The Three Pastors

Joe, Frank, and Rey. They are Class 61’s reverends. They have taken vows to commit themselves to spread the gospel and tie their words deeply into the Biblical text. They give context to Faith. They coax out the better angels in our nature.

Joe, in addition to his brilliant career in the military as a graduate of PMA and retiring as general with the Philippine National Police, has also sought a parallel vocation through a Christian education from the Philippine Bible Theological Seminary. Joe and Myrna’s lives are closely intertwined with their Christian faith.

Frank, is pastor of the Nazarene Congregational Church in New York. He and his wife Estrellita are active in the Amazing Grace Community Outreach.

Rey, is with Good News Mission in Baguio. He and Joe provided us with their words of grace at the meals taken with our Class 61 members. His wife Nene is also active in church activities.

While this blog does not pretend to be a Wikipedia, it would be appreciated if we can add more to this “stub” through stories, photos and other aspects about the Three Pastors! You can also find Myrna, Frank, and Rey in Facebook where you can view their photos, comments, grandchildren…

Ag-pashyar tay ijay Boor-ham!! Masapul iti swi - tr.

20 Jan: protest the cutting down of trees at Luneta Hill

A protest march is planned on 20th January. SM was given the permit to move the trees from Luneta Hill to make way for their development plans. Ay Apo, these trees took years and years to be nurtured and to give oxygen to a very large population...

Leonora San Agustin: a late but heartfelt condolence

The Baguio city council Resolution 440, s. 2011, is a condolence message to the family of the late Leonora “Leonie” Paraan-San Agustin - who passed away on Nov. 29.

She was an active alumnus of Baguio City National High School and could be seen joining the annual parade, with gusto, in earlier years. She graduated cum laude in BS Chemical Engineering from Adamson University, on record as the first woman chemical engineer in the Philippines. For 45 years, she taught at the University of the Cordilleras (which we remember as Baguio Colleges) then was designated as curator, Baguio-Mountain Province Museum, until her demise.

A well-known Baguio fact: a label stuck with her and together with Ms. Cecile Afable and Ms. Gene De Guia, as the “Three witches of Baguio,” for their efforts and concerns for the environment and programs for the preservation of culture.

Her love for Baguio, its culture, the people, and environment made her a prominent figure in various fora and lectures that somehow initiated a strong awareness on the richness of the Cordillera culture. She singlehandedly wrote the book, “The Traditional Attires of the Igorot Tribes” from her painstaking research and collection of photographs This book became popular as the handbook for wearing a G-string loincloth properly, step by step.

She was already a Baguio institution long before she passed away at age 96. She was a rare gem.

Guessing Game No. 26

Clue: this gentleman ran a Baguio institution, along Session Road. This institution is currently being managed by his son Joey and wife Donna. It is a favorite hangout for Baguio Oldtimers, including BCHS alumni, and the place seems to be full of such alumni during homecoming week. See you there!

Lecheon Party, 1911