by Rev. Dr. Mariano C. Apilado
My family and I went to Paradise Island the other day, arriving there about ten o’clock in the morning and leaving about three o’clock in the afternoon.
My family includes my wife, Nellie, who has been with me in Davao City since six years ago when I became the Executive Pastor of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Davao City.
We have three daughters–Marjo Nell married to Boni, and their daughters Maleeri, Dea and Andion and great granddaughter Andreyna. Marjo Nell and her family live in Caba, La Union.
We had a second daughter, Cheryl Lynn, who died in a vehicular accident 11 years ago. Cheryl Lynn and her husband, John, left us with a son, Robert Miguel, now 16 years old.
Another daughter is Phyllis Rianne, her husband Patrick and their children Sean and Ken. Phyllis Rianne and her family, together with Roberto live in Dasmarinas City, Cavite.
Except for Boni who is working in Canada, John in San Fernando City, La Union and Ken who is too young to travel, all eleven of us, together with Maleeri’s boyfriend, Nino, were in Paradise Island the other day.
In addition, my wife’s sister Evelyn, brother Steve and his girl friend Mel, and cousin Edna who are from Caba, La Union, were also with us.
My family of sixteen and I spent five hours of paradise on the island and beach resort.
Our feeling after the experience is perhaps best captured by the statement of welcome that greeted us–“You are welcome as a guest, you may leave as a friend.”
The place is well-maintained, clean, the personnel are friendly, the services excellent. All of us left the place welcomed as guests and leaving as friends.
That is also my feeling as I leave Davao City on June 3, Tuesday, after having served the UCCP Davao City for six years.
Davao is such a friendly, superb place to live in and serve. The people are friendly. The streets are clean. Peace and order is excellent.
Water is plentiful and clean – one can drink water direct from the faucet. Fruits are delicious, available abundantly throughout the year. Same with fresh fish and meat.
Religious groups and Christian denominations are friendly and ecumenical. There are the Koinonia Dabaw, Aimah Pastors Priest Forum, Davao City Ministerial Fellowship, to mention just three of the several religious fellowships I had the privilege of having meaningfully been a part.
Our UCCP building project and the different social services and outreach programs have received substantial support from prominent members of the community who believe in the merits of our work, but who chose to remain anonymous.
I could stay on. My family could stay on. Davao is such a family friendly place that one could enjoy living in. Friends have been urging me to stay on.
My work, however, is such that after so many years of service, I am mandated by our constitutional rules to move on.
There are many concerns unfinished – the church building, our church revival programs, our church outreach projects and so on and so forth are still unfinished. The next team of ministers will carry on the leadership of the life and ministry of the church, including the building construction.
My family and I will leave the city grateful for the privilege of having lived here for a while, and most especially for the privilege of having served with a church whose members are very friendly and challenging Christians to be pastor of.
We leave the city and the church with the most pleasant feeling that we were welcome as guests and we are leaving as friends.
