CALBAYOG CITY, Samar — Adventist Hospital-Calbayog Inc., in collaboration with the Bontay Seventh-day Adventist Church, concluded a weeklong Health and Moral Recovery Seminar on May 30 aimed at promoting holistic wellness and spiritual foundations in the local community.
Held nightly from May 24 to May 30 at the Barangay Kili-Kili basketball court, the event attracted local residents, church members, and hospital staff. The program integrated healthy lifestyle education with gospel presentations to support holistic care.
Each evening featured three segments: interactive Bible stories and action songs for children, led by Sharmine Getigan of the Bontay SDA Church; health lectures by Adventist Hospital-Calbayog staff; and a gospel presentation by Pastor Nick Lebaresos. Musical performances by various groups and individuals complemented the sessions. Attendees took short quizzes the following evening to reinforce their learning.
The health lectures focused on the “NEWSTART” acronym, which represents the natural laws of health, while the gospel presentations covered biblical themes such as the prophecies of Daniel 2, the Sabbath, death, and baptism.
“The unfavorable weather conditions and power interruptions challenged the nightly gospel presentation, but each session was packed with an enthusiastic audience and energetic participants,” said Pastor Richard Jondonero, human resources director of Adventist Hospital-Calbayog, noting that the meetings successfully ended with the baptism of four individuals.
The seminar concluded on Sabbath morning with additional health lectures, hospital promotions, and a doctrinal presentation by Jondonero. The event ended with a potluck fellowship and a baptismal service at the baptistery of the Calbayog Adventist Center Church.
Local officials expressed appreciation for the initiative. Hon. Danilo Rojas, barangay captain of Kili-Kili, welcomed the program in his opening remarks.
“We are so happy that you chose Brgy. Kili-Kili, as your recipient of this program,” Rojas said. “This will be of great help to our barangay, especially to the residents, so that we can become more helpful to our community, and we can learn more about a healthy lifestyle, and this program will help us especially in our spiritual life.”
Ma. Jhoanna S. Lagang, a member of the Bontay SDA Church, expressed appreciation for the hospital staff’s comprehensive explanations and for the community benefiting from both health and spiritual lessons and insights.
The open-air venue also attracted nearby residents from a reformed Adventist group, creating opportunities for dialogue.
“As a layman, it’s hard to convince our former SDA friends to attend than other fellow Christian friends,” said church member Manny Yabo. “We encountered individuals asking why there are divisions in your church. It’s a challenge for us, but I know the Holy Spirit worked on the individuals who are willing to listen. We’re so happy to see them sitting outside in their houses while listening and watching our programs.”
Following the positive reception from the community and organizers, hospital staff and church leaders from the Calbayog District plan to identify new locations for similar collaborative seminars in neighboring districts.
Despite facing severe logistical hurdles—including power outages, a daily 14-kilometer commute for hospital staff, and heavy rain that disrupted sessions at the tarpaulin-covered outdoor court—organizers credited divine intervention for the event’s ultimate success. As Pastor Richard Jondonero noted, “By God’s grace, the meetings ended successfully.”
By Oliver Jon Dela Cerna | President | Samar Mission Communicators