By Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

The birth of Central Philippine University is connected to the beginnings of the Baptist mission in the Philippines.

In 1898, Rev. Dr. Eric Lund, a Swedish Baptist missionary, baptized Braulio Manikan, a native of Aklan, Panay, in Barcelona, Spain. Manikan became the first Filipino Baptist. The two soon planned to undertake mission work in the Philippines. While waiting for that opportunity, they embarked on translating the Gospels and Acts into the Hiligaynon language.

Their opportunity was materialized when the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society (ABFMS) commissioned and financed their mission work. They arrived in Iloilo City, Philippines in May 1900.

The Philippine Baptist pastors and American missionaries developed a three-pronged mission work, patterned from the ministry of Jesus Christ—preaching, healing and teaching. This pattern was developed as a means to minister to the “whole man” and not just his spiritual needs.

The preaching ministry resulted in organizing churches in Iloilo, Negros, and Capiz. For instance, Jaro Evangelical Church was organized in September 1900, Bacolod Evangelical Church in 1902, and Capiz Evangelical Church in 1908.

As to the healing ministry, the Philippine Baptist mission established two hospitals in the Panay Island. In Iloilo, the Baptists partnered with the Presbyterians in operating the Iloilo Mission Hospital (IMH) in 1901. Later, the IMH became an exclusive Baptist institution in 1925 when the Presbyterians turned over their mission work to the Baptists. In Capiz, a medical mission was started in 1902 which later became the Capiz Emmanuel Hospital in 1912.

The Philippine Baptist mission soon started a Baptist Home School in Capiz in 1904. Later, this became known as the Filamer Christian University. In Iloilo, a Bible School for women was established in 1904 through the leadership of Anna V. Johnson. This later became the Baptist Missionary Training School (BMTS).

In June 1905, the Bible School for men was also opened. A few months later, in October 1, 1905, another school was opened—the Jaro Industrial School. The Philippine Baptist mission commissioned Rev. Dr. William O. Valentine, a pastor and teacher, to head both schools.

CPU, in its core, is a product of the Baptist mission in the Philippines as can be seen in its history. This is the reason why the CPU Constitution and By-laws stipulates that 33 out of 65 of the members of the CPU Corporation and at least 10 out of 15 of the CPU Board of Trustees should come from member churches of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches.

by Cyrus A. Natividad

My father gave us a lot of meaningful advice before he left for the afterlife. They’re practical—relevant for today as we set our minds for the New Year 2019. One of those was “yesterday is already a dream, tomorrow is only a vision; but today, well-lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope”.

He always reminded us not to live in the past, nor think about the future in excess—over or beyond what normal human beings can expect from the future. Of course, he said, “It is always good to learn from our mistakes in the past; correct it and live with it; enjoy with it as well. The enjoyable moment is at the present, not in the past or the future.”

According to a psychologist who said “health is in our head,” the cause of depression is mostly the recollection (thinking back) of bad things that happened to us in the past. Depression is only felt in the present. With lack of assurance and feelings of insecurity, what we feel for the future is anxiety. The present is very important when we speak of health. Enjoying the present is relevant; it should prepare us and put us in the best condition when crossing over to another year.

The year 2018 has ended and our minds are now set for 2019. Let us forget the unpleasant past. Instead, let us enjoy the achievements of yesterday. Remember this from an unknown author: “What you are today is a result of what you have done yesterday.”

A good reference verse for this is found in Philippians 3:13, 14: “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Planning ahead is also important as we approach this New Year. Our attitude in the present will impact our situation or success tomorrow. Do not be afraid of what will happen to us in 2019. Look forward and be confident in yourself as God has plans for us. Just read what He said in Jeremiah 29:11: “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

The prevailing evils of society today are hatred, envy, and lack of love (HELL). On the other hand, understanding and kindness will bring goodness to humanity in the New Year. As Paul wrote, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”

Welcome 2019!

By Keziah G. Huelar

Central Philippine University’s 113 years of existence hold a rich testimony of historical breakthroughs. A center of academic, cultural excellence, and faith, the university holds true to its mission of producing Exemplary Christian Learners for Life throughout the years. Here are some notable facts from CPU’s establishment to the present:

• Central Philippine University was established in 1905 through a grant given to the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society by business magnate and philanthropist, John D. Rockefeller.
• CPU is the first Baptist university and the second university established by Americans in Asia (the first being Silliman University in Dumaguete City).
• In 1913, CPU (previously known as Jaro Industrial School) began to admit female students.
• Iloilo Mission Hospital, the university hospital established in 1901, is the first hospital and nursing school in the Philippines.
• Dr. Henry S. Waters is the first dean of the CPU College of Nursing from 1947-1948.
• The CPU Republic is the oldest student government body in Western Visayas.
• On April 1, 1953, through a charter, Central Philippine College was named Central Philippine University.
• CPU’s first Filipino president is Dr. Rex D. Drilon.
• CPU is recognized by the Iloilo City Government as a tourism site.
• Dr. Linnea A. Nelson is CPU’s first female president.
• The CPU Library is one of the biggest libraries in Asia.
• The Valentine Hall used to be the administration building of the university.
• CPU currently has the most number of Centers of Excellence and Centers of Development in Western Visayas.
• CPU is the only fully autonomous university in Iloilo.
• The first Filipino anthropologist, Felipe Landa Jocano (1920-2013), is a Centralian.

By Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Happy New Year!

The word “year” in Hebrew is shanah. It has three meanings in the original root word:

1. Division of time

2. To repeat, do the same

3. To change, alter

Will this 2018 be just a passing of time? Will the coming year be just a repetition of the past years? Or will 2018 be a year when we will change for the better?

We would often hear the word change. It is so broad that the one who wants to change does not know where to begin. For those who profess to be Christians, the answer is straightforward: We want to be like Jesus. Like Paul, we too should say “imitate me as I imitate Christ.”

If we want to pattern our lives to that of Jesus, then we need to see the pattern. Where can we see this pattern? The Bible. If this is so, then the resolution to change and to pattern our lives to that of Jesus involves our commitment to read the Bible and reflect on what is written there. The ethical question WWJD—What Would Jesus Do—can be answered if we read and understand the Bible.

If reading the Bible is not yet in your New Year’s resolution, then please put it there and start reading. When you make a reflection, start asking questions about what God wants to change in your life through the passages that you have read. Pray for it and ask for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. In doing so, you have made a commitment to change for the better. The Greek word “power” in relation to the Holy Spirit is dunamis which means “able” and “can do.” This tells us that when the Holy Spirit empowers us, we are able to do the things that we thought we were not able to do. Our mentality of “I can’t” is changed to “I can.”

This year should not just be a passing of time or a repetition of the last year but a commitment to change and follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

Happy New Year everyone from the CPU Office of Communications!

On December 20, 1943, 74 years ago, 11 American Baptist missionaries and a little boy were executed by the Japanese soldiers. Twenty months before their martyrdom, these 11 missionaries chose not to surrender but evacuated to Katipunan, Tapaz, Capiz where they found a hide-out in the mountains which they called “Hopevale.” They even built an open-air chapel, the “Cathedral in the Glen.” This Cathedral in the Glen became an enduring symbol in that many replicas were made in the United States and in the Philippines to immortalize their martyrdom.

In celebration of the 74^th anniversary of their martyrdom, the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches and its member institutions (Central Philippine University, Filamer Christian University, Capiz Emmanuel Hospital, Iloilo Mission Hospital) held a memorial service on December 20, 2017 at the Hopevale Garden near the Capiz Emmanuel Hospital.

A hymn written by Rev. Dr. Francis Howard Rose, one of the martyrs, prophesied his martyrdom for the faith. Rose is remembered as a talented composer of most of the Central Songs, the designer of the CPU seal, and the one who coined the term “Central Spirit.”

Martyr’s Hymn by Francis Howard Rose

(To the tune of “Lord, Speak to Me That I May Speak”)

All human progress up to God

Has stained the stairs of time with blood;

For every gain for Christendom

Is bought by someone’s martyrdom.

For us he poured the crimson cup,

And bade us take and drink it up.

Himself he poured to set us free.

Help us, O Christ, to drink with thee.

Ten thousand saints come thronging home,

From lion’s den and catacomb.

The fire and sword and beasts defied;

For Christ, their King, they gladly died.

With eye of faith we see today

That cross-led column wind its way

Up life’s repeated Calvary.

We rise, O Christ, to follow Thee!

We remember the Hopevale martyrs:

Jennie Clare AdamsCharma Marie Moore CovellJames Howard CovellDorothy Antoinette DowellSigne Amelia EricksonFrederick Willer Meyer

Ruth Violet Schacht MeyerFrancis Howard RoseGertrude Hazleton Coombs RoseErle Frederick RoundsLouise Beulah Cummings RoundsErle Douglas Rounds

Celebrating the 74^th Anniversary of the Hopevale martyrs and the 500^th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, Dr. Domingo J. Diel, Jr., Member, CPU Board of Trustees, and Centralians Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on, Director of the CPU Office of Communications; Dr. Liza B. Lamis, newly elected new Executive Secretary of the International Committee for the Fellowship of the Least Coin; and Rev. Dr. Melvin Mangana, Director of the Capiz Emmanuel Hospital, shared their knowledge and expertise during the “HER: Hopevale. Education. Reformation,” A Church People’s Conference at Filamer Christian University, Roxas City, Capiz on December 18-20, 2017.

The talk was organized for several reasons. The first was to reflect on the 500 years that has passed since Martin Luther’s Protestant Reformation; another was to speak on matters of faith and culture in the modern times, and to remember the martyrdom of Hopevale missionaries. The event was also to gather CBMA affiliated ministers, to cater to their need of continuing theological education on the specific topic of Protestant Reformation and CPBC heritage and history, to organize a CPBC dialogue regarding pastoral skills that are most needed in the existing theological seminaries, and to inspire the apt reformer in each participant and challenge them to address areas in their life and relationships that need reformation. The talk was also a prelude the 75^th year anniversary of the martyrdom at Hopevale next year.

In his opening address, Dr. Diel highlighted the importance of remembering the lives of men and women whose faith has inspired the present believers. He also encouraged the participants to emulate the lives of those who have both died and lived for Christ.

Rev. Jalando-on’s talk focused on the challenge of Reformation. He encouraged every Baptist to pursue his or her faith with passion and perseverance and not merely adhere to what is popular or accustomed. He also shared lessons and reflections on the Reformation and Renaissance of the Baptist denomination throughout history.

Dr. Lamis talked about the importance of Reformation in education. She shared that education is an essential tool to reformation and vice versa—one should work hand in hand with the other to pursue faith grounded in knowledge, wisdom, and  in obedience to Christ.

On the other hand, Dr. Mangana encouraged the participants to be firm believers and to have a heart for others by serving Christ not only through the church but also through the everyday purpose God has given to each and every one. He also emphasized that as a Christian, one should not forsake the basics, that is, “going back to the Bible.”

The conference was organized by the Pastoral Placement, Theological Education, and Ministerial Concerns (PPTEMC) department of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches (CPBC). The Director of PPTEMC is Pastor Jec Dan S. Borlado, and the General Secretary of the CPBC is Rev. Dr. Jerson B. Narciso. Both of them are also Centralians. CPBC is planning a bigger celebration next year for the 75^th Anniversary of the Hopevale Martyrdom and it will be held at Central Philippine University.