Mabuhay Philippines!

I was in Lipa City of Batangas province for 4 days for a worship conference organized by the local churches of which the worship team of my KK church was invited to.

One may ask… “Worship conference in the Philippines?? What can a Malaysian team offer to the talented Filipino about singing and music to God?”

Though the majority of the nation of Philippines professed faith in Jesus Christ, it was evident that His transformational power was somehow not too tangible. Even when they started to celebrate Christmas at this time of the year, October! with Christmas songs on the birth of Christ and other Christian songs filled the air everywhere I went to, but the real Spirit of Christmas was somehow, again, lacking.

Exactly that was where they missed it – that being a Christian is merely on how to “look like one” and worship is merely songs and singing them well.

Live music even in food court!

The team was very clear in sending a similar message in all sessions throughout the conference: we are here not to show you the skills and talents because you’ve got them bigger and better, but we are here to share and impart the Spirit of God and our lives. And it humbled me so much… So we shared all our heart’s content and had great and fulfilling time praying, talking and encouraging one another. They were very teachable and hospitable and that humbled us further!

In a nutshell, this trip has tested the teamwork and leadership of our team. We gave praise to our wonderful God for we emerged stronger with one another as a team and better as individuals :)

This was my first time to Philippines (Lipa City and Manila). To share my thoughts concisely, they would be as below:

(1) Abundant PORK in menu
(2) Yummy SAUSAGES
(3) Horrid road TRAFFIC
(4) Massive SHOPPING malls
(5) Priceless CUSTOMER SERVICES


Oh, and I’ve got to mention this too: I know why the Filipino could sing SO well! They have a national channel devoted to KARA-OKE!! Man… me and my roommates were so entertained :D and there were praise and worship songs too! Cynthia, Anna and myself got up to sing “How Great Thou Art” as it was aired, we were initially lying on bed chatting :D waiting for familiar songs to come by. Hehehe, the fourth roommate Christina was not at all disturbed by our singing in the wee hours.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee…
How great Thou art, how great Thou art…