Davao Treats

Such treats He pours on us daily! And I tasted these heart-tingling yummies these past few days.

Aside from my two older sisters visiting (we're now suffering from childhood kwentuhan blues) from the US and Australia, I traveled south last Friday, courtesy of my publisher OMF Literature.

Let's see, Friday night was gimmick time with the yuppies of Davao who relished our "No Way to Go But Up" discussion- on surviving and being light and salt in the workplace. I loved it that quite a number of call center gimikeros (the most stressed of today's workers) came!

The Edge Radio helped OMF mastermind this first ever Davao yuppie gathering.

Glen, my former Southville Foreign University student who chose to go back to Davao to build his career there, surprisingly showed up as promised.

"That was a great seminar," he texted me later. "Very fun and engaging, and it really looked like a professional (TV ) talk show."


Saturday was ladies' day out as Davao's SHE population (more than 600 of them, from teeners to yuppies, mothers and grandmoms) trooped to SheDay, an annual women-honoring event initiated by OMF in Cebu a few years back.

Theater celebrity and gospel singer Tricia Amper Jimenez wowed us all (and heaven I'm sure!) with her powerful praise songs and a hosting style so honest and heartwarming we felt Jesus' loving embrace as she emceed between presentations and her inspirational songs.

Author Ardy Roberto presented his "Ang Perang Hindi Bitin" tips. I noted the ladies briskly taking notes as he discussed practical, down-to-earth and God-wise breakthrough money management ways.

What a privilege for me to talk of God's wonderful purpose for today's women; and to end my part with a song encouraging the ladies to come to Jesus humbly, just like Mary who broke her expensive alabaster jar as a sign of submission to His will.

All these happened at Christ Fellowship Church where OMF, the Edge Radio and Davao's volunteer youth and women took time out from their busy schedules to demonstrate their caring for the yuppies and women of Davao.

Big thanks, hugs and big congratulations to Faye (who ably hosted the yuppie night), Karen, Elle and the other The Edge volunteers; and OMF's Mindanao Operations supervisor Aileen, her Visayas counterpart Lynnie (who helped in the production side and was the event's cool-as-cucumber-voice-over), plus the entire OMF team as well as the lady volunteers and sponsors.

Kudos to Madel, my lady in waiting! Joke! Can you imagine being assigned a PA (personal assistant) volunteer?! Madel was true to form, and praying earnestly besides!

M'am Glo, OMF's Sales boss flew in from Manila with Michael, my friend from OMF Pergola.

Breakfast before flying home was a rip-roaring time with Gay, one of Davao's Christian education advocates. Her big heart for children and families is as big as her laughter and her love for Jesus.

Definitely grander treats than Davao pomelo or durian ice cream and shopping at Aldevingco- though we enjoyed them too! :)

God alone deserves the glory for all these. I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among
throngs of people I will praise you. (Psalm 35:18)