This is the my story - Philippines -81

81 – Philippines – Day of Arrival

We were up early on Friday 1^st June 1990 the day our appointment took effect in the Philippines. The General Secretary Lieut. Colonel William Banks and his wife Muriel took us to Kai Tak airport. A number of officers and staff from Headquarters were already there to say the final farewell to us. After the usual courtesies and final prayer with them, we made our way to the plane.

In slightly less than two hours the plane arrived at Manila airport but because of the bad weather and poor visibility it could not land immediately. It had to circle round the airport several times. We could sense the tense atmosphere among our fellow passengers and when the plane finally touched the ground there was loud applause – the plane had landed at last. The passengers breathed a sigh of relief – we arrived safely!

I believe this was a reminder from God that storms of life would beset us; Philippines would pose its own challenges like in every other appointment we had had so far. We need always to put our trust in Him. God does not promise us a journey without storms, but a safe landing. That message came loud and clear that morning.

We went through the usual immigration and customs procedures and made our way towards the exit. Wow! The crowds waiting to greet their friends and relatives! How pleased we were to see the Chief Secretary Lieut. Colonel Aguirre and the driver Nic Bagasol who was to prove a very loyal supporter throughout our term in the territory. We pushed our way through the crowds and eventually got to the car.

We were taken to the quarters at Pasay where we were to stay for the next three years. The Heads of Departments and their spouses were all there to meet us.  We shared merianda (snacks) and coffee/tea and after the introductions and usual courtesies, they left us to unpack and rest till the evening when Nic came again for us to take us for the welcome dinner at Newtown Hotel, not far from Territorial Headquarters. There we met Commissioner and Mrs. Bramwell Tillsley, territorial leaders from Southern Australian Territory who had come to install us on behalf of General Burrows.

The next day Saturday we had Officers’ Councils at Territorial Headquarters. There we were introduced to many more officers in the Division and representatives from other Divisions. As I had already visited Philippines a couple of times previously, it was a reunion for me, but for my wife it was her first visit to the territory. She could not accompany in my previous visits because of our special daughter Dora Poh Chin. Commissioner Tillsley an excellent exponent of the word of God, gave two messages on The Holy Spirit. It was a timely reminder of our need of God’s Spirit in our lives to empower us for service in His name.

The installation was held on Sunday afternoon at Manila Central Corps Hall. We were warmly welcomed by the comrades who garlanded us and hugged us. We had never received so many hugs in one day. Filipinos are very warm people and never shy of expressing their emotions. Of course, being shy Singaporeans of Chinese descent, it is not our nature to be so expressive. The Filipinos taught us some very invaluable lessons and the three years spent working with them truly blessed us. Looking back, I dare say, it was an appointment we could not do without! Each appointment prepares us for the next. That first meeting lasted three hours.

The country was named after Philip II of Spain who commissioned Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese explorer to look for land, spices and gold. He sailed east and discovered this archipelago. Philip took the name from the Bible – Philip the Evangelist (Acts 6 and 7.)

It is predominantly Roman Catholic. It was ruled by Spain for more than three centuries (1565 – 1893) The Americans occupied the country for five decades (1998-1946) The Japanese occupied the country from 1942- 1945) So the Filipinos are a unique people – they first acquired the Hispanic and Latin heritage and later the American heritage. They have had Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Arabian influence and quite cosmopolitan indeed. Filipinos are found all over the world today.

What a privilege it has been ours to work with these lovely people.