Visayan Nazarene Bible College (VNBC) celebrated its 50th Anniversary this year with the theme “Soaring Higher With God” from Isaiah 40:31. A series of exciting activities marked this week-long event held on February 10 to 14, 2014.
On the first day, a motorcade opened the event led by an anniversary float with a parade of cars carrying students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents from VNBC. VNBC Elementary Keyboard Class opened the ceremony with prelude music. Followed by inspiring messages delivered by Mayor Michael L. Rama of Cebu City and Atty. Terry Lianto representing Cebu Vice Governor Agnes A. Magpale. Elementary principal Jill Galarido then led the preschool, high school, elementary and college students with a flag and balloon ceremony. The fifty golden flags represented the fifty years of God’s faithfulness to the College and the balloons signified the prayers for God’s guidance and provision of the college in the succeeding years. A VNBC 50-Voice Choir from the college and the elementary departments directed by Adelma D. Cabantug sang “Lift High the Lord Our Banner” and “The Hallelujah Chorus” during the ceremony.
Each day of the week-long event was highlighted with sporting events, performances, seminars, and exhibit booths with both students and alumni competing in basketball and volleyball games.
Services were held from 2-6 pm on three of those days. Special speakers included Mrs. Shalimar Tamayo (Kids Ministry Made Easy); Rev. Luz Tamayo (Women Leadership); Dr. Jiji Harner (Emotionally Healthy Relationship); Dr. Bill Kwon ( Is the Media Forbidden Fruit?: The Challenge of Christian Life in a Mediated World); Dr. Floyd T. Cunningham ( The Wesleyan Contribution to the Church of God); Rev. Arnel & Christine Jotiz ( Philippine Cross-Cultural Mission to Cambodia).
Tuesday night was a youth worship service led by SBO president Gifthir Elmido along with other high school students. Wednesday evening Rev. Josefin Anoos led the service and the guest speaker was Dr. Melvin K. Rigsby, Asia-Pacific Regional IBOE Coordinator, who preached a moving sermon. Pastors and churches from the Central Visayas District led by their District Superintendent Nilo Rosende participated in this Golden Anniversary Worship service.
On Thursday night, VNBC students, alumni, faculty members and parents joined the cast of performers to sing and dance at the Musical Extravaganza led and directed by Rober Lantao, a rather talented and creative faculty member from college.
During the final Friday evening event “Dinner For A Cause,” about 200 members of VNBC family, alumni, friends and guests attended a dinner program with Dr. Floyd T. Cunningham, as guest speaker. Cunningham is the former President and current, Academic Dean of Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary. This event was a fund raiser intended to help VNBC rehabilitate its Library building that was rendered unsafe for use after an October 15 earthquake. Students and alumni provided musical entertainment during the meal. Capping the Golden Anniversary Celebration, VNBC Academic Dean, Annie Jean Montecastro, led a ceremony recognizing VNBC’s pioneer graduates, past and current administrators and its alumni currently serving the college.
The culminating highlight of the ceremony was the awarding of a posthumous Distinguished Service Award to the late President Dr. Julie Macainan-Detalo for her exemplary contribution and lasting legacy to VNBC. A Julie Macainan-Detalo Scholarship Fund project was also unveiled to VNBC family and partners for the benefit of future, deserving young men and women who are called to ministry and who will attend VNBC for their ministry preparation. Mr. Mario Macainan, brother of Dr. Julie Macainan-Detalo contributed the first “seed” fund of Ten Thousand Pesos to the scholarship project.
VNBC is not just celebrating its 50th year as a Bible College, it is also celebrating a Golden Anniversary to look back with gratefulness, to look now with rejoicing, and to look ahead with optimism as it hopes to soar under the strength and the power of God’s mercy and His faithfulness,” remarked President Jun Cabantug VNBC President.
