Dr. Julie (Macainan) Detalo, President of Visayan Nazarene Bible College in Cebu, Philippines, passed away at 9:50 AM local time yesterday morning, Wednesday, 16 March. She had been battling an aggressive form of cancer that was discovered less than two months ago in January 2011.
After hearing of her illness, hundreds of people from around the globe joined the Dr. Julie Macainan Detalo Prayer Warriors facebook group to intercede and offer words of encouragement. Messages of condolence continue to pour in for the family. Dr. Detalo was affectionately known by her students and friends as “Ma’am Julie”. She always seemed young at heart, constantly bringing joy to the people around her with a cheerful word or song.
Dr. Detalo had faithfully served as President at VNBC since 1987. She was a life-long learner, dedicated educator, and committed Nazarene lay leader. Her earned degrees included a Bachelor of Science in Commerce & Management ( Lasalle College, Bacolod, ‘73) ; Master of Religious Education (NTS, ‘82); Doctor of Education in Educational Management (WVSU, Ilo-Ilo, ‘90). Julie was an articulate speaker and writer, fluent in four languages, English, Hiligaynon, Cebuano, and Filipino (Tagalog). In addition to her ministry at VNBC, Detalo also served on several other boards, including the Association of Christian Schools in Cebu, Accreditation Chairperson for the Philippine Association of Bible and Theological Schools, Board of Trustees Secretary of APNTS, and the International Board of Education for a number of years.
According to her written testimony, Julie, the youngest of 12 siblings, had come to know the Lord back in the late 70’s after an “chance” encounter with Nazarene missionary, Mrs. Flora Wilson, on a boat trip to Manila. A month after that meeting, Mrs.Wilson continued sharing with her more intently about the Lord. A week after Detalo returned to her home in Bacolod, Philippines she knelt at an alter, responding to the simple invitation to receive Jesus. Two years later, Detalo decided to attend Visayan Nazarene Bible College (then in Iloilo). After graduation, Julie felt led to attend Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, where she graduated in 1982. That same year, she returned to the Philippines to join the faculty at VNBC.
Julie is survived by her husband, Joel O. Detalo Jr. She leaves a legacy of hundreds of dedicated pastors, teachers, and other ministers who are serving in the Church of the Nazarene and other denominations in the Philippines and around the world. Many of these will be gathering in Cebu and Bacolod for Julie’s memorial services and internment.
A week of memorial services for Dr. Detalo began on March 16th at VNBC and runs for several days until her internment on Thursday, March 24 at the Rolling Hills Memorial Park in Bacolod City, Philippines.
For more information about the Memorial and Internment schedule, please contact Jasmin. Eugenio (jeugenio@nazarene.org.ph). Please send condolences to:
Joel Detalo
c/o Visayan Nazarene Bible College
Mary’s Drive, San Antonio Village
Apas, Lahug,
Cebu City Philippines 6000
Email: joeldetalo@yahoo.com
