I was sent to Bukidnon along with my wife and daughter as a ministerial trainee and we lived in Don Carlos, Bukidnon for about one year from May 1986 to May 1987. We served two local congregations of my denomination which was then called the Worldwide Church of God (WCG). The two congregations were the Maramag Church and the Kiara Church. May I share some photos below which reminds me of our life with the people whom we have grown to love. “Some are dead and some are living” as one Beatles song goes.
This was a photo at the residence of our senior pastor in Don Carlos, Bukidnon back in 1986. I forgot now what the occasion was.
WCG Maramag Church
The Maramag Church was composed mainly of church members who lived along the national highway and in the towns of Dangcagan, Don Carlos, Maramag, Quezon and other nearby areas including one or two from Malaybalay. In 1986, we met at one of the classrooms of Central Mindanao University (CMU), a state university in Maramag.
Worship service of the WCG Maramag Church at the Central Mindanao University.After the worship service, we waited for a jeepney or bus ride to go back home to Don Carlos.
WCG Kiara Church
The other congregation is the Kiara Church. It is located in Barangay Kiara in the town of Don Carlos. The church building was then surrounded by cornfields all around it. Most of the members were and are farmers. But today, after the passing of several decades, many have become more successful in business aside from farming.
These were some of the members of the WCG Kiara Church back in 1986. Some are dead and some are still living in this photo. I’m the one seated/squatting at the rightmost side. My wife is wearing red at the right side with our little daughter in front of her held by the lady in white. This was on a Sunday where we had a “pahina” — Cebuano equivalent for the Tagalog “bayanihan” where we cleaned and beautified the church building. Attendance back then in this rural church could reach roughly around 200 to 300 on a regular worship day. Simple people but we have learned to love them.On our way to the worship service in WCG Kiara Church. Little Veejay crossing the temporary bamboo bridge. My wife walks in style on a somewhat high heel shoes hahaha! The wooden bridge was damaged.Attending church in style. My little daughter passes through cogon grass on her way to church. The wooden bridge was damaged. This was the Lalapoy Bridge which I called “Kakapoy Bridge.” Kakapoy in Cebuano means “it’s tiresome” hahaha! It’s now a concrete bridge.
