SAN FRANCISCO, Philippines — The Edmonton Filipino Seventh-day Adventist Church of Alberta, Canada, concluded a week-long humanitarian and evangelistic mission Saturday, serving more than 1,000 residents in the Camotes Islands.
The initiative, held Feb. 15-21 at the Talisay Gymnasium in San Francisco, Camotes, was organized in partnership with the Central Visayan Conference (CVC) and Dr. Rodivick Docor, dean of the Southwestern University PHINMA College of Dentistry in Cebu City.
The sponsoring church was represented by 20 members who traveled to Camotes for the congregation’s third humanitarian and evangelistic mission on the island. Among the delegates was Victor Roderick Olofernes, the younger brother of Dr. Docor, who facilitated the collaboration among Filipino members for the ministry.
Aside from the medical and evangelistic programs, the team from Edmonton Church visited the Adventist Elementary School – Camotes, Inc. The group distributed gifts to the students, a gesture that surprised and delighted them.
‘Prophecies of Hope in Times of Crisis’
The evangelistic series themed “Prophecies of Hope in Times of Crisis” drew hundreds of attendees from the island’s western (San Francisco) and eastern (Poro) districts. The program featured gospel studies, health lectures, and sessions for children.
Pastor Berdandino Maniego, the newly elected president of the CVC for the 2026-2030 term, served as the nightly speaker. In this first major engagement since taking office, Maniego credited the event’s high attendance to the cooperation between international sponsors and local leadership.
“I am grateful for the sponsorship of the Edmonton Filipino SDA Church and the support of the Western Camotes District,” Maniego said in a social media statement, noting the coordination required from the initial preparation to the final night.
Gift Distribution
On the fourth day of the initiative, the team from Edmonton Church distributed lunch boxes and water bottles to 179 students and teachers of the Adventist Elementary School – Camotes, Inc. The gesture made them happy, especially since they could use the gifts every day in school.
Jonalyn Dalaguan, AESCI principal, expressed gratitude to the team from Canada and to Dr. Docor for including them in the blessings. “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you,” she said, emphasizing that for the entire AESCI, it was an act of thoughtfulness.
Medical Services Reach Hundreds
The free medical mission took place Friday, providing medical, pediatric and optical consultations. Dental teams performed extractions, fillings, cleanings, and fluoride treatments. Volunteers also conducted diagnostic services, including blood typing, random blood sugar testing, and other blood tests.
The entire team of volunteers included staff from Adventist Hospital-Cebu and Southwestern University PHINMA, representatives from the Coast Guard District Central Visayas, Dr. Maria Eva Borromeo-Daclan, a municipal health officer and her team, and friends of Dr. Docor.
Local Impact and Baptisms
Among the highlights of the event was the decision of 26 individuals who accepted Jesus through baptisms. A local church leaders reported that among those baptized was a long-term Bible student who finally decided to join the faith during the evangelistic meeting.
The medical mission also influenced the volunteers. One local leader noted that a participating physician was so moved by the mission’s impact that she expressed plans to organize a private medical mission in her own homeplace.
Pastor Eliezer “Joer” Barlizo, Jr., president of the East Central Philippine Union Conference, expressed appreciation of the event’s turnout. He acknowledged the evangelist’s dynamic preaching, the unity and cooperation of the local churches, the medical volunteers’ hearts of service, the support of the CVC and Adventist Academy Cebu’s faculty and students, and the generosity of Edmonton Church.”
In a social media post, he said, “To God be all the glory for the souls won, lives transformed, and the spirit of unity among the members.”
Dr. Docor, in contemplating the success of the event, shared, “I am so thankful to the Lord for the event’s successful collaboration, from the evangelistic crusade to the medical, dental, and optical mission. Also, to the awesome volunteers for their great service to the people in my hometown in San Francisco, Camotes Island.”
As the initiative culminated, local leaders already discussed plans to provide follow-up care for the new converts and the patients served during the medical mission.
Lyn Lucero ⎸ ECPUC Communication Department