Values Restoration Forum for PSU Officials, Faculty and Personnel
By Dr. Priscilla L. Agsalud, Former Campus Executive Director of Pangasinan State University, Asingan, Sta Maria and Lingayen Campus (on Sabbatical Leave)
Experiencing God
"It helped me to be spiritually fulfilled." "Spiritually recharged. It fuelled a fun in my heart to be an excellent person through/for Christ glory." "Relief." "I benefited a lot." "Excellent.” "Fulfill my spiritual (need)."
These are some of the comments/evaluations written by the participants during the recently conducted forum at the Pangasinan State University (PSU), in Lingayen, Pangasinan which was dubbed as the Values Restoration Forum: Whole life Recovery: Addressing Addictions Through Self Identity. It was participated in by more than a hundred (117) PSU officials, faculty and personnel last August 27, 2019 at the Dr. Telesforo N. Boquiren Convention Hall, Lingayen Campus.
The forum was co-facilitated by the leaders and resource speakers of Odyssey in Christ (OIC), Spiritual Formation for Leadership Organization, USA and was spearheaded by PSU Human Resource Management and Development Office (HRDO) in its continuous quest for its employees spiritual development as embodied on the University’s Core Values.
OIC Founding Chairman, Dr. Lawrence Hinkle citing Bible verses emphasized personal relationship with God and the significance of Meditation and Time for Silence with God. The presence of God in a silent environment was experienced by most of the participants during the activities.
Dr. Gracie Johnson, OIC professor talked about Communication as the Oxygen of Life. She made the audience realize the importance of Listening to a person, seeing him/her through the eyes and intentionally knowing the person. This has been so useful among instructors who are tasked to develop not only the physical and intellectual elements but as well the social, emotional and spiritual aspects of each individual student.
Dr Tom Fallon, OIC resource speaker asked the question “What makes us happy?” He presented quotes from famous people and common beliefs of Filipinos. Later everyone cracked their brain (unless one is a Physics major) when he talked about the electrons and protons being observed; The cumulative effect on random number generators dispersed throughout the globe and its effect on the terrorist attacks context; the effects of meditation on crime rates; the quantum weirdness; the implications of relativity; and finally the saying that we went a little too far. Superstition needed to go but belief in God needed to stay!
It was a new spiritual experience when participants grouped into three and shared their encounter with God in their daily lives. Some of the comments/evaluations made by the participants are as follows: when asked,
What do you find most useful?
- “ The dependency and addiction”
- “Dependency and addictions because it relates me towards my experiences as a good person”
- “Meditation techniques”
- “I find them all useful”
The second day August 28 was supposed to be a forum for the students. But due to the upcoming typhoon Jenny, the provincial government deemed it necessary to suspend classes in all levels. The OIC team used the opportunity to visit a farm along the verdant mountain in Labrador, a modern fishpond in Binmaley owned by Mr. Dela Cruz, a GCI member, who also treated us to a sumptuous lunch, then dropped by the majestic Capitol Building and the refreshing Baywalk which provided the best glimpse of the province. The local tour ended in the town of Asingan where we feasted on ice cream, cookies and banana before they finally headed for Manila to Davao. The forum for students would be scheduled to a later date.
Those were very productive days to all of us. We are so grateful that the Lord allowed and used the OIC to share God’s love to all participants and ministered to my colleagues in the academe. Praises and glory to the Living God Most High!
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT to those who made this forum a success:
- Dr. Dexter R. Buted.......................University President
- Dr. Marcelo Gutierrez..................VP for Admin/OIC President
- Dr. Manolito C. Manuel................VP for Academic Affairs
- Dr. Ma. Corazon Puzon.................VP for Finance
- Mr. Ian Evangelista.......................Director for HRMDO
- Ms. Leizel M. Castillo....................HRMDO staff
- Dr. Lorna Urbiztondo...................CED, Lingayen Campus
- Dr. Eugene Guzon..........................Asia Superintendent, GCI
- Dr. Lawrence Hinkle.....................Founding Chairman, OIC
- Dr. Gracie Johnson.........................Professor/Speaker, OIC
- Dr. Tom Fallon.................................Speaker, OIC
- Dr. Rey Taniajura............................Dean, OIC
- Dr. Adonis Caguioa.........................District Supervisor, GCI
- Ms. Blessy Tandingan....................Coordinator, Campus Ministry
- Mr. Onofre Lopez...........................Teacher, Campus Ministry
- Mr. Daniel dela Cruz......................Member, GCI
- Mr. Orly Osillos...............................Staff, GCI National Offic
And all others who were not mentioned here but made significant contribution for the success of this forum.