24 Filipino Disciples Graduate from APLA

Written by Marianne Abalayan //  Published

Davao City, Philippines — A total of 24 disciples from all over the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) Philippines graduated with diploma and certficates from the Asia Pacific Leadership Academy (APLA) last August 25, 2019 during ICOC Davao's 25th anniversary service at the CAP Mini Auditorium in this most livable city in the country.

ICOC Philippines teacher Rolan Monje and his wife Weng, also the APLA registrar, awarded the further diploma to Fritzie M. Asuncion of ICOC Makati, Jonas L. Tandinco of ICOC Tacloban and Gregorio M. Torres of ICOC Batangas.

Diploma in Christian Studies were also given to Marvin I. Adel of ICOC Batangas, Berlito D. Bernardino of ICOC Tarlac, Peter Michael D. Corpuzof ICOC Quezon City, John A.L.Q. Dolina of ICOC Laoag, sisters Aubrey Q. Estioco of ICOC Manila and Monica Q. Estioco of ICOC Baguio, Amor Q. Ladores ICOC Davao and Loren James D. Lee of ICOC Manila. They all passed eight courses including five core and three elective.

Monica Estioco, who was one of the top two graduates this year (the other one being John Dolina), gave all the glory to God in her speech. She thanked "Manong Rolan and Ate Weng Monje for their unceasing devotion to teaching the Word and equipping the church" as well as her family and Baguio Church for their encouragement, patience, and prayers.

"Finally, to my fellow APLA students, I thank you for your encouragement and inspiration, for being my friends and partners in this very noble endeavor of growing in our knowledge of the Word. May we always remember that this is an honor and privilege not extended to all. May we allow the Scriptures and the lessons to truly change us, so that our lives will be a testament of God’s power to other people," she said, adding that gratitude should compel them to spread God's Word to as many as possible, so that they may also experience the miracle of a changed life.

She also urged her fellow APLA graduates to embrace every opportunity to learn, because they owe it to the brothers and sisters and the people they are helping to be trained as good stewards who can correctly handle the Word of truth.

Meanwhile, ICOC Davao's Marianne S. Abalayan along with ICOC Batangas' Elda R. Bathan, Karen A. Morilla and Donna D. Torres, ICOC Pasig's Giovanni E. Belgar, ICOC Cavite's Richard M. Fauni, ICOC Manila's Rommel Guce, ICOC Naga's Oliver V. Gulapa, ICOC Quezon City's Rodolfo S. Marte III, Ma. Rosario M. Marte-Rediang, Rex Antonio C. Rediang and Rona C. Rediang and ICOC Marikina's Carina L. Soriano received their Certificates in Biblical Studies.

APLA, according to its official website, was established to train leadership in Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Guam and the Philippines.