Ruel M. Reyes (1946-2008)

Together with his wife Lydia (nee Pineda) and their elder daughter Sharlene, Ruel moved to the island of Palawan since he was diagnosed and was being treated for cancer. Younger daughter Sharon Reyes-SyGo called early this morning [April 24] breaking the sad news of her dad's death.


Ruel M. Reyes, PUC-Baesa Academy '63 and PUC/AUP '68

Ruel Reyes was born in Estancia, Iloilo, Philippines on October 13, 1946. He passed away peacefully on April 24, 2008 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines.

We invite you to share your thoughts and memories of Ruel on this site.

http://ruel.reyes.muchloved.com/

Jimmy Tagala, Jr, violinist, USA concert tour

Violinist Jimmy Tagala, Jr, AUP Academy 2008, presented a solo violin musical offering on Sunday, April 20, during morning worship at the Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church, Los Angeles, CA. He also played a violin duet with Cecile Coo-Cruz.

Jimmy, Jr is a first prize winner of the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) in the Philippines. He recently auditioned for the Curtis Institute and the New England Youth Ensemble at Columbia Union College. He has been touring the USA for concerts starting in the East coast. Traveling with him is his mom, Nanielyn (nee Esteban), MVC alumna.

The previous day, April 19, during Sabbath School at the White Memorial Church, Jimmy played several violin selections. His concert appointment in the afternoon was with the Glendale Bible Sabbath Fellowship that meets in the First German United Methodist Church on Glenoaks Blvd.

Tagala's next weekend musical offering will be at the Inland Empire Fil-Am Adventist Church in the morning and the Waterman Fil-Am Adventist Church in the afternoon of Sabbath, April 26.

Flutist with Renaissance Trio

www.renaissancetrio.com

www.eaglerockpres.org

FYI/re: concerns about the new format

It seems as if everyone was suddenly deprived of posting directly. This is not true. Just like in the old format, anyone can still freely post their comments whether or not they have a gmail account. Posting on the main page does require an additional step or two with a gmail account. The only requirement under the current system is for you to send me your gmail account so you can be placed on the permitted list - up to a hundred authorized main page posters. There's a learning curve - but the risk and the reward of trying should be evident. At least from the perspective of one blundering technophyte.

HONESTO PASCUAL, SR

Composer,

SHINE ON FOREVER, DEAR AUP!
School Song
Adventist University of the Philippines (formerly Philippine Union College)

TRIBUTE: Courtesy of Laurence T. Gayao, producer/writer

REX V. DIAMANTE, Ph.D.

Best in Research Award and Highest Academic Distinction

April 11 Brand Violin Recital

LAUREN MINDORO, Violin

and

Lorna Eder, Piano

Brand Art & Music Library Glendale, California
Friday, April 11, 2008
7:30 o'clock p.m.

This recital is in partial fulfillment for a Master of Music degree in Violin Performance from the USC Thornton School of Music. Ms. Mindoro is a student of Hagai Shaham.

Ms. Mindoro’s passion for the violin started at the age of 10 when she was chosen to be part of the Disney’s Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra. She pursued her love for the violin until she earned the opportunity to attend top-ranking music conservatories in college: the Eastman School of Music, the Manhattan School of Music and the Thornton School of Music at USC where she is now completing her Master’s Degree in Violin Performance. She has soloed with the La Jolla Symphony, the San Diego Young Artists Symphony, and the International Philharmonia of Tijuana, Mexico. She has also won many awards and merit scholarships for violin. Her teachers include Michael Gaisler, Hernan Constantino, Abram Shtern, Zvi Zeitlin, Laurie Smukler, Lyndon Taylor, Margaret Batjer and Hagai Shaham.

Programme

Sonata in a minor, S. 1003
J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

I. Grave
II. Fuga
III. Andante
IV. Allegro


Sonata No. 1 in f minor for Violin and Piano, Op. 80
Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953)

I. Andante assai
II. Allegro Brusco
III. Andante
IV. Allegrissimo


INTERMISSION

Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano
Cesar Franck (1822-1890)

I. Allegretto ben moderato
II. Allegro
III. Recitativo-Fantasia
IV. Allegretto poco mosso


Scenes de la Csarda No. 5, “Hullamzo Balaton”
Jeno Hubay (1858-1937)

Bird watchers at Union College - Lincoln

Dr Sydney E. Allen, Jr., Dean, School of Theology, Philippine Union College 1965-1969

by Vener Cabana

I went birding this morning with a group led by Dr. Ed Allen. His dad, Dr. Sydney Allen, was there, too, although he did not go with us walking up and down the prairie where the ruts from the Oregon Trail wagons are still visible.

Dr. Sydney is growing in years but still remembers "kataka-taka." Richard Clark, Jr. was also with us. Remember the name? He was the boy who was compiling a book on birds around AUP, son of Chemistry professor (at AUP) Dr. Richard Clark, Sr. Richard, Jr is a grandson of former chemistry professor at PUC-Baesa, Dr. Leland Wilson, by his daughter Jancie Wilson-Clark. Richard Jr. has just started work as editor at the Christian Record Service based here in Lincoln.

We saw interesting birds including prairie chickens, bluebirds and nest, different species of ducks (shoveler, blue-winged teal, etc.), Canada geese, a flock of seagulls (yes, there are gulls in landlocked Nebraska), and of course the ubiquitous redwing blackbirds, song sparrow, and American robin.

With us also was an avid birder who has gone with a British group to observe birds in the Philippines. They went birding all over in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. I wish I paid more attention to those colorful tropical birds when I was growing up. Some people spend time and fortune just to be able to see those exotic avian marvels.

Readers' comments welcome

I'm still learning the technical features of our new FAN blog site, so please pardon the experimentation. Anyone can access it and post their comments. However, as far as starting a blog (ad, announcement, news/views) on the main page it is only by permission - beginning with me, Vener, and Edwin V.:-) It also requires a gmail account so if you already have one let us know so you may be included in the list of (up to a hundred!) authorized writers/bloggers.

Elizabeth Roda-Roeder (1917-2008)

Elizabeth Roda, R.N.
Manila Sanitarium and Hospital

Elizabeth and Walter Roeder

Daughters Mary Anne and Helene Beth

http://filadnet.blogspot.com/2013/09/leon-zumel-roda-feb-1892-nov-23-1925.html

Maria Panis and Leon Zumel Roda

Children, L-R: Eduardo, Elizabeth, Mercedes

February 12, 1920

Maria Panis Roda
Standing, L-R:  Mercedes, Arturo, Eduardo, Alfonso, Elizabeth

https://youtu.be/ZKqmrKgJLzA

Video courtesy of Vincent Bangloy

Fiel and Fe Poblete, Elizabeth (Ely) and Mary Anne Roeder Bangloy

Mary Ann and Vincent Bangloy, sons Craig and Carl; Helene Beth and Edwin Rao; daughter Edwina (not in picture is son Walter who was on a mission trip to Sudan, Africa)

My favorite Lola Ely

by Jonathan Coo

When I was growing up, I had a Lola who always fed me my favorite dishes--mechado, lengua, adobo... We were vegetarian at home so I always looked forward to visiting her house at Leland Drive every week. I also looked forward to Christmas because of the many gifts I received from her, Auntie Mary Anne and Auntie Betty. New Year's eve was also spectacular because of the firecrackers and barbecue. She never forgot my birthday and I don't think I had a birthday without a cake from her. I didn't even notice that she left for the US and Canada when I was in high school.

After my graduation from high school, Lola Ceding and Lolo Eling paid for my airfare to visit the US for the first time. Shortly, Lola Ely called from Canada and paid for my trip to Pittsburgh so that we could see each other.

I always remember Lola Ely telling me about our clan's relation to the Edralins and the Marcoses and I think she is one of the reasons why I'm so loyal to President Marcos besides being a scholar at the school First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos founded.

Yes, I have to admit Lola Ely is my favorite Lola. What kid wouldn't love her? She knew how to feed me and she knew what gifts to give me. She didn't spoil me, however (I hope); yet it was as if she always knew what I liked. I always felt that special care from her. Her thoughtfulness and generosity will always be remembered and she will always be a big part of my childhood memories. Lola Ely, I love you.


LOLA ELY, MY ONE AND ONLY
by Cecilia Coo-Cruz

My childhood memories are incomplete without mentioning lola Ely. The first funeral I attended as a child was lolo Wally's, and it is also one of my earliest recollections.

Lola Ely loved to watch the soap "operas" on TV, like Flor de Luna where the lead actress was Janice de Belen. I always loved to go to their house on Leland Dr (Balintawak, Quezon City, Philippines) because it was spacious --big rooms, high ceiling, and big frontyard. It was also there where we celebrated special occasions like birthdays and Christmas. Lola Ely was "my lola" on my mom's side (besides lola Lydia) since I only knew lola Ceding from long distance phone calls and because we only saw her on their brief visits to the Philippines and our brief visits here in California.

Auntie Betty and Auntie Mary Ann were the aunts I knew on my mom's side since it wasn't until I was already 12 that I remember meeting all of my mom's siblings. (Auntie Sylvia and Auntie Annie once visited Baesa where my family lived when I was about a year old.)

The Roeders' house on Leland Dr was large and spacious, but I remember it more for the people who lived there who had big hearts. Thanks to lola Ely. It was a different experience for me since they had bread and different jams for breakfast while at home we usually had rice for breakfast. ( I only understood that when I first came here to CA in 1988 and also learned about cereal). I also remember that Lola Ely gave mom her subscription to the Reader's Digest and that's how I developed my love for reading. Mom also remembers lola Ely for bringing her to the movies when she was in 3rd grade. Lola Ely was different from lola Ceding since she wore make-up and lola Ceding didn't.

It was in the early 80's when lola left for Canada. Lola Ely would always send cards and write at the end "love and kisses." They had a dog named Raffy whom they had to leave behind... Soon, lola had to come home again for the funeral of lolo Ponsing. Then the next time I saw her again was in 1996 when we got to visit her in Pittsburgh, PA at auntie Betty's place. We even roomed together. I don't remember seeing her again since and so I've wanted to visit lola but it wasn't until last month that I received my green card. Now that I have another baby (Timothy Elisha) who's only 2 months old; (the first, Sophia, is 2 1/2 years old), instead of going to the Philippines I've been planning on going to Canada to visit. I already planned to get the passports for my kids next month and be able to head out to Canada sometime soon when it's not too cold there. But now, it's too late.

Lola outlived her older brother (Eduardo), younger sister (Lola Ceding) and a younger brother (Lolo Ponsing). Now, with her gone, there's only her youngest sibling (Lolo Turing) who's still with us. Lola's legacy lives on with her daughters and grandchildren. I may not know my cousins personally but I am sure that just like their lola they are just as warm, caring and generous and that's how I'll always remember lola Ely.

FANDiscussion Facelift

Here's a preview of FANDiscussion's new look!

First, I kept the Filipino Adventist Network title or FAN, for short, that was first suggested by C. J. R. Miranda IV. It's also a reminder of FANDiscussion's beginning with Bing Alabata and Alway Bartolome who combined their technical expertise to get FAN off the ground.

Second, about themes for our archives. I'm thinking of using this blog to compile a historical dictionary of Adventism that describes people, events, and institutions that were started in the Philippines and abroad. Whether these Spirit-led visionaries served in association with what has been known as "the organized work" or if they founded independent ministries, we shall record what have been achieved at home and through waves of migration across the sea. We shall provide space for other subjects as well, including ads and announcements, doctrinal conversations, missional initiatives and congregational growth. So please watch this blog evolve and grow.

Last but not least, we shall continue the tradition of subscriber contributions and self-moderated conversations. Humanly speaking, this is our lifeline and we do need each one doing their part.

God bless!