Last Tuesday one of the members of the staff of Victory Fort had the brilliant idea of going to Laser Extreme, the new game center at Market Market Mall.
So during our lunch break on Wednesday 12 of us trooped to the mall ala kkb (pay your own way) and had a blast of a time. For those of you who don't know Laser Extreme is the newest version of Laser Tag.
The idea behind the game is your group is divided into teams. Each person wears a vest which is electronically activated with sensors. These sensors become the targets of the other team.
Teams are then distinguished by the color of the lights in their vests.
After donning the vests all the players are led inside the playing arena. A space of about 200 square meters complete with a maze and staircases and camp sites.
The place is dark and what you see are moving targets, lasers flashing and more lights. Then there's the loud music and it's game time.
Your adrenaline flows and you're ready to rummbblle.
When the targets are hit by the laser the team scores and it temporarily disengages the player who was hit.
His gun does not work and his lights go out. After a few seconds his lights go back on and he is back in the game.
The scores are electronically monitored.
At the end of 15 minutes I was sweating like I came from a work out at the gym. Score sheets revealed that I placed 12 out of 12.
This could only mean 2 things: I have lost my killer instincts (I used to be no. 1 at laser tag back in the early 90's).
Or the staff at church have secretly wanted to shoot me all this time and had their heyday.
Yesterday I had the task of sending out 2 families from our church to their new posts.
The first was the family of Ron and Junko Davis (left) who are leaving the Philippines after 3 years of ministry here.
Ron and Junko were members of the EN church in Japan and moved to the Philippines to jump start our church's ministry to the military.
They are moving to the US to join one of our churches in Tennessee and continue Ron's ministry to military personnel. Please pray for them.
Here they are with Paolo and Jenn Punzalan, Marie and me over lunch.
The picture on the left was taken at yesterday's 11 AM service where we prayed for them and gave a short moment to honor them.
Thank you Ron and Junko you have blessed us much!
Also yesterday at the 1 and 3 PM services we sent out Robert Hern (second from left) the lead pastor for both services and set in Jun Aguilar (extreme right) to become the new lead pastor for these services.
Also in picture is Paolo Punzalan who leads the 5 and 7 PM services.
Here we are sending out and praying for Robert and his wife Maileen. As I sat in the service I listened to Robert minister and realized how much we're going to miss him and Maileen and the leadership gift that they have blessed us with over the years.
Robert moves to become the senior pastor of Victory Pioneer. We are expecting good reports as he goes with many of our leaders in this new adventure.
Here we are this time praying as a congregation to set in Jun Aguilar as the new lead pastor for the 1 and 3 PM services
Jun and Karen have also been a tremendous part of our leadership team. Always eager to serve and build. Jun is a medical doctor turned minister. We are convinced he is in the right season of his life to take on the role as lead pastor.
Here are the wives of Robert and Jun together with Joann Gonzalez (extreme right: wife of UMAK's lead pastor - Robert Gonzalez)
Karen Aguilar - extreme left and Maileen Hern - center.
Here we are in one final huddle before Robert leaves for Victory Pioneer to preach one more service at 5 PM, his fourth. While Paolo starts his and Jun and I go home.
It has been a long day. One of the reasons why I enjoy my job so much is because of the pleasure of working with such quality men and women.
Be on your guard;stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Victory's Apostolic team together with the senior pastors of the Metro-Manila congregations spent the last 2 days in strategic planning. The goal was to bring the Metro-Manila church to the next level.
Here is Manny Carlos, Victory's President and Bishop leading the group.
Jun Escosar, Executive Director of Every Nation, Victory's missions arm sharing about the potential locations for future church plants in Metro- Manila.
Here's the rest of the group plodding through the data and discussions.
Michael Paderes, Director for Cross Cultural Missions making a point.
Jiji Concepcion, Executive Director of Victory's Management Structure discussing the interface between ministry and administrative services.
Pastors Arnold Palaganas and Dennis Sy of Victory Fairview and Greenhills respectively, listening intently to the discussions.
Undoubtedly its a Mac World. I had this picture taken during the break.
Here I am asking a question about some of the data that was being presented.
Here's Manny Carlos again - leading the meeting. I just want to take this moment as I write this post to honor him. Manny is an exemplary leader and a great co-laborer.
I have known Manny for about 20 years now. The last 2 days has deepen my respect and trust in his leadership even more.
Thank you Manny for who you are.
Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us?
What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” Exodus 33:15-16
This post should have been made last June but I have been unable to do it. One reason why I want to still post it is because this site is my way of remembering all the meaningful events that happen in the course of day to day life.
Operation Overdrive was our congregations attempt to pray for the twin cities of Taguig and Makati. These are the 2 cities which we at Victory Fort service.
The idea behind this event was to identify key institutions, establishments, communities, hot spots in both cities and then send prayer teams to pray for specific things about them.
The objective bless these 2 cities and with God's promises through prayer.
So on May 31 - Operation Overdrive went into gear.
Pastor Dennis Isleta who oversaw the planning for Operation Overdrive giving last minute instructions to the Fort staff at 7 AM.
Officially the prayer drive started at 7:30 AM with a time of corporate worship and prayer. Some instructions and then the prayer teams drove out.
51 teams in cars and bikes mobiled out to the over 100 designated locations to spend the morning praying for the city.
This massive prayer meeting started as the teams drove out. Prayers for the city were being made en route to the locations as well as in the actual places.
Bright and early long before the city awoke, the municipal halls of Makati and Taguig are bathed in prayers. Can't wait to see the effects of these declarations in years to come.
Simultaneously the Headquarters of the Philippine Army was being bombarded by powerful prayers of blessing and grace. Some years back we did the same thing and today we have seen the harvest. That includes Pastor Dennis who used to be a Colonel in the Army.
Here's the team that prayed for the Fire Department and the surrounding areas of Makati.
Here's the team that prayed inside Assumption College in San Lorenzo Village.
Other major schools and campuses were prayed for.
All of the major villages and communities of Taguig and Makati were prayed for too!
Even the hottest spots of these cities were covered in prayer. God loves all people and wants as many to know Him.
Here were 2 intercessors clowning around in front of one of clubs in Makati.
Then it was back to the Fort for another moment of corporate prayer, worship and testimonies.
Then it was fellowship and some refreshments. Can't wait to see what God will do to these cities in years to come.
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. James 5:16b-18
Here's a short video report on Operation Overdrive:
This post is an update of the recently concluded Step-Up Sunday. Our mid-year invitation for church members to participate in serving at church.
Amazingly we had over 700 respond to the call. Here is a picture showcase and the video that we used to invite members to participate.
Throughout the day church members new and old ventured into the booths that explained the various ministries of the church.
This totem pole looking sign points to the location of the booths for the many ministry opportunities, from the top: Admin Support, Communications, Creatives, Hospitality, Kids, Music, Technical Support, Youth and Ushering.
Here's long time volunteer Rey Macalino explaining to new volunteers the rudiments of serving in church.
The greatest among you will be your servant. Matthew 23:11
Here's Pastor Bernard Marquez playing with one of the props on display at the Creatives booth.
Members of the Creatives and Communication booths manning their stations awaiting the arrival of interested volunteers.
The youngest, the young and the young once. Members of the Ushering Team awaiting new volunteers.
One of the most popular teams among all the ministries: Kids' Ministry. Here they are all set-up to welcome even more volunteers.
I believe one of the main attractions of our church is Kids' Ministry, these guys are awesome.
Here's the video we showed everyone to invite them to volunteer.
Two days ago I was asked by a team of movie producers how I would define vision. All too often people see vision as an idea, concept or better yet a picture of the future. My response has been a standard one:
I quoted the second half of a verse, Luke 1:22b:
"They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak."
I explained to them that a vision is more than just an idea or concept. And that the verse I quoted was about a child, more particularly John the Baptist.
In short ifyou want to know what the future holds - look at the children, they are the future. One reason why as a church we value children, they are the future! The pictures are a few from yesterday's child dedication. These first two show the church's volunteers preparing the props for the event.
All preparations were set for the second Child Dedication Ceremonies for the year.
Here is the finished work by the volunteers on stage ready for the families who participated, truly a labor of love.
Tables were set for families and their guests complete with animal figures made of balloons, with candies and souvenirs.
A family of early birds, awaiting the arrival of their guests and relatives.
Then one by one the families arrived with their guests and relations.
In time everyone arrived.
Over 600 people.
Here's Pastor Bernard Marquez leading the parents as they dedicate their children to the Lord.
Here's a family celebrating the special day for the newest member of the tribe.
A Child Dedication Ceremony is a public declaration that our children are valuable and are worthy of this special moment.
More than that it is an acknowledgement that God alone gives us the ability to succeed as parents.
Thanks volunteers, thanks staff, congratulations parents - children are indeed special.
Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Psalm 127:3
Every 2 months I do a book review of the books I have read. As I have explained in previous reviews the goal is to encourage leaders to read and learn. In order to LEAD one needs to READ.
The review below are for the months of May and June.
Beyond Megachurch Myths by Scott Thumma and Dave Travis. This book was based on thorough, broad based and well designed research. The result is a comprehensive study that validates the phenomenon of the megachurch.
That's not to say that the megachurch is perfect and has no difficiencies (I don't think there's anything perfect on this earth - minus the Holy Spirit) but it gives light to myths and presumptions people have made about these large churches.
Here's a quote: "In the end, for most megachurch leaders, their ultimate goal is the same as their critics, to present the clear Gospel message, but the forms that their presentation takes are adapted to the needs of contemporary people." I highly recommend it for chruch leaders, whether mega or not. The insights, stories and learnings are invaluable. Thanks Jerome Gutierez for giving me this book.
101 Ways to Spoil Your Wife by Ron Brown. I have no idea where this book came from. I'm sure I did not buy it. I wonder if Marie bought it and stuck it in my stash of books to read, hmmm? If any of you gave me this as a gift, do let me know, I may have forgotten.
Cute book of reminders that can help jog your memory on how to relate to your wife. Also includes practical and creative ideas. Ron is Christian writer and gives verses for most of the ideas. Easy read you'll do it in a day. More importantly it will surely strengthen and enhance your marriage.
Kevin Conner - This is My Story by Kevin Conner. The thickest book I read this year (over 500 pages). Written by one of my heroes in the faith Pastor Kevin Conner, pastor, theologian, best selling author, teacher, husband and father.
The book's subtitle is a bit of an understatement - "Lessons I've Learnt Along the Way". Pastor Kevin writes about his 81 years of life and breaks them down into chapters - at the end of each chapter are pictures from the past, more importanlty are the lessons he learned in that season of his life.
The book is rich and must be taken slowly. For leaders it will be one of those that will stay in your bookshelf because you just know you will face some of the things this man has been through and you'll need to refer to it. Thanks Pastor Kevin for the book.
Leaders At All Levels by Ram Chamran. Ram is a world renowned advisor to business leaders and coprorate boards as well as a best selling author.
This book is all about how to deepen an organization's talent pool. Another way of saying how to solve succession problems. One of the problems that plague organizations and this includes churches. It deals with an organization's inability to spot, attract, train, develop and empower leaders. The main cause it is not the organization's focus.
Ram makes the case that the future of any organization lies in its ability to find and develop future leaders. More imporatntly his book defines what those leaders look like and the qualities to look for. This book is a must read for any one aspiring to be a senior leader.
A key thought for pastors is to be able to write down and define staff functions and expectations side by side with what the Bible says are qualifications of church leaders before bringing staff on board.
Inside Steve's Brain by Leander Kahney. The book that cuts through the personality cult that surrounds Steve Jobs. The book does not deal with what we have all heard and read about - Steve's famous temper and outrageous tanrums but as the title says - it is all about his brain.
Its all about his legendary way of thinking that has led to products like the Mac, ipod, and iphone. The kind of thinking that has made him a man of contrasts. While he is famous for his temper he has also managed to forge deep relationships and long partnerships with developers, shareholders, employees, other genuises and even companies.
The secret is he demands from his partners - to challenge his ideas and whose ideas can be challenged by him, often forcefully. That's how they end up with the best ideas and products. Just look at the new iphone it is "twice as fast and half the price" - Unbelievable!
The book has tons of insight and ideas better than most seminars you can attend on creativity. Bottom line like most anything else - success even in creativity is a discipline. Thanks Steve Murrell for telling me about the book.
Love Marks Effect by Kevin Roberts. Kevin is the Worldwide CEO of Saatchi and Saatchi. His book opened my eyes to whole new way of thinking.
His take: People's desires for products and organizations can be viewed in 4 quadrants: Products (commodities, i.e. Coffee). On this quadrant there is very little of what he calls Love and Respect. Low Love and Low Respect. In short people don't love or respect commodities.
The second quadrant is the Brand (i.e. Nescafe) on this quadrant there is Hish Respect (trust, reliability, reputation) but Low Love (desire, attraction and passion). The third quadrant is the Fad. Here we find High Love but Low Respect (i.e. flavored coffees, here one day gone another).
Finally, the 4th quadrant: The Lovemark. High Love - High respect (Starbucks). The rest of the book is how to do both. Got tons of insight for church from this book. Thanks Mark Ramsey for recommending the book.
Execution by Larry Bossdiy and Ram Chamran.This book was given to me sometime ago and has been sitting on my bookshelf. After reading Ram's book above and liked it I decided it was time to read this. The co-author Larry Bossidy is the current chairman of Honeywell and was its former CEO.
The books subtitle is: The Discipline of Getting Things Done. Without going through a long explanation it covers the simple truth that discipline is necessary for doing something great.
Often we blame strategy for the failure of an organization. Fact is the majority of the causes for failure is the poor execution of strategies. Failure drains the energies and resources of an organization. Repeated many times results in destroying it.
The book's emphasis is on the vital importance of proper execution - how to structure, organize, populate (with the right leaders) in order to execute brilliantly. My best take aways: excecution is the linking of strategy to day to day operations. It is the vital importance of follow-up and follow-through and the synchronizing of people and activities.
Why I did not read this book then, I don't know why. I just wish i did. It is full of wisdom. Here's one last nugget: Great execution is directly related to the members of teams. Building great teams requires candid dialogues and proper matching of people. Too often teams are filled with people who are comfortable with each other (that's why little is accomplished) rather than the right members who can execute well.
My friend Jeff Eliscupidez sent me 2 videos he saw on YouTube. The videos were black and white films that date back to the 1930's about Manila. It showed streets with combined caritellas, automobiles and even carts with carabaos. Despite being black and white I found them very interesting.
Both videos were shot and produced by American cinematographers. Thanks Jeff, to everyone else, I hope you enjoy them.
U.P. has distinguished itself as the country's leading State University. Undoubtedly so, when you look at the roster of its graduates.
From political and national leaders, lawyers and business people, health and science luminaries, educators, athletes, artists and even just plain citizens.
My wife Marie is a U.P. graduate and so are my 2 sisters, several members of our staff and many of my friends. How important is U.P? My long time friend and ministry partner Manny Carlos knew well how strategic U.P. is that he planted a church there 13 years ago.
He instinctively knew that if the nation was to change, the next generation of leaders needed to be reached and discipled. And where else can you find a gathering of these young leaders than in U.P.
Picture on the left shows kick-off ceremonies for a year long series of events to celebrate the University's 100 years.
Tonight I had to attend one of those events.
The event dubbed as "Parangal Sentenyal" or Centennial Appreciation was the University's way of honoring its 18 past presidents and many of its most distinguished alumnae.
I had to go and escort my 78 year old father who was invited to receive an award on behalf of his grandfather (his mother's father) Dr. Rafael Palma, he being the closest living relative.
It was after him that the Palma Hall was named after.
Rafael Palma was the 4th President of the University and apparently the one who ran the University longest (10 straight years). Palma was also known as a nationalist president. I would think so considering his younger brother, the soldier, Jose Palma was credited for writing the lyrics of the Philippine National Anthem.
Palma was known for his passion, idealism, courage and leadership. His tenure was known among the students of his time as "Ang Gintong Panahon ng U.P." or the Golden Age of U.P.
He was also referred to as the "Builder President" why exactly I don't know.
Picture shows my father and me at the reception. There I was the lowly undergraduate hobnobbing with U.P.'s glitterati.
Among them a justice, a senator, ambassador, doctors of this and that, artists, leaders in government and a hodgepdge of the smartest people in the country.
Makes you feel out of place - too intellectual!
Finally among the gathering of VIP's came a familiar face. Dr. Emanuel Soriano, a former president of U.P. Dr. Soriano is a close friend of my parents and was one of my mentors in business.
At one point Dr. Soriano became the Chairman of the Board of Barclay International, a company I co-founded.
It was good to see you sir, congratulations to you too!
This picture was taken by my wife Marie some years ago while having dinner with family. It shows my oldest son Joseph with my brother in law Jay Duque and my 78 year old father.
Interestingly the picture has two "halos". One on top of my father's head and the other on top of Joseph's. (Jay, I always wondered where yours was? But then again you do have a lighted crown.)
I like the idea of celebrating Father's Day. It allows children to pause. take stock and honor the fathers who have given much of themselves.
All too often it is so easy to forget and take these men for granted. ( As I write this post I sit at home nursing a weird case of intestinal flu and am trying to recover. So I'll have a quiet Father's Day tomorrow.)
After his heart bypass in 2006, my father isn't as physically strong or communicative as before. But almost every Sunday, he sits at the 11 am service to worship God and listen.
So my sons and others may remember, there is more to the man than what he is today.I do want to put in writing a few thoughts about my own father and the things I gleaned from him:
At the top of the list is a sense of responsibility and "pagka-masipag". Growing up, I saw his daily trek to work, slugging it out without complaints nor even desiring recognition. The sense of reliability that he would do what was necessary regardless of the challenges. Thanks for the example Pop - this has helped shape what I am today.
My father started out as a regular bank employee and worked his way up. In his desire to start his own business, he would work late into the night on his other pursuits to make sure that he did not use the bank's time for his own endeavors. His way of teaching his children the value of integrity. On occasion I would find him slumped in the dining room table where he had fallen asleep working on his personal business. Only to arise the next day and go work - fresh and alert to face another banking day. Though I was still a boy, he left an impression of a true professional - well pressed starched shirt and color coordinated ties.
My father also took responsibility for his actions and did not give excuses for his shortcomings. He was always quick to admit his imperfections and was quick to apologize for his errors and mistakes.
Growing up I have never had a problem admitting I was wrong or even being defensive if it was proven that I made a mistake. That does not mean I will not put up a fight (or argue) - but when proven to be off - I usually concede and apologize. Looking back this was something I constantly saw modeled before me by my father. Papa was quick to say sorry, more importantly he did not give any excuses but just readily accepted the consequences of his wrong actions.
it was also from him that I would learn to stand for my own family. When I was a young boy I recall an incident when my late grandmother was angry at me over an issue involving her favored grandchild. Seeing the unfairness of the situation my father stepped in defense of me and would not tolerate his own mother's wrong doing.
As I sit here tonight and pray for you Papa, I am reminded that these are but a tiny fraction of the good things you have done for me. Thank you for being my father - I love you. Happy Fathers' Day!
Happy Fathers' Day to you too Jay - by the way, i love your crown.
I am currently out of town and read a post by Steve Murrell. At the top of his post was a headline that said "Twice as fast, half the price." Refering to the new iphone.
With the post came a link to the latest Key Note Address of Steve Jobs. Aside from the noticeable loss of weight of Jobs the hour and 40 minute review was unbeleivable.
Thanks Steve M. for the link - thanks Steve J. for the Mac and the new iphone. Unbelievable. Watch: Key Note AddressA little long but defintely worth it if you want to be cutting edge.
To Steve Jobs: I live in busy Manila and am living proof of your stats that iphones are widely used in my country even before it has been offically introduced. Just wanted you to know that I love it. Watch: New iphone TV advertisement
Woke up this morning and the headlines was about the surge in gas prices. It reminded me of the 70"s Oil Crisis, would have been worrisome.
Thankfully Wednesday last week (June 4) we had a full dose of understanding God's Economy. Thanks to "God's Economy - the VictoryBiz event held in cooepration with Crown International Ministries.
Prior to this event I had attended a five session series of teaching using the material on the left from Crown Ministries conducted for us by CCF Alabang Senior Pastor Jobie Soriano
What can I say, everyone should go through it and learn what God has to say about money and how to not just survive but get a foot hold on one's finances.
Picture on the left shows International Directors from Crown Ministries Wilson Chea of Singapore who is responsible for the Asian Region and Dave Rae who oversees the ministry's worldwide operations.
Also in picture is Jerome Gutierez, Executive Director of VictoryBiz.
Coming from Zambales that day I went straight to the event and was amazed at the packed reception to the seminar.
I guess a lot of people want to know how God's Economy works.
Businessmen KC Lee and Alden Meneses having a chat before the start of the sessions.
Both men are members of Victory and are some of the best church volunteers.
Retired General Pablo Galvez (extreme left, member of Victory Fort) with Lt. Cleo Dongga-as and Lt. Florentino Sumera former members of the Rebel Soldiers Group Magdalo, the guys were part of the Oak Wood Mutiny.
Both men have since become Christians and have been pardoned. It was good to see how God is working in the hearts of these men and their comrades.
Jerome Gutierez with Steve (whose surname I can't remember), a member of the Crown team and Ardie Abello the evening's Master of Ceremonies
Then it was time for David to speak. David was one time president of Apple Computer of Canada and is an experienced businessman.
David brought to life the principles of God's Word and how it applies to finances both personal and business.
What really left an impression was not Dave's delivery (which was fantastic) but that he used very little notes and gleaned practical points from real life experiences.
Thank you Dave, you have been a God-send.
At the end of Dave's message it was a time to give a brief response and close by praying for the Crown Ministries Team that was on a 9 country tour as well as for the participants.
As I said earlier this event came at the right time. Thank God we're ready to face the future when we understand how God's Economy works.
Here I am in standing by the poolside waiting for the ceremony that was about to start when Marie snapped this picture.
The couple could not have chosen a more appropriate spot - this spectacular view with accompanying Tagaytay cool breeze - it was great way to spend a Saturday.
Eric and Donita Villarama celebrated their 5th anniversary in an intimate gathering of close friends.
Last Tuesday one of the members of 
This picture was taken by my wife Marie some years ago while having dinner with family. It shows my oldest son Joseph with my brother in law Jay Duque and my 78 year old father.
