News

The second day of the 8th Constituency Meeting of the Central Visayan Conference (CVC), held on Dec. 4, 2025, at Adventist Academy Cebu, opened with a spiritually enriching morning devotional.

Pastor Berdandino C. Maniego, the newly elected executive secretary of the East Central Philippine Union Conference, delivered the message. He began with a striking reminder: "If malimot ta what God did in the past, we can't reach our destination." (If we forget what God did in the past, we can't reach our destination.) 

This statement served as the foundation of his theme—looking back to God's leading in history to move forward with renewed clarity and purpose.

To illustrate the importance of remembering, he invited the congregation to revisit the CVC's history. He challenged the delegates to name the first president of the Central Visayan Mission, prompting several guesses and humorous responses.  

Pastor Joel Wales, the former CVC president, named the first president and recounted their mission fields, including those of other previous presidents at that time. Then, he concluded his brief history with a humorous remark that elicited laughter from the congregation. "Mao nay linya diha. Tuohi ko ninyo kay tigulang nako!" (That's it. Believe me, I'm already old.)

For a brief glimpse into the history, the Encyclopedia of the Seventh-Day Adventists (ESDA) stated that the administrative history of the Central Visayan Conference officially began in 1965, when the territory was still the Central Visayan Mission (CVM). Its headquarters was located in Escario St., Cebu City, and the first elected president was Pastor B.R. Arit.

Over the years, as the church grew and matured financially, the CVM was officially reorganized and elevated to a conference status in 1998, becoming the Central Visayan Conference.

The CVC is now part of the Central Philippine Union Conference (CPUC), which is celebrating its 60th anniversary and undergoing a major reorganization to form two new unions (ECPUC and WCPUM) to better manage its growing membership.

Building on the historical reflections, Maniego emphasized that a church grounded in the Bible and focused on mission will continue to recommit, reignite, and refocus. He stressed that remembering God's leading is essential to nurturing faith, strengthening identity, and sustaining the urgency of the gospel commission.

He concluded his message by encouraging the congregation to stay deeply rooted in the Scriptures, remain focused on their mission, and contribute to completing the work entrusted to God's remnant people.

For the delegates, Maniego's message, both reflective and forward-looking, stirred renewed spiritual commitment. It set a meaningful tone for the constituency meeting—one anchored in gratitude for the past, clarity for the present, and purpose for the future.

Sherrimay Javier, AAC Registrar