The Race According to Paul ( A Reflection During the FBINAA Fun Run)

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on  to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."

"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it." 

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 3: 12-14

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." 

"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."

"Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air." 

"No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

1 Corinthian 9:24-27

"Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules."

2 Timothy 2: 5

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

2 Timothy 4: 7

Bless Our Cops Cagayan De Oro: Ang Hingpit Nga Gugma Sa Dios

“Ang Hingpit na Gugma sa Dios, (The love of God is greater far)

Sa dila dili malitok, (Than tongue or pen can ever tell;)

Saylo sa kabitoonan, (It goes beyond the highest star,)

Abut sa kinahihidladman.” (And reaches to the lowest hell;)

“Alang Sa makasasala, (The guilty pair, bowed down with care,)

Ginatag si Hesus,( God gave His Son to win;)

Ang mga nanghisalaag, (His erring child He reconciled,)

iyang gi pasig uli.” (And pardoned from his sin.)

“Gugma sa Dios! (O love of God,)

O pagkaputli! (how rich and pure!)

Way Kinutoban, Lig-On!  (How measureless and strong!)

Gugmang dili gayod mabalhin! (It shall forevermore endure)

Kini utong awiton! (The saints’ and angels’ song.)

Responding back to God for the love he gave, has been the hallmark of the members of CORPS Movement and its volunteers. From time to time, one could see an extra mile exerted by its members in reverence to God for the Love, great and far reaching, we are not worthy of.

In Cagayan de Oro, such love was again was displayed as members of the CORPS Movement shared the vision of reaching the PNP to pastors of the city of Golden Friendship and nearby Bukidnon and campers of the Lifeline Christian Ministry.

The event which started four months back was the brainchild of Ptr. Atilliano Ligmon who was deeply moved to help young people in his native land to find meaning in their lives. He also had the burden to help pastors in his area to have a vision in sharing God in every Cop in their locale. It was a weekly concern for him and he even asked for prayers during the CORPS Thursday prayer breakfast meeting. To help the brother of his desire, members of the CORPS Movement: PSUPT Bernard Banac, PSINP Gus Ferrer, Ptr. Ruben Alivar, Bro. Boi Manuel and Jojo Dellosa committed to visit him and organize a Bless Our Cops vision cast among his peers in the city.

Joyful with the development, Ptr. Atil went to Misamis Occidental a month early to prepare. Alas, some misfortune befell as he was robbed three consecutive times before the start of the event. In one incident, he was even beaten badly that he almost died. But such “small” mishaps did not deterred him, as he persevered and continued to be a vessel of God’s love to his fellow ministers with limited resources.

When his brothers at the CORPS Movement arrived last May 17, the whole team responded and encouraged Ptr. Atil... to persevere even more.

Ptr. Ruben Alivar presence was most encouraging to Ptr. Atil since Ptr. Ruben did not only promised to teach Karate and Jujitsu at the camp but also promised to be his personal black-belt bodyguard for the rest of the time that they would stay.

Once at the Camp, Col. Banac, Capt. Ferrer and Kuya Boi took turns in presenting to pastors the need and benefit of conducting a police ministry within their locale.

Col. Banac highlighted the moral and spiritual component of the Integrated Transformation Program of the PNP and rallied the pastors to help in the transformation process itself as a community (external) support. He also pointed out the benefits of helping the police yet instructed the pastors not to use their special relation for their advantage.

Capt. Ferrer, on the other hand, reached out to the youth of the camp as he recounted how abiding in Christ even as a youth had a strong impact to his Christian walk. He also obliged the pastors to encourage the youth and to instil strong Biblical teaching among them.

Ptr. Ruben Alivar also spoke of his ministry platform: karate and explained the difficulties of guiding the police as well as the joy of discipling them.

Kuya Boi, as usual, taught of the dynamics of the police ministry and how could a church could grow and mature using the model.

At the end of the day, a group of 14 pastors which includes Alfenio Ligmon, Diosdado Lipiahan, Ben Soroma, Bengjahns Yuganod, Marlon Lunsayan, Timothy Lesigon, Francisco Cagais, Michael Queck, Geson Magrina, Norberto Millendez, Sotico Lanman, Ruel Paunillan, Elan Ligmon and Glen Namoc have all committed to bless the cops in their locale as response to God’s immeasurable and strong love to all of humanity including the PNP.

Bless Our Cops Quirino: God’s Game Plan

 “So, What’s the game plan?”

Funny, that question pops up every time the CORPS Movement is about to start an activity. From BOC vision castings like the one we had in Quirino, MBK openings, even to mere prayer meetings; every activity seems to be extemporaneous and reactive: quite indifferent for a military/police Christian organization who caters to a people group who are regimented and rigid.

The members of the CORPS could argue that they have been doing these things over and over again that they are quite attuned to the “game plan” and  have started to adlib alike a classically trained actor who dead-bored mimics Romeo and Juliet act per act. But in reality, and in all honesty, what the members of the CORPS Movement have learned from all activities they have time and again set is that “God is Control” and you only need to trust His will and follow what 

He’s impressing on what is needed to be done in a particular time- that’s the game plan.

In Aglipay, Quirino; the game plan was executed, once again seamlessly.

PSSUPT Ma.O Aplasca again heeded God’s will and served as a bridge to open all police stations in the Province of Quirino to the Gospel. Alike what he did in Zamboanga, Cagayan, and Apayao, Col. Aplasca, as Cagayan Province Police Director, used his network tap to his fellow Provincial Directors. This time it was PSSUPT Delfin S. Millo. He also rallied of pastors and ministers who would volunteer for the Bless Our Cops, this includes longtime ministry partner Ptr. Danny Punay from Bread of Life and Atty. Rownie Biangan of the Quirino Ministerial Fellowship. He gathered them all last May 20, 2011 at the Quirino Police Provincial Station in Aglipay for a vision casting exercise.

He also taught policemen of the PNP’s ITP program, his holistic approach in policing (see related article last March) and the value of having the church as a strategic partner in the transformation program of the Philippine National Police.

PSUPT Dionicio “Borro” Borromeo who was invited by Col. Aplasca to join the team did not waste time and readily gave his testimony (see article When Borro Meet God) to the police and pastors of Quirino so that all my hear God’s mercy and grace.

Ptr. Danny Punay together with Bro. Neil Piaco, who both weekly braves the Dalton Pass just to minister to policemen in Region 2 from Manila, assembled the pastors of the province. They only responded to the strong desire of local churches of the province to pray for and be acquainted with their local police.

The Quirino Ministerial Fellowship, under the leadership of Atty Baingan of the Church of God World Missions, Ptr. Levy Baldonado of the Assemblies of God, and Quirino Board Member Jojo Vaquilar of Victory Christian Fellowship answered to God’s heeding and meet with the respective Station Commanders of their church locale during the vision casting seminar.

Other pastors who joined the concerted effort were Alexander Dimamling, Reynaldo Juanio, Samuel Bognadon, Diosdado Estacio Sr., Rolando Tavares, Rene Honorio, Ben Awingan, Ferdinand Magno, Federico Calibuag, and Villy Amboron.

Bro Boi Manuel and Jojo Dellosa, who just finished with a similar vision casting in Cagayan De Oro City (see related article), saw God’s bountiful harvest ahead and did not missed the chance to journey Col. Aplasca and Ptr. Danny Punay.

Bro. Dan Afuang of the Jesus Offers Salvation, Hope and Unity to the Armed Services (JOSHUA) ministry of the Greenhill Christian Fellowship also heeded God’s call not only by assisting the group but also introducing the team to his industrialist friend Joven Banez who sheltered and sponsored the group during the whole trip.

Mr. Banez, out of kindness, invited the team to visit his tilapia and poultry farm in Ramon, Isabela and served the group a dinner of freshly harvested tilapia.

When the event was completed and everyone has done their part, the team did not saw their efforts but only saw God’s hands in fulfilling his gameplan.

When "Borro" Met God

PSUPT Dionicio “Jun” Borromeo had it all. He had a highly decorated police service career which includes a Metrobank Foundation COPS (Country Outstanding Policemen in Service) award in 2004 and a PMA Cavaliers award in 2005. He was twice promoted on the spot for leading successful operations against crime syndicates. He had affluent connections in the community that he served which sustained him and supported for him. What else could a police officer want?

Until one day in May 2009, everything he had to work for was taken away from him and in place of all recognitions and acclaims were disparagement and humiliation. The once famous “Borro” who was acclaimed by the President 4 years ago as one of the outstanding policemen in the country was now in the PNP custodial center infamous, depressed and contemplating on how to end his life.

“It was the worst day of my life, everthing was taken away from me including my salary and everyone left except my wife and kids” Col. Borromeo expressed. “I couldn’t sleep and I have to take some anti-depressants just to calm me. It came to a point that I planned to escape to the streets to try to encounter some criminal elements and get killed in the process to redeem my name.” He added.

Then alike all other redemption stories...God stepped in.

“I never knew that the worst days of my life could also be the best of your life.” Col. Borromeo explained. “It saw that all my life, I never even thought of Him and maybe it was his way of calling me. So I called my wife and said: Could you help me find someone that could lead me to God.”

Ptr. Robert Liovico of the Foundation Baptist Church of Pasig, whom Col. Borromeo did not know personally, but was a friend of his family responded promptly by texting. “Sir, Just give me a landline and I will call immediately.”

“On August 18, 2009 around 9PM, with the help of Ptr. Liovico, I surrendered my life to God and from that day on till now, I had His peace.” Col. Borromeo said. “What was even more marvellous was that my wife who saw the change in me, also gave herself to the Lord in November of the same year.”

Now that God already redeemed Col. Borromeo, he then provided him with a ministry. He had all the time to read his Bible and even had some evangelistic resources while being interned so it was just a matter of time for him to practice out his faith.

“During that time I was brought to a new facility in La Union. I had eleven people with me. They were my first ministry and I shared to all of them and lead all of them to Christ in prayer.” He proudly claimed.

Last February 2011, Col. Borromeo posted bail and was again free to be with his love ones and have double his effort to share his testimony to all and lead people to Christ. He was also re-instated in active status for the Philippine National Police.

Pulis Pangkalikasan: CORPS Members Initiate Environmental Information and Education Campaign to Save the Meycauayan River.

After four harrowing hours of patrolling, inspecting and cleaning the toxic shores of the Meycauayan river last May 12, 2011, PSUPT Eric E. Noble knew had something to do about it-immediately!

The Meycauayan, Obando and Marilao river system which serves as a catch basin (Editor’s Note: septic tank to be more precise) for the piggeries, poultries, mines, factories and residents of the whole province of Bulacan is considered one the most polluted place in the world in the year 2005 and is still being depended upon by rural fishermen although no “edible” sea fauna has lived there since the year 2000.

PSUPT Noble, Chief of Police of Meycauayan City Bulacan, was moved by the degradation of this storied river who’s great shores witnessed the fall of hundreds Filipino revolutionaries depending it during the siege of Malolos. He knew that patrolling its shores for anyone throwing garbage into the river would only have a temporal impact. With the help of his brothers from the CORPS Movement Foundation who was visiting him at the time, Col. Noble immediately (a timeframe of 2hours) devised and implemented a program which would guarantee a lasting and significant effort to save the river.

(The Meycauayan River During The Philippine-American War)

First, they sat down and defined all possible causes of the pollution by a problem tree analysis. Then, they eliminated those that were out of the jurisdiction of the Meycauayan police. Next, they looked at the problems that they could readily address. Finally, they found out that an environmental information and education campaign incorporated in the police community relations program of the Meycauayan Police Station was the most responsive and sustainable contribution that they could give in the effort to save the river.

A spontaneous orientation on the key police officers of Meycauayan followed suite. Boi Manuel and Jojo Dellosa of the CORPS Movement and Ptr. Dan Afuang of the JOSHUA Ministry of the Greenhills Christian Fellowship conducted the briefing on how to inform, educate and mobilize the community in saving the river to the leading of officers (Administration, Operations and PCR) of Meycauayan Police Station.

The Police Community Relations team will take the lead and will tap the local Barangay’s, Churches, Schools, Private Business,  Driver’s Association, Vendor’s Association as well as other organizations which are concerned with welfare the of the river.

PSUPT Noble on his part readily set up a fanpage on Facebook   which will be the information and coordination center of all efforts of the Meycauayan police and the community to save the river. 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando-MMO-River-System/

Once gathered and mobilized through the help of Ptr. Ismael Jiao, BOC Meycauayan Volunteer and also a ministerial head in the city, the CORPS Movement, with the help of the Meycauayan Police, plans to establish a foundation which will maintain and focus all efforts to save the river which could eventually lead to dredging and cleaning of the river. It will also serve as a platform to share the gospel to all that the Meycauayan police and the CORPS Movement have organized.

PSUPT Noble and The CORPS Movement believes that as good stewards to all of God’s riches we should all do our part in cleaning and protecting the environment. 

Elder Mike Aspirin Exhorts at PNP Health Service Prayer Breakfast

The 4-month old prayer breakfast of the Philippine National Police Health Service got a big boost when Elder Mike Aspirin of the Jesus Offers Salvation Hope and Unity in the Armed Services (JOSHUA) Ministry of the Greenhills Christian Fellowship graced the morning fellowship and even handled the devotional for a month’s time.

The regular morning meeting, which is headed by PNP Health Service Director PSSUPT Angela Vidal, PNP General Hospital Director PSSUPT Renee Balagot and PNP Nursing Division Head PSSUPT Loida Bustamante and was started by CORPS stalwarts PSUPT Bernard M. Banac and PSI Gil Ferrer last February 16, 2011, was inspired from the wisdom God imparted to Bro. Mike and also his experiences in faith.

Bro. Mike exhorted on the Fear of God, Attitudes Toward Persecution, Taking Joy Amidst Persecution and Forgiveness in his one month stint drawing inspiration to officers and pastors who attended the weekly event. He also told stories of how he meet God during the most critical point of his life and also insights in daily living-out faith from his experience as a head security officer.

“We are so blessed to have Mike around and we hope that his life continue to inspire this younger officers of ours.” Exclaimed Boi Manuel, CORPS Movements Operations Manager and who also serves as the Prayer Breakfast’s Song Leader.

Truly, God has been blessing the partnership of JOSHUA and the CORPS Movement.

CORPS Movement Receives MBK 2011 PNP Inspectors

The military and police are rich in traditions of receptions. There are passing reviews for visiting heads of state, silent drills and slow drills for dignitaries, homecomings for alumni, and of course everybody’s favourite- the plebe reception which has rites and customs that border the harrowing to the silly: the mandatory duck walks, the drinking from the bowl, the roll-over-you-push-over, push-up-till-you-drop, cadence (knees so high, they could touch the sky), etc.

The CORPS Movement also has a welcome tradition especially for the PNP Inspectors of each batch of the My Brother’s Keeper program. But rather than torturing the newly inducted brothers with a myriad of exercises or making them perform some obnoxious ritual [editor’s note: don’t worry were planning this part ;-) ], the CORPS movement receives the newly inducted inspectors with a dinner fellowship.

This is in line with the Scriptural Foundation that inspired the My Brother’s Keeper program: the members of the CORPS are to mentor (provide assistance, wise counsel and good example) these young inspectors as they join the ranks. They are to be accountable to them by an oath as Christ has mentored twelve disciples during his ministerial lifetime so that they too would be shining witnesses of the life that Christ has transformed.

In partnership with the Jesus Offers Salvation and Hope to the Armed Services (JOSHUA) ministry of the Greenhills Christian Fellowship lead by Elder Mike Aspirin and Ptr. Dan Afuang, 15 newly inducted Inspectors which includes Police Inspector Lumyaen “Joey” Lidawan, former CIC of the CCF, and his classmates PI Fernando Bag-Ayan, PI Juan Paolo Garcia, PI Nemesio Vocal, PI Ricky Fornolles, PI Romeo Orcullo, PI Allan Alog, PI Lean Rey Endozo, PI Heherson Zambale, PI Jayvee Babaan, PI Armel Von Alegria and PI Carol Jacinto were treated to dinner and was given words of encouragement and gifts last April 25 at the Greenhill Christian Fellowship.

The dinner also included word of encouragement from various GCF Elder who prodded the young Inspectors to keep to the path of righteousness. It also included some testimonials for PSSUPT Lyndon Cubos, PSUPT Fred Obar and Elder Mike Aspirin on how to survive the PNP during their critical years as young officers as well as tips on how to overcome when they are already at their middle and senior years.

Col Aspirin even gave a valuable insight based on what he has experienced from the time he graduated from the Philippine Military Academy, his struggles as young lieutenant, his rebellious years until the time he meet Christ. He said that the real test and temptation that each and every police officer face is “taking the law into your own hand, in conscious or unconscious fashion, to achieve something personal”.

PSUPT Fred Obar, who took “three” extra miles for the newly inducted inspectors: he photocopied all survival manuals, he ferried all our brothers from Crame to GCF and he had to wait three hours for the brother’s command activity to finish-yes! three hours late, also gave his perceptions on making a career worthwhile in the PNP. He highlighted the fact that as he has been mentored by a Christian Officer who guided him in the correct path and thus he is making an attempt to do the same also. He also challenged the young officers to mentor future generations.

Bro. Boi Manuel on his part developed a material for the brothers which was distributed during the fellowship. The field manual includes topics on how to survive “issues” outside service (debts, lunatic-girlfriends and mother-in-laws). They were also given a CD of Zach Poonen’s Walk-Through-The-Bible and the “Bless Our Cops Album” to inspire them during their days in the field.

Brothers from Gideon International were also there to distribute Bibles to the class as well as books on various topics from love, leadership, spiritual maturity, etc.

At the end of the event, the newly inducted inspectors were prayed over and was invited to church the following Sunday.