My 3 Semesters in the College of Theology, CPU

Chapter 15 – My 3- Semester Study at CPU College of Theology

After finishing my 2 years studies in Associate in Arts (AA), I proceeded to the College of Theology at CPU.

I came to the college with quite a good back ground. When I was 2^nd Year in Associate in Arts, Mr. Patricio Dionio, President of the Iloilo Baptist Youth Fellowship, called me as week-end youth worker of Iloilo Baptist Youth Fellowship. This assignment gave me opportunity to visit youth organizations of Iloilo churches every Saturdays and Sundays. That provided me opportunities to visit a number of churches in the province.

We attended Baptist Youth meetings on Saturday afternoons, join choir practice on Saturday evenings. Participate in Sunday School Youth on Sunday mornings and preach during the worship service. On Sunday afternoons, we have some kind of sharing and planning for the Baptist Youth fellowship and how to mobilize the youth for active participation in the youth ministry. At 4:00 PM I went back to Iloilo City and my responsibilities as a working student.

The arrangement gave me some 45 week-ends to visit churches and youth groups in Iloilo that year. It was a big opportunity for me. Few student was given the opportunity, visiting churches and youth groups most of the whole year.

I also tried to develop my preaching and lecture skills.

My classmates in First Year at the College of Theology were: Margarita Juanico from Antique. Elizabeth Yap from Manila; Adino Delgado from Iloilo; Lore Bacera from Davao, Dionita Irao from Aklan, Norma Monteclaro from Iloilo, Margarita Juanico from Antique, another woman classmate and myself. Elizabeth Yap was the daughter of the Dr. Jose Yap, General Secretary of the Christian Federation of Christian Churches, later, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP). We are only 7 Theology students that time.

Many of my classmates made good in their ministry. Adino Delgado worked in several churches in Panay and Negros and made his marked in this churches. Lore Bacera and Norma Monteclaro were married and worked after several years in the Philippines went to the United States where they worked until today. They have some outreach ministry in the Philippines with some churches. Dioneta Irao worked for as Pastor of Kalibo Baptist Church in Aklan and married his Mr. Villanueva, son of one of the key leaders of the Baptist churches In Aklan. She pursued her education, and teaches in high school by pastoring a church.

Elizabeth Yap worked in Manila for years and later in Iloilo City. Margarita Juanico worked with several churches and joined the teaching staff of the Filamer Christian College. Miss Procerfina Corvera worked with the church, married Mr. Nathaniel Espantar and started their business, still working in Calvario Evangelical Church. The professors and instructors that time were, Mrs. Wanda Kelly, Dean, College of Theology, Rev. Loel Bacera and Mrs. Bacera. Miss Gladys Baban was my teacher in Pinao. Mrs. Elora Jordan teaches us music and choir.

The women students were at Johnson Hall. The males were at the top floor of Franklin Hall. We have good life and fellowship.

While at the College of Theology, I got hold a copy of the book, a lectures and speeches of Dr. Robert Ingersoll. He was considered the dean of athiests in the United States. I read his book from cover to cover. I liked his speeches and lectures. He wrote simple and short phrases but full of meaning that challenged many beliefs and traditions of the time, including belief in God. Bob Ingersoll challenges our faith. He made me, somehow doubt the existence of God. I fought this doubts in the sanctums of my thoughts.

I tried to challenge Dr. Ingersol in the crevices of my mind. And there were times that he seem to have won me to his side. But my deep experience of a simple faith in my youth fought hard against the wisdom and strength of the most powerful and influential atheist in America. I remembered the faith of my childhood. And this strengthened my faith in God.

I remember my schoolmates at the CPU in 1961, 1962 and 1963. I remember I temember Noel Lapatha and Rosina Ilustre. I saw them always together walking from the library to Johnson Hall. After working here for some years, they went to Canada. And they are still there. Lately, they built a new church, mostly with Filipino members. We often communicate in Facebook and shares some thoughts.

I often saw Esfe Tandog at Johnson Hall. He was also working there. He helped me get called at Maao Central Evangelcial Church. And we have worked closely together in the Conventon and out. I remember well Alfe Tupas at CPU. I saw him often. We have short conversation. Later, he worked with the Baptist Convention as Field Secretary for Stewardship. And we also have opportunity to work together.

After I enrolled at the College of Theology, life was much better. We were served food at Johnson Hall dormitory. I begun to experienced, how Intern students lived. Where we were served food -- rice, viands, vegetables, sweets and water. It’s a new experience being an intern student and scholar in the College of Theology.

But we missed something. There was something great to cook vegetables and broiled fish in the kitchen. So, we arranged with the cook, how we can cooked some vegetables and broil fish in the dorm. He allowed us, and often we have other special food on our table.

Mrs. Wanda Kelly was a loving dean of the College of Theology. She’s motherly. We have very good teachers. But the one that challenged my mind was Rev. Loel Bacera, who teaches theological Biblical subjects.

But while in the College of Theology, their were some thoughts that sometimes comes to our mind. While at the College of Theology, I worked as a week-end pastor of Guinacas Baptist Church Pototan. My love gift was P10.00 every Sunday. That is P40 a month. That was good for me.It was enough for my need, transportation and snacks.

The bus and jeepney fares in Iloilo City was P0.05.. Lunch at the Chinese carinderia at the front of CPU costs P0.05 for rice and P0.15 for viand with vegetables and s slice of meat. Life was not hard if you have just a little income.

Despite the good privelege I enjoy, I begun to toy with the idea of leaving the College of Theology and go to Baguio City or Manila. I will try some ways to make an adventure. After 3 semesters in the College of Theology, I begun to think the ministry was not my calling. It may be possible, that the Tempter has worked on me. But the idea of going to Manila or Baguio City kept pressing my mind. I went home to Carles. I asked my parents that I will go to Manila or Baguio City.

I went home to Carles. Three days later I, went I took a ship for Manila.