Aiming to equip and organize the Editors and Writers at Central Luzon Conference, the Communication Department held an Organizational Seminar and Workshop (Advanced) on July 2 at Philippine Publishing House, Baesa, Caloocan City. This was a part of the CLC progressive communication certification for pastors, writers, editors, communication leaders and other communication enthusiasts. Participants started coming before 8 a.m. showing eagerness to attend and to avail of the incentive for early comers -free seminar and free lunch.
Pastor Sherman Fiedacan, Area 4 (Bulacan) Chairman, led the participants in singing the department's theme song "Communicate Love." He also rendered the special number. Pastor Nemie Macatiag, Chairman of Area 5 and PPH chaplain offered the opening prayer while Pastor Florante Ty, President of PPH welcomed the group. He said, "PPH is more than willing to help you."
Pastor Rodolfo Nepomuceno, former writer and editor of Mizpa and currently the Head Elder of Manila Adventist Medical Center Church (MAMC) was the devotional speaker. He mentioned the importance of discovering one's spiritual gifts. He said, "Your spiritual gift is your spiritual job description." He continued, "Many are now serving with a new found joy because they are doing what really counts in a way that is suited to their special abilities. When we write, or speak; when we communicate, we are performing a function inherent to the role of a prophet! You writers and editors are called to a sacred task perhaps not necessarily to the office of a prophet per se but to a noble purpose-God's Special Communicators."
Michael Dalida, PPH copy editor introduced the resource speaker Jose F. Sarsoza, Jr., Editor of Health and Home as one who is devoted to the printed page. Sarsoza based his lecture on this seminar theme, "The Ministry of Editors and Writers."
According to him others may write for money, for honor but Christian writers' central purpose would be for God-To bear witness for Christ, to give glory to God.
In his lecture, Sarsoza emphasized the relationship of writers and editors. He said, "However good you are in writing, you need someone to look at your work. You need a pair of eyes to look at your own work. There should be a symbiotic relationship between writers and editors."
He also encouraged the writers and editors to welcome correction from others, "Never entertain the thought that when you are corrected that your personality or educational attainment is diminished."
Pastor Ron Genebago, in his commitment message, said that writing and editing is a sacred task. He gave new insights about the book of Jonah that this was not only about a running prophet but a running God. He ran after Jonah. He added that Jonah was also a book about a prayer hearing God and a long suffering God. He said that we cannot be Christian writers if we run from the presence of the Lord. Before he ended, he enumerated the Communication Department's core values: Relationship with God and with each other-The team's foundation; Excellence-The team's service quality; and Commitment-The team's investment.
Pastor Ron Genebago awarded certificates as token of appreciation to the speakers and also certificates to those who attended.
He, as well, led the group to be organized for future planning for writers and editors. The newly elected officers for the Adventist Editors and Writers Guild at CLC were as follows:
• President: Wilson Sia (MAMC)
• VP Religious: Jeruel Ibanez (AUP)
• VP Social: Joel Mazo (LE)
• Secretary: Gracel Salangsang (AIIAS)
• Treasurer: Allen Bano (CLC)
• Auditor: Marlyn Gonzaga (ABS-CBN)
• PRO: Joven Marlo Imperio (Baesa Church)
• Elder-in-Charge: Dave Barrios (Manila Center)
Marvie Javero , PPH editorial trainee commented," I am honored and privileged to attend this seminar. It is a great opportunity to become an efficient worker for the ministry.
Joven Marlo Imperio on the other hand exclaimed, "I am challenged to know that editors and writers are performing a function of prophets. It's a sacred responsibility. This challenged me to draw closer to God and trust in His promise that He will be with us as we commit ourselves to the work that is before us."
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