The Law of Manifestation

What you think, what you feel, becomes you. Hmmmm.... I always thought of being able to drive a Red Ferrari. Something any hot chick would want to own just to flaunt her beauty. Hey, not that I am saying I am beautiful, but I am believing I am, therefore, I must be. Never mind the term "hot chick," because eventually, I wouldn't want to be an object of desire for every tom, dick, and harry. Worst of all, be Hannibal's object of fantasy. Since I secretly abhorred the idea being a Venus to every man's fantasy, I guess, this should explain that I am not a head-turner like Angelina Jolie. Or better yet, no matter how much I always wanted to be the invincible Tai Chi Master like this girl golie in Shaolin Soccer who made sure that all force is deflected against the enemy with equal intensity, I still cannot even execute the Bruce Lee punch like a pro. I don't like punching walls by the way. Ahhhhh, how about oogling at Rembrant's The Prodigal Son? Maybe, this will help me get transported to Kremlin in no time. What you think, what you feel, becomes.... Ahhhhh! So if I try hard enough and concentrate, maybe I can transform myself into an old Bulova watch? Yikes! What if I forgot I am human after all? I might never become me again. Hhhhmm... good thing there is a God who is omnipotent and has the supreme power over the universe. The moment my thinking is not right and may not be good for me, no matter how much I obsess about something, it may never happen. Phew! What a relief.

Re: Resolution of The IVCF Board On Cagayan Valley Ministries

March 16, 2009

To: Mila Pascual & BALIKATAN

From: Atty. Delano C. Sta. Ana And Jane M. N. Sta. Ana

Re: Resolution Of The IVCF Board On Cagayan Valley Ministries

Hi Mila,

Since we have just received your BALIKATAN e-mail without prior communication from the IVCF Board, we now address this to you. We expect that as you have published the IVCF Board that you treat us equally well by publishing this to all BALIKATAN and IVCF PHILIPPINES.

Let it be known by all that in view of the recent resolution of the IVCF board, we, husband and wife, Atty. Delano C. Sta. Ana and Jane M. N. Sta. Ana, after a long, consistent and faithful relationship and support for IVCF PHILIPPINES, are hereby severing all relations with IVCF PHILIPPINES and all its ministries, including Nurses Christian Fellowship, BALIKATAN or any other national or international ministries thereof.

Let the following facts be known by all:

That “IVPM Cagayan Valley” ( Cagayan province, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya) ,the subject of the resolution, was initiated by a pure desire and burden by myself and my wife, who is a Cagayana, to share the gospel to the youth and to the professionals in Cagayan Valley as an IVCF’er would do;

That this burden started even before we left for the United States in 1970 realizing that there was and has never been any witness or work by IVCF in the Cagayan Valley Region;

That this burden was expressed repeatedly to several General Secretaries and especially to Elsie Calalang;

That this was expressed even to then BALIKATAN President Rolando Malincon and wife Eliza several times;

That we were and are willing and able to support two staff workers for Cagayan Valley Region;

That there was no positive response by any of the IVCF personnel or the IVCF Board in this direction;

That as a member of the IVCF Board in 2007, this burden for an initiative in Cagayan Valley was brought to the Board;

That because there was no action being taken, my wife and I took the initiative to fund the opening of this “project” with the full knowledge of the IVCF board; please note that until that time there was no IVCF work in Cagayan Valley in the North;

That the IVCF Board was fully aware of the direction being taken and raised no objections;

That in an informal meeting held with Southern Tagalog group- SVCF Los Banos graduates, IVCF Board Members: Edwin Erni and Jose “Jotique” Lamigo were present and appraised of the initiative;

That at this meeting, we noted that our initiative is in areas where IVCF does not have any work and whenever IVCF is ready and willing to take over including Cagayan Valley, we will relinquish the work to them but that time is of the essence we must continue the initiative;

That we found Joseph “Boyet” Ongkiko and Nicodemo “Nikko” Estrada who shared the burden for the Cagayan Region and partnered with us;

That they do not deserve the treatment and declaration the IVCF Board has just given them since we husband and wife are the sole initiators and supporters of the initiative but the resolution was not even directly addressed to us;

That Boyet Ongkiko is an unpaid volunteer who is working with us because he shares the burden and the same vision;

That Nikko Estrada is also a volunteer which is financially supported by us initially, but is not “IVPM Cagayan Valley” and the salary of Nikko which was a designated fund of 16,000 php monthly did not reach him in full but was drastically slashed to about 5,000 php even if it was a designated fund , therefore, we advised him to make a choice either to resign so he can support his family with full designated salary or get the fraction given by IVCF as a staff worker;

That no IVCF Board Member or staff directly came to us, my wife, in particular, as President of “IVPM Cagayan Valley”, as claimed in the resolution, regarding the call for affiliation to IVCF;

That Yoyit Roldan and Dr. Bel Magalit spoke to me over the phone (sent by IVCF?) In overture, the former to “discuss IVCF” and the latter to “mediate”; but since they are not privy to the privileged information I possess as a former member of the IVCF Board they are not the proper forum to address the issues;

That there was no direct call to my wife Jane M. N. Sta. Ana, being the president of “IVPM Cagayan Valley “(Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva vizcaya)”, in re “affiliation” or anything that the IVCF Board has now brought up; did anybody bother even to know who the rightful person to address the issue is? Did anybody really bother to get in touch with her as President of the SEC-approved group?;

That we took on the name of “IVPM Cagayan Valley” initially believing that we are, since 1958, members of IVCF, myself the first President of the FEU group now known as “Tamaraw Christian Fellowship” and my wife of the UP-PGH IVCF group, both KC grads, faithful supporters ever since, founding members of BALIKATAN, USA, and UGNAYAN Fellowship of New York, myself being the first and founding President of BALIKATAN, and then a member of the IVCF Board; what more evidence does anybody want to judge our “affiliation?”;

That this initiative has always been taken as a direction from the LORD and that long before this published resolution, i.e., in August , 2008, we had decided to change the corporate name to “Passionate Community for Christ” to reflect the new direction which includes not only Cagayan Valley but also Ifugao, Quirino, and Tarlac, realizing that “IVPM Cagayan Valley” has now become irrelevant to us; That this information was relayed to ND Erickson in November 2008 during IVPM National Conference in Lake Sebu; That the change in corporate name is being worked-out;

That we, husband and wife, as IVCF grads, recognize deeply that we are responsible to the LORD and only to the LORD, no one else: not any organization, group, or person; and that whatever connections we have with IVCF should be beyond what you now call “affiliation”. For what is a better “affiliation” other than recognizing the simple fellowship of kindred minds and hearts and true brotherhood in Christ?

That from my point of view “affiliation” is irrelevant, fallacious and misleading. The current IVCF Board of Trustees is assuming power and authority that does not belong to them. As explained by Atty. Jordan Reyes, current member of the IVCF Board of Trustees, the IVCF Student Ministry and IVPM are two parallel organizations, therefore, one cannot be subject to another. This issue is so esoteric that I will discuss it only with people who have legal background.

Finally, we pray that we may all achieve unity and oneness of mind that can only come through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. However, remembering that Paul and Barnabas agreed to disagree over the issue of Mark, and they parted ways only after a direct albeit heated or “sharp” discussion, may we too part ways, yet pursuing as guided by the Holy Spirit what God has led us to accomplish for His Glory.

Re: Resolution of The IVCF Board On Cagayan Valley Ministries

March 16, 2009

To: Mila Pascual & BALIKATAN

From: Atty. Delano C. Sta. Ana And Jane M. N. Sta. Ana

Re: Resolution Of The IVCF Board On Cagayan Valley Ministries

Hi Mila,

Since we have just received your BALIKATAN e-mail without prior communication from the IVCF Board, we now address this to you. We expect that as you have published the IVCF Board that you treat us equally well by publishing this to all BALIKATAN and IVCF PHILIPPINES.

Let it be known by all that in view of the recent resolution of the IVCF board, we, husband and wife, Atty. Delano C. Sta. Ana and Jane M. N. Sta. Ana, after a long, consistent and faithful relationship and support for IVCF PHILIPPINES, are hereby severing all relations with IVCF PHILIPPINES and all its ministries, including Nurses Christian Fellowship, BALIKATAN or any other national or international ministries thereof.

Let the following facts be known by all:

That “IVPM Cagayan Valley” ( Cagayan province, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya) ,the subject of the resolution, was initiated by a pure desire and burden by myself and my wife, who is a Cagayana, to share the gospel to the youth and to the professionals in Cagayan Valley as an IVCF’er would do;

That this burden started even before we left for the United States in 1970 realizing that there was and has never been any witness or work by IVCF in the Cagayan Valley Region;

That this burden was expressed repeatedly to several General Secretaries and especially to Elsie Calalang;

That this was expressed even to then BALIKATAN President Rolando Malincon and wife Eliza several times;

That we were and are willing and able to support two staff workers for Cagayan Valley Region;

That there was no positive response by any of the IVCF personnel or the IVCF Board in this direction;

That as a member of the IVCF Board in 2007, this burden for an initiative in Cagayan Valley was brought to the Board;

That because there was no action being taken, my wife and I took the initiative to fund the opening of this “project” with the full knowledge of the IVCF board; please note that until that time there was no IVCF work in Cagayan Valley in the North;

That the IVCF Board was fully aware of the direction being taken and raised no objections;

That in an informal meeting held with Southern Tagalog group- SVCF Los Banos graduates, IVCF Board Members: Edwin Erni and Jose “Jotique” Lamigo were present and appraised of the initiative;

That at this meeting, we noted that our initiative is in areas where IVCF does not have any work and whenever IVCF is ready and willing to take over including Cagayan Valley, we will relinquish the work to them but that time is of the essence we must continue the initiative;

That we found Joseph “Boyet” Ongkiko and Nicodemo “Nikko” Estrada who shared the burden for the Cagayan Region and partnered with us;

That they do not deserve the treatment and declaration the IVCF Board has just given them since we husband and wife are the sole initiators and supporters of the initiative but the resolution was not even directly addressed to us;

That Boyet Ongkiko is an unpaid volunteer who is working with us because he shares the burden and the same vision;

That Nikko Estrada is also a volunteer which is financially supported by us initially, but is not “IVPM Cagayan Valley” and the salary of Nikko which was a designated fund of 16,000 php monthly did not reach him in full but was drastically slashed to about 5,000 php even if it was a designated fund , therefore, we advised him to make a choice either to resign so he can support his family with full designated salary or get the fraction given by IVCF as a staff worker;

That no IVCF Board Member or staff directly came to us, my wife, in particular, as President of “IVPM Cagayan Valley”, as claimed in the resolution, regarding the call for affiliation to IVCF;

That Yoyit Roldan and Dr. Bel Magalit spoke to me over the phone (sent by IVCF?) In overture, the former to “discuss IVCF” and the latter to “mediate”; but since they are not privy to the privileged information I possess as a former member of the IVCF Board they are not the proper forum to address the issues;

That there was no direct call to my wife Jane M. N. Sta. Ana, being the president of “IVPM Cagayan Valley “(Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva vizcaya)”, in re “affiliation” or anything that the IVCF Board has now brought up; did anybody bother even to know who the rightful person to address the issue is? Did anybody really bother to get in touch with her as President of the SEC-approved group?;

That we took on the name of “IVPM Cagayan Valley” initially believing that we are, since 1958, members of IVCF, myself the first President of the FEU group now known as “Tamaraw Christian Fellowship” and my wife of the UP-PGH IVCF group, both KC grads, faithful supporters ever since, founding members of BALIKATAN, USA, and UGNAYAN Fellowship of New York, myself being the first and founding President of BALIKATAN, and then a member of the IVCF Board; what more evidence does anybody want to judge our “affiliation?”;

That this initiative has always been taken as a direction from the LORD and that long before this published resolution, i.e., in August , 2008, we had decided to change the corporate name to “Passionate Community for Christ” to reflect the new direction which includes not only Cagayan Valley but also Ifugao, Quirino, and Tarlac, realizing that “IVPM Cagayan Valley” has now become irrelevant to us; That this information was relayed to ND Erickson in November 2008 during IVPM National Conference in Lake Sebu; That the change in corporate name is being worked-out;

That we, husband and wife, as IVCF grads, recognize deeply that we are responsible to the LORD and only to the LORD, no one else: not any organization, group, or person; and that whatever connections we have with IVCF should be beyond what you now call “affiliation”. For what is a better “affiliation” other than recognizing the simple fellowship of kindred minds and hearts and true brotherhood in Christ?

That from my point of view “affiliation” is irrelevant, fallacious and misleading. The current IVCF Board of Trustees is assuming power and authority that does not belong to them. As explained by Atty. Jordan Reyes, current member of the IVCF Board of Trustees, the IVCF Student Ministry and IVPM are two parallel organizations, therefore, one cannot be subject to another. This issue is so esoteric that I will discuss it only with people who have legal background.

Finally, we pray that we may all achieve unity and oneness of mind that can only come through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. However, remembering that Paul and Barnabas agreed to disagree over the issue of Mark, and they parted ways only after a direct albeit heated or “sharp” discussion, may we too part ways, yet pursuing as guided by the Holy Spirit what God has led us to accomplish for His Glory.

Re: Resolution Of The IVCF Board On Cagayan Valley Ministries

March 16, 2009

To: Mila Pascual & BALIKATAN

From: Atty. Delano C. Sta. Ana And Jane M. N. Sta. Ana

Re: Resolution Of The IVCF Board On Cagayan Valley Ministries

Hi Mila,

Since we have just received your BALIKATAN e-mail without prior communication from the IVCF Board, we now address this to you. We expect that as you have published the IVCF Board that you treat us equally well by publishing this to all BALIKATAN and IVCF PHILIPPINES.

Let it be known by all that in view of the recent resolution of the IVCF board, we, husband and wife, Atty. Delano C. Sta. Ana and Jane M. N. Sta. Ana, after a long, consistent and faithful relationship and support for IVCF PHILIPPINES, are hereby severing all relations with IVCF PHILIPPINES and all its ministries, including Nurses Christian Fellowship, BALIKATAN or any other national or international ministries thereof.

Let the following facts be known by all:

That “IVPM Cagayan Valley” ( Cagayan province, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya) ,the subject of the resolution, was initiated by a pure desire and burden by myself and my wife, who is a Cagayana, to share the gospel to the youth and to the professionals in Cagayan Valley as an IVCF’er would do;

That this burden started even before we left for the United States in 1970 realizing that there was and has never been any witness or work by IVCF in the Cagayan Valley Region;

That this burden was expressed repeatedly to several General Secretaries and especially to Elsie Calalang;

That this was expressed even to then BALIKATAN President Rolando Malincon and wife Eliza several times;

That we were and are willing and able to support two staff workers for Cagayan Valley Region;

That there was no positive response by any of the IVCF personnel or the IVCF Board in this direction;

That as a member of the IVCF Board in 2007, this burden for an initiative in Cagayan Valley was brought to the Board;

That because there was no action being taken, my wife and I took the initiative to fund the opening of this “project” with the full knowledge of the IVCF board; please note that until that time there was no IVCF work in Cagayan Valley in the North;

That the IVCF Board was fully aware of the direction being taken and raised no objections;

That in an informal meeting held with Southern Tagalog group- SVCF Los Banos graduates, IVCF Board Members: Edwin Erni and Jose “Jotique” Lamigo were present and appraised of the initiative;

That at this meeting, we noted that our initiative is in areas where IVCF does not have any work and whenever IVCF is ready and willing to take over including Cagayan Valley, we will relinquish the work to them but that time is of the essence we must continue the initiative;

That we found Joseph “Boyet” Ongkiko and Nicodemo “Nikko” Estrada who shared the burden for the Cagayan Region and partnered with us;

That they do not deserve the treatment and declaration the IVCF Board has just given them since we husband and wife are the sole initiators and supporters of the initiative but the resolution was not even directly addressed to us;

That Boyet Ongkiko is an unpaid volunteer who is working with us because he shares the burden and the same vision;

That Nikko Estrada is also a volunteer which is financially supported by us initially, but is not “IVPM Cagayan Valley” and the salary of Nikko which was a designated fund of 16,000 php monthly did not reach him in full but was drastically slashed to about 5,000 php even if it was a designated fund , therefore, we advised him to make a choice either to resign so he can support his family with full designated salary or get the fraction given by IVCF as a staff worker;

That no IVCF Board Member or staff directly came to us, my wife, in particular, as President of “IVPM Cagayan Valley”, as claimed in the resolution, regarding the call for affiliation to IVCF;

That Yoyit Roldan and Dr. Bel Magalit spoke to me over the phone (sent by IVCF?) In overture, the former to “discuss IVCF” and the latter to “mediate”; but since they are not privy to the privileged information I possess as a former member of the IVCF Board they are not the proper forum to address the issues;

That there was no direct call to my wife Jane M. N. Sta. Ana, being the president of “IVPM Cagayan Valley “(Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva vizcaya)”, in re “affiliation” or anything that the IVCF Board has now brought up; did anybody bother even to know who the rightful person to address the issue is? Did anybody really bother to get in touch with her as President of the SEC-approved group?;

That we took on the name of “IVPM Cagayan Valley” initially believing that we are, since 1958, members of IVCF, myself the first President of the FEU group now known as “Tamaraw Christian Fellowship” and my wife of the UP-PGH IVCF group, both KC grads, faithful supporters ever since, founding members of BALIKATAN, USA, and UGNAYAN Fellowship of New York, myself being the first and founding President of BALIKATAN, and then a member of the IVCF Board; what more evidence does anybody want to judge our “affiliation?”;

That this initiative has always been taken as a direction from the LORD and that long before this published resolution, i.e., in August , 2008, we had decided to change the corporate name to “Passionate Community for Christ” to reflect the new direction which includes not only Cagayan Valley but also Ifugao, Quirino, and Tarlac, realizing that “IVPM Cagayan Valley” has now become irrelevant to us; That this information was relayed to ND Erickson in November 2008 during IVPM National Conference in Lake Sebu; That the change in corporate name is being worked-out;

That we, husband and wife, as IVCF grads, recognize deeply that we are responsible to the LORD and only to the LORD, no one else: not any organization, group, or person; and that whatever connections we have with IVCF should be beyond what you now call “affiliation”. For what is a better “affiliation” other than recognizing the simple fellowship of kindred minds and hearts and true brotherhood in Christ?

That from my point of view “affiliation” is irrelevant, fallacious and misleading. The current IVCF Board of Trustees is assuming power and authority that does not belong to them. As explained by Atty. Jordan Reyes, current member of the IVCF Board of Trustees, the IVCF Student Ministry and IVPM are two parallel organizations, therefore, one cannot be subject to another. This issue is so esoteric that I will discuss it only with people who have legal background.

Finally, we pray that we may all achieve unity and oneness of mind that can only come through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. However, remembering that Paul and Barnabas agreed to disagree over the issue of Mark, and they parted ways only after a direct albeit heated or “sharp” discussion, may we too part ways, yet pursuing as guided by the Holy Spirit what God has led us to accomplish for His Glory.

And the word was made flesh....

There are countless theological pre-suppositions I have encountered discussing about the passage of John saying..."and the word was made flesh..and dwelt amongst us..." inasmuch as I wanted to stick to the exegesis of things - I'd rather be content with my limited reflections about the passage with this story.

I grew up in a school were scientific inquiry is the default mode for learning. Our teachers never reprimanded us for asking questions, nor our classmates think it is impolite to be incisive and thoughtful with our thinking. We refuse to be "Tabula Rasa," nor be rubber stamped by the thoughts of the powerful. We are never content with the explanation of things, rather, we seek ways and means to answer our questions and be lured into the difficult task of finding our answers. Hence, even if the road is less travelled, I and my other classmates chose this path of living our lives. So, some of us may have found peace in Christ or others with some other form of belief system. Our thoughts become us.

However, fighting for my thoughts and maintaining the freedom to think and live as I should, has not always been appreciated, perhaps even ridiculed and silenced. In a small-group discussion (where Holy Scriptures are discussed) I often find it disturbing that people perceive my inquisitiveness improper - or even unholy, because to ask it seems to them is to doubt. To doubt is unbelief, thereby, a sign that I do not have faith. Not that, I have a need to find my answers, but to ask is my way of worship. Besides, faith perfects reason. So, if God has given me the faculty to reason - they why should I curtail its development by oppressing its natural ability to inquire? And yet, I know I must grow and live within a community. So, even if I do not have any issues with my own inquisitiveness, I must learn to be more understanding of others, because only then, I can fully understand. In humility, the Holy Spirit will enlighten us.

Vows: Wings or Chains?

There is a passage in the Bible which says, we shouldn't take vows. Rather, what was instructed is that we should let our yes be a yes, and our no be a no. As I look at my life now, I am beginning to think about the wisdom of that passage.

How about marriage vows? When does this vow allow us to live life with meaning and free? or when does it clip our wings and lets us live in misery?

Vows: Wings or Chains?

There is a passage in the Bible which says, we shouldn't take vows. Rather, what was instructed is that we should let our yes be a yes, and our no be a no. As I look at my life now, I am beginning to think about the wisdom of that passage.

How about marriage vows? When does this vow allow us to live life with meaning and free? or when does it clip our wings and lets us live in misery?