Brother Herminio Cabusog a graduate of Mountain View College and Sister Lorena Moreno, a graduate of AUP. According to Pastor Brian Tolentino, PIC youth pastor “the dormitory residents are in dire need of these revival meetings and the services of the two volunteer ministers is a great help to the church. It would be more effective if there were more ministers serving in this capacity for the sake of our young people. We hope our alumni can extend their financial help to us in this endeavor.” Pastor Brian Tolentino was once a recipient of financial assistance coming from the Adopt a Minister Program for which he is very grateful for.

“Living Links” is the theme of the AUP Workers’ Spiritual Emphasis week on October 30-November 4, 2006. The Klingbeil husband and wife team led the AUP faculty family in this unconventional way of presenting God’s word. The interactive lectures were accompanied by a series of questions for small groups to think about, talk about and exchange both similar and conflicting views with one another. After the group dynamics, volunteers would share to everyone in the hall the views in their respective groups and then Pastor and Mrs. Klingbeil would say a short concluding message. Before and after each worship service the song ”The Greatest Thing in All My Life is Loving You” is sung with Pastor Gerald playing the guitar. There were no traditional Week of Prayer sermons except on the Sabbath where Ma’am Chantall shared a message of forgiveness before the foot-washing and Pastor Gerald delivered the message for the Hour of Worship service.

Topics discussed were understanding who we are, how to meditate on God’s word, how to pray, dealing with conflict, and remembering the family, All meetings were held at the Finster Hall from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Overall coordinator was Pastor Israel Andoy, chair of the religious committee.

During the week another unusual treat was given this time it was through a light but healthy supper served by the Music Department on Thursday evening after the meeting. The meal consisted of Chapatti, wheat pulvoron, brown champ-orado without chocolate, mashed red beans, all raw vegetables (squash, okra, bean sprouts, chayote), achara and herbs.

Klingbell hails from Berlin , Germany and gained his theological degrees both from Andrews University and the University of Stellenbosch , South Africa . He is currently a professor in Hebrew at the AIIAS Theological Seminary. Chantall is founder and director of the Language Institute of the Universidad Peruana Union, Lima , Peru and is English. Their three daughters aged 3,6, and 9 were also with them in the hall every evening, and Hannah, the eldest would also help out in distributing materials to the groups.

As an autonomous university open to serve the International World Market AUP has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Lertlah School (International and Bilingual Program), Thailand at the close of the first semester. Part of the agreement for a period of three to five years is that AUP provide training for Lertlah teachers to qualify them for BEED and BSED degrees under the College of Education . Further, Lertlah will hire recommended teachers and teaching interns from AUP and pay their airfare, provide salary for fulltime teachers and monthly allowances for interns, health insurance and suitable accommodation. Interns will be a priority for hiring after 10 months of practice teaching. According to Dr. Cesar Idaosos, dean of the College of Education he made sure that the Thai school will also allow teachers and Interns to observe the Sabbath form sunset of Friday to sunset of Saturday, which was explicitly stated in the MOA.. Internship starts in June, 2007.

The AUP Music Dept is happy to announce the success of Yola Yohana Tanara, BMME major in piano, and a student of Aylwin Yonathan, who placed 3rd in the Mozart Piano Concerto Competition Category C held in the Philam Life Auditorium in Manila last Nov 23, 2006 sponsored by the Piano Teachers' Guild of the Philippines (PTGP). Out of 17 contestants, 3 made it to the finals, the 1st and 2nd prizes going to a masteral student of UST (Heliodoro Fiel II) and an Adventist student of St. Paul University (Cris Celestre), respectively. We praise God for the chance given to AUP to be known in the field of music both in national and international standing.

Composed of 25 young musicians the Academy Ensemble has been keeping their musical instruments attuned to service and Godly praises. They have served in all Sabbath services, religious concerts, chapel periods, Music Week celebrations and weddings on campus. They have played in churches around AUP and have rendered an AY concert at the Adventist Chinese Church in Manila last first semester.

The group is being directed by Mr. Dem Perdon of the Music Department and is under the supervision of Ms. Jewel Solidum AUPA choir director. Camro Laguardia who plays the double bass is president of the group, while Aera Apalat who plays first violin is vice president.. Other instruments in the ensemble are three flutes, 1 clarinet, two violas and all the rest are first and second violin.

There are many more talented Academy students who would like to join the ensemble which has now turned into a mini orchestra but not all students could afford to buy their own instruments. The Academy welcomes generous friends who may have musical instruments to spare, and the school is very much willing to receive them so that more young people may learn how to use their talent and find joy in serving the Lord through music.

Professor Samuel Berto, coordinator of the MA in History program presented a paper about the Seventh-day Adventist Church , which is one of the featured religions and churches that have prospered in the province of Cavite . The presentation was inline with the 8th Annual Seminar on Cavite History and Culture by the Cavite Studies Center of the De La Salle University—Dasmariñas on September 22, 2006 at the Philippine Christian University, Dasmariñas campus.

The topic, “ Religious Institutions in Cavite: A Historical perspective” featured the history and beliefs of some religions and churches that have prospered in the province of Cavite, Namely: Mennonite Church, Iglesia Filipina Independiente, Societas Vrbi Divina, Smahang Sqopquz, Iglesia Espiritu Veridica del Espiritu Santo, Iglesia ni Cristo, Methodist Church, Seventh-day Adventist Church, Iglesia Mistica, Filipini, Sektang Milinaryo ng Amadeo, Cavite Diocesan, and United Chruchof Christ in the Philippines. Also presented was a lecture on historical old churches of Cavite by the National Historical Institute.

The sessions were enriched by the open forum after the presentations of each group of researchers. Prof. Berto was asked more questions concerning the Sabbath which he ably answered with confidence and grace. The former Philippine Prime Minister Cesar E.A. Virata was the guest of honor and speaker during the opening ceremonies.

Dr. Edwin Balila, Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences and Technology and Dr. Romeo Barrios, Director of the University Research Center were elected as area coordinators for Cavite of the newly organized Calabarzon Research Council (CRC). There are 160 Higher Education Institutions (HEI) all over Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon provinces represented in the Council endorsed by Dr. Isabel Inlayo, Regional Director of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region IV.. As written by Dr. Barrios in one of his articles in the Calabarzon Research News the CHED publication for research which he also edits, the CRC seeks to develop the following objectives:

The election of officers was held in Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation in Lucena, Quezon, in July, 2006 wherein their VPAA Dr. Jaime Busar was elected president of the CRC, while the first meeting in the province of Cavite was held in AUP on the last week of October with Dr. Inlayo as adviser..