Category: Classroom Gazette

Dec 17

Teachers’ Retreat Camp

“Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do” was this year’s theme for the Teachers’ Retreat held last November 4 and 5, 2022 at Onesimo Farm and Campsite in Matalinting, Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

It is MMP’s first in-person activity since the Pandemic ravaged the globe. On this occasion, more than 30 teachers took part. There were games that encouraged teamwork, innovation, and interpersonal interaction. Abilities that the pandemic hindered. The retreat nonetheless demonstrated that a family’s love can always triumph over obstacles and distance.

The highlight of the retreat was the message of Pastor Efren Roxas, former Camp Manager of Onesimus Camp Site and a dear friend of MMP, He is also the husband of Mrs. Becky Roxas, author of Bip-Bip, MMP’s book in Filipino.

The message of Pastor Roxas is to increase one’s adversity quotient as well as their intellectual and emotional quotients. No matter how we feel about it, bad times will come and go. But even when we go through these difficulties, we may overcome them and succeed. In order to be tough, we must switch from asking Why (why is this occurring) to What (what can I learn from this circumstance?). Although following God’s word is not simple, we must recognize the lessons He is trying to impart to us. Awards were given to the 5 groups: WOW, Resilience, F6, Victorious, and Undefeated. The names of each group derived from their experiences and how they were able to face the pandemic.

Dec 17

Tribute to Ma’am Arlene S. Sy

“Board service is one of the toughest volunteer roles of all.” Last December 3, 2022, we had a Despedida party for one of the board of trustees, Ma’am Arlene S. Sy who served as board treasurer of Mission Ministries Philippines (MMP). She performed with dedication and tenacity.” Her contribution to MMP has been extraordinary. She took on her board responsibilities with seriousness and with sheer commitment. The innovative ideas and valuable leadership inputs that she brought to MMP have immensely benefited the organization. The relationships that she had fostered with us and with other board of trustees enabled the organization to run smoothly. Thank you for being a valuable trustee of Mission Ministries Philippines!

Dec 17

ECE Batch 2022 Get Together

The new batch of students of the Training Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education or ECE modules finally had their first face-to-face get-together last November 26, 2022, at the Peri Peri Restaurant in SM Megamall.

This was attended by some students that have access to the venue since some students of the ECE are from different places as far as Catanduanes from the South and Isabela from the North and even a student from Jakarta, Indonesia.

It was an opportunity to interact with each other personally. Sharing laughter and best wishes to everyone. The group also agreed that this will be just the start of many get-togethers.

In the course of the Pandemic, this program was inactive since there were no students enrolling. In April of this year, finally, students started enrolling and started the program again.  This program is being offered online.

The Training Certificate Course in Early Childhood Care and Education, a joint program of Mission Ministries Phil. and Asian Theological Seminary was created in response to the growing need of offering quality Early Childhood Care and Education distinguished by a biblical perspective.

Oct 03

Mission Ministries Philippines Goes Tribal Ministry

Last July 21–25, 2022, Dr. Chonabelle M. Domingo, CEO and President, and Mrs. Aida Aquino, Administrative Officer of MMP, traveled to Zamboanga to hold a mission seminar. Pastor Leo Salibio coordinated this. 15 tribal churches from different places in Zamboanga participated in the aforementioned event.

This was the first mission seminar of MMP after almost three years of battling the Covid 19 pandemic. This is an offshoot of one of the preschools MMP started in 1991. The name of the school is Adonai Little Shepherd School located at Batasan in Quezon City.

Pastor Salibio’s father was a missionary in Mindanao at the time, while his mother taught preschool. His father was successful in starting 15 churches among various tribes. When Pastor Leo’s father passed away, he assumed leadership of these congregations. Catching the vision of his parents, Pastor Leo wanted schools for all 15 of the churches his father founded. Thus, this ECE seminar was born out of that vision.

The condition of the community is very poor. The majority are farmers who also keep pigs in their backyards for a living. They do not have access to clean water. What they have is a pipe from the mountain as their source of water supply. To have water in their homes, they must gather it from these pipes. The neighborhood is situated in a mountainous region. To reach the area, it is a 3-hour ride on motorcycles.

However, despite the fact that they may be financially underprivileged, they are wealthy spiritually. Once every two months, the 15 churches come together for a 4-day fasting and fellowship event. Daylong devotion and a dawn vigil are observed. They dedicate their lives to spiritual growth.

When one thinks back on the experience, one is reminded of how the ancient churches in biblical times dedicated themselves to living in accordance with the idea of love for God and neighbor.

Dr. Domingo is thinking about reaffirming MMP’s commitment to providing our tribal community with a high-quality education. And we need to acquire funding in order for such an endeavor.


A seed was planted in this ECE seminar— let us pray… wait… and watch.

Oct 03

Hitting Two Birds with One Stone

Teacher Ester Mendador, a preschool teacher living in Jakarta, Indonesia for 11 years. She discovered MMP’s Training Certificate in Early Childhood Care Education while looking for an online early childhood education course.

Her main reason for enrolling was to earn a certificate as a requirement in her job.


She would never have imagined that this was God calling her, though. According to her testimony, she was not raised reading the Bible and did not even know how to open it, let alone know the texts inside.

She was astounded by the way their professor, Pastor Jhun Osorio, described the bible when she attended the first module, which is the Bible Introduction. She was also amazed by how simple it was for her classmates to locate the scriptures under discussion.

According to her, she joined this training certificate program purely for the goal of earning the certificate and had no idea that she would learn anything much more significant about God. It is like hitting two birds with one stone.

She has a friend in college who kept on inviting her to join a Christian community. But she refused. And yet God has a way.

She is compelled to listen in order to complete the Training Certificate in her Early Childhood Education class. However, she was able to learn more about God and develop her faith when she opened her eyes, ears, and heart.

This training certificate teaches more than just the fundamentals of early childhood education; it also emphasizes the importance of the Bible. After all, God is the foundation of everything.

Oct 03

Successful Alumni of Partner School

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it” a banner verse of MMP and its partners. One that has made an impact on a 4-year student of one of MMP’s partners, Praise Rotary Emerald Academy operated from 1999 to 2004. The school was situated in Payatas, one of the underprivileged neighborhoods in Quezon City. Pastor Dante Paule and his wife, teacher Margie Paule, served as its leaders.

And only recently did this former pupil get in touch with Teacher Margie to let her know that she and her brother, who was also a student at the aforementioned school, had just graduated and were now doctors. The teacher was both humbled and proud to learn that the young pupils she had formerly taught were now accomplished professionals in their industries.

The family of the said children was junk shop owners before. They have now alleviated their family income status and were able to send their children to medical school. And what a transformation indeed to the family.

In 2004, teacher Margie and her family moved to another location in Calamba, Laguna, and set up another school named Tech-Grow Kids Developmental School. The former school was then managed by another teacher and relocated to Montalban, Rizal.

From 2004 to the present, The Tech-Grow Kids Developmental School has produced other successful students. One more deserving of mention graduated from U.P. Los Banos, Cum laude, Now a teacher at a Bible school in Calauan, Laguna. Both of the schools’ are Dep Ed recognized.

In addition to producing excellent pupils, the schools also generated students who have become Christians. Their church now counts them among its members and workers.

Preschool can truly be considered a ministry of the church that transforms lives and spreads the gospel.

The amazing tale of this partner school truly embodies the goal and mission of Mission Ministries Philippines, as it is said that “No teacher becomes a millionaire, but our riches are when our pupils or students become successful in life.”

Jun 22

A Journey to Transformational Leadership – Dr. Chonabelle Domingo Doctoral Achievement

A graduation is a commendable event. It marks the end of a long journey. And the beginning of another chapter. And every journey tells a lot of stories. There are no journeys without challenges, setbacks, and trials.

 Studying would be one of the most challenging experiences Ms. Chonabelle Domingo faced. She embarked on this journey as part of her being the leader of Mission Ministries Philippines. As the former President and founder of MMP the late, Dr. Stewart De Boer encouraged her to further her studies.

 And who wouldn’t be inspired to take your Doctoral degree when your first class is a tour of Jerusalem. A once-in-a-lifetime experience. But just like the story of Jerusalem, it was not a smooth road to travel. It has its highs and lows.  Just like Moses on whom Ms. Domingo compares her pilgrimage.

 Ms. Domingo finished her degree in DTL or Doctoral in Transformational Leadership. But for her DTL means Divine Transformation of the Lord. In her statement in the dedication and acknowledgment of her paper, she said that it is a humbling transformation of her character as His child and humble servant. This has brought her to her knees to be fully reminded that Jesus is Lord. “ Without Him, I am Nothing, and He is everything! To God be all the glory, honor, and praise” she continues.

Ms. Domingo further said that having a Doctoral attached in her name is just a bonus from God. What is more important are the lessons she has learned from this.

Her paper will be published in Bethel Bible Seminary School’s journal. Dr. Natalie Chan, her adviser, believes in the work MMP is doing and she wants the world to know how early childhood education transform lives.

Jun 22

Online ECE Training Certificate Relaunched

MMP’s Training Certificate Course in Early Childhood Care and Education was one of the services that were affected by the pandemic two years ago. There were no registrants for this program, perhaps due to uncertainties in time and resource constraints.

After two years of promotion, the program is finally available for this class online via Zoom. The first module, Bible Intro, began on April 23 and May 7, 2022, with lessons beginning on those dates. There were 12 students from different places in the Philippines, as well as Jakarta, Indonesia. The Holistic and Transformational Ministry is now the third module of the ECE Training Certificate. The number of students enrolled has grown.

We had problems, just as we would in any other online class. However, there are advantages as well, such as bringing students from many locations together to learn Childhood Education from a biblical perspective. This is one of the distinctive elements of Mission Ministries Philippines and Asian Theological Seminary’s Training Certificate.

According to the students, learning more about God and the significance of developing a stronger relationship with Him before fulfilling their duty as teachers have been humbling. “In a world of shifting views, Christian Education is steady,” noted one of the professors in the ECE modules. We are not only teachers for our pupils’ futures, but we are also teachers for their eternity.

Enrollment in the Mission Ministries ECE Training Certificate is still open. You can reach us on Facebook at MMP ece or by email at ecemodule.mmp@gmail.com, or by calling Ms. Erlyn Isidro at 09301434780.

Jun 22

Seeking God’s Guidance – MMP’s Prayer Mountain Devotion

Every Christian faith has traditionally emphasized the importance of prayer. “Do not be worried about anything,” Philippians 4:6 reads, “but in every situation, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, submit your requests to God.” MMP has always begun each year in prayer, seeking God’s guidance for the entire year.

The staff, along with MMP supervisors and officials, gathered at Touch of Glory Prayer Mountain in Antipolo City on April 1 and 2, 2022. This was the first opportunity for supervisors and officers to join the team.

We should pray more earnestly than before, as Ms. Chonabelle Domingo stated because times are changing and we need to know God’s will for MMP.

The two-day activity consists of group devotion where each one also shared their own struggles and prayer requests. Personal prayer time and fellowship also highlighted the activity.

Some of the prayers had already been answered when I wrote this story.

Mar 25

Mission Ministries Philippines and Its Year 2021 Achievements

The school year 2021-2022 is another good year for Mission Ministries Phil. With the goodness and guidance of the Lord Almighty, MMP has successfully provided quality education and services to the academic community despite the uncertainties of the time. Pandemic did not hinder MMP from accomplishing its mission and vision. It has reached partner schools, teachers, administrators, and parents to inform them of the various services being offered by MMP.

Amidst the ongoing Pandemic, MMP gave seminars and training to its partners. For example, in February 2021, The Puppetry and Ventriloquism in Early Childhood Classroom helped schools use puppetry to teach kids and make the classroom discussion lively, even in online classes. The Early Childhood Education Levels 1 and 2 pursued and participated not only by partner schools but other schools and organizations as well. Significant refresher seminars were also held. Especially the Child Discipline in an online and face to face platform were offered twice. First in September and second in November 2021, due to special requests.

MMP also conducted seminars for parents to help them in parenting, but its primary purpose is to share the good news of salvation.

To reach more communities by partnering with individuals, organizations, and even churches, MMP held Free Orientation/ seminars last February 22, May 17, June 21, July 26, August 23, September 20, October 25, and November 29.

Building relationships among its partners is essential, especially in trying times. And to achieve this, MMP facilitated Kamustahan and Prayer Gatherings. This activity is to worship the Lord together as a family and listen to one’s journey during this pandemic season.

Another unique service MMP accomplished was connecting with another NGO, the Medical Ambassador Phil. Inc. (MAP). They facilitated seminars about the Knowledge about vaccines last March 2021 and Malusog na Kaisipan para sayo at sa iyong Komunidad – a mental health issue seminar last July 30, 2021. MAP also distributed Ivermectin, a drug believed to help in fighting covid 19. Some partners benefited from this program.

In partnership with De La Salle University, several MMP schools also availed medical supplies, first aid kits, thermometer and BP monitor, art workshops with art supplies, and cash donations for a chosen MMP partner school.

This Pandemic also opened the door of revisiting dormant projects like the feeding program of MMP. This program feeds the body and the mind as it includes either the reading tutorials, Sunday School program, or the Kidprenuer class. To date, seven partner schools benefited from this program.

Other activities: MMP and Action for Care and Development of the Poor in the Phil. (ACAP) joined venture with a 5-day seminar held last Sept. 16, 23, 24, 30, and October 1. The seminar aims to equip their parent-volunteers in their tutorial projects with the underprivileged children in the communities of Paranaque.

In line with the reading project, MMP and MLhulier, one of the largest and most reputable non-bank financial institutions, joined forces in response to the call of the Department of Education to address the reading problem in Filipino children through its program Brigada Pagbasa: Reading Remediation Training. Camarin Elementary School benefited from this venture.

De La Salle University, in its NSTP class, also partnered with MMP in its mission to reach public schools children that have difficulty in reading. Bago Bantay Elementary school benefited from this partnership.

As the Lord continues to work in MMP, The ABS- CBN show entitled G: Diaries featured MMP in its October 28, 2021 episode.

This program features individuals and organizations whose advocacies are related to eco-tourism, the environment, and community development. It is privileged to be given this opportunity. Other media exposure of MMP was in DZAS through the Memo ni Mommy program, an online radio program over 702 DZAS.

This Pandemic has hit many, especially on finances, and MMP is not excepted. On November 6, 2021, MMP administered an online Fundraising campaign. Its goal is to raise funds for the next generation of transformational leaders. It was joined by several supporters and raised an amount to continue the programs for the year.

MMP’s aim of better, effective, and efficient services to partner schools and the academic communities, the election of MMP officers was held. The goal is to work alongside MMP to advocate its mission vision and objectives. The following were the elected officers: President: Presilla Valiente, Vice President: Alice Espiritu, Secretary; Delia Casas, Treasurer: Flor Tanag, PRO: Pastora Imelda Hilamon and Cristy Montano.

The year 2021 may have been a challenging time, but God’s plan will always prevail. So it has been a fruitful year for MMP. And all made possible with the grace of God.