The church of Valenzuela has moved from its former location, the Acharon building, on C J Santos Avenue, Malinta, Valenzuela City, to its new meeting place, the home of the Oloya family, in Arenas compound, Makipot Street, Malinta Bukid.
Pictured here is Jay Ar Oloya with his father Lino. Jay was one the first fruits of the work which I began when I joined the mission of the Caloocan church in planting a church in Valenzuela
The forum in Lagro was well attended. This is a part of those who came and helped in the door knocking activity in Lagro.
Within its classrooms we sat and listened to the Word expounded and explained to us by our teachers. I came here in 1968. Now, this year of our Lord 2014, as I stand on the campus looking at the building I cannot help but long, and reminisce with much regret at its demise. The school building presently serves as a dormitory for gentlemen who rent a place to stay as they work and study in the city.
One day in March, the Lord led us to this young man named Jay Ar Oloya, only son of a couple from Ligao, Albay. His father is a taxi driver and they live in a rented apartment on Makipot Street, Malinta-Bukid. Two times we studied Bible beside the road while he was vending banana cues, two times we studied too in our rented hall along McArthur Highway. A month after, on April 14, 2012, after a study in brother Randy Macapagal’s office in Caloocan City, we immersed him for the remission of his sins in Caloocan church baptistery. His conversion was the big break for the work of the Lord in Valenzuela, because it led to many baptisms later.
Much study was done in homes in and around Valenzuela. While we were waiting for our prospects to make decisions for eternity, the Lord sent this young man named Jayson Quiniones to us. Jayson’s mother is from Antique and his father is from Calamba, Laguna. In the family they speak both Tagalog and Karay-a (dialect of the Antiquenos). Prior to his conversion, Jayson had visited our worship hall only once, and that was after the worship service. He had heard me teach a prospect in the hall. In the height of the storm in August, he got my number from his friend Jay Ar Oloya and texted me asking if he could stay in our building because their house in Meycauayan was flooded. We said he could. He stayed in our building three days, and during those days we fed him and made him comfortable. During those days too we had studies together. A month after that, on Sept. 6, we baptized him in Caloocan baptistery.
Two days after I immersed Jayson Quiniones on Sept. 6, I also baptized this man. His name is Lino Oloya, Jay Ar’s father. Lino and his wife Lilian hail from Ligao, Albay. As a driver he used to work for the Puno family and for the owner of one of the branches of a US fast food chain. He and his wife don’t have the habit of welcoming strangers especially preachers in their home. I tried to overcome this prejudice of his by giving his son Jay Ar a laptop and training him to teach his father and mother, which he did in May. The Lord used Lino’s son to open doors for me to enter. I visited them in June and on the first lesson about the Bible I also pointed out to them the errors of Mariolatry. After that first lesson, they took away all the images in their house. On September 8, I baptized Lino.
She was sick at the time her husband was baptized, but a week after that, on Sept. 15, Lilian Oloya also followed suit.
Three days after her mother Lilian was baptized, I also immersed Donna Oloya on September 18. Donna works as a promodizer at Trinoma and Pure Gold.
Two days after I immersed Donna, I also immersed her husband Randy Guarin on Sept. 20. To signify that he wanted to change lives, he also had his long hair barbered! He looks much better without his long hair!
I first came to meet Joel Cervantes on May 26, and studied the first lesson with him. A week after that, on July 2, he came back, and we discussed the lesson on faith (the story of Cain and Abel). He wanted to be sure if we are the right church, so on July 17, we studied about the church in the New Testament. We did not see each other until a month later, on August 18, when we studied about man’s biggest problem, the problem of sin. He said that lesson came to trouble him. Add to this the fact that his life came to unusual circumstances, with hardships and difficulties, and sickness in the family, that no matter how hard they all tried, there was never enough money to pay all expenses. He remembered what I had said about Isaiah 59:1,2. He gave up his job for a while and resolved to see me, and wanted my help to solve his sin problem, So in the middle of the night (that is last night, Thursday, Sept. 27) as I was about to lay myself down to sleep, this young man came. For two hours, we studied how Jesus could help him deal with his sins, how Jesus could erase it that there is no more sin left, and that even the memories of those sins would not haunt him. I asked him if he is ready, and he said yes. He asked when, and I said now. Without much ado, we got ourselves ready to go to Caloocan. At two o’clock this morning, Friday, Sept. 28, in the cool waters of Caloocan baptistery, I immersed Joel for the remission of his sins. As he got out of the baptistery, he said, “Thank you!” This morning he went on his way home rejoicing. Praise be to God!
A former soldier of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, this man is known to the people in the area of Maysan as Capt. Jumo. He studied engineering at Mapua Institute of Technology and ended up being a soldier, graduating from Philippine Military Academy. Sen. Gringo Honasan was his mistah. Capt. Jumo was a descendant of the Jimenez clan in Pangasinan, people who owned lands, but now he lived in penury. I first met him in January of this year, but there were many hindrances to our sitting together and talk Bible, one of which was the sinful life he could not do away with easily. One time we had a scheduled class and he was nowhere to be found, and searching in the area of Llenado Compound in Maysan, I found him drunk. I had to postpone our class until he’s back to his senses. I confessed that he was one of the most difficult prospects I had ever studied with! Although he’s got religion (having been a member of the “born again” group), he’s got only the Bible-quoting habit of that church but never the holiness that is found among early saints of the Bible. After his bouts with drinking, he would come to me and said he wanted to study the Word. He knew that he could never please his God with his past life. He confessed to me his depression and insecurities, and his lack of will to fight. I was too patient with this man and he knew it. Last night, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, he came just as we were preparing dinner. He smelled like a skunk, so I told him to go the bathroom and take a bath, gave him soap, a towel and fresh clothes. He wore it to dinner. At dinner time, we read a scripture about the prodigal son, and in his comments he applied that story to himself. After dinner, we had a study of two hours on “What Must I Do to Be Saved,” and I persuaded him to make a go for glory and saintliness that one could only own when Jesus makes him free from sins. Today, at 7 AM, Friday, October 5, 2012, I baptized Capt. Junio, a former soldier. Now he is a soldier of Jesus, fighting battles again sin. We welcomed him into the arms of Jesus.
The sign that says little about the big distribution of the relief goods that happened about an hour later, at Valenzuela church meeting hall. Valenzuela church meets here too. The place is located at the 3rd Floor Acharon Building, Cecilio J. Santos Street, Malinta, Valenzuela City, not far from the old city hall.
Brothers and sisters from Caloocan church who volunteered to identify the calamity areas.They waded through flooding waters of Pasolo and Rincon, talked to the victims of the calamity, and distributed claim stubs. The stubs would entitle a recipient to a pack of food relief consisting of 2 kilos of rice, half a dozen canned goods and a dozen noodle packs.
Three ladies from Caloocan church – sister Alma Gayatao, sister Carmen Cutchon, and sister Agnes Macapagal – setting up the distribution corner in the building where the goods are to be dispensed to the recipients.
Ed visits these lean-to shacks where the families of the kids of Valenzuela Tutorial Center have been seeking shelter. The poor of Valenzuela have subsisted on dole-outs, temporary jobs, meager salaries from factories, and from the generosities of churches in order to survive. Goods too were distributed to these parents.
This cage used to be a shelter for the dog of the owner of the compound. It now serves as a sleeping place for one of the young ladies living in the compound. Brother Bong Garlitos tried it for size– yes, it’s good enough for a dog but not for humans!
Brother Randy Macapagal, minister of Caloocan church, and brother Chito Cusi, head of the MARCH For Christ who supplied the relief goods that were distributed to the victims of the calamities in many places in Metro Manila. The goods were donations from the churches of Christ in Cebu and in the US. In the background is brother Edgar Cutchon who was setting up the sound system to be used in the preaching later in the afternoon.
Ed conferring with sister Agnes Macapagal on how to process the distribution of the relief goods.
Ed talking with brother Chito Cusi, head of the MARCH For Christ.
Ed talking with the early-comers who arrive to claim their food packs.
The first to come were calamity victims from Barangay Rincon, Valenzuela City.
Ed preaching on the love of God, and how He cares enough to touch their lives by sending them these generosities.
These poor people queuing up to claim their food packs came from the barangays of Dulong Tangke, Pasolo and Rincon, the worst-hit areas of Valenzuela City.
The food packs are shown here, while the recipients sit at the hall and listen to Ed preaching. At the end of the day, a total of 150 packs have been distributed to the recipients from Pasolo, Dulong Tangke, Rincon, and Malinta, Bukid and Maysan.
Brother Daniel Suresh, formerly of Caloocan church, had migrated with his family to Canada last year. A week ago he made a visit to Caloocan church and preached there on August 12. Today he is back to his family in Canada. Caloocan church had benefited much from the generosity of the Suresh family.
The congregation singing in praise of the Lord of all creation. The congregation was on full-house last Sunday, August 12.
Daniel Suresh joins the brethren in singing.
Brother Joey Badion reading a scripture as he leads the ushers at the Lord’s table.
The ushers at the Lord’s table.
Brother Kris Ducusin leads the opening prayer.
Brother Francis Debulos leads the closing prayer.
Brother Randy Macapagal, minister of Kalookan church, making the announcement at the close of the worship, Sunday, August 12.
Ed preaching in Valenzuela.
Brother Albert leading the singing in Valenzuela. We’ve been using the song books donated to us by brother Mike Fuchs and the churches of Christ in Ohio.
The parents whom we teach on Fridays.
Ed teaching the parents.
Sister Nerizz here, teaching the kids.
Shown here is Dr. Ezra Cutchon in his clinic in Caloocan with patients waiting to be served. In Valenzuela, we also offer free medical check-up, with our two doctor brothers (Dr. Ezra and Dr. Xerxes Cutchon) offering their services free to members and non-members alike.
Parents waiting on the sideline while their kids are being taught.
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. You may click here to read this powerpoint presentation, or download it. It is in mixed Tagalog and English. If you want a purely English version, contact the author. God bless you.
This house, owned by the Daniel Sureshes, Indian nationals and members of the Lord's church, located in Maharlika West, Tagaytay City, contains a pool.
The pool in Suresh home where we did the baptism yesterday, May 12.
Ed takes the confession of faith of Reynaldo. Prior to his baptism, Reynaldo had attended the worship in Tagaytay.
Ed immerses Reynaldo for the remission of his sins.
Ed takes the confession of faith of Virginia.
Ed immerses Virginia for the remission of her sins.
Posing for a group picture.
Remember them who have been here, who have listened to the heartbeat of the Spirit and the longings of the earthly creatures whose only desire is heaven, and be full of hope of better relations among churches and men.
Posing for a group picture before meals.
Delegates are preachers and leaders, both old and young.
Meals are superb, thanks to Kalookan church ladies!
Speaker is brother Eusebio Tanicala of Baguio City.
Having a chain prayer session at the roof deck of the Suresh home, before retiring to bed.
The prayers are long, the night is longer, and the coolness all around and the presence of the Lord make the event uplifting!
Seminar delegates include brethren from Metro Manila and Cavite churches.
Allan Cheng from Singapore has also come. Here he sits with with a brother from Carmona church. The Carmona church used to be connected with the instrumental group from Cruzada, but now they cast their lot with us.
It is an enjoyment of the blessings of the Word and of the provisions of the earth.
Seated in front are sister Rose Mistola, one of the first members of Tagaytay church baptized by brother Ems Layco; brother Noli, who transferred membership here from Alabang church, and brother Joshua Blen, a member of the church in Bacolod City who migrated to Tagaytay. Standing and holding a songbook is brother Ems Layco. Brother Ems began the work in Tagaytay five years ago.
Brother Noli, in yellow shirt, brought with him his younger brother, sitting in front, extreme left. At the back are (from right to left) brother Teroy, sister Jovita Causaren, and sister Jean Sico-Henandez and her son. Brother Teroy and sister Jovita are also first members of Tagaytay church. Sister Jean just transferred membership to Tagaytay. A niece of brother Nep Sico and a member of the church in Dasmarinas, she now lives with her family in Tagaytay City.
Membership of Tagaytay church also consists of young people like Alfred, second seat, extreme left, who hails from Mindanao and was a former student of Sunrise Christian College; the daughter of sister Jean Hernandez, second from left; and brother Totong and sister Rose Bernadas, seated at the back.
The couple, brother Jun and sister Jing Reyes, second row, extreme left, also some of the first members of Tagaytay who faithfully attend the worship services.
Ed's wife Dioly, seated at the back, extreme right, also finds time to visit Ed and Tagaytay church. Sister Dioly's ministry is to take care of their grandsons, and provide moral support to Ed. Sister Dioly lives in Quezon City.
The meeting place of Encarnacion Church of Christ, Encarnacion Subidivision, San Jose City in Nueva Ecija.
With this sign along the road, you can never miss it.
The gate to the church compound. Property was donated to the church by a certain brother Vibat, who is formerly with the US Navy. The Vibats own other properties in Nueva Ecija.
Regie Valdez, his wife Mona Lisa and their eight-month old daughter, brother Gerry Mortera and his wife who is a pharmacist, brother Orlando Braga and other members of Encarnacion church.
Other members of Encarnacion church. At the back is sister Josie Macadaeg-Braga. Both Josie and her husband Orlando are former students of mine at Philippine Bible College-Baguio. Both are now employees of the Department of Education, and support the ministries of Encarnacion church with their financial resources.
Encarnacion Church. Picture taken after our worship last Sunday, February 13, 2011.
Me, sister Flor Poblete, sister Yoling Bravo, and brother Felix Bravo. This and other pictures taken during our visit to the house of sister Flor Poblete in Olongapo City on January 21, 2011.
Sister Flor and the Bravo family: brother Felix, sister Yoling and their son Dale. At the background is brother Daniel Elamparo, preacher of Cabalan Church, and another fellow, our song leader, whose name still eludes me; I heard he is the preacher of Lubao church.
After our short devotional, we had this sumptuous meal, courtesy of sister Flor.
On the way back to Tarlac City, we dropped by this Duty-Free shop inside SBMA.
The Negrito vendor and his wares. I asked him if his arrows could kill or maim, but he just smiled. "Good as decorations," he said.
We began worship Sunday afternoon, February 6, in San Marcelino with just a few Christians. The number was added by the coming of other Christians from places around Zambales.
Brother Mario Moral, minister of Barretto church, also ministers to the church in San Marcelino, Zambales. Here he leads the singing while I do the preaching.
Members of San Marcelino church. Picture was taken after our worship. The church has no chapel but they have a lot in a village in San Marcelino town, donated by brother Rady Poblete. Brother Rady also pays for the rent of this house where the church presently meets.
Meeting place of Barretto Church of Christ. The lot was donated by the Pobletes, and the building was built through the help of Christians in the US.
My comfy bed for the night. When I arrived February 5, brother Mario Moral was very apologetic about giving me this bed to sleep on. But I liked it!
Brother Mario Moral, preacher, with some members of the church in Barretto, Olongapo City.
Brother Abel Mayor, former minister, with some members of Barretto church. He is now retired and attends worship regularly, even if he has to walk using his cane! He has difficulty talking but I understood it when he said he was fully energized by my sermon! Most of the members of the Barretto church, if I am not mistaken, are from the Mayor clan, or those related to the Mayors either by blood or by marriage.
Two young men, members of the Mayor clan, who officiate in the distribution of the emblems of the Lord's Supper.
Two young Christians of Tarlac who attend the training program of Tarlac City church.
This is Salvador "Buddy" Galang, a retired employee of the National Printing Office in Diliman, Quezon City. He was baptized last year by brother Felix Bravo. Brother Buddy lives alone in a rented house in Teresa Homes and has difficulty walking even with a cane. He used to be the reader of the Scriptures at Tarlac church but now seldom goes to church because of his physical disabilities. One of the ministrations of the church assistant minister was to visit him morning, or afternoon or evening, to show him that we as a church really care for him.
One Sunday after our worship, we had a surprise visitor, brother Felipe Bravo, minister of Capas church, shown here on my left. In the middle of the picture is sister Faustino, an older Christian from San Felipe, Tantangan, Cotabato, and brother Vergara from Mangatarem, Pangasinan. The two kids are brother Vergara's grandchildren.
Membership of Tarlac Church consists mostly of young people.
Gener is one young man with a promise. He reads the Scriptures and assists in the distribution of the emblems of the Lord's Supper.
Brother Felix and sister Yoling Bravo with some members of the church in Tarlac City.
The Christian Mission 
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