Bloom even where you're not planted

The title, as incorporated in the photo,   is an amendment to  a quote popularized by  Mary Engelbreit “bloom where you’r e planted.” Although knowledgeable sources attribute  the phrase  to the Bishop of Geneva, Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622). Hence, my apologies to them for this amendment which, hopefully, does not distort their intention.

Few days ago, I saw the featured  flower, while doing my early morning walking exercise inside the campus of Central Philippine University. The first thing that came into my mind, of course, was  the above mentioned popular saying . Impressed by the way the flower struggled to sprout and bloom in an unlikely situation, I thought of making an amendment to the quotation. So, I requested my daughter to take a photo of the flower before it withers or somebody plucks it. After making the  caption, I posted  the photo on my facebook timeline with the following comment:  But isn’t life sometimes like that? We are compelled to live and  give our best even in unlikely situation, condition, fields, places or circumstances.

Soon it got likes and comments from FB friends and member of a Social Workers network group I joined.Below are some of those worth mentioning:

... and the challenge is to find meaning even in the meaninglessness of it.
         - Dean Anita Illenberger

Wonderful! Very encouraging. This is originally yours, the message is different and i like it better-inclusion of the "excluded".
         -Arlyn Liling Tagakapis

Economic hardship and oppression makes one relocate abroad for survival and a better future for the children. One is uprooted from home to a place where one is "not planted" and that amidst the harshness of loneliness of the soul and coldness of winter, racial discrimination, and in a dog eat dog existence.....one could still bloom. A very uplifting message for migrants.
         -Margaret Rose Dominado

       

...that's a meaningful scene..one can ponder upon..to make a difference..to keep blooming even where you're not planted!
        - Mabel Gonzales

Even in a most hostile environment, or in a harsh condition..life can still flourish..praise be Our God.
         -Alfonso Espino

Reminds me of a great quote by George Carlin: "I like it when a flower or a little tuft of grass grows through a crack in the concrete. It's so ...heroic.
       - Scott Wellborn

I can relate....... but I will hold on until my last breath.....
God be merciful to a wretched man like me.......
I know nothing good except the good you handed me....
But, here I am, use me for whatever purpose You want it to be....
        - Rudel Obed Dianala

How about you? Any comment to my amendment? Wherever you are, either planted or blown by the wind of change or carried by the birds of circumstances, you have no other choice but to bloom. For others are not  fortunate enough to survive the test of times and circumstances. Live and serve, no matter what. Rest if you want but never give up. PADAYON! 

PADAYON KATIPAN: A call to revival

This is the title  of  my new blog that  focuses on the Convention Baptist Ministers Association and Convention of  Philippine Baptist Churches. Two religious organizations that have been instrumental in the development of my spirituality.  My engagement in the leadership of  these organizations could had  been very productive, were it not interrupted by  chronic heart ailment that constrained my active life of service, some years ago.  Most of my time was spent at home due to limited mobility, making me vulnerable to discouragement and depression.

But such  critical condition  turned out to be a blessing in disguise for many reasons. One is my baptism  to  the wonders of  blogging world, courtesy of a pastor friend.  Starting as  therapy, blogging became a ministry.   I poured out my thoughts and emotion into the blogs and found relief. Even my suppressed commitment to the service of the people both in churches and communities were ventilated .

I succeeded to create 5  personal blogs and  3 official web sites of the organizations my wife and I helped put up.  However, my hectic schedule, especially when I resumed my work at Central Philippine University constrained me to update all my blogs. It was  good that the recent  Christmas break  gave  me time to visit my blogs, review and evaluate them.

Born on  Christmas eve of 2012,   this blog will recall successful activities in the past, analyze and make commentaries on the trends and issues in both organizations. In this way, we can refresh ourselves, remind the current officers and guide the future leaders of our organizations of the struggles we have and the covenant to keep. The alarming trend in both religious organizations has inspired me to create this  blog. May other readers learn from our experiences and find inspiration to guide them in their respective struggles.

The two Ilonggo words PADAYON (keep up/to continue)  KATIPAN (covenant) became a slogan during  my six years of service as president of the Convention Baptist Ministers Association (CBMA). The best years I have ever given to a particular cause in my lifetime. Years that witnessed the commitment and dedication surpassing my other endeavors, paid or likewise voluntary in nature. Padayon Katipan may mean keeping the covenant.

The author acknowledges the CBMA officers and board of trustees
during  his  last State of the Association Address culminating
his six years of service as president in January 2010.

PADAYON was first used on January 2009 during the closure of our annual national assembly. Inspired by the overwhelming responses of pastors to the CBMA leadership and governance, as well as the advocacies on changes in the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches politics, systems and governance, I was looking for a punch line/ clincher to sustain the momentum in delivering the concluding remarks.

Then came the message from my Ihado (wedding godson), when the worship leader innovatively asked the participants to write on piece of paper a message to particular person of choice. All of the notes I received have common message of encouragement to “keep up the good work.” My ihado gave me a note with one word which captured all other messages. Subsequently, I used it to officially close the National Convention of CBMA: PADAYON

KATIPAN, on the other hand, became the campaign slogan in the construction of a Session Hall at Camp Higher Ground to accommodate the participants for the CBMA National Assembly on January 2006. It was the name given to the hall, when completed after some years of struggle. It bespeaks of the realization of collective faith and action (Katumanan sang Tingob nga Pagtoo kag binuhatan).

Katipan sums up our victory in reclaiming the spiritual heritage of the Camp Higher Ground as icon of serenity, spirituality and renewal. Later, Katipan has become a symbol of unity and success.It has even galvanized our relationship bringing our association to the door step of the leadership and politics in Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches.

When used in 2010 during my swan song to culminate my 6 years service, PADAYON KATIPAN has twofold purpose. It was both a recognition of our collective success and a reminder to stay true to our covenant. I thought that was the last time I would be using the two words, cognizant of the end of my term and my very critical health condition at that time.

But God has been kind and gracious. He extended my life. A year after, the magic words served as the title of my open letter for Baptist Pastors published on Pahayag, official publication of the Convention Baptist Ministers Association, January- March 2011 edition. It was sort of a reminder. Excerpt of which states: “The collective faith and action must be uphold in order to sustain the unprecedented success, the changes, the development in our association. The moment we cease to keep  the covenant, we will be condemned to repeat the past.”

Never give up

My friend Jun Borres, an alumnus of the Department of Social Work, Central Philippine University, inspires me no end. He was the one I referred to in my Never lose hope post. Since then, his text messages are timely and relevant. At times, witty anecdotes that made me laugh. I have expounded some of his messages on my blog. There are three other friends, both pastors, who .like Jun have the gift to inspire people thru their text ministry. Text messages coming from Pastors Russel Ban, Edgardo Daitol and Bebing Tupas always contain inspirational thoughts.

Few days after I pushed myself beyond limits and suffered the consequences, I received this text message from Jun:
                  There is no perfect life. All of us human   beings have failures.  
                  Failures are inevitable, but giving up is unforgivable. 
                  That is why we never should give up. 

                  Rise and shine and do not let yesterday’s failures discourage you.    

                 They are temporary lessons we go through to become better.

Certainly, Jun did not know my condition at the time of his text. In fact, what happened to me was a sort of irony. I was about to draft the sequel to my post Pushing Beyond Limits on another blog which I  interluded with  Earth Day blog. However, my wife’s suggestion during our son’s birthday shifted my focus.  When she saw the need for a larger room  for two boys as they have outgrown their original room, the carpenter’s instinct in me was awakened.

Carpentry and gardening during week-ends had been my outlet for stressful life in the past. They kept me going despite the previous multiple tasks. It was only when I used my week-ends for voluntary extension classes for pastors in the provinces  that the hobbies had been suppressed. A mistake that took a toll on my health resulting to  serious illness in the last quarter of 2009 when still at the peak of service and leadership.

This carpenter’s instinct always challenges me to do the project by myself instead of contracting a skilled worker. Not necessarily for economical reason, though. It is more on the self fulfillment to complete a project outside my skill or expertise. I even remembered last year’s experience while still on a very vulnerable state of health. With my son’s assistance, I managed to construct a recycled make shift hut under the acacia tree beside our house. It served as refuge during day time against the scorching heat of summer aggravated by my unusual nerve disorder.  We also succeeded in making bamboo fences, as he did the digging of holes holing and moving of heavy woods and bamboo stalks. The experience was therapeutic against depression.

Taking cue from my wife’s suggestion, I started to plan out how to convert a space for a larger room for the boys. Working favorably was the long week-end on April 28 for the celebration of the Labor Day on May 1.Hence, I excitedly  worked out  the project forgetting my vulnerability. Too late to realize that the symptoms for the recurrence of my sickness were manifesting as I tried to push myself beyond limits.

Though disappointed, I humbly accepted my failure, giving more  value on my health than the accomplishment . I was forced to slow down and minimize exerting more effort as our female work student assisted me in completing the project longer than expected. Having been with us for quite a long time, she seemed to master my health condition and always at my rescue. My son was not able to assist me this time because of their Vacation Church School.

While we finished the project, my sense of success  was halfhearted. In the process, I was about to give up and leave the work to a professional carpenter. An ambivalent feeling enveloped me. There was more inclination  to blame myself  than feel  happy about the success.  I know it will take some time again to gradually recover from the present  state based on past experiences. It was in this context when the text message of Jun came in. It was timely. I have to rise up from the fall and learn lessons from the mistakes. But  I will never give up the struggle towards full recovery.

Team Work: Lessons from the Flight of Geese

A month delay in the data gathering of one advisee, as discussed in the previous post, has a domino effect on our overall schedule. Supposedly, the data gathered in December were scheduled for processing in January. Just the time another advisee filed her official leave from employment for data gathering. In this way, there would be focus in advising work.

However, due to previously cited voluntary involvement of a nun advisee, the two groups conducted data gathering simultaneously resulting to an overlap in the schedule of organization of data and processing. With the scrambled schedule, we were compelled to confront the pressures we wanted to avoid. More so, that another advisee was affected by the changes of schedule of the accreditation involving our own department.

Much as I wanted to keep my cool to ease the tension, there were times when I had to be realistic in assessing the situation. Especially, that I am still in the process of recuperating from critical illness which has dramatically changed my lifestyle.

While in the past, I could work effectively under pressures, I have learned to avoid such situation after my ailment. Previously, I loved doing homework; especially rush paper work until early morning. My mind had been conditioned to function well within that period. However, since my sickness, I have disciplined myself to sleep early with strict resolve not to bring home any school or office assignment. Conscious of health, I avoided any stressful activity that would trigger the recurrence of my illness. 

Faced with the dilemma vis-à-vis the aforementioned limitations, we braved the tough times with faith in God and team work. I encouraged them to share with one another the development of their work to challenge each other. Similarly, the under development to make each one aware that she is not alone in such situation. It is in this context that the lessons from the flying geese related to team work became relevant to both of us.

My first encounter with the flight of the geese concept was in 2004 when I participated in the Phil-Australia Short Term Course on Technology Training Program (PASTT) by Queensland University conducted in Makati City. Sponsored by the Caucus of Development (CODE) NGOs, the training was focused on Strategic Human Resource Management for NGOs. One of the resource persons presented a power point on the Fight of Geese and related the lessons to team work in the organization. Since then, I have been using the concept in my classes, trainings, seminars and other speaking engagements.

The flight of geese is summarized on this link. Five lessons can be gleaned from the story, as follows:

Foremost, sharing the same direction and working as a team get us to the destination quicker and easier. By helping ourselves, the accomplishment is greater.

Secondly, staying in tune and united beside those who are going in the same direction, the effort will be less. It will be easier and pleasing to reach the goals. Everyone will be inclined to accept and give help.

Thirdly, to share the leadership, there must be mutual respect all the times. Sharing involves even the hardest problem and tasks. It is also manifested in gathering of abilities, and combining our faculties, talents and resources.

The fourth lesson states: When there is courage and encouragement, the progress is greater. A timely word of encouragement always motivates, helps and strengthens. It produces the best benefits.

Finally, to stay beside each other no matter what the difference specially in times of difficulties and great challenges.

Applying the lessons in our experience made us overcome the difficulties. In the most critical times, they took over my classes so that I could work with their papers. Every one tried to encourage one another especially when some were tempted to give up. At one instance, when I reached my own limitation, our office secretary, Carol Kay, who is also an advisee reminded me of the good words of the Dean of the Graduate Studies for me. Her high regard and trust and confidence on me as far as writing and thesis advising is concerned served as impetus to stretch beyond my limits. In fact, I was able to conquer my fear when in two instances, I succeeded to stay overnight working on their paper to beat the deadline in the final stage. 

TEAM THAT WORKS. (L-R) Carol Kay Cortuna- Blando, the author,
 Araceli Tondo,  Sr. Aubrey Casimiro, and Kareen Jay Diesto,

Indeed, team work made us rise to meet challenges. We found ourselves tougher than the tough times we encountered.

The Therapeutic Effect of Blogging

Today marks  my first blogging anniversary. Indeed, it does not seem so long, when I posted my first blog. This after consistent, should I say persistent, proddings from a pastor friend, Jonan Castillon, during our morning walks. At that time, I started to regain my strength by walking few meters everyday after months of  bedridden.  He encouraged me to blog as part of my healing process. His successful journey in on line niche was contagious that despite my skepticism, I  entertained the idea. However, I did not know how to start. Thus, despite his hectic schedule, Pastor Jonan took time to tutor me hands on blogging. Thereafter, I  experienced the gradual process of growth comparable to my healing process.

My first blog PADAYON: Our Life Journey serves as journal of my experiences to inspire readers to continue the commitment in service, no matter what. PADAYON is an Ilonggo term which means continue. In deeper sense, it connotes moving/going on (or never give up) despite adversaries or adversities. After a month or so, I realized his advicewas making sense.  My interest in writing was revived. Rather than fretting over my limited mobility, I made use of my time in blogging. I poured out my thoughts and emotion into the blog and found relief.

With such inspiration, I opened another blog to ventilate my suppressed commitment to the service of the people towards development.My health condition had become oppressive.  I was at the peak of service and leadership when the devastating illness forced me to rest. It was difficult for me to adjust, having been very active for the past decade. The overflowing energy for service  found expression thru this  blog that focuses on networking-for-holistic-development. Later, I changed the name Networking to Development Issues and Concerns to broaden its coverage.

With two blogs to maintain, my mind had been busy. Slowly, my focus was diverted. Instead of spending most of my time observing my seemingly deteriorating condition, I was obliged to give time to my blogs. My vulnerability to depression caused by the delay in healing process started to diminish.There was a paradigm shift in my mind and heart. The delay of complete healing became an opportunity to evaluate my life and faith. I have more time for self and family. More time to read the bible, pray, meditate, reflect, put faith into action in almost all aspects of life. All the wonderful things previously deprived of me due to very hectic schedule prior to ailment.

Such realization motivated me to create another blog with a focus on these experiences. Faith Journey serves as forum for life and faith experiences of people who have survived the test of times and circumstances.  This is a venue for us to learn from one another and share so that others will also find inspiration in their faith journey.

Learning and enjoying the blogging world, I decided to maximize the beauty of web linkages and networking. Hence, another blog to provide an opportunity for others to share their resources. Dubbed Resource Sharing for Development, this blog is an attempt to widen my services to humanity through linkages and networking of developmental and service-oriented blogs and bloggers.  It covers areas represented by the acronym SERVES: Social work, Education, Resource sharing, Volunteerism, and Spirituality. 

However, the inspiration did  not end there. Overwhelmed by the progress in ranking of blogs in both Alexa and Technorati, I decided to provide a convergence of all my blogs. Hence, I created a family blog i.e. Lariza. Website which  received inspiring comment from my blog mentor. Much to my amazement, in a matter of less than a month, my Alexa rank had a dramatic improvement. From about 30, 000, 000, it ranked 2,000,000 overtaking my older blogs. It had even reached less than a million rank. But the trend reverted  when I resumed my former position as head of the Department of Social Work.

Before the resumption of my hectic schedule, I succeeded to create two more blogs. Both are official web sites of the organizations my wife and I helped put up. NETSnews  for   an independent inter-denominational  seminary based in Escalante City, Negros Occidental. The other one is  ICON Network, official website of the Iloilo Coalition of NGOs and POs- a network of non-government organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs) in Iloilo.

The development in blogging and subsequent inspiration to me has been reflective in my health condition. While I have not mastered yet all the blogging technology, I feel contented to see the progress. Likewise, although I have not fully recovered  as far as my health condition is concerned, I appreciate any progress big or small. Indeed, the  therapeutic effect  of blogging courtesy of Pastor Jonan B. Castillon.

The miracle of blogging

Few days after my first post on the newly created blog Lariza. Website last week, I received this inspiring comment from my blog mentor, Pastor Jonan Castillon. “So, this is the mother-of-all blogs by Edwin Lariza. You have come a long way since meeting and joining you in one of your morning walks prior to February 18. I commend you for achieving a PR 1 (Google Page Rank) on your Padayon: Our Life Journey in such a short period. Keep on blogging…”

Indeed, it does not seem so long, when he encouraged me to blog as part of my healing process. His successful journey in on line niche was contagious that despite my skepticism, I politely entertained the idea. However, I found it difficult to start. Despite his hectic schedule, Pastor Jonan took time to tutor me hands on blogging. Thereafter, I have experienced the gradual process of growth comparable to my healing process.

My first blog PADAYON: Our Life Journey serves as journal of my experiences to inspire readers to continue the commitment in service, no matter what. PADAYON is an Ilonggo term which means continue. In deeper sense, it connotes moving/going on (or never give up) despite adversaries or adversities. After a month or so, I realized his advice was making sense. My interest in writing was revived. Rather than fretting on my limited mobility, I made use of my time in blogging. I poured out my thoughts and emotion in the blog and found relief.

With such inspiration, I opened another blog to ventilate my suppressed commitment to the service of the people towards development. My health condition has become oppressive considering that I was at the peak of service and leadership when the devastating illness forced me to rest. It was difficult for me to adjust, having been very active for the past decade. The overflowing energy for serve has now found expression thru Networking-for-holistic-development. This blog focuses on networking for social development.

With two blogs to maintain, my mind has been busy. Slowly, my focus has been divided now. Instead of spending most of my time watching my seemingly deteriorating condition, I am now obliged to give time to my blogs. My vulnerability to depression caused by the delay in healing process starts to diminish. There is a paradigm shift in my mind and heart. The delay of complete healing is now taken as an opportunity to evaluate my life and faith. I have more time for self and family. More time to read the bible, pray, meditate, reflect, put faith into action in almost all aspects of life. All the beautiful things which had deprived to him due to very hectic schedule prior to ailment.

With such realization, I created another blog to focus on these experiences. Faith Journey serves as forum for life and faith experiences of people who have survived the test of times and circumstances. This is a venue for us to learn from one another and share so that others will also find inspiration in their faith journey.

Learning and enjoying the blogging world, I have decided to maximize the beauty of web linkages and networking. Hence, another blog to provide an opportunity for others to share their resources. Dubbed Resource Sharing for Development, this blog is an attempt to widen my services to humanity through linkages and networking of developmental and service-oriented blogs and bloggers. It covers areas represented by the acronym SERVES: Social work, Education, Resource sharing, Volunteerism, and Spirituality.

However, the inspiration does not end there. Overwhelmed by the progress in ranking of blogs in both Alexa and Technorati, I decided to provide a convergence of all my blogs. This is the reason I created this latest blog Lariza. Website which has received inspiring comment from my blog mentor. Much to my amazement, in a matter of less than a month, my Alexa rank has a dramatic improvement. From about 30, 000, 000, it ranks over 2,000,000 as of this writing. It has even overtaken my older blogs.

Alexa is a quick and easy way to estimate how popular your site is compared to other sites. Ratings start from 1 to 20,000,000 and even beyond. The lower the number, the better your Alexa rating is. Technorati, on the other hand, is a directory and ranking-tool for blogs. Ranking on Technorati is advantageous to blog in terms of big boost in traffic and general credibility In this ranking system, the higher the number, on a scale of 1-1000, the better. Technorati also provides a ranking of sites by authority, overall and within categories. In this system, #1 is the highest.

The development in blogging and subsequent inspiration to me has been reflective in my health condition. While I have not mastered yet all the blogging technology, I feel contented to see the progress. Likewise, although I have not fully recovered as far as my health condition is concerned, I appreciate any progress big or small. Indeed, the miracle of blogging.

PADAYON KATIPAN (Keep up the Covenant) - Part II

EDSA Revolution is a product of respective struggles participated in by the basic masses gaining support from various sectors of diverse orientation, status, political and ideological leanings, colors and shapes. Youth, professionals, church people, businessmen and women, government officials, military and others. All have contributed their share in shaping the Philippine history. Try to isolate one, and the beauty of the event is gone. Just like the rainbow. With only three primary colors (red, yellow, blue), a beautiful multiplication of colors takes place when they link, interact, and overlap. Try to separate one from the other, and the beauty of rainbow is gone.

Such is the message of PADAYON KATIPAN. The collective faith and action must be uphold in order to sustain the unprecedented success, the changes, the development in our association. The moment we cease to keep up the covenant, we will be condemned to repeat the past.

I decided to keep silent for a year, not just because of my health. But to give more time for my successor to establish his leadership. Although the last quarter of 2009 was a transitory period when my illness confined me to an electronic leadership through text and internet. At that time, Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on and Rev. Rustom B. Ola were already taking the lead together with the CBMA Board.

Undeniably, however, my productive terms had embedded on the organizational culture. More so, with my closeness to him, being in the team leading the change. Hence, a year of rest and silence was the best option for a transition which became effective. For it was marked with the establishment of Pastor Jalando-on’s leadership. The only thing I contributed to him was the turn over of records and unfinished tasks and assurance of my prayer support.

My illness has given me sufficient time to rest, pray, meditate, read the bible, reflect and write. All the wonderful experience my previous hectic schedule deprived me. But it’s lingering effect exposes my vulnerability. There were times when I had already resolved to go to the beyond bringing with me thoughts of our collective success.

The only thing that holds back is the commitment made on that haunting day when I was about to respire my last breath: “Not now, Lord... for my family… the CBMA…there are still evil to fight and conquer.” I believe God took notice of that appeal and sincere desire as manifested in the extension and subsequently slow but sure healing process.

This is the commitment that keeps me going despite the pain and vulnerability experience for more than a year now. It is in this context that I now view your decision to bestow on me the title of President Emeritus. A providential niche for my lifetime commitment to CBMA. As long as I live, you can assure of my service to the CBMA. Let us continue our collective faith and action. PADAYON KATIPAN, ANO MAN ANG ATON MADANGATAN. (Keep up the covenant, no matter what.)

Networking: A development strategy

As a breaker to the series of what appeared to be an accomplishment report, we will discuss networking first before resuming our gains in this particular area which was part of the CBMA thrusts. This is an installment, as a comprehensive one will be done in the latter portion being in the last letter of PADAYON. For late followers, PADAYON serves as framework or acrostic of my life’s experiences and the lessons learned from life. Each letter representing an area or sub topic will be discussed in details in this blog. PADAYON is a sub title of my dream book to tell the story of our life and faith journey. Visit my first post.
http://padayon-learnfromlife.blogspot.com/2011/02/p-adayon-is-ilonggo-term-which-means.html

My fondness in the concept of networking began while conducting a study on the subject as development strategy of non-government organizations (NGOs) for my Master of Social Work thesis in the University of the Philippines- Diliman. Since then I have internalized the learnings and live with it in my whatever development endeavors I engage in.

Networking has been used by development workers and organizers as a strategy to strengthen their ranks especially during the times they were faced with the problem of either co-optation or reprisal from the government and other traditional power holders that want to maintain the status quo. Moreover, they have to deal with the proliferation of pseudo NGOs that undermine the sector’s credibility. Set up to take advantage of funding sources for dubious or narrow purposes, they are fly- by- night organizations.

Faced with such problems and threats to their credibility, NGOs have seen the need to establish linkages and networks among themselves and with other sectors of society. Melgrito (1994) has defined networking as coordination among people, groups or organizations of various interests and orientation, working together as in a chain so as to function in a specific manner. It takes place when organizations link up together and make concerted efforts for mutual advantage and greater effectiveness towards the achievement of a common goal.

As a strategy, networking has been used by many sectors in pursuing development endeavors. Networks link local efforts for more effective lobbying and advocacy and provide venues for the exchange of experiences and resources between similar NGOs. A proper coordination of NGO activities, in networking, helps prevent unnecessary duplication or overlapping of development effort. NGOs are also protected from any form of threat because of their collective nature, while they police their own ranks through common code of conduct.

In the Philippines, NGOs have reached the highest level of unity in networking during the launching of the Caucus of Development NGOs (CODE NGOs) in 1990. This solidarity, however, did not happen overnight. It was a culmination of decades of common struggle similar to what other NGOs in other countries experienced in the course of historical development characterized by diverse intensity and highlights.

It is interesting to note the participation of our pastors and churches in networking in the Philippines. Historical record shows the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and the Ecumenical Center for Development (ECD) were among the pioneers in the formation of CODE NGOs. Alegre (1996), in his book Trends and Traditions; Challenges and Choice acknowledged the significant role of pastors and churches during the Coping with Repression, Carving a Niche (1972-1978) stage in the history. This is the time when the late President Marcos used a hard line stance to establish a New Society. Subsequently, the NGO community was included in a systematic crack down on opposition groups. All legal attempts at organizing for popular empowerment were paralyzed. NGOs responded to the situation in various ways. While some went underground to wage armed struggle, others were either coopted or forced to lie low. After an initial wave of repression, those that did not join the underground movement continued with their commitment through institutional work, which eventually came to be known as NGO work.

Three significant developments in the networking took place during this period. In 1974, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) came together and adopted a statement defining the priorities and strategies of the development work of the church and its related organization. This development resulted to the formation of a body similar to NASSA- the Commission on Development and Social Concerns. Four years after, as an offshoot of the split of PECCO, a fellowship of pastors and lay workers to assist churches in development efforts was organized into a network known as the Ecumenical Center for Development (ECD).

The united effort of Philippine NGOs evolved from relief and reconstruction work to welfare activities geared toward anti- communist inspired social reform. Affected by the social context, which witnessed worldwide questioning of development approach, Philippine NGOs found themselves doing grassroots organizing for transformation. Such approach, however, faced a momentary halt when confronted by a repressive regime that used an iron-fist policy in dealing with oppositions. Overcoming the threat, NGOs became instrumental in the qualitative growth of the organized mass movement, which culminated in the EDSA phenomenon. Thereafter, NGOs have maintained their legitimacy and prominence in Philippine society. The gains of networking in the national scene inspired the NGOs to translate it to the regional and provincial level.