Meet the Interns (Pray for them too!!)

The internship is the most rigorous part of our program at VAST. Young students are sent out to get real life experience in ministry. This is an intense and formative time for these young ministers. Here are the pictures and a little information about each of them. PLEASE PRAY for these students.

This is Jaycel Taing. He is being assigned as the pastor of Carcar Alliance Church.

On the left is Roy Dubrico, he will continue working at Joyful Christian Fellowship in Nangka. (The big smile to the right is his former youth leader and current VAST faculty - Pastor Danny Maing)
Dennis Bon Tirado will be serving at Mandaue City Alliance Church. Here he is pictured with Rev. Romie and his wife, the assistant pastor of MCAC.

Marian Amit (on the left) will be serving at her home church. Cherrylyn and Gina are smiling with Marian
Mary Jean Urbano will be serving at Cebu City Alliance Church. She is pictured with her daughter Hannah and Mrs. Jiji Harner

Edison Villagracia Jr. (left) will be serving at the Alliance Church in Banilad. Jeffrey and Nelmar are posing here with Edison.

Mattlenn Mark Magdayao will be serving at Joyful Christian Fellowship in Nangka along with Roy Dubrico. He will be focusing on the youth ministry. Mattlenn is quite a guapo fellow, but avoids the camera at times. The blogger is still searching for a photo that does him justice.

VAST graduation

Here are the 6 seniors graduating from VAST:
Gracel Balingit, Romie Gomonit, Gerwin Fetalino,
Jeffrey Solosod, Ruben Cadavos, Merci Gilar

Dr. Gerryl Nillos the Head of the Department of General and Theological Education of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines gave the commencement address of improving our calling. Here Dr. Nillos is pictured with the Academic Dean - Mrs. Jiji Harner


Board of Trustee Engr. Celestino Siao awarded the Diplomas to the graduates. Here Mr. Siao is pictured with his longtime friend and partner in ministry, Dr. Jing Dubrico, the President and Founder of VAST.

Pastor Ruben Cadavos smiles with his father and soon to be bride. The medal around Ruben's neck signifies that Ruben graduated Magna Cum Laude. He missed Summa Cum Laude by a mere .04 of a grade point. Great Job with your studies Ruben! However, Ruben has a greater reward coming soon. He and Sharon Rose Mabait will be married on April 26. In addition to his academic achievement, Ruben also planted and pastored a small church in Tayud, Lilo-an during his days at VAST!

Inday Mercia Gilar is Graduated

Here Inday smiles with Dean Conne and Mrs. Edith Sabang (a member of VAST's faculty)

Inday & Gina

Inday and one of her friends from Lilo-an who came to see her graduate.

SBO President Gerwin Fetalino Graduates

Gerwin poses with Ms. Rhonda Wilson (a VAST faculty from Canada) during the graduation ceremony.
Here Gerwin smiles with his girlfriend's sister. She had to stand in for Jackie who is on a 2-year contract working as a nurse in Saudi Arabia. Gerwin worked this year at CCAC and will continue there for a while after graduation.

Romie Gomonit & Jeffrey Solosod Graduate

Jeffrey Solosod is pictured here with his sister during the graduation. Jeffrey has worked with the youth in the Joyful Christian Fellowship Church in Nangka during his time at VAST. He is undecided where he will work upon graduation.
Romie Gomonit is pictured here with sophomores Mildred Tampos and Emilio Casanillo. Romie has pastored in Sudlun for the past 3 years and will continue there after graduation.

VAST Commissions 7 Interns

At the recent Graduation Ceremony VAST commissioned 7 students for their yearlong internship. Most of the students embark on their internship after 2 years of class work and then return to VAST for 2 more years to earn their Bachelor of Theology Degree.

Pictured from left are Edison Villagracia Jr., Romel 'Roy' Dubrico, Mattlenn Mark Magdayao, Jaycel Taing, Dennis Bon Tirado, Marian Amit, Mary Jean Urbano
VAST Board of Trustee and District Superintendent of NEGPA (the islands of Negros & Panay) Rev. Guardson Garcia prayed over the group of students for their commissioning. Below Rev. Garcia is enjoying the meal after the graduation ceremony.

Gracel Balingit has Graduated!!!

Gracel smiles with Mrs. Tajada, Joan, Cherylyn & Dean Conne


Gracel just graduated, but as this picture
depicts, something else may be at
the back of her mind.

Shiana Segen & Marvin Joe Realista Receive Diploma in Church Planting

Marvin Joe Realista and Shian Segen successfully completed their internships this past year and were awarded a Diploma of Church Planting - an intermediary degree offered by VAST after 3 years of training which is similar to an Associates Degree in the US. Marvin Joe interned with the youth at Golden City Alliance Fellowship (GCAF) in Cagayan de Oro City. Shiana worked in a more rural setting with her brother who is a pastor in Calbayug, Samar. The internship is normally a grueling experience in ministry, but Marvin Joe and Shiana have survived and overcome and even have a smile left as you can see in the picture. (Jo-jo you should try to look at the camera)

Here Marvin Joe is pictured with his disciple - VAST freshman Mark Aguipo also from GCAF. When Marvin Joe returned to GCAF, Mark came to VAST.


Marvin Joe has that sly smile of confidence as he walks to receive his diploma

Shiana appears a little nervous to be facing Rev. Tabasa (VAST faculty) Don't worry Shiana, no tests tonight.

Senior Retreat 08 in Danao

Are you ready for a Personal Revolution? Growing in Christ requires change in our lives - big changes - REVOLUTIONS. Ms. Rhonda Wilson (VAST faculty) led the VAST students on their senior retreat.

Here Rhonda is teaching with Edison & Gracel listening intently.


Rhonda talked about the masks that we wear. Social appearances that we maintain to protect ourselves from our fears of what others would think of us if they knew who we really were. However, these masks also prevent real fellowship in the Body of Christ. The next time you shake hands after church, try this: Hold on to the other person's hand a little longer than normal and look the other person in the eye and ask how they REALLY are doing. You will find that many people will avoid eye contact and want to move on.

Our acceptance in Christ gives us the courage to take of our masks and get real with one another. In the Philippines, we say, "Stop being plastic" (not real in your interpersonal relationships)
Here the students celebrate in song their freedom in Christ as they burn the masks. They are free to be themselves with their struggles and problems because that is the only place from which God can truly transform them and bring about a true REVOLUTION in their lives. Thanks Rhonda for a great retreat!!!

VAST Wedding Part I

As part of Pastor Jerry Dubrico's class - Pastor's Life and Work, VAST recently held a mock wedding. This is an opportunity for the students to experience all of the preparation that goes into preparing for a wedding service and to practice officiating. Jeffrey Solosod officiated. Romy Gomonit was the assisting minister. Nelmar and Gracel played the role of the happily married couple. However, the real deal will take place on April 26 as VAST students Ruben and Sharon Rose tie the knot.





Edison, Sharon Joy, Inday, Mattlenn Mark and Joan pose with the beautiful bride - Gracel.
















Gracel, you have a beautiful smile!!

Community Service

VAST students began a community service program this school year. Every Friday the student body spends one hour in the community of Nangka, Consolacion making things better. The students cleaned the roads and the canals. They planted a garden. They played with the children of the community. In many different ways they tried to make our community a better place to live.

Here is Emilio Casanillos, a VAST freshman. His friends call him Davis. A few years ago, he was addicted to drugs in an urban ghetto her e in Cebu. Today he is leading Bible studies for his church – Cebu City Alliance Church in that same ghetto and walking in the deliverance that Christ has given him. He is dedicated and striving to become the Pastor that God has called him to be.