The UTS ALUMNI Newsletter, Vol. 2, No. 10, March 2005 Issue

JUSTICE PUNO: COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
M. Maggay, Baccalaureate Preacher, R. Reyes, Alumni Lecture Presentor
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Associate Justice Reynato S. Puno of the Supreme Court of the Philippines and a lay preacher at Puno UMC will be the Guest Speaker during the 97th Commencement Exercises of UTS on April 1, 2005.
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Among others, Justice Puno, 64, earned his Bachelor of Science in Jurisprudence & Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines where he was editor of the UP Student Publication during his time. He finished his Master of Comparative Laws from the Southern Methodist University (Dallas, Texas) and Master of Laws from the University of California (Berkeley, California). He started his Doctor of Juridical Science at the University of Illinois (Urbana, USA). He was appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines in June 1993 and still serving as one. He is also the Chair of the House Electoral Tribunal from May 30, 2002. Before his appointment in the highest court of the land Justice Puno had served as Associate Justice in the Court of Appeals, Acting Chair of the Board of Pardons and Parole, Deputy Minister of Justice, and Appellate Justice, First Special Division of Intermediate Appellate Court, Assistant Solicitor General, City Judge, professor of law, lecturer, tax attorney, etc.
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Justice Puno is a member of the Alpha Phi Beta, UP Law Alumni, Knights of Rizal and the Integrated Bar of the Phi-lippines. He was a former grandmaster of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines and a former sovereign grand commander of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Masons of the Philippines. He was chosen as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (in Law) in the Philippines in 1977.
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To preach during the Baccalaureate Service on March 31 is Dr. Melba Maggay, former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences of PCU, Manila.
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On the other hand, Rev. Fr. Rex Reyes will present a lecture on the theme during the Alumni Lecture time. Reyes is an Episcopalian priest who is now serving as the Executive Director of Ecumenical Relations, a program unit in the National Council of Churches in the Philippines.
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DR. OSCAR S. SUAREZ REELECTED PRESIDENT
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The PCCL Board of Trustees in its meeting on March 17, 2005 reelected Rev. Dr. Oscar S. Suarez president of the Philippine Christian University for his second term of five years. Official announcement in a circular came from the office of Prof. Anita T. Leyson, Director, Personnel/HRD Department of P.C.U. Rev. Suarez is con-currently the Officer-in-Charge of UTS from December 2004 to date when Dr. Anselmo Lupdag resigned. He teaches ethics courses in the seminary even before he was appointed O.I.C. He is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and an alumnus of UTS. Congratulations, sir!
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Straight from the Heart . . .
Rev. Anacleto G. Guerrero
UTSAA Coordinator/Editor
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Graduation day seems to be the goal of every student in the journey of education, oftentimes forgetting the very common phrase “commencement exercises.” Exercises for what? For a more distinct activity? It is the finish line, so people say, and they speak of a particular and/or specific phase of one’s ambition or dream. However, in truth and in fact, it is otherwise. It is the starting point of another journey, which may result to another commencement or graduation, another beginning that will end to another point. It could be a chapter or a page, but not a vicious circle. It is a line drawn with difficulties creating a graph that demonstrates the obvious. A lull is evident when one decides to stop reading a book (or even scanning one), to stop grappling with a social or theological issue (or even pausing to note), and just simply recall or recapitulate what was learned, acquired, heard, or copied from cherished professors, lecturers and mentors. On the other hand, it appears that there will be no more time for the mind to reflect on current social issues and events, and it is by choice because there is no more requirement and deadline to meet, no more grades to achieve, or no more “award(s)” and/or “honor(s) to gain. Pathetic [!] is the right word, for the sensibilities are either paralyzed or even dead.
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Which reminds us of “Good Friday” when Jesus, on the cross, cried out, “tetelestai” --“It is finished!”? “Mission accomplished!” as tens of thousands of religious people and theologians---known and pseudo---would say. Could that be Jesus’ graduation on earth? Was it a commencement exercise to start the resurrection event, a new life, a new mission, a new goal? In addition, he declared to his gathered believers before “ascending to heaven” that he would not leave them, that he will be with them “even unto the end of the world.” Scripturally, if I may say so, a vital portion of Acts 1:8 records Jesus’ declaration: “... and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth!” a reminiscent of Matthew 28:19. A ringing tone creeps into mind: a new life, a new mission, and a new goal await our graduates. Can they, in return, declare to the Lord, not to mention to the world, that they will not leave him, that they will be with him even unto the end of their world? Surely, all our graduates will have their respective Jerusalems, Judeas, Samarias and their own worlds.Which brings us further into the realm of faith. Three or more years in the seminary have changed a lot of perspectives, convictions, and understanding---putting to the learning system the very academic terms like “exegesis,” “hermeneutics,” “soteriology,” “homiletics,” “criticisms,” “redaction,” mythology,” “existentialism,” “universal-ism,” “demythologizing,” “logic,” “history,” “preaching,” “teaching,” “counseling,” ... name it. Graduates leave the formal theological grounds and corners with either unqualified confidence or undefined fear, or both, to launch inevitably into the deep and depth of service. Lest we forget the assurance of the presence of the Lord at all times. Did not the writer of the Proverbs say, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!”? (cf. Proverbs 1:7). Ah . . . commitment turned to knowledge, or vice versa. There is only one Messiah giving meaning to what creation possesses. Behold the world!
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To a healthy tree, fruits will surely come after years of waiting, patient and expectant waiting. It is not only a matter of planting. It is cultivation and proper watering that will make this a reality. And sunshine, too, coming from the sun. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” Has this something to do with what we will be doing? Certainly! He also added, “I am the bread of life.” Is “bread” the quest of a lot of humanity in their best efforts? Jesus explained, “Man shall not live by bread alone.” If he is “the bread of life” then there is strength for all time. Actually, there is something to that bread which is more than meets the eye.Only in faith that this could manifest.
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In her speech to the PMA Sanlingan Class 2005 graduates in March Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo said in part, “ The graduates must ... maintain honesty even in the face of financial and physical distress. . . .” Any parallel to this statement?
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To our graduates (and to our alumni out there), graduation is a commencement exercise. Anytime seems to be the right time to start another journey. Someone said that a journey begins with a step---little or big, or even a leap. At this point verses from the first Psalm is pertinent:

“Blessed is the man
who does not walk
in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of the sinners
or sit in the seat of the mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates
day and night.
He is like a tree
planted by the streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.”
-Psalm 1:1-3 NIV.

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C.T.E. APPROVES TRIMESTER SCHEME
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Starting June 2005, as approved by the Commission on Theological Education, the trimester scheme for the academic activities of the seminary will be implemented. It was a recommendation of the UTS faculty in 2004 before SY 2004-2005 started. Students and church leaders from the supporting churches were given a year to share their observations and convictions about the recommendation. Bishop Solito K. Toquero of the United Methodist (PCCL BOT chair and CTE member) and Bishop Eliezer Pascua of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (CTE member) properly announced decision by the CTE to the UTS community. Accordingly, this will be reported to the churches during their annual and/or jurisdictional conferences.
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INTERNSHIP
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Some middler students in the Master of Divinity, Bachelor of Theology and Bachelor of Religious Education programs will be going for internship in their respective church ministries starting June 2005. An Interns’ Commissioning Service was incorporated during the March 17 regular chapel service at the Salakot Chapel, before the celebration of the communion. Dr. David P. Pascua, Field Coordinator, and Rev. Noel Suministrado conducted the ceremonies. Cross “gold” pins were given to students who will go for internship. The provinces and cities where they will serve are La Union, North Cotabato, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Benguet (Mountain Province), Nueva Vizcaya, Quezon City, and Quezon Province. Some of the students are the following: Master of Divinity: Jeric C. Cortado, Jeffrey S. Gatdula, Remher V. Hernandez, Jona-than P. Marcos, Allen R. Munda, Evangeline M. Ramajo, Ammie C. Sophranes, Noeme C. Credo, Roberto C. Alguso. Bachelor of Theology: Elvis Louie Mina and Hope Jordan D. Guerrero. Bachelor of Religious Education: Salane C. Padillo and Arman D.G. Carbonell.
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FIELD EDUCATION SCHEDULE
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Rev. Dr. David P. Pascua, Field Education Director released the following data for students’ summer exposure: Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE-23): Silliman Medical Center—6; Mary Johnston Hospital—10; Visayas Community Hospital —3; and Brokes Shire Hospital—4. Summer Field Exposure Program (SFEP—49): Innovative Mission Program—10; Women and Children Project—2; Religious Arts—8; Campus Ministry—2; Tribal Communities — 6 (Marrag Valley—2; Kalangoya Tribe—2; Cordillera—2); Livable World—6; Seafarers —3; NCCP-Urban-Rural Mission—2; KKFI Social Services and Program—4; Prostitution—1; Labor Sector—2; Peace, Justice & Environment - 3. Interns: 13.
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MOVING UP
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The Children’s Creative Learning Center of U.T.S. held its Moving-Up and Closing Program on March 22, 2005 at the Salakot Chapel, integrated into the regular Tuesday chapel service of the seminary. Prof. Nellie Apilado, CCLC Coordinator, announced that thirteen pupils will be moved to a higher step in the educational ladder. The teachers are Dalia C. Bombarda (E.C.E. senior) and Elisa O. Esmeralda (C.E. middler), seminary students. Pastor Miriam Lagatao, one of the scheduled chapel speakers during the week preached during the service.
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VISITING PROFESSOR
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A feminist theologian and missiology professor, Dr. Gunnila Gunner from Sweden, arrived in the Philippines on March 3. For almost two weeks she had opportunities of sharing with the students of UTS particularly in the Feminist Theology Class under Rev. Dr. Afrie Songco-Joye. She left on March 12. Her retired husband, a professor of theology at Stockholm Theological Seminary joined her a day after she arrived but left four days before Prof. Gunner went back to Sweden.

PCCL LENTEN SEASON SCHEDULE

The PCCL University Church approached the Holy Week with some activities incorporated in their program for the Lenten Season. Student pastors-in-charge, Allen R. Munda and Ronnie P. Inis, both M.Div. middlers, submitted to the UTS Alumni Newsletter the following: “Worship of the Shadows” on Maundy Thursday, 7:00 p.m.; The Celebration of the Last Words of Jesus (those found only in the Gospel according to Luke) on Good Friday, 2:00 p.m.; and Sunrise Service with the Sambahan sa Nayon [UCCP] Church, 5:00 a.m. at the Grace Open Air Chapel. Rev. Noel Baybay was the Easter preacher.
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LIVABLE WORLD
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Livable World, one of the programs of UTS has a new manager---Rev. Samuel Dungalen, an alumnus of UTS. He took over the responsibilities of Ms. Rebecca Lawson who worked on the project for one year. She was connected with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. Livable World project is based within the 97-hectare land of PCCL in Dasmarinas, Cavite.
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