He said that the work in Davao began when Purita Santos, now Purita Pamaran returned to Davao City after her graduation from UP Diliman. Glory to His Name!
Brief History of IVCF-Southern Mindanao (4th Revision)
Based on the statements of Ephraim Orteza, he said he has been visiting and pioneering the Davao ministry alongside with his ‘walk by faith’ trips in the Visayas and Minidanao especially Zamboanga City and then Davao City via Cotabato City port. She was with the IV group in Diliman before SVCF was recognized. She invited IV to start work in D
avao City. The first staffworkers to start the work were Emmanuel Pizana and Leticia Abakan-Magalit as part of their Visayas assignment. William Girao also testified in many of his talks that there was a time when his assignments covered the islands of Visayas and Mindanao including Davao. Reomida Dalipe, being the product from a chapter in UM-Davao (Vinta Christian Fellowship), testified that the earliest campus work in the region started in early 1960's with Filame Caces as staffworker assigned in Davao City. Carlos & Linda San Luis replaced them in the late 1960's up to early 1970's. In 1973, Nancy Ruth Ureta, the staffworker assigned in Davao, later moved to USA to practice her profession as a nurse and involved in Balikatan Ministry. To sustain the growing work, IVCF Philippines' General Secretary, Harvey Co Chien, in 1975 organized the 1st Graduate Team with the concept of doing student ministry while at the same time practicing their respective professions (also known as 'Tent Making'). The 1st batch of GT (Graduate Team) who went to Davao City were Thelma Absalon, Juliet Cunanan, Raymond 'Timothy' Bicera, Ed de Guzman and Nonette 'Nona' Pizaña. Lisa Espineli Chinn accompanied and spent about a month with them. The following year [1976], more graduates joined the Graduate Team and more students were involved in different campuses for the Lord Jesus Christ. This batch was composed of graduates from Davao colleges and universities (University of Mindanao, Rizal Memorial Colleges, Brokenshire College, Harvardian University, Ateneo de Davao University, etc.) who did the evangelism and discipleship in order to organize and pioneer other campuses. They even encouraged other graduates especially those who joined the Kawayan Camp to take an active participation in the student ministry. Raymundo “Ray” Poral, one of those who joined the 2nd batch of the Graduate Team, passionately took part the vision of reaching the campuses in Southern Mindanao. In 1977, the Graduate Team-Davao commissioned Raymundo Poral to pioneer the student work in Tagum, Davao del Norte and in Kabacan, Cotabato. At the early school year of 1977, the first campus work in Tagum was realized. The first campuses were at the University of Mindanao-Tagum (UM-Tagum) and the University of South-Eastern Philippines-Apokon (USP-Apokon, now USeP-Apokon) with regular weekly Bible studies and fellowships. Vicente “Vic” Espero, Jr. took an active part as one of the student-leaders in USP with the support of Ms. Rodriguez, a faculty staff,as an adviser. Later, Tagum campuses sent delegates to Kawayan Camp. It became a student-led ministry in its respective campuses and later some rank as graduates. Vic Espero expanded student ministry to Kapalong with the help of other graduates from Tagum [Raul Dela Cruz, Irwin Alegre, Grace Alegre andAlma Agayan] and Davao City [Alvin Agayan and Norma Luague]. Norma Aurora Payawan was also commissioned to transfer her work from Davao to sustain the growing student-work in Kabacan while working at the University of Southern Mindanao. She did and stayed until her retirement on [2012?]. Surprisingly, she spends her retirement years [2012-present] to pioneer another IVCF ministry in Palawan. In the following year [1978], Raymundo Poral did the same in Koronadal City [King’s College and Notre Dame of Marbel] and in General Santos City [Mindanao State University] in South Cotabato Province. More teammates (Jordan Reyes, Laurente & Tisha Montilla, Alejandro and Nenita Magan) were helping one another for the growing work there. One passionate volunteer in Gen. Santos City was Louie Lapore who served as GT member until his deathbed in [2005?]. He was the mentor of Engr. Edcyl Lopez who, after his graduation, returned to his home place in Agusan del Norte, shared the vision, formed a team and pioneered the chapter in ASCAT in 1998 that made a significant role of the pioneering work in the Caraga Region. Ramon and Carmen Gasilao were the first staff team assigned to Davao City in 1982 to 1985. During this leadership, the first Regional Assembly (RA) in Southern Mindanao was held in February 1984 at Mount Carmel, Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. It marked the first ever Regional Unit of IVCF Philippines. During this season, the region piloted the idea of having a 'Staff Representative' whose main roles are pastoral care, liaison officer and donor-relation. The first Staff Representative was Reynaldo Pasiliao. Those who followed his footsteps were Jether Yares, Darby Aspacio, Alvin de Guzman,J ayson dela Cruz, Rommel Cabanilla, Ricky Patricio, Jeremie Probadora, Raffy Dela Cruz, Sander Doy & Efren Rubino. These ideas remained effective,working and sustainable! Through the vision and passion of the Staff, alumni and GTs many years ago, God has been faithfully sustaining His ministry among students and graduates in Southern Mindanao. Contributor/s:
Raymundo Poral (2012); Ephraim Orteza (interview, 2012); William Girao(talks, 2004); Darby S. Aspacio; Elsie Calalang (commentary, 2014); AlvinAgayan (commentary, 2014); Reomida Dalipe (2016)
[we need more contributors and editors on this]
Researched, edited and enhanced by:
Darby Aspacio (2016)
06/06/2026
Gusto ba nimo mas masabtan ug ma-enjoy ang pagbasa sa Bible?
Calling all students and youth,
Join our Scripture Engagement Workshop and learn how to read, study, and share God's Word in a fun and engaging way. Whether you're just starting your faith journey or have been reading the Bible for years, you're welcome here!
📖 Bring your Bible
👥 Bring your friends.
See you there!
05/06/2026
𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓: 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐀 𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐌 𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐖𝐍
“You are not here by accident. You are not a mistake. You were placed here by God’s sovereign hand for a specific time and purpose.” 🙌
This year, 8 students from Southern Mindanao are preparing to attend Kawayan Camp 2026, a 20-day leadership and discipleship training that seeks to help young people discover God's purpose, deepen their walk with Christ, and be equipped for a lifetime of service.
Just as Joseph declared, “God sent me ahead of you...” (Genesis 45:7-8), we believe God is raising and sending a new generation of student leaders for His mission.
To make this possible, we are raising support for their camp registration and transportation:
📌 Registration Fee: ₱16,000 per delegate
📌 Transportation: ₱6,000 per delegate
📌 Total Need for 8 Delegates: ₱176,000
We invite you to pray with us and, if the Lord leads, partner with us in sending these students to camp. Every gift, big or small, helps invest in the next generation of Christ-centered leaders.
Thank you for helping send students who are not here by accident, but sent by God for His purpose. 🌱🙏
03/06/2026
Hello Ate, Kuya, Students and kaIVgan
IVHome Davao is looking for new IVHomers female preferably 1yr -2nd year student.
For interview and more information just contact
Cherie Gale Gujol (IVHome Manager)- 09955031579
01/06/2026
For two meaningful days, graduates, students, volunteers, ministry partners, and staff from across Southern Mindanao gathered for the 43rd Regional Assembly with the theme, *One in Christ, All for Christ.*
Through the exposition of Philippians 1:3–11 by Ptr. Elvin Mijares, we were reminded that our partnership in the gospel is rooted in Christ and sustained by His grace.
Our business meetings became opportunities for shared discernment, as graduates, students, and staff helped refine plans, strengthen our direction, and think together about how to faithfully steward the ministry God has entrusted to us.
One of the highlights was our testimony night and small group conversations, where different generations shared stories of God's faithfulness and the impact of IVCF in their lives. We were reminded that while our seasons may differ, we remain partners in the same gospel and part of the same spiritual family.
We also affirmed our staff, sent off Nai for her study leave, blessed Chen as she begins her sabbatical leave, and welcomed our newly elected Regional Council members, **Ate Hazel Estrella** and **Jackie Mae Precious Diacono**.
We leave this assembly grateful for God's faithfulness and committed to serving together as one in Christ, all for Christ.
To God be the glory!
29/05/2026
BUKAS NA! 🎉
The wait is almost over!
Tomorrow, we gather as one family for the 43rd IVCF SMRU Regional Assembly under the theme:
“One in Christ, All for Christ.”
Join us as we celebrate God's faithfulness, hear ministry updates, affirm His work across the region, and look ahead to where He is leading us together.
🕗 Registration starts at 8:00 AM sharp
📍 UCCP Shalom Center, Davao City
📅 May 30–31, 2026
🎙️ Expositor: Ptr. Elvin Mijares
If you have not registered yet, especially our stay-in participants, please complete your registration as soon as possible:
As we gather under the theme “One in Christ, All for Christ,” we invite our students, graduates, and ministry partners to join us for this meaningful time of fellowship, worship, reflection, and shared discernment.
We warmly invite you to gather in worship and thanksgiving as we end this academic year with hearts overflowing in gratitude for God’s faithfulness, in our Year-End Fellowship with the theme “Endless Praise.”
06/06/2026
05/06/2026
03/06/2026
01/06/2026
29/05/2026
28/05/2026
27/05/2026
20/05/2026
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19/05/2026