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Vol. IV, No. 5 www.ucg.org.ph/unp
September/October 2005
624 Rejoice in All Three Feast Sites in the Philippines
Baguio Feast Site
Baguio City once again was one
of three Feast of Tabernacles sites
for the United Church of God in the
Philippines. For five consecutive
years now, the Feast has been held at
the conference hall of the “Ang Ating
Tahanan” grounds of the Girl Scouts
of the Philippines located in Baguio
City.
The Feast started out with the
opening night message being given
to us by our minister from Dagupan
City, Eriz Dizon. We were expecting
attendance to be about 90, lower than
last year due to brethren transferring
to other Philippine Feast sites; but we
were very much encouraged to see the
number exceeding our expectations,
as the attendance reached its highest
on the sixth day at 125!
We were likewise encouraged
by the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Jim
Franks, who shared the Feast with us
for the first two days before proceeding
to our Iloilo and Davao Feast sites.
Mr. Franks gave very inspiring and
encouraging messages that helped us
A group shot of the brethren in the Baguio Feast Site (top); Youths in Baguio spending
time together during lunch (photos by Eriz Dizon and Rey Evasco)
focus more on our mission of seeking
first and foremost God’s Kingdom
and being fully determined to make it
there with God’s help.
We were excited to
see this year’s Festival
video featuring our
brethren in Africa. The
video helped us better
appreciate our brethren
in that part of the world,
and the challenges that
they are facing. In spite
of those challenges,
we are sharing in that
very same hope of
a wonderful world
tomorrow, as pictured by the Feast of
Tabernacles.
The brethren enjoyed an earlier
than usual Festival show on the
second day of the Feast. A variety of
songs, music and folk dances were
performed and presented by the
brethren themselves to the delight
of everyone present, especially our
honored overseas guests. Other
activities were likewise enjoyed by
both the young and old alike. Among
the activities were the youth and
family day, city tour and the seniors’
dinner. There was also a film showing
and a “videoke” activity as well.
With all the enjoyment and the
spiritually inspiring messages we
In This Issue…
See “Feast,” page 3
2 Editorial: Seek That Which is
Eternal
4 Comments from Our GN Readers
5 More Pictures During the Feast…

2
United News Philippines
Editorial
by David Baker, Philippine Senior Pastor
Seek That Which Is Eternal
Greetings brethren! I hope each of you had
a wonderful Feast of Tabernacles. I am always
amazed at how quickly the feast passes. Perhaps
this is an indication of how quickly the millennium
will pass as we have the opportunity of serving
and leading mankind. My family and I enjoyed a
wonderful feast in Sri Lanka. On the way to the
feast, we were able to spend Atonement with the
brethren in Singapore. It is always a joy becoming
better acquainted with brethren living in other
parts of the world. The brethren in Sri Lanka were
thrilled to have a few visitors from the US and
India. We had a total attendance of 30 so we were
able to get to know each other very well during the
feast. My only regret is that we were unable to see
you during the feast.
Now that the feast has passed we should apply
the many things that we learned during those eight
days to continue our spiritual growth. One lesson
that we learn during the feast is the temporal nature
of the world in which we live. We often desire
physical things such as the latest cell phones, PDAs,
MP3
players,
stylish
clothing,
cars, and
etc. But
after a few
short years
they are
worn out
or outdated
and discarded. Yet people will labor long hours in
order to obtain them. Sadly some will even break
the laws of God and man in order to obtain these
very temporary items.
God has called us out of this temporal world and
has instructed us to focus on that which is eternal.
We are physical and have a temporary existence.
We need physical things such as food, clothing,
shelter, and etc. in order to survive. But Christ
instructed His disciples to “seek first the kingdom
of God and His righteousness, and all these things
(physical needs) shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:
33). God instructs us to seek to obtain that which is
eternal and He will take care of our physical needs.
As we return to our daily routines after the feast,
let’s remember this important lesson of the feast.
Let’s endeavor to focus on the spiritual and eternal
values that God would have us develop in this
physical world. Often as I see an old and junked
automobile that is left to rust away, I think that once
that was
someone’s
prized
possession.
They
sacrificed
and labored
for a long
time in order
to obtain
or pay for it. Now it is discarded and worthless.
I want to labor for something that does not rust
and fade away. I want to labor for “an inheritance
incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade
away” (I Peter 1:4) and a “crown of glory that does
not fade away” (I Peter 5:4) and I know you do as
well. Let’s spend our time seeking that which is
eternal as we leave the Fall holy days and anticipate
the Spring holy days. We can use each Sabbath as a
compass check as we stay the course to eternity.
I look forward to seeing many of you during my
upcoming visit! •
Vol. IV, No. 5
September/October 2005 Issue
United News Philippines is published bimonthly by the United Church of God, AIA-
Pilipinas, as a means to inform, inspire, and unify the churches in the Philippines and
their brethren around the world. An electronic version is available for download from
our Web site at: http://www.ucg.org.ph
Editors: David Baker, Serizalinio Dizon, Rey Evasco,
Edmond Macaraeg, and Florante Siopan
Managing Editor: Daniel Roy Macaraeg
Layout/design: Richard John Macaraeg
Please send comments and suggestions to:
UNITED NEWS PHILIPPINES
P. O. Box 81840, DCCPO
8000 Davao City, Philippines
E-mail: unp@ucg.org.ph
Cell/Text: +63 918-904-4444 · Tel/Fax: +63 (82) 224-4444
© 2005 United Church of God, AIA-Pilipinas
All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without written permission is prohibited.
Stock photos in this article from ClickArt / Riverdeep

“Feast,” continued from page 1
received during this Feast, we again felt the Feast had
ended too quickly. Nevertheless, we felt that this was
indeed the best spiritual Feast ever.
—Reported by Rey Evasco
Iloilo Feast Site
At the Feast in
Punta Villa, Iloilo,
attendance soared
to 164, almost
double from the year
2002. Attendance
for 2004 was 130,
105 for 2003 and
85 for 2002. This
year, for the first
time, foreign guests
from the United
States numbered 16;
Australia, 6; Sabah,
East Malaysia, 13;
and Hong Kong, 1.
Activities during
the Feast included Family Day, Youth Day, Entertainment
and Dance Night and Seniors’ Night. Each congregation
contributed a number for the Entertainment Night.
Added to the rejoicing and enjoyment of the brethren
was the roasted calf and overflowing ice cream, offered
to everyone through the generosity of the brethren from
Manila. The brethren also enjoyed the gifts that were
given by our foreign brethren.
Father and daughter enjoying ice cream during Family
Day (above); children’s choir at the Iloilo Feast site;
and a tinikling dance performance at the Davao Feast
site (photos by Florante Siopan/Charles Macaraeg)
Another highlight of the Feast was the baptism of
eight people from Manila, Leyte, Antique and Sabah.
We were blessed with the messages given by
our visiting minister, Jim Franks, whose excellent
contribution left us all spiritually uplifted. The Festival
September/October 2005 3
video, which focused on the work of the Church to preach
the truth of God and giving light to those who are in
spiritual darkness, was very inspiring and was very much
appreciated by the brethren.
The venue of the Feast in Iloilo promoted closeness
and unity as all of the Feastgoers stayed in one resort. The
brethren ate their meals together and had the privilege of
using most of the resort facilities for free.
That included the use of three swimming
pools, a playground and a basketball
court, all granted exclusively to us by the
resort management.
Resort personnel were always happy
to welcome our group as they have
experienced how we conduct ourselves.
Many comments were heard that we are
the only group that is responsible, orderly,
humble and always radiating joy.
What made this Feast truly a great
success was the love and concern of
Davao Feast Site
everyone toward each other. All expressed
gratitude and heartfelt thanks to our loving
Father for His calling and the opportunity
to keep the Feast of Tabernacles and the
Last Great Day.
—Reported by Florante Siopan
Amidst several
firsts, the Davao
Festival site
registered an incamp
attendance
count of 335, which
was a 10 percent
increase over last
year. Other statistics
included nine
infants blessed, five
baptisms and one
ordination into the
eldership—that of
Paul M. Cebrian
Sr. Those baptized were Herculano Baring, Renante and
Lorena Angana, Anndy Lou Cuizon and Meryl Lynn
Macaraeg.
Apart from the standard daily morning services,
afternoon activities included livelihood workshops on
various trades, a new and challenging youth and singles
activity; a seniors’ social; a family sports day with fruit
festival; and a Bible study with Q&A on the Sabbath
afternoon.
See “Feast,” page 6

4
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See “Comments,” page 5

September/October 2005 5
More Pictures During the Feast in the Philippines…
Left-right, top-bottom: Iloilo Feast site brethren in a group shot; the Angcos family presents a tinikling dance during the Festival
show at the Baguio Feast site; married women enjoy/endure a 100-meter dash during Family Day at the Davao Feast site; visiting
guest minister Jim Franks and his wife, Sharron, at the Mines View Park in Baguio City; Maglalatik dancers of the Variety show
in Davao; a group shot of the Variety show performers; and a choral rendition by brethren at the Baguio Feast site (photos by
Florante Siopan, Rey Evasco, Meryl Macaraeg, and Edmond Macaraeg)
“Comments,” continued from page 4
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Again thank you so much.
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See “Comments,” page 6

6
United News Philippines
“Comments,” continued from page 5
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“Feast,” continued from page 3
Evening activities included a presentation of the
Festival video on the opening night and on the eve of
the Last Great Day, fellowship and family nights, a
Spokesman and Graduate Club graduation dinner, a
colorful variety show, and a helpful Bible study.
This Feast featured other special blessings: a roasted
calf was served on both the first and last day and many
gifts and goodies were distributed during the Feast.
Topping our list of spiritual blessings were the three
inspiring sermons delivered by Council of Elders member
Jim Franks, who was visiting with his wife, Sharron.
Looking from both the physical and spiritual aspects,
the Feast this year was blessed by God to be our greatest
thus far.
—Reported by Edmond D. Macaraeg