Peter Eddington, Media and Communications Services Operations Manager arrived in the Philippines in the last week of June 2004 primarily to take additional footage for the sermon video in connection with the coming Feast of Tabernacles.

He was met upon arrival in Manila June 28 by David Baker, Philippine Senior Pastor and Rey and Cynthia Evasco, pastor of the Manila congregation. Mr. Baker came earlier to conduct a meeting in Iloilo City with all Philippine Elders and their wives.

The following day (Tuesday, June 29), Messrs. Eddington and Baker flew to Davao City. They were met at the airport by Davao City pastor Edmond Macaraeg. After settling their things, they wasted no time and proceeded to take footage of the city traffic and the city skyline from the roof-top restaurant of the Apo View Hotel.

That evening, they were hosted at the office third floor roof garden for dinner by the Macaraeg family, together with most Davao City members. Mr. Eddington and Mr. Baker had a sampling of some Filipino food and tropical fruits. That dinner was followed by videotaped interviews with some members and youths.

The next morning, June 30, they took footage of the picturesque landscape gardens and seaside setting of the Davao Waterfront Insular Hotel. Toward noon, they crossed over the sea to nearby white beach Paradise Island Resort at Samal Island.

Back in the afternoon, they proceeded to the church office compound where Mr. Eddington began taking pictures of the materials and stages in the hand-made paper-production process presented by Davao City Church member Shirly Antiojo. She later followed this up with a presentation on the natural flower card-making process which was also videotaped.

Since that Wednesday evening was also the schedule for the regular weekly Youth Bible Study in Davao City, Mr. Eddington and Mr. Baker were requested to conduct the Study/Forum. It was indeed a rare opportunity for the youths present to hear them both.

Thursday morning was their final visit to the church office, and lunch with the office staff. After lunch Mr. Macaraeg drove them to the airport where they were to take a flight that day, July 1 for Manila, and then take a connecting flight to Bacolod City. Thursday evening they enjoyed a wonderful dinner of chicken barbeque with the Siopans, Julag-ays and Sisons.

Friday morning was spent interviewing many of the members in Bacolod City. After the interviews the group enjoyed lunch together at a nearby restaurant. After lunch Mr. Eddington and Mr. Baker joined the Siopans, Julag-ays and Sisons on a tour of the beautiful Mambukal Resort.

Late Friday afternoon, they left Bacolod for Manila and were met at the Manila airport by Rey and Cynthia Evasco. They then spent Sabbath in Manila and videotaped interviews with some of the members after the Sabbath service.

Some more videotaping were done on this final leg of the trip around the Metro Manila area. They toured Corregidor with the Evascos on Sunday which allowed Mr. Eddington to videotape some footage of the destruction that occurred there during the Second World War. On Monday Cynthia Evasco arranged transport and accompanied Messrs. Eddington and Baker to Fort Santiago and the American Cemetery in Manila. Their last evening in Manila was spent enjoying dinner with the Evascos. They departed from the Philippines on July 6; Mr Eddington returning to Cincinnati and Mr. Baker visiting the brethren in Hong Kong.

As a first visit to an Asian country, Mr. Eddington appreciates the opportunity to get to know some members and have a first-hand view of God’s Work in this part of the world.

—Reported by Edmond Macaraeg & David Baker